Reaper Virus

Unknown origin, the Reaper Virus is hard to contract, and extremely hard to get from someone with it. Commonly transmitted through blood, sexual fluids and rarely spit, you have a twenty percent chance of getting it from a ‘Reaper’ should you indulge in anything that could give you a chance to get hurt. The first effects of the Reaper Virus take a sevenday to settle in, the rest spanning over a four-sevenday period. It has been around for 3 years.

First Week:
Symptoms similar to the common cold are present the first three days. Breathing becomes hard and irregular, Since the reaper virus only strikes those bonded to dragons, both dragon and human rider are effected. The pair finds themselves hard to breath, their lungs close to collapsing and flight next to impossible. Once the breathing is fixed through herbs they have problems walking and moving, and dizzy spells are common. Loss of sight, dry tongue, bleeding nose and ears are common symptoms as well.

Month of change:
Dragon:
Dragon changes happen quicker then the humans do. Between the first sevenday and a four-sevcenday, their hide starts to harden and their colors darken considerably. Muscle structure doubles around the legs, making them wonderful runners and ground attack forces. Their wings grow, a painful process. Horns are a common sign as well, growing around the tail, head and nose area. In the genetic (mutant if you want to call it) change the dragons canine teeth grow as well, somewhat similar to a saber tooth if you will. They hook past the bottom lip, making it easier to bite down and not let go. The Reaper virus changes each dragon and bonded in different ways, but its common for the fire lung to collapse, and in its place the ice lung grows. The dragons loose the need for firestone, and can breath a mist that freezes what ever it touches. Thanks to their muscular build, their flights are shorter, and higher heights are more difficult to achieve. The dragons usually also become just a bit more aggressive, but basically stick to their original personalities of their original colors.

Humans:
Humans go through too many genetic changes to actually account for, but the mind connection between them and their dragon shares cells and DNA structure along with thoughts and a connection. Humans tend to grow more pale, photosensitive and start to like night more then day. However, some get darker skin, with lighter hair, helping them to blend in more with their darker dragons, and the darkness. Their pupils adjust to this, going slitted and regularly changing colors to match their dragons eyes. In some cases, they grow wings, scales, or even claws. People who are hit harder with the virus take on the dragon effect, and basically become humanoid dragons.