Runic Trauma

Brief

Runic Trauma can happen in many forms, but the primary source of this condition stems from the abuse of Control Runes and will be the main subject of the information provided. Runic Trauma is a form of Psychological Trauma, which is damaging to the creature's mind due to the stress of conflicting feelings and orders from the runes.

Transmission & Vectors

Runic Trauma is an isolated condition. It is non-transmittable, and can only be aquired through multiple stressful incidences with Runes tattooed into the skin or otherwise applied. Due to being a psychological condition it cannot be passed from one creature to another, even if someone affected by it gives birth; their offspring will not aquire it.

Above: example of Control Runes applied to individuals. A faded, older example versus a freshly tattooed rune.

Causes

As mentioned previously, the main cause of this trauma is between the disconnect of a rune present on a person or in close proximity to this person for extended periods of time. The harsher the disconnect is between the command or instruction of the rune and the creature's wants or morality, the more stress is endured by the individual. With repeated incidences or constant incidents, this casues pyschological damage that can be comparable to PTSD. In fact, the two diseases are co-morbid, meaning that if someone has one, it is possible to have the other, and are diagnosed together ocassionally.

Symptoms

Symptoms of runic trauma can vary heavily, due to a few factors. The main factors are:

• The duration of contact or interaction with the rune(s)
• The severity of the rune(s)

The more complex a rune is, and the longer a person is subject to the stressors of them can make they symptoms more aggressive, but of course it varies individual to indiviual. The following symptoms are common within runic trauma.

Negative changes in thinking or mood

• Negative thoughts about themselves, or others
• Sense of hopelessness
• Memory issues, including not remembering importat aspects of their traumatic event
• Difficulty maintaining close relationships
• Feeling detatched from others
• Difficulty experiencing positive emotions; feeling emotionally numb

Changes in physical and emotional reactions

• Being easily startled or frightened
• Always on guard for percieved danger
• Disregard for their own safety
• Trouble with concentrating and sleeping
• Outbursts of uncontrolled emotions, typically anger, irritability or becoming aggressive without provocation
• Overwhelming guilt or shame

---

Avoidance

• Trying to avoid talking or thinking about the event
• Avoiding places, activities or people that remind them about the trauma

Compulsions

• Reoccuring, unwanted compulsions related to the rune(s) applied
• Difficulty distinguising between "trained" behaviour and their own

Intrusive memories

• Reoccuring, unwanted, and distressing memories of the trauma endured
• Flashbacks to their time under the rune's influence
• Upsetting dreams and nightmares about the trauma
• Severe emotional/physical distress to something that reminds the person of the events

Treatment

Removal

How the runes are removed is a key part of treatment. A rune must be dispelled either by pulling the magic out of it, or by modifying the rune itself into a negative of the command or idea within it to allow the person to act freely. It is not uncommon however for people in these situations to attempt to remove these runes by simply damaging the skin around the rune, which does the opposite effect. A rune with no binding, or damaged binding allows the magic to run freely, and makes reversal difficult, especially if the rune used is unreadable.

Therapy

Like any trauma, going through therapy is recommended to help the indiviual learn how to cope with their emotions and find ways to go through life in a stable way after their incident.

History

When the effects of Control Runes were first discovered, there was a large push by members of society to make them illegal. Due to some horrific incidents in the past, they were made illegal, and it is now possible for Runesmiths to lose their job, be heavily fined, and put in jail for their involvement in the illegal use of runes.
Unfortunately, there are still small back alley incidents and blackmarket trades where these runes are used.

Cultural Reception

While people do not fear the individuals affected by this disease, many are afraid of having it. Many see this condition as pitiful, and many are often patronized by others. It's seen as shameful and embarrasing to have been controlled so heavily and for so long that it's left scars.

Attempts at support groups have been made but with the rarity of the condition, most support groups are online, or in larger cities.

A rune used to convince people to stay in a location longer than intended to. Commonly used in casinos and bars. A rune that would be tied to location and not an individual person.

Affected Species

All

Type

Physiological

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare

A rune used to keep an individual silent about a specific topic, chosen when inlaying the rune with magic.

It should be noted that while runic trauma is typically co-morbid with PTSD, it is not commonly co-morbid in the reverse order. PTSD does not always come with runic trauma. It depends entirely on the individual and the traumatic event they've undergone.