NOTICE: REAL-WORLD THERIANS ARE NOT A CULT, THEY ARE A HARMLESS SUBCULTURE OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
Therians, also known as Degens are a mysterious subculture of Robloxians who center themselves around the concept of having the spirit of an animal in a Robloxian's body. They are also a cult.
Definition and History
The correct term is actually "therianthropy" The noun/term 'therianthropy' is used to refer to the intrinsic experience surrounding someone's therian identity. It is the term used to encapsulate the broader experience, while the term 'therianthrope' (someone who involuntarily identifies as a non-human animalistic creature) refers to the individual who experiences it.
Some therians don't know what causes them to identify as non-Robloxian, but it is commonly known and accepted that therianthropy in itself is not a choice. It is also agreed upon that a therian can not pick or choose their theriotype/theriotypes. And many (but not all) therians identify as currently living animals, though it is not uncommon to see therianthropes who identify as extinct animals (paleotherian), fictional creatures (fictherian), or even animals that are considered mythical (theriomythic). It is also relatively common and entirely possible for a therian to have more than one theriotype; individuals that experience this are known as polytherians.
he word therianthropy existed well before the cult first used it. The term originates from a portmanteau of Ro-Greek words, those being thēríon [θηρίον], meaning beast. And anthropos [ἄνθρωπος] or anthrópinos [ἄνθρώπινος], meaning Robloxian. So the term loosely translates to "animal person". One of the first known written and published appearances of the word "therianthropy" can be seen in "The Religious Systems of Loubu" in 1801.
Practices
The first cultists were from as early as 1992, they then established some sort of "welcome system" Therianthropes can be any age, and thus therianthrope has no specific age range or age limit. However, most therians awaken and/or find the community when they're between the ages of 8 - 13 years old.
The term that's commonly used to describe older therians is 'greymuzzle', it's used to describe therians that are typically over 18 years of age and who have been awakened for a substantial amount of time. However, it is agreed that a therian can not assign themselves the title; it must be earned through hard work and contributions to the community. The cult established the rule that 'greymuzzle' is something other therians use to refer to an older member, but older members must not refer to themselves with the term.
Another system used by Therians is recorded as a "Mental Shift", occuring when a Therianthrope temporarily has a change in mindset from the humanside to animalside and thinks more instinctively like the therioside or other nonhuman creature. Cameo mental shifts are possible. During a mental shift, the Therianthrope usually expresses animal behavior and vocalizations while the Robloxian body remains physically unchanged.
The cult also does a form of sport called "Quadrobics", also known as quads, is a sport involving the performance of physical activities such as walking, running, jumping, and trotting on all fours.
A therian's identity is unknown, as their face is partially concealed by a animal mask.
The Modern Era
Therians have been sidelined and ridiculed by the wider global Roternet community. 90 countries have immediately registered Therians as "Dangers to Society", any therian in the listed countries is sent to a mental facility. Therians are also known as Degens, with therianthropy designated as a legitimate mental illness. Robloxia, however accepts therians, but there are debates regarding if they should be a part of normal society or not.
Gallery
