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| - This is the desperate cry of those who have looked in the mirror and see a broken mask. A case of post human panic at discovering they always were, or have been transformed into a creature that is less... and more, than human. The inhuman bombshell can be of any nature, a hero can be transformed or resurrected against their will via mystical, cybernetic, or genetic means, or discover they've always been a monster... or rather: were never human. Examples of What Have I Become? include:
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| abstract
| - This is the desperate cry of those who have looked in the mirror and see a broken mask. A case of post human panic at discovering they always were, or have been transformed into a creature that is less... and more, than human. The inhuman bombshell can be of any nature, a hero can be transformed or resurrected against their will via mystical, cybernetic, or genetic means, or discover they've always been a monster... or rather: were never human. Likely candidates for "What Have I Become?" are the Vampire Refugee, a genetically altered Half-Human Hybrid, and Cyborgs, though freakish Frankenstein's Monsters are also popular. This can be especially horrifying if the transformation also affects the characters mind, giving them animal instincts, removing their emotions, or giving them a thirst for blood. For extra pathos, the transformation will usually be into a creature that the character hates, usually because one killed a loved one of their's, their friends, and/or Love Interest. Now everyone can Wangst together! If the above seems a bit glib it's because the revelation will cause a viewers reaction to oscillate between "That's harsh" and "So what?", since some settings are very helpful in providing avenues for the moral Friendly Neighborhood Vampires to thrive, while others are genuinely cruel to those so changed. That said, change is what you make of it, and most protagonists find life as a non-human... whatever doesn't have to be that bad or morally debased... unless you're already evil. If they're Genre Savvy, they know they've gone down a notch in the Sorting Algorithm of Mortality thanks to What Measure Is a Non-Human?. Expect them to break mirrors in frustration. Not related to My God, What Have I Done?, although the two tropes may overlap sometimes for the metaphorical value. Opposite to Transhuman Treachery. Usually precedes the Trial Balloon Question. Often followed by I Am a Monster. Well-adjusted victims may decide that I Am What I Am which, assuming that they're permanently transformed, is probably the best result. Occasionally happens after being a Sheep in Wolf's Clothing. Their friends may disagree with them, stating "But Your Wings Are Beautiful". Examples of What Have I Become? include:
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