Soul Abrasion

The healer insisted that his dragon blood tincture would soothe what ailed them. Instead it left them a husk - there in body, but not in spirit. Muttering in a tongue no-one can understand, and a hollowness in their eyes. We can't even tell if their pain is cured, they can't communicate it to us.
Please hasten to be here, aunty. You might not have long to say goodbye to what's left of them.

— Letter from Yalarami

Abrasions on the soul are a serious ailment, caused by a variety of factors but most frequently by the over-consumption of Dragon's blood. As a result, this condition is often experienced in tandem with other physical conditions which the blood was consumed to cure.

Causes

Soul abrasions can be acquired in three ways:

• An overuse of Magic can weaken it, leading to damage
• Necromancy can be used to impact the soul, in this case leaving wounds upon it
• Consumption of the blood of a dragon, commonly prescribed as a cure for Leskir-Rixnájo Paralysis

While abrasions acquired through the first method are often temporary, recoverable, and more commonly referred to as 'Magical Fatigue', those from the latter two causes are lifelong afflictions.

Symptoms

One of the earliest symptoms of a soul abrasion is a sudden and overwhelming "weight", often compared to a sack of grain over the shoulders. This isn't a strictly physical sensation, with some describing it more akin to the weight of grief on a person's psyche. Other early symptoms include an overall lethargy, sudden but brief lapses in consciousness, and an inability to cast magic. Particularly severe cases may also experience heavy fever and deliriousness early on.
Later on, the affected will enter a state of "disconnect" from their body, moving entirely against their will or not at all, and with any words they speak being garbled or in a language they do not natively speak. They nevertheless seem to respond to stimulus, just not "normally". The progression from early to late-stage symptoms varies in speed, but usually takes less than 3 days.

Prognosis

While mild cases of soul abrasions can recover, severe cases are not as lucky. While some survive the serious damage to their souls, it leaves them diminished and weak, more vulnerable to infectious diseases and to bouts of extreme stress that can prove fatal. This is not to even mention those cases so severe that they are perceived by professionals as having the link between their bodies and souls permanently severed. While not inherently deadly, the inability to act as well as the weakness to disease means that they can be deemed "too far gone", and granted as painless a death as possible.

Treatment

As the root cause of the suffering cannot be fixed, treating soul abrasions often involves plenty of physical and mental rest, and around the clock treatment by family members and healers. If it becomes severe, healers may suggest more extreme treatments such as the consumption of plants believed to contain magical energies, or the wearing of dragon scales to imbue the afflicted with strength. Loved ones may also pray to The Divinities to seek treatment, which is unfortunately rarely granted.

Type

Magical

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Uncommon

Affected Species

• Elf
• Human

Dragon Plague?

While abrasions acquired via necromancy are common in the continent of Abravost, abrasions acquired by drinking dragon's blood is unique to the continent of Thurásin, due to the lack of dragons in the former. Dragon's blood is often prescribed in small amounts as a cure for various ails, and is perhaps even successful in that endeavour. The consumption of too much blood is what causes this condition to manifest.
Why blood is capable of both curing and causing illness is not known. Some mages theorise that the divineness of dragons means that even their very bodies are closer to the gods than those of humans, and so consuming their blood brings that divinity into a mortal body unable to handle it. Others suggest that it's because dragon blood is a mild poison which is inert until it comes into contact with humans, corroding their souls. A rare few suggest it's because drinking blood is bad for you and is only harmless when significantly diluted, but they are not much appreciated.

The Dragon Krenar by Isaac Thompson