Clucking Madness

"Look out! He's gone clucking mad!"

— The source of this affliction's name

The term "clucking madness" is used to describe what happens when one is exposed to too much Dementian Magic. By its very nature, this specific Dark magical practice requires immense finesse and clarity of mind to avoid falling victim to madness. When one's brain is overwhelmed by more Dementian Magic than they are skilled enough to handle, they can sustain permanent brain damage.

Causes

As mentioned above, this condition results from excessive exposure to Dementian Magic. Sufficiently powerful enchantments or curses can cause one's body and mind to become overwhelmed with madness and start to break down.

Symptoms

The brain damage associated with clucking madness can result in a variety of symptoms. Most common listed below:

• Memory lapses
• Prolific laughter/sudden mood swings
• Hallucinations
• Sleep disturbances
• Breaks in logical thinking processes
• Reduced inhibition
• Excessive chattiness
• Sudden personality changes

While mood swings can lead to fits of temper, the afflicted are typically not violent. Their behavior tends to be more eccentric and erratic than actively dangerous.

Mysteriously, those afflicted with clucking madness will often have a strange obsession with tea. This may have to do with the goddess's association with the beverage. This particular symptom is responsible for the affliction's alternate name: Mad Hatter Syndrome.

"Mike, get down from there! Tea Party on the Ceiling isn't until next Gaealüman! "

— Charlie Hatter, scolding an afflicted worker who has climbed up the wall

Treatment

Some advanced magical surgery techniques can be utilized to restore damaged parts of the brain, but for the most part, treatment options are limited. That is, if the patient even wants to be cured, as most with clucking madness love every second of it.

Prognosis

Unfortunately, the brain damage associated with clucking madness is often permanent, though it is possible for some to regain lost abilities. However, they will always hold a small ember of madness in their brain, even if their basic faculties are restored.

On the bright side, those afflicted tend not to suffer. In fact, they are quite happy in their madness.

Alternate Name
Mad Hatter Syndrome

Type

Mental

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Uncommon

See Also