Frozen Heart Curse

This is a disease that freezes the individual from the inside out, due to overuse of the plant iceroot. It does not kill the person. Instead it changes their entire body chemistry to work despite the individual being made of magical ice.

Transmission & Vectors

This disease is caused by overuse of iceroot, a type of plant with magical properties.

Causes

Overuse of the iceroot plant, which is often used for pain relief, can cause this disease.

Symptoms

Slow heartbeat is the first symptom. Then, slow rate of breathing. Eventually the entire person's bodily functions slow down and they become entirely made of ice, although they can still move and interact with people.

Treatment

Once the frozen heart curse takes root it is very hard to treat. Some people try to use flameblossoms, but that usually ends up killing the patient. Other herbal concoctions like witchweed, which can nullify magic, are more effective in the early parts of the disease.

Prognosis

If caught early and treated with witchweed, the prognosis is good. Otherwise the individual will have inner organs frozen first, and eventually their entire body frozen if use is continued. With the freezing of the organs comes low relationship with the feelings connected to them. For example, a frozen heart is usually the first symptom, and results in a distance and inability to relate to other people.

Prevention

Many people will avoid using iceroot for painkillers despite the efficacy of them, because they are afraid of the side effects.

Cultural Reception

Most people with frozen heart are pitied, but ostracized. They cannot relate to people in a normal way, and are unlikely to make connections with each other. There is often a small frozen heart enclave in large cities, where the afflicted go when their families ostracize them or cannot care for them any longer.

Type

Magical

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Extremely Rare