Animal Heads are one of the five races found on Earth in the universe of Really Real Animals, and a deep cousin to humans. Existing as long as they have in both historical texts along with living specimens (albeit very few), Animal Heads are believed to be a branch of humanity that existed since the antideluvian eras. As of today, they only make up 20% of the human population.
Animal Heads, as shown by the image above, are a race of people that resemble stuffed animals and plush toys rather than the humans that they used to be. From the implication, this means that Animal Heads were human at one point, but have changed. How this change is triggered has yet to be fully properly, but the general underlying pattern is that these changes occur the moment when an indiviaul with the birth mark has committed murder. What the specifications for a "murder" in the eyes of this mark is vague, but there have been many cases of both direct and indirect murders that would trigger the transformation, creating this implication that actual death does not have to occur and instead a specific hormonal effect to occur in the body for the genetic information associated with the mark to activate and thus begin the transformation. Records have indicated that a person with the birthmark can occur at any age, to which younger Animal Heads seem to develop as they would if they were still human until their supposed adult form is achieved.
The transformation itself is painless, but it is not pleasing to look at. There are 3 significant stages in regards to the birth mark.
Once an Animal Head is fully transformed, they have changed in many ways. The bodily change completely negates the biological maintenance needed to stay healthy, such as consuming food and water, exercise, the need to balance nutritional value, and so on (though this doesn't stop them from eating, drinking, actions equivalent to breathing, etc.). At the same time, physical aspects such as strength and running speed are suddenly increased to peak human capability, along with stamina and exhaustion becoming more of a mental concept than a physical consequence of extraenous strain on the body. All five senses are either enhanced or reverted towards typical healthy levels. However, it should be noted that becoming an Animal Head does not cure all conditions, specificially ones that have existed since the person's birth. Typical cases such as deafness and blindness are prime examples of this "imperfect transfiguration".
However, this does not mean that the impact and experience of such ailments on one's life are suddenly absent. Animal Heads who had fewer limbs prior may have trouble getting used to the feeling of suddenly having one again. Those who had heart problems and thus can't take extraneous activities may still live their lives as if they still have a weak heart. At such a point in their life, such ailments are akin to mental aspects than physical, and therapy will be required if the Animal Head desires to live normal lives.
Last, but not least, an Animal Head obtains their Patchwork.
A Patchwork is an Animal Head's ability that is believed to only become present when a human fully transitions to a complete Animal Head. These abilities have the tendency to defy logic, as Animal Heads do themselves in some ways. What these abilities can do are equivalent to a wild card, it's completely unknown what it may be and can range from absolutely harmless to devastating to themselves and/or the world around them.
Patchworks throughought the course of history have always tugged the perception of Animal Heads between benevolence and maliciousness, how they wish to view themselves is up to them. The general consensus to the Patchwork Impact Survey in 2002 is that most Patchworks are 40% "absolutely harmless", 59.9% in-the-middle, and >0.1% potentially devastating.
Note: It should be highlighted that these brackets do not count for Kokoro Technology and Quilt Technology, only the direct unaltered influence of a Patchwork in a natural environment.
Do you want to make your own Animal Head? You can find the general rules here!