Shadowed, Shadowing
Early in his tenure as Praetor, Cato instituted a vigorous research programme to exploit the unique resources of each Refugium biome. One of the more significant fruits of this work was the discovery of the psychotropic arcane stimulant, Dreamsong.
Dreamsong enables anyone born without arcane talent to mindlink with Refugia in the same way that talented magii do naturally. However a consequence of this use, is the development of the dementia-like state, Shadowing. In its early stages Shadowing is characterised by a progressive loss of positive affect, followed by subsequent memory loss. In the early stages there can be outbursts of temper, accompanied by unconstrained sorcerous rage. This has required the recruitment of multiple enforcers for any mindlinked magus using Dreamsong. Users grow progressively less responsive and less emotional, eventually losing the willpower to even swallow food. Throughout this pathogenesis, increasingly higher doses of Dreamsong are required in order to maintain a constant level of arcane efficacy.
When a user stops consuming Dreamsong while it remains potent, and only early symptoms of Shadowing are apparent, then recovery has been observed. With continued use, then mental scars from Shadowing become permanent. But the costs of maintaining the new Refugia forcewalls surrounding previously Republican territories, all in the face of Republican incendiaries, demands a constant flow of arcane might. Such might simply cannot be supplied by the naturally talented population, so the pressure to enlist Dreamsong users is high.
Praetor Cato has not yet instituted conscription of compulsory Dreamsong use, although his opponents fear it is not far off. For the present, the Protectorate has sufficient wealth that state pensions and other financial benefits for their families suffice to entice volunteers to make the supreme sacrifice of becoming Shadowed.
The social costs of Shadowing and the Dreamsong programme have become the single greatest argument against Cato’s continued tenure as Praetor: It is only his considerable eloquence and consummate political talents that keep him in power.
Dreamsong enables anyone born without arcane talent to mindlink with Refugia in the same way that talented magii do naturally. However a consequence of this use, is the development of the dementia-like state, Shadowing. In its early stages Shadowing is characterised by a progressive loss of positive affect, followed by subsequent memory loss. In the early stages there can be outbursts of temper, accompanied by unconstrained sorcerous rage. This has required the recruitment of multiple enforcers for any mindlinked magus using Dreamsong. Users grow progressively less responsive and less emotional, eventually losing the willpower to even swallow food. Throughout this pathogenesis, increasingly higher doses of Dreamsong are required in order to maintain a constant level of arcane efficacy.
When a user stops consuming Dreamsong while it remains potent, and only early symptoms of Shadowing are apparent, then recovery has been observed. With continued use, then mental scars from Shadowing become permanent. But the costs of maintaining the new Refugia forcewalls surrounding previously Republican territories, all in the face of Republican incendiaries, demands a constant flow of arcane might. Such might simply cannot be supplied by the naturally talented population, so the pressure to enlist Dreamsong users is high.
Praetor Cato has not yet instituted conscription of compulsory Dreamsong use, although his opponents fear it is not far off. For the present, the Protectorate has sufficient wealth that state pensions and other financial benefits for their families suffice to entice volunteers to make the supreme sacrifice of becoming Shadowed.
The social costs of Shadowing and the Dreamsong programme have become the single greatest argument against Cato’s continued tenure as Praetor: It is only his considerable eloquence and consummate political talents that keep him in power.
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