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My Therianthopy... an "Anti-Disease"?
11 years ago
Just a minor thought on my part, whilst writing out a message to one 0plm....
I was writing out what I considered ideal about the concept of transformation to him, and put some of the qualities together to come up with this little gimmick.
I like the concept of "transformation", as a way to see oneself improve... As one furry artist by the name of Xylem put it... "Furries are 50% superhero, 50% supermodel."... While there is some variation to that statement, he's got some accuracy there.... many "fursonas" are what we consider our ideal selves... and that usually involves not only being in top physical shape, to the point of preternatural, animalistic levels, but also being physically attractive... though of course, physically attractive can vary quite a bit from person to person... one person might be attracted to the more stereotypical, lithe, muscular build of a swimmer... while another might find a hunched, hairy, slavering man-beast incredibly hot in a feral, primal sort of way. typically though, both will be very well suited to the person's favorite environments, and match creatures you would find in those environments (but of course, some folks like being odd, like a kangaroo in the middle of thick jungle treetops in Asia... Meh, more power to 'em.)
Now, the act of "Being Furry" aside... let's consider the concept of "Becoming Furry"... the thing that separates 'typical' furs from 'TF fans'. I've likened enjoying transformation to the concept of enjoying a journey... You tend to not just look forward to the final destination, or form in this case... but also enjoy the moments leading up to the final destination... the parts of the journey, or transformation, that provide a new and exciting experience... The concept of realizing you aren't just growing long, feminine fingernails... but that you actually have claws... Maybe the next big mile-marker there, is watching as thick padding forms on your fingertips, your knuckles developing into the more thick, heavy, well supported (but less dextrous) structure of paws... Or perhaps the change is more ideal, giving you the power and stability of paws, and the lithe dexterity of human digits... the quintessential "Paw-hands"... Realizing you have a tail growing out of your rear end is another big mile marker... or perhaps wings from your shoulders...
Many furries just want to "Be Ideal"... but some of us enjoy every gradual, growing, pulsating improvement that occurs... and that's where tf comes in.
Me... I've always entertained... not only the concept of transforming into an ideal form... but also spreading it around. To the general public, "Lycanthropy" is a curse, or a disease... capable of jumping from person to person in an infectious manner, turning you into something "Less" than human.
Call me idealistic if you desire, but my Fursonas carried a unique form of this 'Curse'... the concept of "Therianthropy". I'm sure many of you would have recognized that word and it's given definition... It is basically a scientifically accurate description of being an "animal person"... or "other form"...
The basic idea is simple enough. The condition my personae have is contagious... it is infectious... it can spread with heavy contact with other individuals... whether this is through typical "werewolf" means of biting, clawing, and general mauling is one thing, or the more idealistic concept of lovemaking... a sort of "Super STD"...
But rather than people infected with this condition always transforming into a "copy" of whatever form I happened to be... were-swan, were-orca, or... heh, no non-silly way to say this, a were-flammie... They end up transforming into their own given "Ideal" form. It might take time to "Incubate" after the initial 'infection', watching internally as the person shows an interest or longing for life in certain environments, or idolizing certain beasts... or it might transform them just as quickly as they are infected... especially if such an ideal form has been rooted in their psyche for quite some time. Spending long periods of time with certain beasts may also be a contributing factor, much like a certain martial arts master who hung out constantly with sewer rats...
So yeah... after considering all these concepts, I began to piece together this new definition for one of my favorite gimmicks. The mathematics at this point are simple to add together for your consideration. Take an infectious condition... thus, a "Disease". But unlike nearly every other disease in existence... this condition does *not* consume the one it infects... it does not make a person "weaker"... it does not make them "older" or "uglier"... quite the opposite, it feed's off of the human's resources, infiltrating the body, and prompting them to eat more... to fuel a metabolism that wants to accelerate into something unnatural. But unlike many viruses, who only turn body structures into virii indiscriminately, eventually breaking down their host environment and destroying themselves, this pathogen tries to propagate and survive through a more symbiotic relationship with it's host... making the host into something fit... something powerful, and attractive (at least in the mind of the host)... and making the host enjoy every moment of it.
