Paucity

The paucity is an unpredictable phenomenon that has spread through the Basdarran Archipelago. Whilst this affliction occurs throughout Basdarran, Eld'Henge has the most sizeable population of afflicted, which seems to result from a higher than average infection rate and from the afflicted migrating from everywhere else in the Isles. These afflicted failing to find a cure at The Academy, and unable, or unwilling, to fit into society leave south from Astillier, into the Corpse Wastes. Rumors of a colony for the paucity afflicted, located in the Corpse Wastes, have spread in most cities.

Pathology

If a being is affected by paucity, they go through three stages; change, weakness, disenchantment. Change: In all cases, observed and resulting in paucity, the afflicted undergo a change in personality trending towards volatility, irritability, and eccentricity. Cases have been noted with the afflicted believing that something is "wrong" with themselves, some believing the change just being a cold, or flu, in its early stages. The most reliable way to diagnose an individual with paucity is by the common signs in the affliction's eccentricity. People absentmindedly drawing interlinked circles with fingers, or pens, and mumbling to one's self, being the most common. Weakness: After a variable period of time from the change, occurs a general weakening of the afflicted. This weakening affects people differently; some experience a loss of knowledge, or a lessening of drive, while others suffer from a reduction of magical capability. Notable weakenings include:
On Wings Afar's Astar, who experienced the first ever complete loss of magical capability.
Great Artist Marcos Best, who quit the art world after painting Four Folds From Glory. Disenchantment: When the weakening has stopped progressing, afflicted individuals begin a personality change of disenchantment away from the status quo, and all that entails. They begin to find it difficult to fit into society, and begin to pull back. Finally resulting in leaving everything behind, and usually never being seen again.

Treatment

It is essential that the symptoms are caught early enough that intervention can occur. Intervention is most effective in the Change state, but it is difficult to diagnose. To halt and cure an afflicted individual, it requires that a powerful mage sit with the afflicted and channel magical energy through them. This treatment is roughly 80% effective during Change, and falls to around 30% at Disenchantment. Other notable treatments that have met with success are visiting The Academy's history wing, and fighting a Wyvern.