Genesis

Those who eat any decaying flesh exposed to Carriophor saliva can become one in turn, since their saliva is potent in distributing the blight. The blight cannot persist for very long after the flesh is fully decayed, however, so environmental infection otherwise is limited. Consuming the saliva of a Carriophor may make one sick but blighting is unlikely without a "catalyst" of rotting flesh. However: 

• If an individual is afflicted with a condition that causes ulcers or necrosis, exposure to saliva may lead to blighting. 

• Most bites from Carriophors can cause blighting if not treated immediately. Their bites stop blood from clotting and can cause necrosis in most cases. 

Otherwise, it is actually quite safe for the living to interact with them. 

If there is rotting flesh present for the Carriophum blight to form a reservoir in, the bacteria will start to multiply and invade the host's cells, mutating them over the course of several days. The host may become violently ill, vomiting out black liquid the smells of decay as their flesh darkens and their body mutates. Their eyes will lose vision, the flesh blackening and leaking black fluid like tears, while their sense of smell will become more enhanced along with the smell of decay becoming pleasant to them. Eventually, they lose consciousness and enter a state like death with no breath or heartbeat, during which the transformation will be completed. From that point on, the bacteria will provide the body's energy supply at a cellular level.

Characteristics

These are visual characteristics that are always present in Carriophors: 

• beast-like appearance

• no eyes

• some exposed flesh

• overdevelopment of teeth (large teeth, sharp teeth, fangs, and/or multiple rows)

• growth of wings, typically bird-like

• body fluids (saliva, blood, etc.) are all black or otherwise very dark 

  • Saliva is less viscous (more watery) while blood is thicker, like honey. 

These characteristics are sometimes present:

• development of bone structures like spikes and talons

• a pharyngeal jaw—a hidden secondary mouth like some eels 

• mutations—these are more likely to develop the longer they live and if they consume decayed Carriophors, and can include:

  • additional mouths 

  • additional limbs

  • unusual or distorted anatomy

Additionally, they have no heartbeat, and breathing is not necessary. They have no sense of pain, along with a somewhat dulled sense of touch. Their bodies are cooler than most animals, but not completely cold. 

Their flesh is generally unpleasant to the taste, being a mix of sweet, sour, and bitter. 

Abilities

• Human Shapeshift: Carriophors can have a humanlike or humanoid form, taken by will, though their default is their beast form. This form either has no eyes or empty, black eye sockets. 

• Enhanced Olfaction and Hearing: They have powerful senses of smell and hearing, able to locate members of their flock from long distances. They can hear their flock's calls from no matter how far away they are, so long as they are in the same atmosphere or airspace. 

• Ageless Immortality: they do not age.

• Regeneration: For a week or two eating, they can regenerate any injuries, including lost limbs and decayed parts of their body. They can even regenerate parts of their brain if only a portion was damaged. 

• Decomposition: Their saliva can accelerate the decaying process of any flesh that has started the process of decomposition. However, this does not affect healthy flesh.