This page contains detailed NSFW lore about blighted ideogenic species. Please only proceed if you are prepared to read such content. 

General Reproduction Lore

Many blighted species cannot reproduce through the original means of their species after being blighted. Of those described on the blighted species page, only Lunarwilds retain natural reproductive abilities without additional effort. 

• Petalkin can reproduce sexually if they shapeshift and maintain the sexual anatomy of their original species. The child-bearer must maintain the shapeshift for the duration of pregnancy; this does not require conscious effort, but can be tiring. 

• Mercurians can reproduce sexually if they reconstruct sexual anatomy; despite being artificial, if a partner provides biological material, they can still produce new life. 

When these blighted species reproduce sexually (or their other original means), the offspring is technically not blighted. That said, Lunarwilds have a high chance of blighting their pups during birth, and Mercurians have a high likelihood of introducing a mercurial to the child during conception, which can then proceed through typical routes. 

All blighted are immune to STDs and cannot transmit them, even to non-blighted. 

Intimacy

Intimacy is an integral part of Alteric culture, and this intimacy can occur between Alterveins and non-Alterveins. However, it is not necessarily sexual, and it is not obligatory.  It can be entirely avoided if an Altervein completely avoids biting others directly and only feeds from indirect sources, for instance. Note that accusing or implying that a nonsexual relationship is sexual can be greatly offensive to some Alterveins, especially those who have a more familial relationship, though even familial relationships between Alterveins can involve nonsexual physical intimacy in ways that not everyone is comfortable with. 

Direct feeding and turning both involve physical closeness and vulnerability on both sides in different ways; the one receiving a bite essentially puts their life in the biting Altervein's hands, and the Altervein giving the bite can experience a feeding daze that puts them in a state of bliss and emotional vulnerability—especially knowing that the other is inside them and giving them life. 

Additionally, while the strength and nature of the bond can vary, the feeding connection formed during a bite can allow both the one giving and receiving can allow one or both sides to experience the emotions, thoughts, and/or sensations of the other. Typical variations in the bloodlines of the surviving Originals are as follows, though members of a bloodline can have individual differences: 

• Anselm: emotions, thoughts, and sensations are all shared on both sides with considerably high intensity during feeding. The experience can be likened to a partial fusing of both mind and body. The connection can linger at a weaker level for 1-2 days after feeding. 

• Nihath: emotions, thoughts, and sensations are shared from the one being bitten to the one giving the bite with high clarity. The biting Altervein can read these elements from the other at a weaker level for 3-5 days after feeding, but needs to focus specifically on the connection.

• Vieri: emotions and sensations are shared on both sides at extremely high intensity. The connection lingers only for a few hours after feeding. 

• Chang Xue: emotions, thoughts, and sensations are all shared on both sides at a relatively low intensity during feeding, and a psychic connection allowing both sides to communicate thoughts to each other at will can linger for around a week. 

• Elune van Vliet: emotions, thoughts, and sensations are shared at very high intensity during feeding. The connection can linger for 2-4 weeks, with strong emotions, thoughts, and sensations bleeding to the other even unintentionally, though these can also be purposefully shared/directed with practice. 

Whether the one giving the bite is more dominant or submissive, or if they are equal in power dynamics during the experience, depends on individual dynamics and preferences and can change in different feedings even with the same pair. 

Some covens or individual Alterveins may put a high focus on sexual acts as part of their way of life—sires may have sexual contact with their fledglings regularly whenever bites or feedings occur, some Alterveins may prefer to feed from sexual partners, etc. Usually, the Alterveins that engage in sexual activity as part of their Alteric life are those part of a bloodline having venom with aphrodisiac effects. For instance, those of Nihath's coven and those she has arrangements with often have considerable sexual elements in daily life. 

Physiology

Alterveins cannot reproduce sexually and cannot contract or transmit any STDs. Additionally, their stamina is essentially limitless and they do not have much of a refractory period, if at all. If they wish, two Alterveins can engage in sexual acts nonstop for days on end, though they will eventually have to stop to feed on blood. 

The body fluids of Alterveins can vary, with some lacking body fluids, some having body fluids with the appearance of blood, some having normal body fluids, and some having excessive body fluids. Typical variations in the bloodlines of the surviving Originals are as follows, though members of a bloodline can have individual differences: 

• Anselm: Fairly normal body fluids, though a large amount of semen can be produced during orgasm.  

• Nihath: Tears, semen, and slick can have the appearance of blood and tends to have a greater amount than is typical for a human. However, it is not considered actual Alteric blood and does not have infectious properties. 

