Shatterheart
She hasn't woken up since we got here. And her arm is-- please. Is there any thing you can do for her, Maen?When world falls, when its lands are shattered, some survive. This comes at a cost: Shatterheart.
Causes
While most things involved in a world's fall are obscure, scholars are sure it involves an instability in a world's Concept. This belief is based on the survivors since those with Shatterheart are the only evidence of how it falls.
Shatterheart is a microcosm of a world's destruction. Shatterheart occurs when a person's very existence is disrupted violently, and part of their hold on reality is disrupted. From survivor accounts, this happens primarily to those who are hit by the destruction physically, but minor symptoms (whether internal or nonphysical) can happen to any survivor regardless of visible damage.
Shatterheart is a microcosm of a world's destruction. Shatterheart occurs when a person's very existence is disrupted violently, and part of their hold on reality is disrupted. From survivor accounts, this happens primarily to those who are hit by the destruction physically, but minor symptoms (whether internal or nonphysical) can happen to any survivor regardless of visible damage.
Symptoms
There are several variants and stages depending on what damage there is and where it is.
The most minor cases are practically unnoticeable. These include minor pains throughout the body, and a haziness that fade over the next year. The pain however, will only lessen to a point.
From here, cases diversify based on where the damage is. Damage to the heart and chest, for instance, is almost always lethal, and survivors last only weeks.
The most minor cases are practically unnoticeable. These include minor pains throughout the body, and a haziness that fade over the next year. The pain however, will only lessen to a point.
From here, cases diversify based on where the damage is. Damage to the heart and chest, for instance, is almost always lethal, and survivors last only weeks.
Treatment
For all but the major cases, the treatment is the same. Physical damage is mostly permanent, but pain medicine can alleviate that side of things.
Cultural Reception
Shatterheart carriers are feared by a large portion of the population as people fear that they can cause further destruction. Even though it cannot spread, and there is no world to fall, the memories remain.
Third generation residents feel less strongly about Shatterheart, but a culture of fear is hard to fight.
That said, in the criminal world, Shatterheart is both feared and coveted. If an affliction carries some pain, but an ability to pass through walls, well. Many a thief would pay the price.
Third generation residents feel less strongly about Shatterheart, but a culture of fear is hard to fight.
That said, in the criminal world, Shatterheart is both feared and coveted. If an affliction carries some pain, but an ability to pass through walls, well. Many a thief would pay the price.
Type
Magical
Origin
Magical
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
Rarity
Rare
Quite a horrible condition that even in the best cases there is still constant pain.
Well, I'll agree that any condition that causes pain is awful, but so long as they get treatment they don't have to feel it! Its a magic setting, pain is an easier problem than reality. (I'd be more worried about cases where they are neglected due to fear...)