The Disconnected
Little do the public know, there are two instances in which individuals have survived to progress beyond the stages of loss. One of them has begun to exhibit strange habits such as incoherent muttering as though multiple personalities are present, but has also manifested strange powers similar to magic that do not seem to pull for the weave of magic or normal sources of magic, and does not use known schools of magic identifiable by mages. The other has fully regained his emotions and sense of self as well as the ability to use magic again. He has been set free, and has resumed his prior life before the problems in full. He has been kept under surveillance though.
"You know that older man? The one down the road, that they say used to be a part of the Tech Division with the military? What has been up with him? He hasn't been the same since he got dismissed from the military."
"Yea, I've noticed. A few people around have been saying that he seems to have lost himself. That thing that happens when you fool around too much with magic and that old world stuff. He cannot feel the magic anymore or something like that. I wouldn't know, I ain't a mage though. You think it is contagious or anything?"
Transmission & Vectors
The condition seems to be exclusive to those that deal with unknown old world technology. It is thought to be either a part of the technology or possibly something in it's vicinity where it is found.
Causes
Is it a curse? Is it a magical disease? No one is quite sure at this point. It only seems to affect those that have a connection to magic. It is something being researched and observed to determine the actual cause, seeing that it is a rather new condition.
Symptoms
The earliest symptom is the development of random growth and decline in magical power. One moment, a spell might be cast as it will see an immense burst in power, while the next almost as though a child could produce better results. The next, and most profound symptom, is the sudden loss of any form of connection to magic. No matter the source, it seems as though various ties have been cut with a very sharp blade. The immediate loss of feeling to magic causes severe mental trauma to most, some of which never recover. Later symptoms, for those that manage to keep things together through the early phases, involve a slow disconnection from the rest of the world. They interact less with family and friends, they lose ambitions, and they even begin to lose themselves and forget who they are or where they are. None have made it to any further stages, as most give way to a subtle death from starvation or death in their sleep.
Treatment
The condition has been experimented with numerous times over the last few years as it has begun to manifest. Many at first thought that it was a form of depression inevitable after the loss of something so important to them (Magic) or a form of madness or insanity. But that route, and its treatment, have not produced any positive results. Curses and diseases have also been ruled out, at least in the normal sense, but are still being looked into. At this current moment, there are no treatments that seem to cure the condition, or return their loss of magical connection.
Some things have been found to lengthen the span it takes before the worsening of the condition, such as being kept in active roles and interaction with magic in differing forms.
Prognosis
Currently, the only prognosis is a slow death as that without a treatment, it has turned out terminal for all those who have contracted it.
Affected Groups
The condition is indiscriminate when considering race and gender. As for age, it only affects those commonly in contact with newly discovered old world tech, so of middle age to elderly.
Prevention
The only absolute preventative measure is to distance oneself from newly discovered old world technology. It does not seem to be contagious between those with it.
History
The condition has only arisen in the last few years, or at least to any degree in which it has been noticed or taken seriously, and this is in part to a member of Trebury's Sapphire council that relied heavily on magic for their charges. The sudden changes in temperament when using magic first caused great ridicule, until later symptoms emerged leaving the member unable to continue his role and was dismissed but kept under the care of the council itself.
Cultural Reception
Most cultures don't believe that it is a real problem and relate it to bad mojo with a deity or magical power. Others simply choose to ignore them, thinking it is a cry for help or attention. Most are left to suffer their problems without understanding or any form of help.
Type
Magical
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
Rarity
Extremely Rare
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