WORLD BOOK WORLD BOOK WORLD BOOK 0154 0154
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Children: Most vulnerable are the innocent offspring
of a fledgling spell caster. Sorcery’s cruel eye seeks
them out for affliction, tugging at the wizard’s heartstrings with icy fingers. Most parents gladly suffer on
behalf of their children, but vile magic accommodates
no selfless acts. A spell caster’s child may suffer endlessly or even eventually die to inflict as much emotional trauma as possible.
Personal Loves: Even when the heart is not fully aware
of its wants, sorcery identifies its true desires with cruel
and vile precision. The one most vulnerable in a wizard’s
circle is the object of true amorous affection, whether
he has confessed or even acted upon them at all. Anyone
who feels a wizard’s loving eyes upon them has reason to
be wary. Sorcery has a way of betraying a spell caster’s
true feelings in a most hideous manner. Spouses are not
as commonly afflicted as expected, which can beget suffering in other ways.
Parents: Vengeful magic may turn its glance toward
those who brought the wizard into this world. His love
and loyalties mark them as potential victims. Of course,
if the wizard dislikes or has no strong love for his parents, they may be safe from magical ire. Again, sorcery
sees through to the truth of the matter, and may even
betray hidden realities of parentage heretofore unrevealed.
Extended Family: Particularly close relatives may also
be at risk. Sorcery seeks out favorite aunts or uncles or
cousins with shared childhood memories—especially
the most innocent and helpless among them—to amplify its vitriol.
Friends: Befriending a wizard carries with it a grave
risk, for bonds of friendship gleam like beacons to sorcery’s anger. Some of a wizard’s closest relationships
are with companions, colleagues, respected elders, fellow students, or apprentices. Hurting them hurts the
spell caster deeply, especially considering many of their
magical dabblings involve some of these very people.
Acquaintances: Vengeful magic can search as far
afield for victims as needed. It will touch even those
only loosely associated with the offending spell caster.
In these cases, it is the most fragile who draw the wicked
eye: babes in their cradles, children, the meek, and the
kind. Few shed tears for afflicted bullies, but many wail
over the undeserved suffering of a child, teacher, or philanthropist.
Neighbors: Some may not know the wizard at all but
suffer for his strange art by proximity. Denizens of his
same village or town, or of his original hometown may
feel magic’s wrath. For this reason, few allow magic
wielders to live anywhere near them. Genuine witchhunts, complete with accusations and trials, are quite
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common, though the error rate is very high. Mass panic
from famine, drought, or pestilence often makes scapegoats of innocents unassociated with spell casting.
Shared Allegiances: Another source of vengeful targets are groups with whom the wizard shares allegiance.
Rakarian wizards may bring wrath down upon other Rakarth, for instance. Any who support the same causes,
share the same racial background, or fight beneath the
same banner may become afflicted.
Selectivity
Among any potential victims, dark sorcery aims for
maximum effect. Who would engender the most anguish for the wizard? Whose misfortune would induce
the most tears? Magic wishes to send its message to the
offender and the population at large—disturbing magic’s slumber brings grave consequences.
Most Vulnerable: Usually, dark sorcery’s immediate
attention goes toward the weak and the lame or the
young and innocent. Others include someone who
has just suffered a terrible loss, or just recovered from
a naturally occurring illness, a child of few friends, or
a person whose fortunes have already turned for the
worse.
Most Dramatic: Sometimes magic reaches its tendrils
out toward whoever can make the most spectacular impact: someone of importance (such as a leader or tribal
elder) or someone already in the public eye (such as an
entertainer or well-known speaker). A vivid, public fall
of one who touches many other lives affects a greater
number of people and spreads sorcery’s warnings that
much better.
Most Visible: Occasionally, sorcery takes an opportunity to warn off as many people as possible with each
affliction, so the more who see that act the better. Popularity becomes a curse. A local personality upon whom
everyone depends or from whom everyone seeks advice
should take heed. Victimizing a person at an important
time in their lives—just after birth, at a wedding, or a
ritual celebration—makes cruel magic smile.
Best Loved: People choose their heroes and their icons,
and dark sorcery feels those affections. A noble prince,
a highborn lady, a successful warrior—these common
favorites are prime victims. Who dares disturb magic
after watching a great hero shrivel and die beneath its
baneful glare?
Greatest Potential: There is tragedy inherent in
striking down a youngster poised for great things. The
fledgling dancer, the musical prodigy, the promising
apprentice, the maiden destined to marry well—sorcery
watches these emerging talents, and watches well.