• Vieri: excessive body fluids, including saliva, semen, slick, etc. Unlike most Alterveins, they may also produce some sweat. 

• Chang Xue: Normal body fluids, save for the typical lack of sweat. 

• Elune van Vliet: little-to-no body fluids. They have a normal amount of saliva and can produce more when feeding, but their sexual fluids—semen, slick—tend to be absent or minimal. They can experience orgasms as normal, though. 

Additionally, thanks to their shapeshifting abilities, Alterveins can change their sex at will—though they typically have a "default" that is their most comfortable, which may or may not be the genitalia they were born with. Some may also shapeshift genitalia with fantastical or other unusual elements for the fun of it. 

Reproduction

Casual nudity and sex are common in traditional Lunarwild packs, with many non-blood-related pack members willing to engage in sexual activities with each other in the open. That said, there is typically some separation between those who engage in casual sex and nudity from those who do not in a traditional pack, with pup nests kept away from sexual activity. 

While some Lunarwilds form exclusive mating bonds, most in traditional packs tend to be open to sexual activities with any other. This is made easier by the fact that Lunarwilds are immune to STDs and cannot transmit them to others; in some cases, depending on the STD, sex with a Lunarwild can even cure an individual of STDs. 

Anatomy

In this section, Lunarwilds with a penis are referred to as "virile," and Lunarwilds with a womb are referred to as "fertile." Those with both can be referred to as "intersex." 

Virile Lunarwilds develop a knot at the base of their penis, which is present in both base form and beast form. During mating cycles, or during intense intercourse with a bonded individual, virile Lunarwilds go through "knotting." When this happens, the base of the knot swells to lock the virile Lunarwild in place; at the same time, they have an extended orgasm and ejaculation for around 20 minutes to 2 hours. A single knot is often enough to fill a womb enough to cause some distension. During this time, they tend to be quite sensitive and mostly act on their instincts, cuddling and scenting their partner. 

Fertile Lunarwilds develop certain muscles in their entrance that allow them to clench more consciously and tightly around a penetrating partner. Additionally, when aroused and especially during mating cycles, they produce a drastically increased amount of slick.  During mating cycles, or during intense intercourse with a bonded individual, fertile Lunarwilds go through "clamping." This can be thought of as something like reverse-knotting; they involuntarily clench down tightly on the penetrating partner, muscles undulating in a way that stimulates the penetrating partner to extract as much ejaculate as possible. Like knots, this lasts for around 20 minutes to 2 hours, and they tend to be fairly out of it but very physically affectionate. 

When Lunarwilds are partially or fully shifted, their genitalia can take on more animal-like and/or fantastical elements. For instance, a virile Lunarwild's penis may also become retractable like that of a canid. 

Under certain conditions, virile and fertile Lunarwilds can become intersex. There are two types of triggers: 

• Virility trigger: A Lunarwild spends 2-3 cycles with one or more other Lunarwilds without receiving penetration. 

• Fertility trigger: A Lunarwild spends 2-3 cycles without engaging in any penetration themself while being knotted several times during their cycle. 

A fertile Lunarwild who goes through a virility trigger will develop a slit with a retractable knotted penis. A virile Lunarwild who goes through a fertility trigger will develop a womb and a second entrance. For some, this entrance is a separate channel, similar to a vagina. For some, it develops within the anal entrance, opening during mating cycles or intense arousal. These Lunarwilds also secrete their own slick. 

When this occurs, the Lunarwild will experience cramps just prior to their next mating cycle. Once the mating cycle hits, the new anatomy will be fully formed. 

This process can be reversed by going through the opposite trigger. 

Mating Cycles

Around 80% of Lunarwilds experience mating cycles with some regularity. If they were turned before adulthood, mating cycles will typically start around age 19-21. Depending on the individual and their own level of libido, it can occur as often as once every 2-3 months or as infrequent as once a year. It tends to synchronize with other Lunarwilds they've mated with and scent regularly. If the Lunarwild is extremely stressed, anxious, and/or unhealthy, they may not experience cycles until they are well again. 

During the mating cycle, which can last anywhere from a day to a week and is usually around the full moon, they are in a state of drastically heightened arousal and libido. Most get through their mating cycles with a great deal of sexual intercourse or masturbation, with only a few trying to power through, often with suppressant herbs or other items. Despite the heightened arousal, it is not to the point of mounting anything that breathes; they can maintain a sense of choice and rationality around who to engage with. If someone tries to force themself on a Lunarwild during their cycle, the Lunarwild will become extremely aggressive, potentially maiming or killing the offender. 

