Aeslinfae
Elves that manage to live past 800 years of age become susceptible to a condition known as Aeslinfae - "Fey Dreamwalk". Though technically a deterioration of the mind, it is usually regarded with much pomp in the communities in which it happens. However, for the elves that succumb to it, the state is simply a progressively torturous portent of their coming death in which the material world and the dream-like realm of Feywild blend and flicker like agitated candlelight.
Causes
The cause of aeslinfae is simply ageing combined with some unknown circumstance for any particular elf that succumbs. It is inferred that proximity to the Feywild or at least portals leading to it could be considered as an agitator, seeing as Kaiti and especially Druids seem to be the most susceptible to it.
Symptoms
An elf afflicted with aeslinfae slowly begins to blend the bounds between the material world and the Feywild. They soon begin feeling like they are in a perpetual lucid dream state, more and more unsure of their surroundings as the time progresses. They would begin losing grasp of what and who is real, begin talking to phantom interlocutors, and even slowly but surely begin forfeiting their memories.
It is not uncommon to find an elderly elf mindlessly trailing off or wandering away. Without care, such episodes can prove to be fatal if such an individual stumbles into a hazard.
Treatment
The condition is not treatable, though the worst symptoms can be assuaged through a combined administration of magical healing and imbibing of specially concocted tonics. However, too many elven communities view aeslinfae as a boon, rather than a malady, leaving the afflicted to suffer until their last breaths while they're being celebrated by those around them.
Prognosis
Aeslinfae always leads to the eventual death of the afflicted elf. Barring outside interference, their passing comes in a moment of brief lucidity and peace, and almost always during their trance. It is believed that passing from aeslinfae always results in the elf's soul returning to the Feywild.
Affected Groups
Aeslinfae affects exclusively elderly elves of the approximate age of around and over 800 years.
Cultural Reception
As mentioned, most elven communities embrace and revere the afflicted individuals. They often assign caretakers from their youth populace, generally, acolytes of Nindir or Aelona, to care for their every need and protect them from any side effects of aeslinfae. They view the afflicted as precognitive and try to glean visions and answers from the Feywild from them, using them as walking oracles in the most extreme cases. There is even a measure of jealousy from some of those around them.
The Kaiti, with their close connection with nature and woodlands, have the greatest number of aeslinfae. They consider themselves blessed because of it, and have developed the most sophisticated ways of looking upon and interacting with those afflicted. They would often take them to known entryways to the Feywild to meditate and glean visions.
The Kwenni are the second in the number of afflicted individuals, and their sophisticated society tends to them in much the same way the Kaiti do. However, among them, it is also most common to find those who seek to help treat the symptoms of aeslinfae and ease the passing of those suffering from it.
The Drow and Moribauk find their elders afflicted extremely rarely, perhaps once every few generations. The Moribauk's connection to the oceans and water seems to steer the influence of the Feywild differently, while similarly, the Drow have been living in subterranean conditions for too long to have any further connection to their ancestral motherland. The Moribauk would send the afflicted individual ashore with a chaperon, directing them to a nearby settlement of land-based elves. Drow, however, are more morbidly merciful about their afflicted, ritually executing them as soon as the symptoms become clear.
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