Unravel

Named for the Ghennan idea of the grand weave, Unravel is an affliction born of extended exposure to alternative energies. Found primarily in mages, but occasionally pops up in people close to exposure points.

Transmission & Vectors

Unravel is typically found in people exposed to alternative energies. This means those who work closely with magic, or are in close contact with open sources of alternative energies, are most at risk.

Causes

Extended exposure to alternative energies have a negative impact on minds untrained. Those from the home plane of the energy source are already adapted, and those with long magical lineage can have resistance to the effect. Difference sources have different effects, but all start to warp the effected's view of the world. Mages are most at risk for Unravel as they channel alternative energies themselves. However breaches in the core plane can lead to slow, overland exposure. The breach in the Deuchess Swamp is a prime example. Broken enchantments, and being in the vicinity of consistant magic, for example a staff member in the Magus Arcanum is at risk for Unravel.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary based on energy source, but include paranoia, rage, hallucination, fear, god-complex and others.

Treatment

Caught early, Unravel is typically cured with therapy, and removal from the alternative energy source. Natural mental rhythms will slowly return to normal.
Without early attention, Unravel can be permanent. In mages it can be especially dangerous, with magic becoming unpredictable. In late stages, Nullstone or Voidwalker intervention may be needed to break the connection, and long term and deep therapy may be needed to return to some semblance of normal. Full recovery is rare at advanced stages.

Prevention

Most preventative measures come with rotation. Staff working in close proximity are given shifts away from a magic center for periods, and monitored closely while energy close. Those who intend to deal with alternative energies regularly, such as mages, go through rigorous mental training, and are frequently checked for signs.

Type

Mental