Niffing

Magical energy floats through the air, but mages usually can't collect it and harness it directly. It has to be stored internally in order to be used. So what happens when a mage's energy runs out? Well, hopefully they cut the spell off and try to recuperate their energy later. But occasionally, particularly with young mages who have less magic to work with and less control over their abilities, they appear to power through the lack of magic. But if too much is used at once, they Niff which can have a drastic (and possibly deadly) effect.

Immediate Effects

Mages who begin to Niff will begin to feel a burning sensation as the spell begins to desperately grab magic from the air around them, causing the temperature near the skin to heat at a rapid rate. The sudden change in temperature can knock the mage unconscious, which prevents them from trying to stop the spell's runaway energy. This is precisely why Niffing is so dangerous; without the mage's input to end the spell, the spell will continue and heat the air around them. This causes terrible burns for the mage and anything that touches them. In sadly many of these cases, the heat reaches a point where it cooks the mage to death. In particularly spectacular cases, the magic in the air is used up, so the natural energy of the mage's body is used instead, causing them to burst into flame and burn on the inside as well. Very few survive this stage if the Niffing ever gets this terrible.

Lasting Damage and Treatment

If a mage survives Niffing, the burns from the condition will follow them for as long as it takes for burns to heal naturally. Many have likened minor cases of Niffing to getting sunburned or heat exhaustion. More damaging cases might require skin grafts or other drastic medical procedures to repair. In the most extreme cases, some mages who have survived internal damage have found themselves unable to use magic for an extended period, as though the Niffing is still drawing on their magic many days or weeks later.
The best treatment for Niffing is to never do it in the first place. The Seven forbids the unauthorized use of magic by Apprentices for this reason; it is merely a precaution so that if an Apprentice starts to Niff, a trained professional can be on hand to assist. Medical advances like Arcane Transfusion give many hope that Niffing is a curable or preventable condition even after the process begins.

Type

Magical

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Common

Perception and Worries

Niffing is always a constant fear among young mages and anyone else who often runs through their magical energy (like sufferers of Withered Magic or similar conditions). The spectacularity of some advanced Niffing cases is horrifying to witness, and even the most advanced mages worry about their magic running out. Some reason that this is why many mages surround themselves with magical devices or external magic storage items: anything to stave that fear off a little longer.

The word "Niffing" is believed to come from the Ardaenic word "neeve" which means "blaze."

All images in this article were created by me, EmperorCharlesII, unless otherwise credited.