And of *course* once this ideal symbiotic relationship is developed, the pathogen is going to want to continue to propagate... but again, rather than reproducing mindlessly, destroying it's environment... it merely re-develops a small surplus of its population into a highly contagious form, then waits until inevitable contact with another host occurs... and thus the infection repeats. Ah, but there are times... where the disease, much like certain parasites, will alter the mindset of it's host... I mean sure... it already made sure the host enjoyed both it's transformation, and its new, sophisticated body... but sometimes a little more is needed. Typically accelerating one of two brain centers is sufficient... either the aggressive mindset... or the erotic mindset. Either way, the Host will find itself either attacking another potential host organism in undue aggression, spreading the contagion... or they will try to force themselves on the individual organism in a different sort of way. Of course, the given host can resist either urge, lessening their reaction, or nullifying it completely... it is merely an urge, a hormonal stimulus created by the pathogen.... Also, the rage or arousal reaction varies from Host to Host... again typically reflecting the pre-existing psychological mindset of the individual... The best way to put it is... are they a 'lover' or a 'fighter'?
Of course... that is one big danger of being such a Therianthrope... if you do decide someone needs to be beaten up... you better either finish the job (a gruesome concept) or attack the individual with a reasonably sterile weapon (just don't go dipping your sword or bullets in your spit, blood, or.....ew... 'excrement'... and you'll be fine)... otherwise your foe might come back to haunt you later in a shiny, new, powered up "boss-form"... so to speak ;) ... But who knows... maybe they'll thank you for the pleasurable transformation (after the vicious mauling) and you will have a new... if rather masochistic... friend. ;)
Okay, So we have an infectious pathogen that gives the host primarily benefits, rather then detriments. so, sort of a Same... but Opposite concept. And that's where I got the idea of the "Anti-Disease". I hadn't realized it before, but my concept of a Therianthropy disease might actually come from a fear or hatred of typical disease, along the typical furry aspect of "Wanting the perfect (furfect?) body." Combine it with my appreciation for gradually growing in power/attractiveness, as opposed to just always having been that way... and I begin to get a clearer picture of my own id, ego, and super ego... my psychological core.
All that said, there's my concept of the "condition" that my "were-forms" have. If you were to ever encounter them, you would likely expect to deal with a calm, serene, and subtly, oddly amorous man-beast (I'm more of a lover than a fighter, as far as my infectious psychological sub-type is), who would be happy to let you experience the same joy that he found, ever since he began to change....
I was writing out what I considered ideal about the concept of transformation to him, and put some of the qualities together to come up with this little gimmick.
I like the concept of "transformation", as a way to see oneself improve... As one furry artist by the name of Xylem put it... "Furries are 50% superhero, 50% supermodel."... While there is some variation to that statement, he's got some accuracy there.... many "fursonas" are what we consider our ideal selves... and that usually involves not only being in top physical shape, to the point of preternatural, animalistic levels, but also being physically attractive... though of course, physically attractive can vary quite a bit from person to person... one person might be attracted to the more stereotypical, lithe, muscular build of a swimmer... while another might find a hunched, hairy, slavering man-beast incredibly hot in a feral, primal sort of way. typically though, both will be very well suited to the person's favorite environments, and match creatures you would find in those environments (but of course, some folks like being odd, like a kangaroo in the middle of thick jungle treetops in Asia... Meh, more power to 'em.)
Now, the act of "Being Furry" aside... let's consider the concept of "Becoming Furry"... the thing that separates 'typical' furs from 'TF fans'. I've likened enjoying transformation to the concept of enjoying a journey... You tend to not just look forward to the final destination, or form in this case... but also enjoy the moments leading up to the final destination... the parts of the journey, or transformation, that provide a new and exciting experience... The concept of realizing you aren't just growing long, feminine fingernails... but that you actually have claws... Maybe the next big mile-marker there, is watching as thick padding forms on your fingertips, your knuckles developing into the more thick, heavy, well supported (but less dextrous) structure of paws... Or perhaps the change is more ideal, giving you the power and stability of paws, and the lithe dexterity of human digits... the quintessential "Paw-hands"... Realizing you have a tail growing out of your rear end is another big mile marker... or perhaps wings from your shoulders...
