Morphing time & effects

Full Morphs: 

A full shift takes 30 minutes - 2 hours, time lessens naturally with experience. 

A potion from a Magi can lessen this to 2 minutes, but with it comes heightened discomfort. (No Numbness) Mimicking takes 1-2 hours, with no exceptions. Being able to fully take the form of another takes precision and time to be executed correctly. 

In all born mimics, the Noxidium stays dormant until puberty. Leaving it a guessing game, of whether or not the mutation will be passed along to the offspring at all. The natural change of the body's chemical balance awakens the toxin and starts the never-ending cycle of needing to shed. Once activated the Noxidium begins spreading throughout the host's body, regenerating the cells into mutated versions that may change at the whim of the mimic. Much like cancer, however, the Noxidium build-up wreaks havoc on its host and therefore has to be purged with a monthly shedding. 

When you think of a full shift, think of a state of metamorphosis. Much like a caterpillar hatching from a chrysalis. The actual change is done beneath the surface until it’s ready to emerge. While in the state of actively shifting, the mimic may not seem totally present. This is because the process takes a majority of their concentration and energy to be done properly.  Both their mind and body will feel an overwhelming sense of numbness. To some, this experience may even be intoxicating, as their body feels utterly relaxed, even if only for a short time.

Once their new form is ready beneath, the numbness subsides and is replaced by a feeling that can best be described as a skin-crawling deep itch. The previous skin begins to feel foreign, as it no longer fits the mimics new appearance. Before shedding the previous skin will appear swollen and blotchy, giving a sickly sight to those who may witness it. A taller/wider form may cause the previous skin to feel tight and tear easier, while a shorter/skinner one may leave the old skin sagging and wrinkled. Eventually, the swelling alone will cause the skin to tear, and fall from the body. This process however is more commonly done by the mimic themself by peeling the old skin once the numbness subsides. Once fully emerged, the new skin is left feeling tender for up to an hour, as it adjusts. Temperatures and textures may feel overwhelming in this time, but vary in severity from mimic to mimic. 

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SemiMorphs:

Any SemiMorph is arguably an easy shift and therefore requires little to no time to complete. Color changes/Camouflage are instant changes. Whereas bodily growth such as hair, nails, appendages, height, etc, take roughly 10 seconds.

Semimorphs are the easiest form of morphing to learn, and likely the first mimic ability to show itself. The process of semi-morphing is quick and has no substantial feeling to it. The shift in form could be best described as a tingle or numbness as the change takes place. No skin shedding is needed for these changes, but a mimic may only hold up to four semi-morphs at a time.

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Reversion/Monthly Shedding:

The time to complete a reversion somewhat mirrors that of the time it took to make the initial morph. Whereas a weekly shedding only takes roughly 10minutes.

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In all aspects, Reversion tends to copy the initial shifting process in some way. It is easier for a mimic to retake their true form, rather than creating an alternate one. The genetics and features of their true self never fully leave, but rather go dormant as their chosen form takes priority. With Full Shift/Mimicking Reversions, the time that the shift originally took may be cut in half. Reversions from these forms are simpler, as the mimics body stays humanoid. 

A shedding is required to be done in one's true form and takes no more than 10minutes. It is needed to purge the body of Noxidium buildup. There is no real reminder of this need, until it's already too late, so some might do it more often to be safe. If a mimic goes over a month without shedding, they will begin to secrete a noxious goo from their pores. Not only can this goo poison those they come in contact with, it is also painful and harmful to the mimic themselves. Leaving this unresolved will result in self-poisoning until they shed. The poison released has hallucinogenic properties, and aside from that leaves the victims feeling clammy, lethargic and nauseous.