Aether Sickness

The crystal blue liquid glows brightly under the light of the moon. He licked his lips, feeling the crack dryness that accompanies the hunger. His mind screaming "no" but is body crying out to feel the raw power this vial offered.

- Professor Thaddeus Frolon
Observation of an Aether-Stained

Aether sickness is the result of extended over-exposure to unrefined or purified Aether.

Transmission & Vectors

Aether sickness is not communicable between those exposed. The effect happens only through direct exposure to unrefined or purified Aether. The exposure rate and symptoms time varies based on the rate of exposure or use. Unrefined Aether seems to be absorbed by the body faster than then purified version.

Causes

Aether sickness is a side effect from the extended exposure to raw or pure Aether. Direct prolonged contact or ingestion of unrefined or purified Aether interacts with a living creature with a variety of effects. This happens through the body absorption of the Aether energy that forms a direct connection between the Plane of Aether and the users body. It is speculated by researchers that Aether also creates a direct connection to the affected's soul as well.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Aether sickness goes through various stages. The symptoms continue to increase the longer someone is exposed to the substance. Unless treated the ultimate result is fatal to the afflicted with possible collateral damage.
Affects and Symptom of Aether:

• Stage 1: Heightened senses, clear memory recall, a minor increase of arcane sensitivity and potency
• Stage 2: Minor hallucinations, excessive sweating, rare emotional outbursts, a major increased arcane sensitivity and potency
• Stage 3: Complete dependence, Hyper alertness, paranoia, intense emotion, ability to see into the Plane of Aether, minor splotches of light blue begin to appear on the afflicted person's body, wild mage effects may be seen in arcane uses by the afflicted
• Stage 4: Major hallucination, schizophrenia, extreme wild magic effects from arcane use, splotches begin to darken to a bright blue hue, grow and spread
• Stage 5: Physical deterioration, total disassociation from the real world, bright blue hue has now spread over the user body completely; known as Aether-stained, afflicted now seems to have a blue glowing shadow that echos their movement. The afflicted patient becomes a danger to all, random arcane torrents explode from the user with dangerous effect
• Stage 6: Coma, Death, 1 in 4 cases end in a massive explosion, referred to as Aether Oversurge

Aether Oversurge

When the addict's body has finally reached its breaking point, it has a chance to end in a violent eruption of Aether energy that burns away the afflicted's body and devastates the area around them. The effects and range are varied, currently, the largest know zone of effect has been recorded at nearly 100 meters. Those unlucky enough to hit by the surge have been immolated, flash-frozen, melted, suffocated, polymorphed, and much more.

Treatment

A person afflicted by Aether Sickness can be treated as long as its symptoms have not progressed into Stage 5. At Stage 5 the Aether has become so infused with the body it becomes inseparable through any known means.
Patients in the first stage have not yet come to be addicted to Aether and can recover and will naturally expel the Aether if they stop its use or avoid it.
If a patient reaches the third or fourth stage, treatment must be done clinically, but will always have to struggle with the psychological effects of the addiction. The treatment process starts by isolating the patient in an Aether-warded room, cutting the patient off from any interaction with Aether. The patient is then administered many doses of Aether rejecting chemicals that expel the collected Aether through the skin. The expelled Aether is collected, stored, and disposed of safely. Afterward, the patient is hospitalized until they are no longer considered a danger to themselves or others through various mental treatments performed by wizard specialists.

Prognosis

Without treatment, death is a guaranteed result with possible harm to other due to mental psychosis and possible explosion. Those that are treated can live a normal life afterward, but will always fight the addiction.

History

The effect of raw, unrefined Aether become know thousands of years ago to the Elves as they saw the slaves they used in their Aether mines grow sick quickly and had to replace them often. Members of the Rebellion first discovered how to purify Aether in part of their attempt to learn and understand the arcane in secret. In there discovers, they learned that Aether gave an arcane user a significant boost in arcane ability, but learned of the terrible side effect of those who depended on it and used it too often.

Cultural Reception

Public reception to Aether sickness ranges from disgust to fear. The general public knows the dangers of Aether use and while not illegal by law is considered unethical and can quickly make a user a pariah in their community.

Potion Bottle by Sasha Ivanov

Type

Magical

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare