Spell Poisoning

Also known as Giova's Disease, it's a sorry state when the very power you wield can cause such irreparable harm.

Causes

When a caster channels their spell through arcanite, the metal gives off a small but intense field of radiation around it, approximately two centimeters thick. Essentially, the caster would need to be in contact with the metal to have a chance of contracting this disease.

Symptoms

Once infected, the victim has only a matter of time before they notice the infection. Acute necrosis appears in one spot on their body, slowly radiating outward from the starting point. The body rots and decays on the victim until satiated. It does not spread randomly, instead focusing on one area and spreading from there.

Assuming the disease started somewhere far away from vital organs (like on the toes), they would have approximately a month before the rot reaches vital organs and shuts down the body.

Treatment

There are some cases where the necrosis has stopped on its own accord. However, it is impossible to predict just how much rot any given infection will inflict on a victim. The only surefire treatment is to amputate the infected area as soon as possible.

Prevention

Despite the dire effects, it is relatively easy to avoid an infection in the first place. Simply by mixing arcanite with meus to create the arcanium alloy will negate the chance entirely. Albeit, the amplification offered by pure arcanite is diluted and weakened. Alternatively, the arcanite can be encased in another material to insulate from the effects (akin to a graphite core in a pencil).

Epidemiology

Fortunately, this disease is not known to. For whatever reason, the necrosis focuses only on the cells of the infected, and will not affect anyone that comes into contact with the diseased flesh.
That doesn't make it any less pleasant to touch someone's rotting flesh, mind you.

Type

Magical

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Rare