Fleshwarp

Fleshwarp

(Creature)

Aberration

Fleshwarp

Level

By class level

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Adjective

Fleshwarp

Images of fleshwarps

Source: Ancestry Guide, pg(s). 89

The fleshwarp ancestry includes the

Rare

Humanoid

traits, but fleshwarp creatures vary widely in rarity, form, and size.

This article is about the type of creature. For specific non-humanoid types of fleshwarp, see the navbox below.

Fleshwarp is an umbrella term referring to people and creatures whose forms were so greatly transformed by magic, alchemy, or technology that they no longer can be considered their original species or ancestry.

Appearance

Fleshwarps come in countless variations, with the only common point being a mismatched appearance. Humanoid fleshwarps can measure from 5 to 7 feet tall and weigh from 100 pounds to more than 300 pounds, and usually have two arms and legs each. Otherwise, even fleshwarps that are siblings or transformed in the same way might look very different. Other types, such as grothluts, are slug-like in form.

Habitat and ecology

Fleshwarps are divided into two categories: those created as a fleshwarp and those transformed into one. The former usually have a difficult upbringing and are likely to accept their own forms, while the latter tend to hide themselves and are adept at hiding in their species' society.

Cults of evil deities of transmutation like Haagenti or Yamasoth sometimes transform victims in their vile rites. Only the transformation itself matters; the victim is usually released afterward, sometimes to instil terror among the populace but more often out of indifference.

Fleshforges in Nex also create fleshwarps, out of a purely academic interest to push magic to its limits. Many such fleshwarps willingly chose the transformation, and tend to have a more uniform appearance than other fleshwarps, since many of the transformation processes are replicable.

Fleshwarps sometimes originate from the laboratories of Ustalavic scientists, who usually cast them out or force them to do menial work. A few instead take on their creations as students, teaching them alchemical and scientific knowledge to the detriment of social skills.

Some fleshwarps are transformed by an environmental accident or catastrophe, most often in the Mana Wastes, where they have carved out a few settlements.

During the Age of Legend, many Thassilonian wizards and alchemists were fleshwarpers who regularly used sigils to imbue magic to flesh and created many creatures from scratch. For many years, this knowledge was believed to be lost, only remaining in the form of sinspawn and fleshdregs, before the re-emergence of New Thassilon and the recent discoveries in Thassilonian ruins. Since then, fleshwarping sin magic has seen a revival.

In Numeria, the desperate or foolish often drink foul, eldritch fluids that turn them into fleshwarps. They tend to be more hopeful about finding a way to reverse the change, perhaps by drinking more fluids or forcing others to do so, even though this process usually transforms them further or kills them.

Fleshdregs

The failed creation of a fleshwarp are often reintroduced to the caustic vats that spawned them, but some survive as vermin-like remnants known as fleshdregs that suffer constant pain.

History

The art of fleshwarping was introduced to mortals by the demon lord Haagenti. However, mortals have spent the ages since iterating upon and improving the processes.

Society

Since fleshwarps are so few in number, they usually live alone, in small family groups, or at the fringes of community where they take jobs that require little or no contact with other people. Some work in industries where their hardiness is a boon and their uncanny appearance does not matter.

Settlements that consist fully of fleshwarps are rare but exist in the deserts of the Mana Wastes and Nex, and among the demon-warped descendants of Mendevian Crusaders known as "Neathers" who in the tunnels live beneath Mendev. Many also live in the Darklands, though rarely in settlements, which are largely limited to descendants of Thassilonian experimentation in the layers of Nar-Voth and Sekamina beneath Varisia.

Fleshwarps are quick to learn and value endurance, and usually share stories when encountering fellow fleshwarps. A fleshwarp's origin is usually a painful and horrifying process discussed only among close friends or loved ones.

Since fleshwarps have little to gain from society and must be adaptable just to survive, they rarely work for society in turn and are seldom lawful. Despite being stereotyped as monsters, they are no more or less evil than the average person, and tend toward neutrality. Their neighbours might come to accept a fleshwarp and call out outsiders who make a big deal out of the "monster", though strange events can quickly change people's feelings and force a fleshwarp to run away from their home to flee a misguided mob.

Fleshwarps are usually non-religious (viewing faith as impractical or considering themselves abandoned by the gods) or exceptionally devout. Evil ones most often worship Lamashtu; others often turn to Arazni, Calistria, Desna, or Gozreh.

The Oenopion Fleshforges is a guild based in Oenopion consisting of many of the most talented Nexian fleshforgers. They focus on creating fleshwarp soldiers for the state, who are often highly regarded for their skills.

Adventurers

Sapient fleshwarps often live on the margins of society. Effective self-defence skills lead many fleshwarps to become barbarians, fighters, rogues, or rangers. Champions and druids are frequently chosen paths among fleshwarps who seek to defend and better the lot of others of their type.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.