Many furries just want to "Be Ideal"... but some of us enjoy every gradual, growing, pulsating improvement that occurs... and that's where tf comes in.
Me... I've always entertained... not only the concept of transforming into an ideal form... but also spreading it around. To the general public, "Lycanthropy" is a curse, or a disease... capable of jumping from person to person in an infectious manner, turning you into something "Less" than human.
Call me idealistic if you desire, but my Fursonas carried a unique form of this 'Curse'... the concept of "Therianthropy". I'm sure many of you would have recognized that word and it's given definition... It is basically a scientifically accurate description of being an "animal person"... or "other form"...
The basic idea is simple enough. The condition my personae have is contagious... it is infectious... it can spread with heavy contact with other individuals... whether this is through typical "werewolf" means of biting, clawing, and general mauling is one thing, or the more idealistic concept of lovemaking... a sort of "Super STD"...
But rather than people infected with this condition always transforming into a "copy" of whatever form I happened to be... were-swan, were-orca, or... heh, no non-silly way to say this, a were-flammie... They end up transforming into their own given "Ideal" form. It might take time to "Incubate" after the initial 'infection', watching internally as the person shows an interest or longing for life in certain environments, or idolizing certain beasts... or it might transform them just as quickly as they are infected... especially if such an ideal form has been rooted in their psyche for quite some time. Spending long periods of time with certain beasts may also be a contributing factor, much like a certain martial arts master who hung out constantly with sewer rats...
So yeah... after considering all these concepts, I began to piece together this new definition for one of my favorite gimmicks. The mathematics at this point are simple to add together for your consideration. Take an infectious condition... thus, a "Disease". But unlike nearly every other disease in existence... this condition does *not* consume the one it infects... it does not make a person "weaker"... it does not make them "older" or "uglier"... quite the opposite, it feed's off of the human's resources, infiltrating the body, and prompting them to eat more... to fuel a metabolism that wants to accelerate into something unnatural. But unlike many viruses, who only turn body structures into virii indiscriminately, eventually breaking down their host environment and destroying themselves, this pathogen tries to propagate and survive through a more symbiotic relationship with it's host... making the host into something fit... something powerful, and attractive (at least in the mind of the host)... and making the host enjoy every moment of it.
And of *course* once this ideal symbiotic relationship is developed, the pathogen is going to want to continue to propagate... but again, rather than reproducing mindlessly, destroying it's environment... it merely re-develops a small surplus of its population into a highly contagious form, then waits until inevitable contact with another host occurs... and thus the infection repeats. Ah, but there are times... where the disease, much like certain parasites, will alter the mindset of it's host... I mean sure... it already made sure the host enjoyed both it's transformation, and its new, sophisticated body... but sometimes a little more is needed. Typically accelerating one of two brain centers is sufficient... either the aggressive mindset... or the erotic mindset. Either way, the Host will find itself either attacking another potential host organism in undue aggression, spreading the contagion... or they will try to force themselves on the individual organism in a different sort of way. Of course, the given host can resist either urge, lessening their reaction, or nullifying it completely... it is merely an urge, a hormonal stimulus created by the pathogen.... Also, the rage or arousal reaction varies from Host to Host... again typically reflecting the pre-existing psychological mindset of the individual... The best way to put it is... are they a 'lover' or a 'fighter'?
Of course... that is one big danger of being such a Therianthrope... if you do decide someone needs to be beaten up... you better either finish the job (a gruesome concept) or attack the individual with a reasonably sterile weapon (just don't go dipping your sword or bullets in your spit, blood, or.....ew... 'excrement'... and you'll be fine)... otherwise your foe might come back to haunt you later in a shiny, new, powered up "boss-form"... so to speak ;) ... But who knows... maybe they'll thank you for the pleasurable transformation (after the vicious mauling) and you will have a new... if rather masochistic... friend. ;)
Okay, So we have an infectious pathogen that gives the host primarily benefits, rather then detriments. so, sort of a Same... but Opposite concept. And that's where I got the idea of the "Anti-Disease". I hadn't realized it before, but my concept of a Therianthropy disease might actually come from a fear or hatred of typical disease, along the typical furry aspect of "Wanting the perfect (furfect?) body." Combine it with my appreciation for gradually growing in power/attractiveness, as opposed to just always having been that way... and I begin to get a clearer picture of my own id, ego, and super ego... my psychological core.
