The Pitch Curse

The pitch curse is a curse affecting Okaryu that kill another of their species. The curse can be triggered in an Okaryu by intentional or unintentional murder of another Okaryu via physical contact or by use of their powers. The pitch curse will affect any and all Okaryu that kill another Okaryu. Pitch Okaryu are commonly vilified in many Okaryu communities and may be exiled from a pack or even hunted.

Origin

The curse was cast on the Okaryu species by Priestess Oriel as a result of their increasing hostility towards those of their own species. This curse was a desperate attempt by Oriel to punish those Okaryu that tried to solve disputes with violence. It ultimately caused her death and has had both good and bad consequences on Okaryu culture since: Okaryu fear the curse as a consequence to murder but the curse has profound negative influence on the mind and body of those that it afflicts.

Curse Effect

Immediately after an Okaryu has killed another Okaryu they will be afflicted by the pitch curse. This curse triggers a physical transformation in the Okaryu that can take one or two months to complete. The transformation takes about a month and is agony. It takes an extreme physical toll on the afflicted Okaryu which often has negative consequences on their mental health. The curse will affect the mental health of each Okaryu differently dependant on their personality and temperament. The curse will also affect the Okaryu’s powers and give them a more dark and sinister twist.

Changes that occur in every case of the curse’s affliction are as follows:
• The growth of a second tail. Pitch Okaryu will always grow a second tail during the transformation. They cannot grow more than two tails.
• Coat quality will decrease. Pitch Okaryu are more dishevelled in appearance and their physical appearance is less healthy than a non-afflicted Okaryu.
• Powers will twist towards some darker version with a more sinister twist. Pitch Okaryu’s powers have a toll to pay and will inflict negative side effects on themselves and/or those around them.
• Decline in mental health. The effect of the transformation will change an Okaryu irreparably. This change may be subtle or more severe dependant on the personality and mental state of the afflicted Okaryu.
• Pitch Okaryu, especially ones that continue to kill, are more likely to have physical abnormalities or mutations.

Once an Okaryu is cursed they are more likely to kill again due to the toll on their mental health and the twist of their powers. Afflicted Okaryu are more likely to lose control of their powers or to kill in self-defence in the face of prejudice from others of their species.

Curse Logic

The curse will afflict any Okaryu that directly causes the death of another Okaryu, whether the cause of death was intentional or accidental. The cause of death can be directly by physical contact, with their body or tools, or through the use of their powers. If multiple Okaryu are involved in the death of another then the Okaryu that inflicted the killing blow is the one who will receive the curse.

Examples of circumstances that can trigger the pitch curse:
• If an Okaryu uses any part of their body to directly kill another Okaryu, whether intentional or accidental, they will become Pitch.
• If an Okaryu uses a tool or object to directly kill another Okaryu, whether intentional or accidental, they will become Pitch.
• If an Okaryu uses their powers in any way to kill another Okaryu then they will become Pitch. The only exception here is if the Okaryu use their powers to control another Okaryu to kill, then the Okaryu that commits the act will become Pitch but not the Okaryu controlling them.
• If an Okaryu kills another Okaryu because of fallout or misuse of their power then they will become Pitch.
• If an Okaryu inflicts an injury on another Okaryu that takes a reasonable amount of time to kill them, the Okaryu that inflicted the wound will become Pitch.

Beyond

Once an Okaryu is pitch they are vulnerable to mental health decline due to their change in cultural role and having to process the act that they committed. An Okaryu turned pitch is much more likely to kill again whether accidentally or with intent. Each time they kill the Pitch Curse is afflicted upon them again and again. Okaryu that continue to kill are at great risk of reaching a stage beyond the basic affliction of the curse. They are at risk of becoming Mouja.

Mouja

A Pitch Okaryu becomes Mouja when they have killed so much that they have passed a mental threshold after being afflicted with the curse repeatedly. Mouja Okaryu are a hollow, husk of who they once were. They are so focused on killing that it overrides every other need and instinct they once had. It’s like an itch, an addiction. They are in unrelenting agony and the only relief is to kill, but this release is short lived and so they keep killing.

Once an Okaryu becomes Mouja their body enters a state of decline and their brain no longer sustains any healthful processes. The longer they exist in the Mouja state, the more their body deteriorates. Mouja have decaying flesh all over their bodies. Wounds don’t heal and so they carry weeping scars, broken bones and disease indefinitely. The pain of any wounds inflicted is eclipsed by their innate agony and so they are indifferent. Their muscles atrophy and they are commonly lean, grotesque and twist their broken bodies in unsettling ways. It is not uncommon for Mouja to exhibit severe mutations caused by their powers. A Mouja’s powers are amplified, erratic and manipulated towards the intent of killing. Despite the decay their bodies are strong and powerful. Mouja are extremely dangerous and can eliminate entire Okaryu packs with ease.
Killing a Mouja is extremely difficult and grants no benefit other than ridding Conel of the threat.

An Okaryu that kills a Mouja will still be afflicted with the Pitch curse.

Artwork by  Clawdore.