During mating cycles, Lunarwilds are extremely virile and/or fertile. There is an 80% chance of conception with a non-Lunarwild, 90% with a Lunarwild off-cycle, and more or less 100% if the other Lunarwild is on-cycle. Throughout history, many packs have used contraceptives: 

• Hardy herbs native to Uonam (Lemma's home nation) have been widely used across packs, easy and quick to grow. One kind reduces the chance of conception during cycles to around 20-40%, and one can be used after a cycle or in early pregnancy with a 90% success rate. 

• Other magic items that have come to be commonly used might reduce the chance of conception to around 10-20%. 

• Magitechnological contraceptives in the Age of Reunion reduce the chance of conception to around 1-5%. 

If an individual does not wish to experience mating cycles, they can be suppressed with medicinal, magical, or magitechnological means as well. Medicinal means, which were common before the Age of Reunion, might have some effects like nausea, cramps, etc., though magical and magitechnological means can usually suppress them with no issues. 

Pups

The children of Lunarwilds are generally referred to as "pups." A Lunarwild litter typically has 1-4 pups. There is around an 80% chance for the children to be born as Lunarwilds. If they are not, depending on the pack, they may be blighted right away or raised as human and given the choice once they come of age. 

Pups that are born as Lunarwilds will often be very in-tune with their Beast and be just as comfortable in their base form, beast form, or in partially shifted forms. They will often chirp for their caretakers to feed and tend to them, and will continue to make animal noises as a normal part of their communication throughout life. 

Pups born in a pack are typically communally raised rather than just by the birth parents. Depending on the pack's culture and the parents' preference, their pups may be considered children of the whole pack or the parents may be more involved in raising them. 

Given the high conception rate of Lunarwilds in mating cycles, unplanned pregnancies are a real concern. There is no taboo surrounding contraception or abortion in traditional packs, though after birth, pups are considered precious beings that should be taken care of. Lone Lunarwilds not part of a pack may choose to give up their pups to a pack to be raised, and some packs are very open to this while others are not. 

Anatomy

Petalkin do not have external genitalia or nipples, though they tend to retain their digestive tract, including the anus. The full digestive tract is not used, however, so the channel tends to be clean. 

When aroused or at will, the blank skin of their crotch can split and unfurl like a flower. Depending on the individual, there may be vines, an entrance, or both. Many Petalkin who experience the aphrodisiac-type blooming cycle have a larger vine that is like an ovipositor, though it deposits seeds instead of eggs. 

Blooming Cycles

Anthemia has relatively low infectivity under normal circumstances, but Petalkin experience seasonal cycles where infection becomes more likely. During spring (and rarely during other flowering seasons), Petalkin experience a blooming cycle. This manifests differently for different individuals, including but not limited to the following possibilities: 

• The Petalkin becomes unable to suppress their blooming and releases significant amounts of pollen with higher infectivity than usual. 

• The Petalkin experiences something like a mating cycle, where they have increased urges to engage in intimacy and can release aphrodisiac aromatics when excited. These Petalkin will plant seeds in others' bodies, which become a dormant form of infection. If the individual experiences intense or lasting hurt, then the seed will activate and blight them. 

• The Petalkin's body becomes extremely fragile, leading to easily losing fingers and limbs (which grow back in seconds). Where their body parts fall, a small garden of Anthemia flowers will bloom indefinitely. 

The mating cycle, also called the aphrodisiac type, will be discussed here. A Petalkin experiencing this type of cycle will experience heightened arousal and libido, though they still have the cognition to refuse anyone they don't wish to lay with. During each cycle, these Petalkin will produce seeds sufficient to deposit in others 1-5 times, and the cycle lasts for as long as it takes to release the seeds. Some Petalkin only have 1-5 seeds, and each of these are large, perhaps the size of a ping-pong ball or chicken egg. Some produce many smaller seeds that are released with ejaculation. Their appearance and texture can vary, from opaque and solid to soft and transparent. 

During their cycle, these Petalkin might masturbate but find it very difficult to orgasm without a partner. Their instincts will often only allow them to orgasm when they are ready to seed a partner, though if they have no partner after around a week, the intensity of their cycle will decrease and they will be able to orgasm through masturbation more easily, releasing their seeds. It can be somewhat distressing or saddening to see their seeds "wasted," however.