# Mana-Blight: The Curse of Liquid Mana

Mana-Blight is a devastating affliction caused by exposure to the toxic and volatile energies of Liquid Mana. It represents one of the gravest risks associated with the handling of raw magical substances and has far-reaching consequences for both the individual and society at large.

**It is important to note that Mana-Blight is not contagious; it can only affect those who come into direct contact with Liquid Mana.**

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## **Symptoms**

Mana-Blight manifests in three primary ways:

- **Loss of Connection to Magic**:
  - Victims become effectively “dead to magic.”
  - Enchanted items lose their enchantments over time upon contact with the afflicted.
  - Spells directed at the victim or cast near them falter or dissipate entirely, as if repelled by an unseen force.

- **Physical Deterioration**:
  - Chronic fatigue and muscle weakness set in shortly after exposure.
  - The skin develops an ashen tone, often accompanied by internal and external scarring.
  - Over time, organs may begin to fail, compounding the victim’s suffering.

- **Spiritual Damage**:
  - The victim’s soul is “frayed,” disrupting its ability to channel or interact with magical energy.
  - Traditional magical healing spells and potions fail entirely, leaving mundane medicine as the only recourse.

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## **Stages of Mana-Blight**

1. **Early Onset**:
   - Mild fatigue, headaches, and a faint sense of disconnection from magical energy.
   - Early into this phase, victims develop a silvery gold shimmer in the colors of their eyes, which begins to replace their original eye color.
   - Enchanted items may flicker or temporarily deactivate only when held or directly interacted with.

2. **Acute Phase**:
   - Enchantments on items degrade irreversibly when held or touched.
   - Spells targeting the afflicted or their immediate vicinity (within 5 feet) begin to falter.
   - Victims experience severe pain and noticeable physical and spiritual decline.

3. **Terminal Stage**:
   - The victim becomes a null point for magic, with spells unraveling around them.

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## **Treatment**

- **Mortal Limitations**:
  - No known mortal magic or alchemical remedy can cure Mana-Blight. The damage it causes to both body and soul is beyond the reach of traditional methods.

- **Divine Intervention**:
  - Only the direct intervention of a god or similar divine entity can restore a victim’s connection to magic.
  - Such intervention often requires monumental effort, sacrifice, or acts of faith to attract divine attention.

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## **Impact on Society**

In a nation like Aicardia, where magic permeates nearly every aspect of life, Mana-Blight is particularly devastating:

- **Social Ostracism**:
  - Victims are often seen as cursed or dangerous due to their disruptive presence around magical tools and practices.
  - They may be pitied, feared, or shunned, leading to a life of isolation.

- **Economic Challenges**:
  - Without access to enchanted tools, afflicted individuals find themselves unable to perform many types of skilled labor.
  - They often require care and support, placing a burden on families or charitable organizations.

- **Research and Exploitation**:
  - Scholars and mages study Mana-Blight in hopes of finding a cure, but experiments are fraught with ethical dilemmas and risks.
  - Some unscrupulous groups seek to exploit Mana-Blight victims for their unique “magic-nullifying” abilities, turning them into unwilling tools in anti-magic endeavors.

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Mana-Blight serves as a grim reminder of the dangers inherent in harnessing raw magical energy, particularly in its volatile Liquid Mana form. While Aicardia’s advancements in magic have brought prosperity, the specter of Mana-Blight casts a shadow over those who dare to delve too deeply into the wellspring of magic.
