Lati Corruption
Lati Corruption is the degrading effect that affects all Lati who use their magical abilities., it degrades them to an unrecognizable state, yet provides numerous benefits in the process. Ultimately, most Lati try to control and prevent the process, to no effect.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Lati Corruption include, from least to most in order of severity (Both of the illness and of the condition pallid skin; change in eye colour to blood red or yellow; hair loss; flaking/disintegrating skin; detachment from reality; random mutations; irreversible mutations; bleeding into Stream Space; a decreased reservoir of Kali Energy; death; mutation into a sentient? monster of pure dark energy and power.
Most Lati die before ever progressing past disintegrating skin and a mild detachment from reality. Detachment from reality is fairly hard to notice, because most Lati are already somewhat unstable, teetering on the edge of madness. The last symptom is so incredibly rare that there have only been a thousand or so cases recorded in all of the time Lati have been around. The creature created is known as the Vutinru Dokalqe, and they are some scary stuff.
There is one overall benefit to having Lati Corruption. The more afflicted a Lati is by it, the more powerful they get, to the point where those near metamorphosis are able to command power that nears half of what Mul-Zamain could wield. More reason he was so impressive, there was no documentation of him having any symptom of corruption, but for glowing red eyes.
Most Lati die before ever progressing past disintegrating skin and a mild detachment from reality. Detachment from reality is fairly hard to notice, because most Lati are already somewhat unstable, teetering on the edge of madness. The last symptom is so incredibly rare that there have only been a thousand or so cases recorded in all of the time Lati have been around. The creature created is known as the Vutinru Dokalqe, and they are some scary stuff.
There is one overall benefit to having Lati Corruption. The more afflicted a Lati is by it, the more powerful they get, to the point where those near metamorphosis are able to command power that nears half of what Mul-Zamain could wield. More reason he was so impressive, there was no documentation of him having any symptom of corruption, but for glowing red eyes.
Treatment
Over the millennia, Lati have made it a priority of halting or slowing down the corruption process. Some use creams and other cosmetics, while some take a page from the Nameless and use a daily to weekly meditation regimen. It is a long time before it proves effective, and the best time to start is before one starts experiencing symptoms, and as such most Lati abstain. The more powerful Lati, or the ones with the most resources, do their best to develop and unearth rituals to stop the corruption. Some have been found to be marginally successful, but not the level the Lati desire. The most common remedy is to simply cover it up with illusion to make one look young and beautiful. This is taught and practice in most seductress cults, which works to great effect, as such it is the most common solution.
Prognosis
Lati who succumb to the illness to to start by having many of their physical qualities warped. Then they start to lose their mind. Assuming the Lati in question is left alone to succumb to the illness, both of these symptoms tracks progress until either the Lati's body functions just refuse to work anymore, or they have fully morphed into the dark elementals.
Sequela
The main condition which arises from Lati Corruption are the creation of the Vutinru Dokalqe, the dark elemental. Not much is known about these creatures as they seem to have a godlike level of power and basically no interest in staying around realspace, as they usually zip up and fly to the nearest wormhole they can find. On the few occasions that they have been seen in realspace, near settlements, the tales which arise become ghost stories or urban legends.
Affected Groups
Lati.
Cultural Reception
Lati Corruption has been a fact of Lati life all the way back to the mythic era. it is well documented, except for the metamorphosis, and it is seen as a mixed bag. Lerin don't usually know the difference, only the scholars and researchers allowed past the propaganda walls are regaled as to the actual information behind it. Other cultures see it as just another signifier of one being a Lati, so react as they normally would. Lati tend to view those subject to corruption in two different manners. Those who can harness its power, without going over the drain are commended, and many of those who do wear the physical markers of such progressed corruption with pride. These Lati are generally not vulnerable to metamorphosis, no matter how their body might degrade, as one of the main things which contribute to becoming a dark elemental is a complete and total loss of sanity and sense. Those who seem to be losing both, and are showing signs of physical degradation, are disgraced. They wield all the power they did but are seen as a lame duck, a soon-to-be deceased lame duck. They have larger targets painted on their backs, and once the symptoms reach a certain point, tend not to live long.
Type
Magical
Parent
Origin
Magical
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
Rarity
Common
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