Description

The Mnemophage is an anomaly that feeds on memories, assuming forms based on those it consumes. As it has no true form, identifying it by appearance is nearly impossible. Instead, it is best recognized by its effects on nearby individuals.

The Mnemophage causes progressive memory loss in those around it—starting with short-term amnesia and escalating to full-blown dementia. Prolonged exposure can render victims catatonic, effectively turning them into living corpses.

Fortunately, the anomaly is passive unless provoked or starving. It roams aimlessly and does not pursue individuals unless it becomes famished. When hungry, it emits a loud sound before aggressively pursuing the nearest person, draining all their memories and causing brain death.

It is advised to carry a physical object that holds memories—such as a phone or journal—as the Mnemophage consumes memories from both animate and inanimate sources. While it cannot be killed, it can be distracted using memory-laden objects during its hunts.

The anomaly becomes dangerously hungry approximately every three hours without feeding but can enter a dormant state for extended periods when no stimuli are present.

Physical Appearance

The Mnemophage initially appears as a featureless humanoid figure—entirely black with stark white eyes. As it feeds on memories, its form shifts, gradually becoming an amalgamation of the people and experiences it has consumed. Over time, this results in a grotesque, unsettling appearance that is difficult to look at. If starved for a prolonged period, the Mnemophage reverts to its original blank form.

Stages:

Stage 1:

The Mnemophage has not consumed the memories of any individual, beginning as a blank slate, a pure black human-like figure with white eyes. It will move at a snail's pace, but will be able to phase through objects and walls to reach an individual or item.

Stage 2:

The Mnemophage has consumed a small amount of individual memories, now somewhat changing shape to include the total amount of memories it has consumed. It will now have protrusions of individuals found within the memories it has taken, appearing across the anomalies body. Its speed will ramp up to a jogging pace and will have the same ability to phase through walls but will follow the same aggression as it did during its first phase.

Stage 3:

The Mnemophage will now distort into an amalgamation of the memories it has taken, unable to hold its human-like form. It will now have a much larger body mass, and will be unable to phase through objects, a stark contrast from its other two phases. When spotting a player, it will directly charge at them, which can be easily dodged if the individual is aware of the anomalies' presence. If the individual is hit however, they will be absorbed into the anomaly, resulting in death.