Aetherbite

Aetherbite is a condition caused by elongated exposure to high pressure raw magic. These areas are naturally occurring, however generally only the most highly pressurized magical areas have enough raw magic to cause Aetherbite.

Transmission & Vectors

Aetherbite is not transmitted from person to person, but rather from direct contact to high pressure raw magic. After spending about 10 minutes in one of these areas, the first signs of the condition can be seen. It can also affect any creature with a soul, as souls naturally touch the ethereal plane where magic comes from.

Causes

Aetherbite is a condition caused by elongated exposure to high pressure raw magic. These areas are naturally occurring, however generally only the most highly pressurized magical areas have enough raw magic to cause Aetherbite.

Symptoms

The first sign of Aetherbite is small opalescent crystals that begin to form on the skin (or whatever the outer layer of the body housing the soul may be). This first symptom will form after about 10 minutes of exposure to the highly pressurized raw magic.
The second symptom is slight hallucinations on the edges of vision, although recent research has found that these may be creatures of the ethereal plane seen as one might during true sight. This will occur usually within the first hour. (Mechanically this will be disadvantage on perception checks)
The third symptom is further crystallization upon the surfaces of the body. Typically occuring during the first sleep after contracting the condition, the affected individual will awaken to about 20% of their body covered in the growing crystals, as well as a startling ability. It is at this point that almost all known individuals affected by Aetherbite gain access to a form of dangerous spellcasting, closely resembling an ancient arcane method known as Silver Fire. The dangers of Silver Fire are many, but the most frightening is that the magic pulled to perform these spells is not taken from the surrounding area as traditional spellcasting is, but taken from the very soul of the afflicted. This will shorten the remaining life span of the individual by about 1-4%, will exhaust the body severely, and cause the condition to hasten to its next phase. (A player may cast using Silver Fire as often as they choose. When they do so, they roll a d4. The number rolled determines the percentage of remaining lifetime lost and reduces the time until the next symptom by that many days. The character also gains a level of exhaustion.)
The fourth symptom occurs after about 2 days and consists of fits of confusion and often uncharacteristic rage. It it theorized that this is due to the soul slowly seeping out into the crystals that continue to form on the body. At this point the crystals cover about 30% of the body. (Random wis saves DC 13)
The crystals will continue to cover the body over the next 20 days at a somewhat even pace of about 3% a day. The fifth symptom will manifest itself in the last 7 days, a bodily exhaustion as the soul has weakened and the crystals have grown heavy. (Gain a level of exhaustion, sleeping no longer recovers levels of exhaustion)
The sixth and final symptom comes after about a total of 23 days from the original contraction of the condition. The body fully is covered in crystals and is put in a state of stasis. After 24 hours of this bodily stasis, the body permanently forms to the crystal and fully loses its soul, becoming a Crystal Aetherhulk.

Treatment

Currently the treatment for this affliction has not been discovered, although attempting to treat the condition through magical means will actually feed magic to the crystals, hastening the symptoms. The only known cure to the condition is to either escape the high pressure raw magic immediately after the first symptom has shown itself which is only occasionally successful, amputation of the afflicted area if it is contained, or through a wish spell.
It is possible however to stave off the condition and somewhat prolong the time before final crystallization by having the afflicted be relocated to an area of extremely low pressures of raw magic.

Prognosis

The final outcome of the condition is the transformation into a mindless monster consumed by the crystals, a Crystal Aetherhulk.

Sequela

If by some miracle the afflicted is healed of this condition, it is impossible to regain the parts of the soul that were lost. Some memory loss and slight personality changes are likely in recovering individuals.

Affected Groups

Any being with a soul and not immune to magic.

Hosts & Carriers

You may be able to tell when you are in such an area as the local wildlife will have very small crystals growing on their bodies, although non-intelligent creatures will never progress past the first symptom.

Prevention

A device has been designed in order to insulate an individual from the surrounding raw magics of an area, although it can only slow the hold of Aetherbite. Those who use this method should still be sure to leave the area as soon as any crystals are observed on the body.

Epidemiology

Raw magic flows and ebbs through the ethereal plane as a roiling ocean, although a general areas amount of magical density will likely only change slowly over time unless acted upon by a force on the material plane.

History

Aetherbite has been observed somewhat in the past, however it was extremely rare and tended to be passed of as a curse or some magic gone awry. While it remains uncommon, it seems that the number of cases has increased by a startling amount in recent years. Currently the bulk of these cases have been observed in Heraldsbane.

Cultural Reception

As there is no cure as of yet, the afflicted will tend to be isolated in order to not harm the general populous during the fits of rage or eventual transformation. Generally this causes many to be fearful of those afflicted.

Type

Magical

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare