Blight

The Blight is a condition that occurs as a result of vyšnak (the practice of blood magic). It has many different forms and appearances, all connected by their shared cause. These symptoms range from mild to truly horrific, random to a point, but related to how much the afflicted has practiced blood magic (or been a victim of it) in their lifetime.
Vyšnak drains mojy, or life force, from the bodies of those it is focused on and those doing the focusing. Usually, the victim does not survive, as all of their life is drained from them. Practicers of this dark art can also turn the focus inward to themselves, but even focusing on another will cause these effects, though to a lesser extent. The Blight is essentially a case of the body consuming itself as its life force slowly wanes. Because significant amounts of mojy cannot be restored once taken, the Blight will continue even after practice of vyšnak has ceased.

“I know most of you don’t believe in the Blight. You’re young. Naive. You haven’t seen real horrors yet. Well, let me tell you right now, the world ain’t pretty. It ain’t nice. It ain’t gonna coddle you like I do. And here’s the fucking proof.”
– Anonymous instructor at the Chema Conservatory of Magic

Symptoms

Below, a full list of all the documented effects of vyšnak, ranging from mild to fatal:
• Iris discoloration (more common in practicioners),
• Sclera discoloration: usually black or gray (more common in practicers),
• Bags under the eyes,
• Gaunt features,
• Hair loss,
• Loss of sense of smell,
• Loss of sense of taste,
• Cracked black or gray patches of skin,
• Blackened fingertips that are cold to the touch (condition can spread from fingers and toes to rest of limb),
• Loss of sense of touch in blackened areas,
• Weight loss,
• Lack of energy,
• Weakness in extremities,
• Hearing loss,
• Vision loss,
• Higher risk for diseases,
• Brittle bones,
• Loss of fingernails and toenails,
• Rotting teeth and gums,
• Disfigurement,
• Accelerated aging,
• Deterioration of the mind,
• Total organ failure.
Most of these symptoms are found in those who have been victims of vyšnak, or those who practice extensively on themselves. While there have been cases of practicers who rarely focus on themselves being afflicted by the Blight, it is rare.

Treatment

Once the Blight has started, it can’t be stopped. The condition can be slowed by halting the practice of blood magic, but a mage infected by the Blight will eventually die of it if something else doesn’t kill them first. It is an accepted risk of vyšnak. The practice itself can actually prevent many of the above symptoms from naturally occurring, such as aging and disease. Many of the milder symptoms are also relatively easy to hide with illusions.

Type

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired