Abyssal Corruption
I dreamed I was alone in an infinite darkness, surrounded only by tiny specks of white light. Every time I try to touch one of them, it drifts away just out of my reach. Sometimes it feels as though I'm floating deeper into the blackness, and other times it's as though I'm falling upward.
It's been a long time since I've dreamed of anything else.
Abyssal corruption is a condition that affects all witches who use innate magic.The sickness is one of the primary reasons why the use of magic is so rare in Leitoria, even though everyone has the potential for it.
Causes
Symptoms
Abyssal corruption can be divided into multiple stages based on the type and severity of the symptoms. How quickly an afflicted person progresses through the stages depends on how often they use their abilities.
First Stage
In the first stage, the witch will begin dreaming of a vast darkness filled only with drifting white flecks of light. Sometimes, they will hear whispered words that seem to come from very far off. If a witch can piece together the nonsensical words and phrases, they will learn the unique catalyst spell that will activate their abilities.
Most agree that this dream is a vision of the Abyss. It is debated whether the influence of the Abyss changes what a person envisions in their dreams or whether their soul actually journeys to the Abyss while dreaming. Even if a person never touches magic again, these dreams will persist throughout their lifetime.
Second Stage
At the second stage, the witch's blood will turn black in color. Dark veins will also sometimes become visible just under the skin, especially for those with very pale complexions. A witch only needs to channel their magic a few times before this stage manifests, and it is rare to find a witch whose condition hasn't progressed this far. The presence of dark blood is a key distinguishing characteristic between witches and non-witches.
Third Stage
During the third stage, black crystals will begin to gradually grow from within the witch's body and outward through the skin. Their tips commonly appear along the hands, forearms, and back. This can be an excruciating process, but painkillers and various ointments can significantly reduce the physical pain. Sorcery academies typically give their students entering this stage several weeks rest. Fortunately, once the black crystals have fully formed they rarely spread any further.
Fourth Stage
At the fourth stage, the afflicted person will experience a variety of symptoms including intense migraines, coughing up blood, boughts of sudden dizziness and fatigue, and sudden periods of acute pain. The corruption will also begin to seriously compromise their physical health and immune system, leaving them vulnerable to other diseases. Witches typically reach the third stage after about a year, but the fourth doesn't manifest until a decade or two later. At this point, professional sorcerers are forced to retire for their own health and safety.
Final Stage
The fifth stage is only reached by those who truly have no concern for the risks to their own life. If a person continues to allow the power of the Abyss to course through their severely corrupted body, they will eventually die. The abyssal crystals that had finished forming in the third stage will begin to grow again, this time deeper into the witch's body until they cause fatal internal bleeding or pierce vital organs.
Treatment
Corruption can not be undone, it can only be slowed down.
The simplest solution is to stop channeling abyssal magic and abandon witchcraft entirely. Some people use the power of the Abyss once or twice in their lifetime and can walk away without ever reaching the visible second stage. However, those who want to pursue the power of the Abyss must find other methods to combat the corruption.
Medicines have been developed at several sorcery academies to slow down abyssal corruption. Additionally, various medical and herbal treatments can soothe the physical symptoms even if they do not prevent the corruption itself.
Affected Groups
Corruption affects all people who channel abyssal magic, but its symptoms are slightly less severe for people in better physical condition. Sorcerers maintain a rigidly structured diet and exercise schedule to keep their bodies healthy and reduce the harm caused by their corruption.
Notably, demons, creatures that are born from the Abyss, are not at all affected by abyssal corruption even though they wield the same magic.
Cultural Reception
Abyssal corruption is the distinguishing mark of a witch, and cultural reception of the condition depends on the culture's view of magic.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
