Difference between revisions of "Curse"
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===Lycanthropy=== | ===Lycanthropy=== | ||
| − | + | The most powerful and most feared of all curses, lycanthropy is the curse of the werewolf, by which one is doomed to become a ravenous, man-eating monster under the moonlight. There are thought to be many ways by which one can be cursed to become a werewolf, most infamous of which is to be bitten by another werewolf and actually survive - which is incredibly rare. | |
For more information, see the [[Werewolf]] article. | For more information, see the [[Werewolf]] article. | ||
===Vampirism=== | ===Vampirism=== | ||
| − | + | Vampirism can refer to a variety of curses, all of which are demonic in nature. A vampire is an [[undead]] who must drink the blood of living mortal beings, specifically [[Men]], [[Elves]], or [[Dwarves]], in order to prolong its unholy existence. Some vampires, it is said, have the ability to shapeshift into bat-like monsters or even turn into mist. | |
For more information, see the [[Vampire]] article. | For more information, see the [[Vampire]] article. | ||
===Plagues=== | ===Plagues=== | ||
| − | Plague curses have been suggested throughout history, but | + | Plague curses have been suggested throughout history, but little is known about them. Some demonic plagues have been recorded in the ancient past, including claims of illnesses that cause strange symptoms and even raise their dead victims as [[shambling dead]] or sometimes [[Revenant|revenants]]. Such plagues may have been inflicted throughout history in various lands, such as the plagues created by [[Ankhu]] in [[Kemhet]] long ago. Any decent accounts of such plagues are scarce to nonexistent, however, leaving them largely as hearsay and wild claims often made by peasants in time of famine and sickness. |
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===Geasa=== | ===Geasa=== | ||
Revision as of 20:55, 9 October 2022
(WIP)
'Curse' is a very broad term. It generally applies to a magic curse of some kind. Curses vary in nature and can be put upon someone by demons, powerful witches and warlocks, artifacts, the gods, and other sources, some of which may remain unknown.
Nature
The nature of curses is impossible to state concisely or to fully understand. Generally speaking, a curse is considered negative in nature. Curses are generally some form of punishment, often wrought by the gods themselves or brought about by a demon. A curse can bring with it virtually endless possibilities of punishment, such as pain, disfigurement, compulsions, disease, starvation, transformation, death, or undeath, as well as other forms of punishment, such as binding to a particular object or location in some way.
Some Known Curses
There are far too many curses to truly 'know' them, and indeed, all curses are unpredictable and strange. No curse, they say, is quite like another. Even individual cases of curses such as lycanthropy and vampirism vary wildly, and no two victims are exactly the same. Likewise, there are countless curses, some incredibly ancient and others newly created by demons and powerful practitioners of dark magic. Some curses may be as simple as an inconvenience, and curses are often blamed for something as commonplace as bad luck. However, most true curses are far more dire.
Lycanthropy
The most powerful and most feared of all curses, lycanthropy is the curse of the werewolf, by which one is doomed to become a ravenous, man-eating monster under the moonlight. There are thought to be many ways by which one can be cursed to become a werewolf, most infamous of which is to be bitten by another werewolf and actually survive - which is incredibly rare.
For more information, see the Werewolf article.
Vampirism
Vampirism can refer to a variety of curses, all of which are demonic in nature. A vampire is an undead who must drink the blood of living mortal beings, specifically Men, Elves, or Dwarves, in order to prolong its unholy existence. Some vampires, it is said, have the ability to shapeshift into bat-like monsters or even turn into mist.
For more information, see the Vampire article.
Plagues
Plague curses have been suggested throughout history, but little is known about them. Some demonic plagues have been recorded in the ancient past, including claims of illnesses that cause strange symptoms and even raise their dead victims as shambling dead or sometimes revenants. Such plagues may have been inflicted throughout history in various lands, such as the plagues created by Ankhu in Kemhet long ago. Any decent accounts of such plagues are scarce to nonexistent, however, leaving them largely as hearsay and wild claims often made by peasants in time of famine and sickness.
Geasa
Geasa, or geases, are sometimes considered a form of curse, though to obey a geas may also bring one great power. Geasa are usually equated with a compulsion placed upon an individual that, if not followed, will result in magical punishment ranging from pain to even death. These compulsions are often very specific. Some geasa will bring about some form of blessing if they are followed, though this is not often the case. A geas is similar in nature to, but not the same as, a rune of binding. A geas may be placed by a powerful magic-wielder. They are usually arcane in nature, though some may also be demonic or even divine.