All that said, there's my concept of the "condition" that my "were-forms" have. If you were to ever encounter them, you would likely expect to deal with a calm, serene, and subtly, oddly amorous man-beast (I'm more of a lover than a fighter, as far as my infectious psychological sub-type is), who would be happy to let you experience the same joy that he found, ever since he began to change....
I find myself with just one issue - lover, or fighter? Ideally, I'd be a lover (and my encounters with others tend to reflect this) but there's always something in the back of my mind that craves to be let loose, set free in a much more wild, primal way. There's a certain freedom in just becoming a beast, a monster without any restriction, inhibition, or second thoughts. This or course is likely what most people fear and why werecreatures and their 'affliction' is considered just that, and struck as a disease. I gather most people just see a feral killer rather than a powerful, intimate lover.
I suppose myself I'd end up classified as an aggressive lover? Mm, it does raise some curiosities on my own part, thanks for the thought-provoking read. :)
Frankly, I know my journals have been a mite dark for a while, but I'm recovering, and am happy to have a positively stimulating journal, in a sort of "About freaking time..." kind of way.
anyway, back to the therianthropy condition, and it's potential foils and fuel for conflict... I did want to retain the wild, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous aspect of the "lycanthropy curse"... there is just something exciting about it... and in many ways, it is more realistic in a sense. For example... you are always going to run into a$$holes... it doesn't matter if they are human, furry, teachers, lawyers, teenagers, geezers, rich, poor, etc. etc. etc... and I wanted to reflect that with the therianthropy... Not every therianthrope you come across is going to be a pleasant window into a better world... While I for one, would try to only "Infect" good people... But I can be deceived, just like anyone else... and if I *did* foolishly attack a human !@#$tard with fang and claw, I would likely not have the heart to finish them off, having only wanted to teach them a painful lesson (while driven by my potentially rage-enhancing therianthropy condition)... and that could be fatal once the evil individual heals... and transforms.
As for a mixture of fury and passion... that is definitely a possibility. I hate to bring it up, but if I were to be perfectly realistic (as well as idealistic... it is a strange mixture...), rape is a possibility... the worst possibility to be sure, but still a possibility. lesser mixes of fury and passion might just be rough sex... or perhaps you start off hating someone so much you love them (like those odd awkward scenes in some movies)... or perhaps a half-hearted attempt at lovemaking, mixed with far too much frustration from earlier events, ends the session halfway in an accidental bloodletting, causing one lover to flee in shame, while the other writhes in a confused, half pained, half pleasured transformation, unable to follow and comfort their lover due to their uncooperative, pulsating body, caught in a whirlwind of guilt and ecstasy...
indeed... there seems to be plenty of room for conflict, despite what is clearly an idealistic contagion.
But yeah, I tend to think that most people would end up on the less dark side of things, you included... I am imagining a sort of pepe le pew sort of scenareo... or perhaps just someone willing to go the extra mile to seduce someone, heh.
Also, since you mentioned it being an "evolutionary marvel", I imagine you might like my current idea on what the core contagion "looks like". I imagine something sort of like a microscopic "Death Star"... basically a virus that, while still microscopic, is startlingly large and complex... likely the size of a medium to large cell. This is due to it's extremely complex nature, and it's need to be able to adapt to, merge with, and enhance many biological systems. so in essence, a nanomachine... though whether it's origin is biological, or mechanical, is still up in the air. such an... ideal effect from its infection certainly suggests that it is manufactured however.
Smaller, non-contagious versions of the virus would likely propagate in the host body, mutated to merge with the various host's biological systems... immune system included. Indeed, while it is rarely possible to get "cross contaminated"... usually causing bizarre mutations (like dragon-taurs, Siamese twins of different species, etc.), they are highly unlikely, as the disease, once specialized, defends it's host jealously, only allowing it's own infectious "seed type" to wander through the body. The seed type would likely briefly attatch to a cell, ascertain it's function and genetic structure, then manufacture a piece of itself to merge with the cell, enhancing it, and gradually rebuilding additional components for similar cells nearby to merge with.
