Intrusions

A healthy inner dialogue is a key to mental wellness, but sometimes other voices intrude on the conversation. These confuse the dialogue, ultimately leading the person to become a creature they were not meant to be. Once the Intrusions choose a victim, they are almost impossible to get rid of.

In societies where magic is prized, the presence of Intrusions are associated with dark magic, for many who practice forbidden arts admit to listening to Intrusions. Instead of fearing Intrusions, dark mages worship them as the source of their power.

Causes

There are some conditions which make a person susceptible to Intrusions. Childhood trauma is the most common, for these create an opening at the deepest recesses of the mind. Ignoring ones faults is also dangerous, for if done long enough the fault comes to find them. Of course, there are also those who openly invite Intrusions through heavy drugs, but such people were half-crazy to begin with.

Symptoms

Some may manifest no symptoms at all, but these are rare and most dangerous. Depending on how severe a hold the Intrusions have on the mind, the person may go so far as to attempt suicide. That is the final phase. Lighter symptoms include damage to self or others. Rage may cause superhuman feats of strength, so beware when trying to subdue someone whom Intrusions have chosen.

Treatment

Exorcisms by skilled individuals. Do not attempt lightly, for to challenge an Intrusion stronger than yourself is to court death.

Cultural Reception

Those with confirmed Intrusions are thrown out into the wilderness unless an exorcist dares attempt to oust them from the troubled mind. The person is considered as dead, though there is no funeral, for their mind is not their own and the body follows. Intrusions are not to be trusted, for their only thought is death and destruction.

Type

Mental

Origin

Mutated

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare