Curses
Curses are incredibly rare as they are a highly unethical way of dealing with conflict. A better option for dealing with issues, whatever they may be, is the via duel or the local court system.
Most curses are placed on a person by a sorcerer or necromancer. Cursed animals are extremely rare, and cursed objects only retain their curses for a short period of time. The effects from cursed objects or ingesting products made from cursed animals are short-term issues, however death may be one outcome.
Symptoms
A person typically learns they are cursed when they are physically unable to do certain activities or actions, or are compelled to do certain things they would not normally do.
Treatment
Those who are cursed typically cannot do anything but learn to live with the curse, whatever it may be.
Prognosis
Once a person is cursed, it is unlikely they will ever break the curse. All curses have a way to end them, but most do not know what that potential cure is and therefore never break their curse. In some instances, a person may find their curse weakened but not broken. In the rare event a curse is broken, the person who was cursed is granted the title of The Formerly Cursed.
Cultural Reception
Someone who is cursed is typically treated with compassion and sympathy in most places in Ayrith. There are some places, however, where people who are misinformed fear or are revolted by someone who is cursed.
The one who does the cursing is considered guilty of a heinous crime for giving someone a lifelong condition instead of dealing with a conflict through more acceptable means. Unfortunately it is difficult to prove cases of curses as the guilty party usually flees the area once the curse is set. As not all curses are discovered immediately, they have time to escape to somewhere they won't be found.
Famous Curses
- The curse of Coulta, the current Second King of Phelin.
