Chirana - Power through Corrosion

The principle is a simple as it is horrifying: You sacrifice parts of yourself for speed and power. Not something to use constantly, of course.

— Helenia Martin, Witch of Galean

"Calm down, people! It is time for class to start. Now then, we won't be doing any more practical lessons over the next week. And yes, I can hear you groan. Practice is more fun than theory but with the new topic that simply won't be possible at your level. You will need to take Magister Vellana's advanced class on bio-magical conditions once you reach the seventh year. For now, theory will have to suffice."
"Chirana, the name itself being derived from the Lemean word for "rust", is a bio-magical condition. Meaning it is not purely caused by mana-influence but has its origin in a mixture of genetic and mana-related factors. In this case, mana interacts with the natural process of cell decay. Under normal circumstances said process works without us even noticing. Cells cease to work, they die, and are cleaned up by the body."
"In this case things are different, however. Cell decay is accelarated a thousandfold through mana when it comes into contact with the air. The body literally corrodes. Since mana is constantly expelled by the body this can become dangerous quite quickly, easily killing you within a few years. While natural cell death does not release much energy, its enhanced version very much does. This is why it is so dangerous since the body is not equipped to deal with the high speed of the decay and the pressure it causes."
"A mage, or human if gifted enough, may be able to control this affliction. By controlling the mana outflow from the body one can slow the corrosion process down to a trickle that can be treated with general medical magic. If one were to take it a step further, they can actively channel the energy released by the accelerated cell death. After all, it is partially saturated with mana meaning a mage can theoretically control it."
"The higher the degree of cell decay the higher the power output, meaning strength, speed and attack potency can be increased a hundredfold and more. This comes at a steep price, however, as the user will literally sacrifice his body in doing so. If they let it go on too long, the body will reach a stage where any damage endured can no longer be recovered via any means."

Sure it might make you die quicker. But it lets you rip out forests and run faster than sounds. Bit of a fair deal, no?

— Allister Toffrin, Chirana Mage

Type

Supernatural

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Congenital

Rarity

Extremely Rare

by Craig Reid