Arcane Poisoning

The Bane of Magic Users

As the effects of another spell fade, a web of black blooms across the back of the caster's hand, slowly painting the once-bluish lines of her veins black as it winds its way up her arm. The black web stops just before her elbow, a deep throbbing aching in her forearms for a moment before it stops as quickly as it starts.
It's just an odd side effect of the spell, nothing more.
With that thought tucked in the back of her mind, she begins the incantation of another spell, the shimmer of nature magic forming on her fingertips. As the words die on her lips, the inky black spreads quickly, reaching her shoulders before the last syllable goes silent. The thoughts from before disappear as her fears become her reality, a reality that many pray never happens.
Sobbing replaces spellcasting as the black becomes darker, staining her arms with twisted lines crawling beneath her skin. She unfortunately is one of the few, who are cursed with arcane poisoning, a chronic condition that even the greatest of Clerics, priests, and Alchemists have yet to solve. Now, her magic is limited, even though the Elves are one of the more magical races.

Causes

Decades of research have yielded little in terms of prevention, curing, or causes, but we can at least make the condition bearable.

— Researcher at the Unending Scroll

Arcane Poisoning is a condition that has affected various populations for centuries, but there is little documentation on the causes of the condition. It seems to be rampant in those that are descendants of inherently magical races, but even that is not something that researchers know for certain. From what researchers have been able to determine, it is assumed that the condition is caused by the overuse of magic, but there have been documented instances where those suffering from the condition were not heavy magic users.

Symptoms

Arcane Poisoning

Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash

Arcane Poisoning often manifests as blackened veins, but not always. Researchers at the Unending Scroll have determined that one must look at the deep tissues to really notice the change in color that is a sign of this poisoning. Special instruments are needed due to the level of arcane radiation that comes from these infected tissues.

Arcane Poisoning manifests with a variety of symptoms that are both external and internal. The external symptoms can often be easily explained away so those that exhibit these symptoms do not always relate them to this condition.
Blackened veins are the most common indicator of arcane poisoning, but certain spells also cause the user's veins to darken and sometimes appear black or very dark blue in color. Oftentimes, the coloration begins in the hands or feet before spreading through the veins of the arms and legs. This is not a permanent symptom but is often an early indicator of the condition. In extreme cases, the veins visible around the eyes begin to turn colors.
Lethargy is another common symptom of those affected by arcane poisoning. It is very hard to diagnose the condition with lethargy and blackened veins alone as these can both be indicators of spell exhaustion or side effects of casting specific spells.
Some numbness of the extremities has been reported as a symptom of arcane poisoning, but it is unclear if this is truly a symptom or a side effect of something else the afflicted were taking part in.
The inability to cast spells is a rarer symptom of arcane poisoning as most affected with the condition are able to continue using magic, although the side effects are common when a caster has reached spell exhaustion or their limit. Many have reported only being able to cast simpler magic when affected, but a small percentage have noted losing all spellcasting ability.
Infected tissues are a symptom that is specific to arcane poisoning. If someone is infected with arcane poisoning, their deep tissues will begin to turn black while remaining completely healthy. It is unknown why the tissues turn this color or why they are not affected other than a change in coloration.

Researchers at the Unending Scroll note that this symptom cannot be seen without a variety of specialized equipment. As the affected tissue locations vary between the races that can have this condition, it is often harder to diagnose, but once found, can be treated to an extent.

Treatment

As arcane poisoning is considered a chronic condition with no current cure, all treatments are more therapeutic in nature. Often the treatments involve a variety of potions that allow those inflicted to continue using their magic to the same degree as before they were diagnosed. Arcane poisoning does not physically harm the body, but as it does limit the person's magic and their ability to cast more involved spells, treatments revolve around building the person's pool of magic and strength.
Treatments vary greatly amongst the races infected as the condition seems to affect the various races to differing degrees. Some races treat with potions, while others treat with somewhat strenuous training that pushes the person nearly to their limits numerous times in succession.

Type

Magical

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare

Affected Species

• Elves
• Clay Giants
• Fairies
• Deep Fairies
• Silver Elves
• Leaf Giants

Affected Groups

The only known affected groups are those that are descendants of the Ancient Fey, to include Elves, Silver Elves, Fairies, Deep Fairies, Leaf Giants, and Clay Giants.
It is unknown why only these groups are affected as many other races throughout Isekai are consistent magic users and spell casters of differing levels. It is assumed that only those that are inherently magical and have a deep connection to the magic of the world are affected by arcane poisoning.

History

Many assume this condition has existed since the beginning of the world or as long as the Elder Races have walked the earth, but research has shown that this is not the case. The vast archives of the Elves and Fairies have very few mentions of instances of people having "black veins," and those that do are often tied to stories of misused spells.
Reports of the condition have only become prominent more recently, with the earliest documented case being shortly after the end of the Eldritch War. Some in the Fairy Kingdom believe the first occurrence of the condition dates back further, to the time of the Wither Blight, but there is inconclusive evidence to support this claim.
Only in the last fifty years have the researchers at the Unending Scroll been able to begin researching the condition on a deeper level, looking at tissue samples from those that have been infected. This process requires a great deal of specialized equipment that oftentimes is developed specifically for research into arcane poisoning.

Cultural Reception

Those that are affected by arcane poisoning are not always well received by their various cultures due to many of the myths that surround the condition. Many believe that the condition is contagious and is easily spread through contact, while others believe that certain bloodlines are predisposed to the condition and therefore should not be mingled with.
In areas where the condition is better understood, such as the Elven capital of Alfensil, those afflicted are treated with great respect as it is a great hardship for Elves to be limited in their magic.