DESCRIPTION

"The stars come for you... first in dreams, then in body, and finally in spirit."

Curse Description:

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The Crystal Star Plague is a magical affliction that turns its victims' bones into crystalline star-like structures over two agonizing weeks. It spreads through the air in a two-meter radius and through physical contact in its advanced stages. What makes this curse uniquely horrific is its hidden consequence: death does not end the victim's existence. Instead, their spirit transforms into an ethereal "star mist," forever trapped between realms unless bound to a new vessel.

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Stage 1: Incubation (Days 1-3) Mechanism:The victim unknowingly inhales or absorbs magical star-spores that enter the bloodstream, attaching to bones like a virus.
Symptoms:

• Mild fatigue and aching joints (often mistaken for exhaustion).
Skin shimmers faintly under moonlight, almost like scattered stardust.Headaches and a sense of being "watched" when under the night sky.
• Magical Indicators:Crystals are microscopic at this point, growing invisibly along the bones.
Small, floating sparks sometimes appear near the infected, dismissed as fireflies or magical residu

Contagion:
Airborne Radius: 2m, spreads silently.

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Stage 2: Bone Blooming (Days 4-6) Mechanism:Crystals spread more aggressively, replacing bone tissue in major joints and the spine.
Symptoms:

• Pain: Sudden stabbing pains in limbs, as if "glass" is forming inside the bones.
• Skin Changes: Veins shimmer with a faint blue-white glow at night, becoming visible under the skin.
• Breathing Trouble: Shortness of breath as crystals begin forming near the ribcage.
• Behavioral Changes:Mild insomnia and strange dreams of floating among stars.
• Psychological Impact: Restlessness and anxiety, driven by an unexplained need to be close to others.
• Magical Indicators:Bones creak faintly when moving, sounding like glass under strain.

Contagion:
Airborne Radius: 2m, intensified magical aura spreads faster.

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Stage 3: Mindfracture (Days 7-10) Mechanism:Crystalline formations reach the skull and nervous system, disrupting cognitive functions.
Symptoms:

• Hallucinations: Victims begin to see "celestial visions" — stars, glowing entities, and distant constellations.
• Bone Growth: Crystal bones now visible through skin. Facial features may appear rigid or "sculpted."
• Coordination Loss: Difficulty walking due to brittle, crystallized joints.

Behavioral Changes:

• Companionship Drive: An overwhelming need for social contact, often causing victims to wander into populated areas.
• Speech Disruption: They may recite celestial prophecies or nonsensical star-related phrases.
• Magical Indicators:Victims radiate faint starlight, leaving glowing footprints behind.
Wild magic effects may occur near them, such as strange weather or celestial phenomena.

Contagion:
Airborne Radius: Increased to 3m. Physical Contact: Skin-to-skin contact causes instant infection.

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Stage 4: Starlock (Days 11-13) Mechanism:Nearly the entire skeleton has become crystallized. Muscles harden or deteriorate.
Symptoms:

• Paralysis: Victims lose motor control, becoming immobile but fully conscious.
• Pain Level: Excruciating pain caused by crystal growth and internal ruptures.
• Appearance: Their eyes shine like twin stars; limbs are rigid and frozen in unnatural positions.

Behavioral Changes:

• Final Moments: They speak of being “called to the stars” or “joining the night.”
• Magical Indicators:Star-like patterns cover the skin.
Faint celestial music may be heard around victims in their final moments.

Contagion:
Physical Contact: Fully contagious through touch, clothing, or even magical residue.

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Final Stage: Starfall (Day 14) Event:The victim “dies,” as organs liquefy and skin rots away, leaving only a crystalline skeleton glowing faintly. The corpse is brittle but eerily beautiful, resembling a constellation cast in stone.

• Environmental Effects:Local wildlife becomes altered, glowing or mutating into star-themed forms.
Nearby plants may develop glowing flowers or shimmering leaves.
• After Death: The True Fate of the Soul
The curse does not end with death. When the physical body is destroyed, the victim's soul is transformed into Star Mist, a shimmering, invisible spiritual essence bound to the magical curse.

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Star Mist Form:
Appearance:
Invisible to mortal eyes, visible only as faint lights in the night sky: Fireflies in enchanted forests. Shooting Stars streaking across the heavens. Will-o’-Wisps in haunted places.
Behavior:Star Mist is drawn to forgotten or abandoned vessels, such as dolls, broken automatons, or old magical constructs. They “possess” these forms, becoming something new yet haunted by fragments of their former selves.
Rebirth Mechanics:

• Spirit Possession:If a suitable vessel (such as a doll, automaton, or enchanted relic) is found, the Star Mist can bind to it, animating the object and gaining limited consciousness.
• Mind and Memory:The resulting entity is incomplete — a shattered soul piecing together memories and emotions from its past life. They may recall loved ones, old homes, or past pains but can’t fully comprehend them.

Behavior and Existence:
Most are lost and confused, often wandering aimlessly or fulfilling mysterious tasks linked to lingering memories. Some become childlike and curious, while others are malevolent and vengeful, believing they have been forsaken by the living world.
Legends and Forgotten Knowledge:The true nature of the Crystal Star Plague is largely forgotten or dismissed as myth. Most believe death is the curse’s end, unaware that the stars above may be filled with trapped souls looking for a way back to life. Superstitions:
"Wish Upon a Star:" A custom of making wishes on shooting stars stems from an ancient belief that spirits of the dead might grant them in exchange for freedom. Glowing Items and Relics: Travelers fear luminous relics, suspecting them to be cursed remnants of Star Mist-bound souls.