Aetheric Severance

All living things are born with some small connection to the Aether that flows throughout the world, both mages and non-mages alike. Despite this, there are some rare individuals who will never experience or understand this connection.

As its name implies, Aetheric Severance (or simply "Severance") is an extremely rare condition wherein an individual is born with no innate connection to the Aether. Naturally, those born with this condition can never become mages, and find it difficult or impossible to use magic items or Magitech. In a world where magic is a large part of many cultures, many would consider being born a "Severed" to be a terrible burden, though some have been able to find a silver lining to their circumstances.

Causes

While it remains unknown what, if anything, determines ones chances of being born with this condition, it's theorised that being exposed to some intense Aetheric anomalies (particularly any that disrupt ones ability to use magic) while in the womb might pose a risk of inheriting this condition.

Symptoms

Those who are afflicted with this condition are incapable of sensing Aether (with the closest thing being the feeling of a "dulled sensation" when in the presence of high levels of Aether), and are incapable of manipulating it. This extends to both ordinary magic, as well as any enchanted items (which might appear to be completely mundane to those with this condition outside of the aforementioned sensation in particularly potent items). Additionally, any potions and/or medicines that make use of ingredients with magical properties have been observed being less effective when used by a Severed, compared to when it's used by anyone else.

Interestingly, those afflicted with this condition have also been shown to be nearly immune to the effects of magic. While a Severed can still be affected by the physical effects of a spell (such as anything related to the Elementalist school of magic), any spell that has a metaphysical effect on the body or mind (such as Aetheric constructs, or any spell from the Illusion school of magic) has absolutely no effect on the Severed. This has made the rare few individuals born with this condition highly valued by organisations that specialise in dealing with troublesome mages, as their condition effectively renders much of their targets offensive and defensive abilities ineffective.

Cultural Reception

In the ancient past, those afflicted with Aetheric Severance were believed to have been cursed, and were subsequently treated great fear and mistrust. While these beliefs have long since mostly died out, the nations and races of Taeva that have magic as an integral part of their culture (such as the Elves) are still wary of these  "Severed", citing a general feeling of unease in their presence.

Type

Magical

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Congenital

Rarity

Extremely Rare