Augurer's Fatigue

Augurer's Fatigue can beset the best of us and often comes at the most inconventient of times - when there is still much hard work left to be done. But I must warn you, as I warn every Novitiate that passes through this classroom, do not take it lightly. It is an illness that grows hardier and more vicious the longer you ignore it, thus my unequivocal advice is that you do your utmost not to. 

— Mater Albertine

Causes

While an augurer can be many things; a healer, a granter of wishes, a mind moulder and a swayer of opinions, for all thier power and all their talents, they have to be careful not to take them for granted. A careless augurer can easily develop the condition known as Augurer's Fatigue from overworking their ability and not taking enough rest.
While the strength of a soldier is in his body, the strength of an augurer lies in their mind. When a soldier has suffered a hard day's battle or training, he must rest and recover for some time depending on the intensity of the activity he was undertaking. So must an augurer rest after using her abilities. Further, if the soldier carries on without rest, he becomes clumsy and risks injury due to a lack of energy and impaired coordination and reflexes. The augurer does not only risk injury to herself and her client when practicing while exhausted, she also risks impairing herself permanently.
Temporary cases of Augurer's Fatigue are caused, as you might expect, by bouts of intense practice which are over and above what the practitioner is used to. These cases can be remedied easily enough with simple rest and a break from any and all auguring. Prolonged and even permanent cases of Augurer's Fatigue have been known to develop when an augurer already affected by a mild case of Fatigue continues to practice without taking any rest. Why anyone would do this is beyond the comprehension of this author, but such cases exist nonetheless.

Symptoms

The next morning, I woke up with a throbbing headache and a thirst that refused to be quenched. My eyes felt sticky and coarse, like someone had poured fine sand into them while I slept, and yet, turning around and going back to sleep wasn't an option. My whole body was restless, it wanted to move, but every time I did, my head started pulsating with pain. Squinting and trying to navigate the room as best I could, I got dressed, did my toilet and washed my face in cold water, none of which helped.

— Anonymous sufferer of Augurer's Fatigue

The example above presents an account of the early stages of Augurer's Fatigue, including the characteristic headache or migraine, sore and dry eyes as well as a degree of disorientation. The sufferer likely developed fatigue at a later stage, probably on the same day or the next, as well as the dizziness which is associated with it.
In chronic cases of Augurer's Fatigue, these symptoms persist, although they may be intermittent. Practicing auguring in anything other than a meditative capacity while affected by chronic Augurer's Fatigue is likely to cause a flare-up of symptoms.
The persistent migraine and fatigue are the most prominent and most severe physical symptoms of the conditions. Other, minor symptoms, include:

• Thirst
• Disorientation
• Dizziness
• Impaired balance
• Blood-shot, dry and painful eyes
• Dry mouth
• Restlessness
• Light sensitivity

However, the physical effects of the illness are only one side of the coin, for it also threatens the very thing that makes an augurer what they are. In severe cases, the damage to the auguer's mind can be so extensive that they are no longer able to pratice auguring. This, of course, is devastating to the affected individual. While this outcome is exceedingly rare it is something which could happen to any augurer without the proper treatment or understanding of their condition.

Treatment

The most effective treatment for Augurer's Fatigue is rest. It is recommended that the sufferer takes strict bed-rest until their migrains have subsided completely and remained absent for at least three days. After that, they may take part in light physical activity. During this time and for some time thereafter, they should avoid practicing even the simplest auguring techniques to avoid agitating the condition. They may take headache remedies and should increase their water intake during recovery.
If the sufferer manages to adhere to this simple regime, they will in all likelihood recover completely. In addition, if they have any sense, the very painful and worrying symptoms will also have deterred them from putting themselves in such a situation again.

Treatment of Chronic Augurer's Fatigue

In contrast to regular Augurer's Fatigue which, if treated early and properly, can be entirely remedied, the chronic version cannot. Thus, the treatment is focused on managing symproms and making the sufferer's day-to-day life bearable. This includes plenty of bedrest, a number of different tonics and remedies which can help reduce symptoms to a more manageable level - if this can be achieved for the migraines in particular, the treatment is considered a success.
While there are many things available to help sufferers of chronic Augurer's Fatigue, and many people willing to assist, there is only so much which can be done. The sufferer is always going to experience some degree of symptoms, some more severly than others. It is a sad state of affairs which cannot be helped by mere mortals, augurers or not. Perhaps if the gods were to treturn to Vanelle, there would be some hope.

Prevention

It can be said about many things, but in the case of Augurer's Fatigue, it holds especially true. The best way to prevent the condition is through education. Once an augurer knows what is at stake, what the effects are and how terrible they can be, they are much more likely to exercise caution.
This is true in particular if the information is passed on at an early age. For example, augrers educated by The Order of Augurers are, in equal measures, more likely to avoid the affliction entirely and recover quickly if they do develop symptoms. In contrast, augurers educated by a lone augurer (such as a relative or village wise-woman) are much more likely to attempt to stretch their ability too far and often end up developing chronic symptoms.
Thus, it can also be said that an augurer is better equipped to both avoid and recover from Augurer's fatigue when surrounded by their peers.

In Short

Cause

Over-exertion in relation to Auguring 

Symptoms

Severe migraines, long-lasting fatigue, disorientation, dizziness

Duration

A few weeks up to one or two months depending on severity. Can become permanent if left untreated or is agitated during recovery.

Treatment

Rest, cessation of all forms of Auguring for the duration of the recovery period

Prevention

Measures include: education, supervision of inexperienced augurers, recognising signs of fatigue, practicing moderation

by Pixabay

Augurer's Fatigue, as indicated by the name, only affects Augurers.

by Pixabay

The eyes of an augurer experiencing Augurer's Fatigue often become blood-shot and sore.