Wendigo Possession
Wendigoes, as malignant as they are, do not have much power on their own. Instead, they gain power by latching onto a sentient being and convincing their host to use Null Magic, which not only drains the host and those around them, but feeds the wendigo and makes it stronger. Slowly but surely, the host will experience more and more severe symptoms until they are completely overtaken by the wendigo.
Transmission & Vectors
Once a wendigo has infected a host, it will typically not move from that host unless it is forced to or it sees a greater opportunity (i.e. a host with greater insecurities or who is a greater threat to them).
Causes
In all cases, the infection is started by a wendigo. A wendigo that has just come through a rift will actively seek out a host that is deeply insecure about something and latch onto them. More often than not, the host will be the one to have used the Null magic that opened the rift in the first place, since users of Null magic tend to resort to it out of desperation. This is not always the case, but in many cases it is.
Symptoms
Stage 1
One who is possessed by a wendigo will experience symptoms that get progressively worse as the wendigo gains power. When a wendigo first attaches to a host, it will try to psychologically manipulate the host into using Null magic. This typically manifests as a voice in the host's head that tries to undermine their trust in others and convince them that their only hope is Null magic. This voice can be difficult to recognize because not only do wendigoes imitate their hosts' inner voice, they reflect back the beliefs and insecurities that the host already has. The wendigo can also give its host nightmares playing on their worst fears to drive them to the brink of despair.
Stage 2
As the host begins using Null magic to solve their problems, the wendigo becomes stronger. The host often experiences a "honeymoon period" where it appears as though the Null magic spells have genuinely improved their lives, but this is short-lived. As the wendigo feeds, the host becomes Anima-depleted, losing their color and spell power. Because their ability to use Anima magic is hindered in this state, the host resorts to using Null magic more often. They will start isolating themselves more and more, and might even be pushed away due to the detrimental effect Null magic has on the world around them.
This is also the stage where black wendigo substance begins to drip from the host's mouth. This is a telltale sign of wendigo possession.
Stage 3
Eventually, the host reaches a point where they cannot use Anima magic at all. In this stage, they are completely void of color and their eyes have turned completely black. They often act addled due to severe Anima depletion, and vainly cast Null magic spells in an attempt to replenish their Anima. At this point, the only time they may leave their homes is to try to get more Anima. This is a fruitless effort; the more Null magic they use, the more depleted they become, which fuels their Anima hunger.
Stage 4
Finally, if this progresses far enough, the host will be completely overtaken by the wendigo. They will still have their basic form, but they will be completely enveloped by black wendigo mass with glowing red eyes. At this point, the wendigo is in complete control, and is only using the host's body as a puppet. The host will become trapped in their own body, continually force-fed their own guilt and desperation over and over again, unable to cry for help as the wendigo proceeds to destroy everything around them.
Treatment
Once wendigo possession is recognized, Altairians have a system for dealing with it. The first step is to separate the wendigo from the host. A typical way to do this is by using a healing spell that uses Undifferentiated Anima. Once the host has received the healing spell, the wendigo inside will rebel and force itself out of its host's body through their mouth. This is not a pleasant experience; the host will begin to projectile vomit wendigo mass, which has the color and consistency of motor oil and no odor, before finally expelling the wendigo. Depending on how late a stage they are in, this can take five minutes to an hour. Once the wendigo is expelled, the vomiting stops.
After being expelled, the wendigo will be quite angry and begin to attack. For more powerful wendigoes, it may be necessary to wear them down and weaken them with attack spells, particularly those involving Undifferentiated Anima. Once the wendigo is sufficiently weakened, it will be banished back to the Flipside with the Wendigo Banishing Incantation.
Even after the wendigo is expelled and banished, the former host will need time to recover. They may suffer the effects of Anima Depletion and be nauseous from the vomiting. The Anima Depletion will heal itself over time, but it can be accelerated if the host visits a Ley Spa. The nausea can be treated with ginger or peppermint tea.
Prognosis
The prognosis for wendigo possession is generally very good; hosts can be saved from wendigo possession as long as they are breathing with few long-term physical effects. As the disease progresses, it is increasingly difficult to do so, but never impossible.
In general, it is much easier to revive the host if they are in an early stage of infection. If they are in the first stage, for instance, the wendigo will pretty much just slip out painlessly, but with a more advanced infection, the host could be painfully regurgitating wendigo substance for half an hour or more before the wendigo comes out.
Sequela
While wendigo possession leaves no long-term physical effects in most cases (save for temporary Anima depletion), it is quite a harrowing experience to go through for any individual, especially if it managed to progress into the late stages. A being that has undergone wendigo possession will likely need psychological care at the very least in the immediate aftermath of the possession. In severe cases, they might need care for months or even years.
Prevention
As long as you have any emotional insecurities at all, you are susceptible to wendigo possession; however, there are things you can do to keep it from progressing. In the early stages, simply recognizing the wendigo's voice and not giving in to the temptation to isolate yourself or use Null magic will eventually convince the wendigo to leave and seek easier prey.
In addition, there exist certain magical artifacts that are charged with Undifferentiated Anima that ward off wendigoes. Wendigoes despise Undifferentiated Anima due to its associations with unity, and thus will balk at approaching it.
Finally, having a strong support system can prevent wendigo possession from reaching the late stages. Wendigoes tend to isolate their victims because oftentimes the victim's family and friends can recognize when something is wrong with their loved one and act promptly. A lot of times, they can recognize a wendigo in someone better from the outside. Your support system also increases the power of Undifferentiated Anima around you, which, as mentioned before, is repulsive to wendigoes.
Epidemiology
Wendigo possession can occur at any point in time, but it is particularly likely during times of unrest and distrust, as wendigoes feed off of these emotions and Altairians are more likely to resort to Null magic out of fear and desperation.
History
The denizens of Altairus have known and dealt with wendigo possession since the beginning of the Silver Era, but it really came to a head during the War of the Wendigoes, when wendigo possession on a massive scale threatened to destroy both Altairus and Earth. It was this event that prompted Altairian authorities to release knowledge of wendigoes and how to combat them to the public.
Cultural Reception
Since wendigo-possessed individuals tend to be destructive to themselves and those around them, sufferers can unfortunately end up ostracized. This is bad because wendigoes thrive off of isolation and negative feelings and use these as leverage over their hosts. Some societies even see wendigo possession as a choice, since wendigoes can be resisted in the early stages and are let in by Null magic, and judge the wendigo-possessed as lacking moral fiber. More progressive societies with more knowledge about wendigo possession know that this isn't always the case; they will typically recognize when someone is possessed by a wendigo and will do their best to help.
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