Aetherblood

the gift from Beyond

"Aetherblood" is the name given by the Cult of the Golden Dawn to a rare mutation that grants the ability to receive visions from the Empyrean's dimension known as the Aether. Most commonly found within the Cult, it is a requirement in order to join the ranks of the Oracles in the Priesthood, and while the vast majority of those affected choose to join them, a few individuals prefer to live by another path in spite of their condition.

Transmission & Vectors

As its name suggests, Aetherblood is a congenital disorder. It is not hereditary, and it is unknown why or how it occurs; those affected are believed by the Cult to be divinely chosen. There is no other way by which it can be contracted.

Causes

Aetherblood is more common among members of the Cult than among outside factions, suggesting that being in an environment in which people worship the Empyrean and deal with the realm of the Aether plays a major part in its occurrence. It is theorised by the Priesthood that it results from "leaks" of energies from the Aether during activities such as Oracle seances or Sorcerer rituals.

Symptoms

The defining symptom of Aetherblood is the ability it grants to see into the Aether and receive messages from the Empyrean. This is not strictly beneficial, as the visions Aetherblooded individuals, or Seers, receive present themselves as terrifying, incomprehensible hallucinations to the untrained mind, and result in mental trauma from a young age as a result. This ability is referred to as Aether-Sight, or simply the Sight.
Aside from Aether-Sight, Seers are also identifiable by distinct physical characteristics. Their irises are red in colour, and they possess a somewhat spectral appearance, with very pale skin, naturally slender ectomorphic physiques, and flowing, wispish hair. Besides their eyes, they tend to have a somewhat "desaturated" look, as all their other physical features appear faded and discoloured.

Treatment

As the Cult views the idea as blasphemous and it occurs too infrequently in other factions to be considered worthy of such a development, there is no known cure for Aetherblood. Instead, most of those affected join the Oracles where they are trained by experienced Seers to understand their visions and have greater control over their occurrence. In time, they learn to be comfortable with the gift of Sight and become able to use it willingly.

Prognosis

For the few who choose not to join the Oracles, looked upon as insane by those who do, training is often entirely their own responsibility as they seldom encounter other Seers on a regular basis. For them, the Sight is often more of an affliction than a blessing, and they live their lives in spite of it.

Type

Supernatural

Origin

Divine

Cycle

Chronic, Congenital

Rarity

Rare