Cursis

Albeit known by countless names, the Cursis is a dreadful and fear-striking event known by nearly all inhabitants of Människar. Whether whispered in hushed tones by the wise elders of secluded villages or recounted in cautionary tales among the bustling city folk, the very mention of it elicits a collective shiver wherever it is mentioned.

All around the continent, magic is both feared and hated, not only due to the danger spellcasters can pose by themselves, but because of what follows their path. Dante Bologna, maester of the the Red Citadel and erudite on Magic, explains the Cursis very well in his "Encyclopedia Arcana":

'To understand the Cursis one must first adopt a different view of our world. Instead of seeing hills, plains, trees and seas, imagine instead a gigantic water-mirror or perhaps an infinitely large spider's web. You and I, ordinary people can never really touch it's surface, just like an insect can land over the surface of a pond without disturbing it. On the other hand, the Marked¹ are "heavier", "dense". Wherever they go, they disturb the surface of the water, sometimes lightly, sometimes more intensely, something that scales up with their prowess with Magi². Even more, whenever they tap into the Link³, they greatly disturb the strands of reality, sending ripples, vibrations all around themselves. And so, just like a web or body of water, predators hide here and there. These predators cannot see nor are interested in us, but they bear a ravenous hunger for the Marked. Thus, whenever these predators which we often call The Others or Creepers, sense their prey, they come hungrily, desperate, to kill, to devour. Here's where the Cursis comes into play, for the approach of these fiends is accompanied by a foul stench of rotting flesh, of decay, of death. For most, it is a warning, a chance to hide or flee the area, because despite not hunting us, they won't hesitate to tear apart those in their wake. Worse, if you happen to be one of the Marked and felt the Cursis, it might prove to be a good moment for prayer.'

BOLOGNA, Dante. Encyclopedia Arcana. Dipartimento di Studi sulla Magia e l'Occulto - La Cittadella Rossa, 978 EL.

1 - Spellcasters are usually referred to as The Marked, a slightly derogatory term which speaks about the nature of their soul
2 - Magi represents one of one of the six elementary essences of the world, in which this one, also called The White Essence, encompasses the prime source of energy from which casters draw their magic.

3 - The Linking, a supernatural event that took place in Mellanvärlden several centuries in the past, it marks the beginning of the current era, dividing history in Innan Länkningen and Efter Länkningen, i.e Before and After The Linking.

Manifestation

The arrival of a Cursis is often preceded by an unmistakable and nauseating stench of rottenness and decay. A scent that curls through the air like a sinister whisper, causing even the bravest magical practitioners to shudder in trepidation. Not only, but an unnatural cold also descends upon the surroundings of the event. A bone-chilling cold that leaves an eerie frost in its wake. Birds take flight in panicked flurry and leaves rustle with uneasy energy, as the trees themselves seem to sense the disturbance in the magical currents as the sky turns grey, filled with dark clouds. 

Localization

All around Människar.

Type

Metaphysical, Supernatural