.....
I just realized that this little scientific aside is going to go on for far too long... I feel like, with time and study, I could "retcon" A viable seeming pathogen on a scientific level... but I don't want to stretch into TL;DR territory here... maybe I'll try a description of the contagion and its full functions in a seperate "story" later.
Anyway, yah, thanks for the compliment! Glad I could provide some introspection on the "therianthropic condition" :D it's certainly something I give far too much thought about. ;)
But yes, our DNA does contain an immense amount of "junk data" that isn't activated, which very closely resembles many creatures on earth... I think the biggest link I want to make, is why the condition is transforming people into their ideal form of said animal. My best theory would be that the genetics representing that animal are close to re-activating already, creating a subconscious desire to be said animal, perhaps under the same aspect as "Genetic Memory". So yah, good call Ivanks:)
I'm just gonna assume that the weird-ass mutant that would be a were-flammie would be just that... a mutant reactivation of multiple animals, bird...reptile... and mammal combined... a not only survivable mutant, but thrive...able?... though such a successful chaostic crossbreed would likely be astronomical... I would feel sorry for the far more common "failed mutants" out there.
But for single, reality-existing creatures? definitely a promising aspect.
Also... I am beginning to come up with an idea regarding these people who are "susceptible to change"... Much like the "mutants" of X-Men fame, what if people who enjoyed nature or animals began to be treated by suspicion and hatred by "normal" Humans... because there is a chance that their love of these animals suggests animalistic DNA trying to re-activate, needing only the therianthropy catalyst to commence? There would likely be atrocities committed, as real, regular old people who just so happen to really like animals are hit with unjustified hate-crimes and bigotry. Of course little needs to be said about the treatment that "confirmed" Therianthropes would receive, but at least there would be little doubt as to if they were truly "different" or not... and of course, even if they were physically different... is that still any reason to mistreat them?
......hmph. Definitely getting ideas for a "story universe" now... LOL, that's my lot in life. plenty of inspiration... I just need the motivation *mentally prods himself to get shit done*
Yeah, I am still in action, thank goodness. It seems as though we have gathered enough financial aid to survive until jobs and other opportunities can be made. On top of that, I am getting used to the weirdness of having a colostomy bag... it actually provides a number of benefits that normal people don't have, like avoiding discomfort if you have to use the restroom, and is alot easier to maintain than I expected... though I *do* miss being able to sleep on my stomach... my favorite sleeping position. Apparently there are belts and suits and such allowing just about any action though, even scuba diving! So I don't have to abandon that dream at least...:D
Also, as for that ugly little painkiller addiction I had? it turns out that there are medicines that stifle all the physical withdrawal symptoms (flu-like aches, fever/chills, tiredness, but also insomnia, etc.)... and that just leaves the psychological addiction to deal with, things like"ya know what would make drawing/reading/videogames more fun now? vicadin! ....... And frankly, those 'urges' are easy to ignore, especially now that things are less stressful and depressing here (I am also on a psyche medicine regime again, so that is likely helping.)
Survival aside, if I had to retcon your inflatable therianthropy condition... I would likely blame the all-encompasing MacGuffin of the magical... Nanomachine. Namely, a nanomachine type, or suite, that would turn living things into sentient "balloon bots". honestly, the concept of a balloon bot is not that unrealistic... it would just require brilliant use of micro-hydraulics in the body of the inflatable creature, probably along the jointed areas. and if you could infect and transform organics into such a thing... well, the aspect of a sentient balloon bot itself would be child's play at such a tech level. well... at least the nanites would have plenty of minerals to work with in an organic body to create such a balloon beast. Heh, I only call the thing a 'bot' anyway, because you are turned into an inorganic thing. I suppose sentience, and the fact that the balloon body was built out of previously organic materials would mean that the term balloon beast would still be appropriate. Anyway, I ramble.
Also, I still liked the idea of wearing your inflatable body like a suit, effectively merging with you and becoming an inflatable hybrid... so there is that bit of fun as well. Actually, since I do enjoy merging transformations, I have entertained the concept that, rarely, the infection/transformation element of the therianthropy contagion would overload in a bizarre way, causing the person who was just infected to merge with the individual doing the infection... likely the contagion mistakes the new individual as extra organic material to aid in the transformation... These are all things that I entertain doing in stories and such... just a matter of time I imagine.
Take care expy, wonderful to hear from you as ever!
Wearing, hmm? Well, once you get all the air out of an inflatable, you're left with a skin you can open up and wear if you wish. Not like I could do anything about it if you wanted to get *really* intimate with the cuddling, right?
Being oppressed? You would have a caged animal in a humanistic form. Nurtured? You could get a well-adjusted individual. I can go on and on about situations, but then it would mimic nature vs nurture sayings.
I've been entertaining the thought of doing some tf stories lately, using these and other similar gimmicks... might have to actually go through with it *mentally prods himself to get on with it*
Also there is something there to psychologically based transformation. marvel comics has kind of touched on the idea of psychologically based Transformation as gamma poisoning/mutation tends to be based on that (it's one reason I like the it as a TF catalyst as it doesn't really have a "fixed mold" so to speak). the giant headed "Leader" aquired his expanded cranium and intellectual capacity because he greatly envied his brother who was a rocket scientist while he was a janitor, the hulk's tantrum prone nature was due to repressed childhood rage, and Doc Sampson became the superhero/supermodel split mentioned at the beginning because of how much he admired and looked up to the superheroes he was tasked with treating. I loosely based the ongoing sergal fluid epidemic comic partially on that idea too (I chalked it more up to the randomness of the "disease" vector though).
For that much complexity, I figured there would be some kind of ulterior motive of a greater structure or hive-mind of sorts looking to establish themselves rather than just being for your own best interest (If it came from space; I suppose it could be a work of a precursor civilization which would make the concept of there not being hidden motives at work more believable).
And while this is only tangentially related, believe it or not, a lot of people believe that ultimately most diseases "seek" a balance or even symbiosis with the host. A lot of rodents in the tropics seem to ooze with super diseases that cannot hurt them even when scientists try to activate certain genetic markers to make the viruses and such do so (they could kill humans in hours though). Also our main cellular source of energy, the mitochondria, does not share any of our DNA and was arguably a former parasite itself.
But I guess I think the best way I like it is from what I saw in this video of Skyrim where you can become a Werewolf in it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?featu.....x7PjGQLQ#t=139 Like a ritual instead of a lucky surviving an attack. Plus also I never believed that when you transformed you become a mindless beast that just want's to kill. I mean It's a wolf. They are not like that. It's human ignorance that made made everyone see them as that. Don't you agree?
As for the concept of infection through any bodily fluid... it basically made the most sense to me from a practical level. Sure, it makes it easy to turn it into a sexual fetish, but more than that... if it *is* an infectious virus, odds are it would be fluid borne. Actually, why stop there? if you really wanted to get nasty, make the virus like the common cold, communicable through the air... just being around a were creature could be enough to catch the *bug*. But traditionally, the more invasive and transformative a virus is, the less survivable it is outside of its host environment, hence the propensity for fluid transferal.
*grins* I've seen the werewolf ritual in Skyrim before... no need to see the link... I did it firsthand. Amusingly... being a werewolf in that game can be particularly useful for a spell caster who's run out of magical options... it basically gives you the option to turn into a "fighter" at any given point in time. *ponders*... actually, if you become a vampire... you gain alot of spell like abilities, basically giving you the option to turn into a "wizard"... I imagine this was a deliberate gameplay balance element... No need to make both transformations essentially the same thing, gameplay wise, even if vampires can be brutal killing machines traditionally.
*chuckles* oh, and something I noticed about the skyrim werewolves, they actually got the detail on the model down to the point that the creatures have multiple nipples down their belly, like a typical canid would sport. Just an odd level of detail that made me go "huh..."... you can thank the "still models" that you can view on the loading screens for me noticing.
Another interesting element in skyrim, is when you "Cure" a particular character of his lycanthropy, you actually seperate the wolven spirit from his body... which causes it to promptly attack you. Beat it up (hope you brought a magical or silver weapon, because you need one of the two to hit ghosts and spirits) to complete the cure. That suggests a level of possession, which can be an interesting transformational trigger as well.
Also with infection bugs. What about the blood. Say some smuck did fight and kill a were with a silver sword. There is a slim chance that he wouldn't have any blood from the were on him. And there is a lot of bugs that can infect you just from skin contact. So, it would be a never ending cycle unless lots of silver bullets and distance was involved. Kind of why I don't believe they are mindless beast. I think that they might actually consider what would of happened if their curse would of spread and stuff to those that are not worthy in their eyes and everything.
As for Skyrim. Well. I don't really know much about it. I just was in the magazine about it. And saw that video. I never played for 2 reasons. 1 It's a game where Dragons are evil and you have to hunt them to save the world. I'm sick of those games. I understand that there is evil in everything. There is evil dragons, but there are good ones also. I'm just sick of these games always picking dragons to be evil and they have to be hunted. I'm sick of it. I can only think of 2 dragon games where they are not evil at all. And 2, which is depressing, is that I had to sell my game systems a while ago to help pay bills and stuff. I never could afford to get anything back.
Admittedly, I think there is a subconsious hatred of anything overpowering to a human being... a mix of jealousy and fear... and again, dragons, being so powerful, tend to "naturally" evoke those negative elements more easily than other aspects. I think that's part of why I like Flammies... they are essentially just dragons, but are so cute and fluffy, that it overwrites alot of that negative reaction... heh, which makes it all the more tragic seeming when you have to kill a flammie that went berserk because of things the real villain pulls.
There are a number of games where dragons are portrayed in a positive light though... you just have to keep an eye out for em.
... as for your financial trouble, you do have my condolences... Things are rough here as well: any games I currently have are old ones, or ones we've fenagled (I got a deal on the dead island games for 5$ via steam... and the 5$ was just via ancient leftover credit)... Its been this way for... well, about 8 months now, and the most recent months we have been scrambling for financial aid just to pay the rent... we literally haven't been sure if we would be homeless month after month, for about 4 months now... I don't wish to depress you Metamorpher, honestly... Just know that I understand how you feel, and hope things turn around for you with the same level of intensity that I do for our own troubles... I don't like knowing good folk are suffering. I sincerely hope things improve soon.
I find I might have a bit more information on these subjects than the general public, actually. I was sent to a special advanced program for 9-12th grades in high school, in a building on a campus that has a protein engineering company, a cancer research facility and a smaller HIV research team. On the several field trips to the facilities, we were shown college level concepts related to their research, some of which was probably original. From these experiences and independent research on genetics and metabolism, etc (I have a close family member who is a Registered Dietitian, so the metabolism part was relatively easy) I have come to what I believe is a picture of what species modification might be in the future.
The aforementioned process would likely start with the individual's genes being taken and modified to a stable configuration (checked for stability by models and initiating mitosis in a cell with the DnA replacing the original nucleus, essentially making an already modified offspring to check for deformities). The new DnA would be implanted into retroviruses and the individual would receive immunosuppressants. The individual would be put into a chemically induced coma to allow for easier maintainence while changing species and to deprive them of sensing the likely immense amounts of pain from even just the replacement of the nervous system. The retroviruses would be introduced into the system and introduce an RnA template into the cells while triggering them to transcribe it into a DnA form and run it while also transferring the copies of the new DnA to neighboring cells. Each round of retroviruses would have very short telomeres to ensure no extra reactions between the patient and the viruses that delivered their "payload". After sufficient infection (which would probably have to be determined by models again) the individual would have to have their basic functions attended to by some sort of support staff for the period of time it took for the cells to become infected, reformat, infect their neighbors and divide. The process would likely take months, if not years and after the changes completed the individual would have to go through very long rounds of physical and other therapies to help them get used to their bodies, but after that they'd be essentially the anthropomorphic individuals we commonly envision.
Sorry for the wall o' text, but as I said before, this is something that I'm fascinated by. Also, if anyone wants to correct me on some point, feel free to, I'd love to see more research in this area.