Vitia

Vitia is a disease that affects aging witches. Symptoms include a loss of memory, malfunctioning magic, and eventually, death. Most witches in stage two Vitia relocate to a residential home to ensure their malfunctioning magic does not harm others. Vitia ultimately affects about 10% of the witch population in United Britannia and Hibernia.

Causes

Witches believe that Vitia is mostly caused by genetics, although there are many instances of random cases (about 25%). The causes of random cases are unknown.

Symptoms

Vitia manifests in three stages:

• First stage: A witch's memory (especially short-term) begins to suffer.

• Second stage: A witch's magic begins to malfunction; short-term memory is almost non-existent; long-term memory suffers.

• Third stage: A witch's memory (both short-term and long-term) is almost gone; the witch will eventually die.

Once the witch reaches stage two, the witch is almost always placed in a residential facility to ensure that their malfunctioning magic does little or no damage.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is little treatment for Vitia. Magic (and potions) can only lessen the symptoms, but cannot cure the disease.

Prognosis

After an initial prognosis, the witch is expected to live two to ten more years, depending on the severity of the disease.

Affected Groups

Vitia affects predominantly older witches in their 90s and 100s, although a witch in their 70s or 80s is occasionally affected by the disease.

Prevention

At this time, there does not seem to be any way to prevent Vitia.

History

Vitia was first recorded by the ancient Greeks. However, whether it is due to more consistent recording or simply more records, there was a sharp increase in the ancient Roman population, beginning in 5 CE. After the initial recording, Vitia has been present in every single generation since.

Type

Mental

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Uncommon