The White Eyes Condition

The Sightless Curse of the Dunes

Among the many dangers of the White Eye Dunes, none are as feared—or as inevitable—as the affliction known as the White Eyes Condition. It is a slow, creeping curse that steals the sight of those who linger too long within the dunes, leaving their eyes milky white and their future forever shrouded in darkness.

Origins and Nature

The origins of the White Eyes Condition remain unknown. Some scholars believe it to be the result of prolonged exposure to microscopic crystalline particles in the air, which gradually accumulate in the eyes until vision is lost. Others suspect it is an ancient curse woven into the dunes themselves, punishment for those who dare to trespass upon a land that was never meant for mortals.

Whatever its source, the affliction follows a cruel and unyielding pattern. It begins subtly, with victims experiencing light sensitivity and moments of blurred vision. Over time, their eyesight begins to dim, shadows creeping in at the edges of their perception. Within weeks—or, in some cases, mere days—their eyes turn completely white, as if the desert itself has claimed them.

Symptoms and Stages

The progression of the White Eyes Condition follows a predictable pattern:

1. The Glare – Victims begin experiencing discomfort in bright light, their eyes straining against the desert sun.
2. The Haze – Vision becomes increasingly blurred, and shadows seem to stretch and shift unnaturally.
3. The Fog – Perception of color fades, and the world takes on a muted, featureless quality.
4. The Veil – The final stage, where the victim's eyes turn completely white, leaving them permanently blind.

The Afflicted and the Adapted

Not all who suffer from the White Eyes Condition are helpless. The Sandborn, a nomadic people of the dunes, have adapted to the affliction over generations, developing heightened senses that allow them to navigate without sight. Some even believe that those who embrace their blindness gain an insight beyond ordinary vision, allowing them to perceive the dunes in ways no outsider can.

However, for those unprepared for the condition, it is a slow descent into despair. Many who fall victim to the affliction wander aimlessly, unable to escape the shifting sands. Some become the Hollowed, spectral figures who continue to drift through the dunes long after losing themselves to blindness.

Myths and Cures

Despite centuries of study, no cure for the White Eyes Condition has ever been found. Some legends speak of a hidden spring deep within the dunes, whose waters can cleanse the affliction and restore lost sight. Others tell of rituals performed by the Dune Wardens, who claim to have the power to halt the spread of the curse—though they rarely offer such aid to outsiders.

Legacy and Fear

The White Eyes Condition has become synonymous with the unforgiving nature of the White Eye Dunes. It serves as both a warning and a mystery, a force that none have truly understood, yet all fear. For those who dare to tread where the dunes whisper and the sun blinds, there is one certainty: the desert does not steal sight in anger—it does so in silence, patient and inevitable.

"You do not lose your sight all at once. First, the light becomes too bright. Then, the world fades to mist. And when the mist clears—there is nothing left to see."

— Dorian Frostquill

Type

Magical

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare

Associated Areas

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First Recorded Cases

Unknown

Causes

Unknown; theorized crystalline particles or ancient curse

Effects

Progressive blindness, eventual total vision loss

Known Cures

None confirmed

Notable Afflicted Groups

The Sandborn, The Hollowed