Burnout

Everyone has their own pace

From the Cookies Lodge on the mainland to the Cinder Tower in the Island, writers are the core of society. But they work in shifts... because burnout affects us all.

Burnout is a physiological condition that affects all Ember Guards, especially after the wars of WorldEmber. During burnout, guards often feel tired, exhausted of inspiration, or unable to properly express their ideas on the page. If a Guard experiences burnout, they are immediately to check out of their station in accordance with Protocol 27.

Causes

I'm sorry... it's been seven thousand words in three days... by now inspiration fails me and I need a break. Contact me by the end of February and I shall return to work.

— ElementalShrike, notice to fellow Ember Guards

The cause often occurs when a writer pushes him or herself to a level of inspirational output above their current capabilities. Onset generally occurs within days to weeks of the overexertion, and the writer usually needs to rest for an extended period of time. Most cases occur due to the monster writes of WorldEmber, NaNoWriMo, and Summer Camp.

Treatment

Protocol 27 (codename: Void Cat) is to be initiated immediately after onset of symptoms. This is due to the extra stress a burned-out Ember Guard puts on other guards due to lessened word outputs.

Protocol 27 Void Cat is the standard treatment for burnout. At all times at least three backup Guards are kept prepared in case of writer burnouts. The writer signs out, and is delegated to another, non-writing, job until burnout symptoms have stopped. For the writer, a backup Guard taps in, allowing the Fire Of Truth to be maintained.

Type

Mental

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Common

Prognosis
Short-term: resolves within days or weeks

The Darkness

The Fire must be maintained to ward off the Darkness. The Darkness must be held back at all costs. It is an existential threat to our people.

— ElementalShrike

The Darkness of Fear and Ignorance, abbreviated by many as simply The Darkness, is the outside world, far from the forges of worldbuilding. It is an unforgiving world, and reality must be pushed back. Let no drones enter our paradise: let no asteroid winters darken our eternal flame.