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Chapter 8: SORCERY S MIND
ences truly terrible nightmares, rife with grotesque images and gore-filled scenes of destruction (or whatever
instills horror and anathema into said wizard). Vicious
acts are carried out against innocent loved ones or other
familiar people. Magic unearths long-buried childhood
traumas and uses them to horrific effect. In addition to
the psychological toll, the wizard suffers from the fatigue
of night upon night of interrupted, fitful sleep.
Rage: The wizard becomes increasingly cross until the
smallest irritant sets him off like a fireball. Commonly,
a spell caster may have swallowed a great deal of anger
while growing up, against bullies, wicked siblings, unfeeling parents, shadowy abusers, or mischievous friends.
Once angered, sorcery seeks out this pent up anger and
stokes its fires. A once-gentle wizard now enjoys and even
searches out confrontations, delights in the pain of others,
and may seek to cause that pain, if necessary. Disagreements turn quickly to arguments and confrontation. His
temper flares at the least perceived slight. Keeping such
anger alive all day and all night drains the wizard, but
sleeps comes poorly to those enraged. His red eyes and
gritted teeth announce his perpetually foul mood.
Forgetfulness: The wizard cannot retain knowledge. He
fumbles through his spells and incantations. His plans
and personal goals fade in and out of his consciousness
or even disappear entirely. Associations are difficult to
recall, names are forgotten. This may be the wickedest
affliction of all, leaving the wizard befuddled and unable
to function normally. Should it become permanent, the
wizard may lose his powers entirely, no longer able to recite the complex incantations of his trade.
Physically Wretched: Without being truly ill, the wizard suffers a variety of uncomfortable maladies that are
troublesome and distracting. His appetite and thirst
vary from insatiable to absent, shifting rapidly and unpredictably. He becomes incontinent and flatulent, and
his bowels roil all the time. His breath and body odor
become particularly offensive, far stronger than normal
despite any hygiene and tinged with scents loathsome
to many of his species.
Stress: The wizard takes the weight of the world upon
her shoulders, regardless of her natural disposition. She
amplifies every problem and complication, then worries
and loses sleep. Accrued stress manifests through trembling, fidgeting, grinding of teeth, a short temper, or even
hives and rashes. Even the least snags seem overwhelming, affecting her judgment. As with other afflictions, the
wizard suffers fatigue from lack of sleep. She becomes
defensive and unsure of her actions and takes offense at
the slightest comment she can interpret as ridicule.
Infestations: Bugs, vermin, and fungal growths beset
the wizard. Black flies swarm his exposed flesh, any food
he easts, and concentrate around him for many paces
in all directions. Roaches and crickets crawl through his
clothing. Fleas and lice infest his scalp and beard, while
disease-carrying worms invade every orifice. Mushrooms appear on his ears and shoulders. Rats follow him
everywhere. Wherever he travels the wizard leaves a
loathsome trail of vermin and fungi that further inflame
any animosity folks have for spell casters.
Aging: Sorcery has few crueler methods than robbing
years from a wizard’s life. The common ramifications of
rapid aging change one’s appearance, physical endurance, and mental faculties quickly, even if the effects do
not remain permanent. The wizard becomes tired more
easily; his muscles sag and ache with any exertion; and
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