Ishnemdi Curse

Transmission & Vectors

The Ishnemdi ("corrupted evil") Curse can only happen when physical contact occurs between an organic, sentient creature and an object corrupted by dark magic. It is posited by scholars that someone could become infected if they are the focal point of a ritual of a powerful sorcerer, yet no experimentation has been done to determine whether this is accurate.

Symptoms

The immediate symptom that manifests is a scar-like weal. This often appears as a symbol important to the caster. An example is Grishtar's mark, an emblem featuring a slitted dragon eye encircled by multiple lines. The mark is not painful, but it is raised and dark.
The next sign is a connection to the dark sorcerer's mind. This may grow as a psychic link through dreams or a way of tracking someone, as if they are a lodestone to the sorcerer. In the case of Grishtar's curse, he forms a link to them through dreams where he can converse and meet with his followers. This allows him to coordinate with agents across the world.

Mark of Grishtar by Dramatic Dragons

Treatment

There is no known cure for this curse, save the death of the sorcerer. A ritual involving magic from a divine source is rumored to be a potential solution, yet no records of this being attempted (or successful) exist. However, some magic spells can be used to ward a person's mind against corruption.

Prognosis

While those who are unprepared for the effects of the curse may quickly fall through the stages of corruption, protection can prevent the curse progressing into madness.

Sequela

Stage 1: Cursed

The initial curse appears innocuous beyond the sorcerer's mark appearing on the recipient's skin. Unless there are other aspects involved around initial curse being cast, the scar-like weal is the primary sign. If protected by wards during the initial casting, the Ishnemdi Curse may also be restricted at this point.
It is also suggested that a victim is resistant to the ideas of the sorcerer, they may not progress to the next stage of the curse.

Stage 2: Corrupted

The corrupting nature of dark magic also heightens its victim's susceptibility to evil influence. When one is affected by it, they may be more swayed more easily to persuasion from the sorcerer, especially if the idea already aligns to the infected. For example, Grishtar speaks of the Covenant of Ascendancy's and how the promise of Ascending by the will of the gods is a lie; if a victim agrees with the premise, this plants a seed that can be nurtured by the sorcerer to make the victim easier to manipulate.
This corruption can lead to madness within a short period of time, depending on how much the victim agrees with the sorcerer's arguments. The belief becomes an obsession, driving the victim into a fervor to spread the truth they have accepted. Around this time, the link serves as a beacon that connects the sorcerer to the cursed victim.

Stage 3: Compromised

A victim that reaches this level of infection is no longer able to control their own body. Their minds are enslaved fully to the sorcerer's will. The sorcerer can access their senses and control their actions by focusing on them. The victim can be reduced to little more than a mindless drone driven to serve their master's whim.

Type

Magical

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Unique