Lost

The incredibly social Dracanis can experience an unfortunate condition known in their society simply as "being Lost". Being Lost is a deeply unsettling condition that usually occurs in individuals who have endured prolonged periods of loneliness and a lack of meaningful connection. It would be considered a mental condition but can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, and even cause physical symptoms of ill health.

Causes

The exact cause of why some Dracanis become Lost, while others are more resiliant, is unknown. However, it is widely known and accepted that becoming Lost is usually something that happens to lone Dracanis who, for whatever reason, have left their Khyimi, the Dracanic family unit, and have not replaced this family unit with a new Khyimi or any other close bonds. This sort of occurance is being acutely Lost. In contrast, but seen much more rarely, are those who are chronically Lost. Individuals who are chronically Lost are those who exhibit signs of being Lost more frequently and over smaller loses, such as an individual moving on to another Khyimi, the death of someone close to them, or even feeling rejected or left out.

Symptoms

The number and intensity of symptoms varies from person to person, as well as depending on whether an individual is suffering acutely or chronically. Those who suffer chronically tend to have a gradual increase of both number and severity of symptoms.

• Dissociation - The affected often feel as though they are observing life from a distance, as if caught in a fog or a dream. This can lead to difficulty distinguishing between what is real and imagined. Time can become fluid and unreliable; days and hours blur together, making it hard to anchor oneself to the present.
• Fragmented or Fixated Thoughts - Sufferers report experiencing racing, disorganized thoughts interspersed with long stretches of emptiness or numbness. They may fixate on past interactions, replaying them obsessively, or create elaborate fantasies of connection to fill the void.
• Depression or Emotional Erosion - Intense feelings of sadness, despair, or apathy are an almost universal experience. These are often coupled with a sense of being untethered, as though they no longer belong in the world. Some of those affected develop paranoia, with sufferers believing they are invisible or forgotten by others, even when they are physically present.
• Behavioral Changes - Those affected often withdraw further, avoiding social situations out of fear of rejection or an inability to muster the energy to engage. Erratic actions, such as speaking to imagined companions or performing repetitive, self-soothing rituals, can emerge as coping mechanisms.
• Physical Changes - The demands of the condition take a toll on the body, and physical changes can be seen: exhaustion, weight fluctuation, a pallor of the skin that seems to reflect their emotional state, and a tendency to sleep a lot or at odd times is known. A faint, almost imperceptible trembling can develop, as though the individual is caught between the urge to move forward and the inertia of isolation.
• Sense of Place Dissolution - The name “being Lost” comes from a hallmark symptom: sufferers feel as though they are physically, as well as emotionally, adrift. Familiar environments can seem alien, and they may wander aimlessly, seeking something they cannot name. Affected individuals have described feeling like they are walking through an endless labyrinth, even when standing still.

If left untreated, being Lost will worsen and spiral into complete emotional and cognitive isolation, making it difficult for the individual to recognize and accept help when it is offered. However, in the early stages even a small act of genuine connection—a touch, a shared meal, a moment of laughter—can provide the spark needed to guide them back to health.

Treatment & Prognosis

Treatment of being Lost requires the affected individual experiencing (and recognizing) genuine, heartfelt periods of connection and attachment to others. The intensity of the treatment depends heavily on how long the individual has been Lost as well as the severity of their symptoms. The treatment does not have to be anything specific, but some common methods and rituals are listed below.

• Physical Contact
  The most important treatment method is physical contact. For teh Dracanis, the power of touch is nearly sacred. A hand on the shoulder, an embrace, sleeping together, or even mutual grooming can reestablish the bonds that loneliness has eroded. Some groups emphasize symbolic gestures, such as tying a thread of bright fabric around the wrist to signify connection.
• The Flame Ritual
  Practiced in many communities, this ritual involves a loved one or Gaisem (Vikkvasian clergy) lighting a single flame such as a candle or small lantern in a darkened room, symbolizing the beacon of connection. The affected individual sits with the flame, and those close to them take turns speaking words of care, recounting shared memories, or simply sitting in silence. The warmth and light are said to anchor the sufferer, gradually drawing them back to the present.
• Guided Reflection
  A Gaisem or empathetic companion lead the individual through a process of grounding, encouraging them to touch, see, and smell elements of their environment while softly guiding them to articulate their feelings. Often, this includes gently reminding them of their value and place within their community.
• Shared Tasks
  A very common treatment is engaging the affected individual in shared, purposeful activities such as preparing meals, tending to a garden, or even weaving fabric together. Usually, these are tasks that benefit the affect individual's Khyimi or community. The act of contributing to something larger than oneself reinforces connection and rekindles a sense of belonging.

Prognosis
If recognized and treated, those experience acute Lostness will often make a full recovery. Those who experience chronic Lostness require frequent care and reassurance. Those who are Adrift require almost constant care, as if they are once more a child. The condition can be fatal if left untreated - the individual will simply fade away.

Lostness in Dracanic Culture

A Shared Vulnerability
In the Dracanis society that values connection and community above all, being Lost is understood as a condition that anyone can succumb to under the right circumstances. It is not viewed as a personal failing but as a reminder of the essential need for togetherness and bonds.

Lostness in Myth and Legend
The Vikkvasian deity Principality of Staton is said to suffer chronic Lostness, and needs to be constantly guided back to the bond they share with their partners the deities Akkasarani and Sarajikk. These stories emphasize the mutual reliance between individuals and the sacredness of reaching out to others.

The Adrift also hold an important place in mythology and stories. They are often described as tragic figures who, even in their state of disconnection, manage to perform acts of great significance:

• An Adrift elder walking into a sacred place and unintentionally solving an ancient mystery.
• An Adrift child suddenly uttering a prophecy during a rare moment of lucidity.
• An Adrift wanderer guiding a lost traveler out of danger, only to vanish afterward.

Art and Music
The acceptance of the condition has led to art created around it, particularly music. Songs associated with being Lost often carry haunting, yearning tones that resolve into uplifting crescendos, symbolizing the journey back to connection. Visual art might feature motifs of a single flame, mazes, or a group surrounding an individual.

Being "Lost"

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Type

Mental

Origin

Natural

Rarity

Extremely Rare

Affected Species

• Dracanis

Subtypes

Acutely Lost
Chronically Lost
Adrift

Header photo adapted from photo by Beyza Kaplan on Pexels.

Adrift

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When someone becomes so profoundly Lost that they cannot be brought back to a healthy state, the state is often referred to as being "Adrift". The individual remains physically present but emotionally and mentally absent, existing in a liminal space between connection and solitude. It is a deeply sorrowful occurrence.

Those who are Adift require special, constant care, much like a baby or toddler. They experience persistent dissociation, and may lose the ability to recognize loved ones. They might stare into the distance, responding only faintly, if at all, to external stimuli. They often wander without purpose or direction. Those who are Adrift are often described as feeling "not fully here." Their movements are slow and deliberate, and their voice, if they speak at all, carries an otherworldly quality, as though they are reaching out from another place. A deep sadness clings to them.