High magic areas are, as the nature of magic itself, highly 'inconsistent'. A magical area can suddenly implode on itself, twisting the areas around it without warning and seemingly without cause. Though this does not happen often, and most civilisations in magical areas have numerous safeguards, there have been a number of occasions where magic areas have burst with power, destroying and corroding everything within them.

The hapless individuals caught in these blasts are usually killed immediately. The Degenerate are those who have suffered magic corrosion to a significant degree and survived. The explosion has addled their brains and bodies, forming a husk imbued with magic in its rawest form. These 'new' beings become incapable of remembering who they previously were and possess nothing to protect them from the magic; most crumble to pieces with in a few days, the magic destroying them from inside.

Those that live on, prolonging their lives through mastery of the magic or sheer luck, are the Degenerate. Having no homeland and no culture, all Degenerate share only a sense of self pity and a ravening hatred for those who live normally. There is no 'cure' for the Degenerate. Whilst a number of people actively seek to become Degenerate for the magical prowess the transition promises, few continue seeking when they see a Degenerate face to face.

What remains of a Degenerate's body is sustained by the magic corroding it, in essence the body continues to exist only because the corrosion has fused with it. Degenerates are physically weak, unable to lift light objects or even walk on their own legs (if the Degenerate is lucky enough to have their legs remaining). Degenerate 'walk' with a limited form of levitation, and rely on magical prowess to move objects. No Degenerate 'knows' these abilities inherently however, it is through sheer force of will that a Degenerate masters them; Degenerate who fail to levitate typically find themselves dead before they can leave the corrosive areas that create them. Degenerates are one of the weakest races physically, simple tap is enough to set a Degenerate off balance, and a powerful strike would surely shatter the remains of the body completely.

Degenerate can be of any race, though the corrosion will strip any flesh from the body and the remains are hardly discernible as any existing race. Degenerate lurch when they move, often lacking spines or the means to prevent themselves hunching over. As such, Degenerate are rarely taller than 5"5, even if their race prior to the corrosion was much taller. It's important to note races of limited magical ability are unlikely to escape the corroded areas; animals and beasts that temporarily become Degenerate lack the basic intelligence required to escape certain death.

Degenerates lose all prior memories and the brain becomes part of the inner magical storm. A Degenerate must re-learn language and other basic social skills to retain any form of sentience. Degenerate 'speak' using the magic within them to alter the air, producing sound. This sound is audible only as a whisper, though in the unlikely event of a Degenerate trying to shout, the air can be ripped apart, turning the sound into a powerful gust -- though incomprehensible to normal ears. Degenerate often have little need to speak, but when they do most hire a 'speaker' to speak for them.

Degenerates have no functioning eyes and see the world at the mercy of the corrosion within them. Some have no sight at all, some can only see magic and some can see details far beyond that of the average human.

Degenerates cannot enter dead zones; if the magic in their bodies is made to stop they die instantly. The corrosion is now the only aspect of their being that keeps them conscious and alive.

All Degenerate have the ability to temporarily shift the corrosion from their bodies to a being close to them. This ability requires intense concentration on behalf of the Degenerate, as they shift a part of their very essence away from themselves. The corrosion causes significant pain and will erode flesh gradually. Within a few minutes the corrosion is forced back on the Degenerate, leaving the previous victim unscathed and completely restored.

Placing Within Verre Zon

There are few Degenerate in the world, and even fewer living in the vicinity of Verre Zon. Most Degenerate are met with fearful glances when seen by those who know little of magic, owing to their wraith-like appearance and the corrosion that surrounds them. In a city where magic is seen largely as a rare and dangerous aspect, the Degenerate are unlikely ever to be accepted as true citizens in everyday life, nor would they want to be.

On the whole the Degenerate are largely apathetic to the city, and indeed the world, in general. Degenerate live with the knowledge that they can cease to exist without warning at any point anywhere, causing most to become pessimistic and indifferent to long term problems. Degenerate concern themselves only with perfecting magical arts and continuing to exist. Rarely will a Degenerate try to influence the city itself.

The Degenerate have no clear leader within the city, however High Theurgist Mirth, representative of the magical community on the Conclave, considers himself the spokesperson for the Degenerate race. Despite this, many Degenerate living within the city object to Mirth's involvement in the city's politics and refuse to acknowledge his claim as their ruler. It's unlikely these 'rebel' Degenerate would ever attempt to change the situation however, as it is simply below their level of concern.