L-Virus

The **Lycanthropy Virus** (often shorten to L-Virus or Lycan Virus).

## Origins

The L-Virus seems to have been a creation of an unidentified Verzerrt in the Eastern European region, though some speculate it to be another creation of REVENANT much like the R-Virus. Due to it's properties along with the effects it has on infected individuals, it is clearly inspired by the myth of lycanthropy, and the result of it known as the Werewolf and Lycan. Much of the actual properties that inspired and were used as creation for the virus are still undetermined.

## Infection Methods

The virus is highly transmissive, capable of being exchanged via bodily fluids, bites, or simply being wounded by the afflicted much like their inspirations. The rate of infection is very fast, however, the host may not experience any symptoms depending on their condition or surroundings around an hour or two after their initial transmission. If conditions are favorable, the host will experience violent convulsions and spasms as their body morphs and bone growth starts to take place. Only a few seconds later, the host will lose all higher thoughts and revert to a more animalistic state, though some intelligence that allows them to use melee weaponry along with certain tools still remains.

Alternatively, if not in favorable conditions, the host will simply continue acting as normal until the conditions are met. It should be noted that the infected can go back and forth between these states throughout the natural duration of the day. While nighttime is the norm for transformation, simply blocking out the UV rays emitted by the sun though artificial or natural means is enough as well.

## Mutations

Upon their infection, the host will undergo a transformative episode in low-light or complete darkness, quickly and violently mutating to gain several notable wolf-like features such as bone growth turning all of their teeth into sharper and enlarged canines, claw growth, and increased hair growth. Their eyes seem to change to be more reminiscent of those found in several species of Canis Lupus, glowing yellow, blue, or potentially red (usually after further mutation), and giving them far better eyesight in low-light conditions. The musculature of the infected will gain a temporary increase in most areas during transformation, giving the host superhuman strength and agility. They also seem to gain an increased tolerance to pain, as gunshot and stab wounds don't seem to phase them, aside from potentially stunning them for a second. Essentially, the human becomes a hybrid of Homo Sapien and wolf, but will revert to normal if exposed to enough UV light from a natural source. While this seems to be the basic form of infected, further mutations have been observed with a number of different effects. These will be documented later.

## Variants Encountered

**Lykanthropos:** Greek for Wolf Man (although female infected are also categorized under this designation), also known as the Shifter Type. This variant of the infected will experience minor mutations that increases their muscle mass along with bone growth resulting in claws, fangs, and animalistic behavior in favorable low/absent light conditions (most commonly at night). Host will likely have paler skin and hair color in both forms. Infected will regain rationality and appear to have their mutations reversed upon contact with sufficient UV light (such as during the day, contact with the light must be made however as the infected will remain transformed if there are in a structure that blocks light from coming though) with no negative side effects to their health. Infected seem to exhibit minor regenerative properties when shifting back to human form.

**Zverochelovek:** Russian for Beastman, also known as the Feral Type. These hosts experience intense and irreversible mutation (even when exposed to UV light, which seems to just cause them discomfort and make them recoil) that transforms them into a large creature resembling a wolf-like monster with a humanoid structure. Documented physical mutations have been fairly uniform with some varied appearances. They are typically more ravenous and bloodthirsty than even the Shifter Type mutated infected, with far greater strength and durability. They seem to lack the regenerative properties of the Shifter Type, but its still insanely difficult to kill them.

## Gallery

Initial infection combined with suitable conditions will result in immediate transformation. The process as with many others as a result of viruses and parasites originating from the Verzerrt are quick and violent, with the victim becoming ravenous as they start growing more canine-like features. The amount and intensity of the mutations is a good early indicator of host compatibility and therefore serves as a hint on whether they will turn into the Shifter Type or Feral Type.Feral Type infected take a bit longer than Shifter Type to fully transform, during the period depending on amount of UV light impacting them, their features will grow at varying speeds. The growth of new ears along with canine growth and eye change are the early mutations before their transition into something inhuman. Highly exaggerated hair growth is also common.A couple of examples of fully transformed Feral Type infected, along with another who is on the brink. The fully transformed lose higher thought and revert to a more instinctual and animalistic state. Simply put, there is no negotiating with them. You either fight it, run, or die.Humans are social creatures, as are the creatures that humans represent while infected. As such, they tend to form bonds with each other. Beast Type and Shifter Type infected will not attack each other whatsoever, acting much like a typical "pack" (a possible side effect of Verzerrt hivemind initiation). Shifters treat Ferals much like respected hunting dogs, while Ferals will always follow the orders of their more intelligent brethren.Strangely, growth of animal ears is common among the infected. How such a significant change to the human anatomy can grow and reverse with the transformation conditions is unknown, but it wouldn't be the first bizarre observation about the Verzerrt and their creations.Another infected Shifter Type. For the uneducated, it can be difficult to determine the difference between the Shifter and one who is undergoing the transition to Feral Type.L-Virus infected all gain far greater eyesight than what is possible for ordinary humans. This is a trait shared across all infected, and even persists in the Shifter types even if they aren't transformed. Their eyes exhibit a glow, and the eye color can vary, though the infected in a group usually share one eye color.A recently infected L-Virus victim undergoing transformation. The early growth of ears along with the darkening of skin around the eyes or eye with more pronounced veins are the earliest sign of the victim turning into a Feral Type. Immediate termination advised.