Aetherheart
In the lands of the Arcanum, the very bedrock of the islands is imbued with the touch of the Mistweaver, creating the strong magical essence around the region which shaped the culture and gave the nation its name.
Thus, the populace of the Arcanum is blessed with a higher proportion of arcane practioners than all other nations, and - although they do not have prejudice against non-magic users as their neighbours in the Mirage Archipelago - such abilities will open doors to individuals that would otherwise remain closed.
Despite the generally favourable life in the Arcanum granted by this boon, there is one side effect, regarded by some as a blessing, but most as a curse: aetherheart.
The extremely high concentration of raw magical energy around the islands has been known to leech into the bloodstreams of pregnant women of most species, and from there become absorbed by their unborn child. The energies will concentrate themselves in the child's heart, causing crystallisation within the chamber walls. A child affected by this pre-natal exposure to the arcane aethers will be born with the telltale sign of eyes glowing an otherworldly shade of vibrant blue. Curiously, there have been no recorded cases of dwarven childrend born with this condition, leading to medical scholars theorising some kind of natural dwarven resistance to the raw magics of Iridica.
Aetherheart will manifest in times of heightened emotion as glowing veins beneath the surface of the skin, exhibiting a similar colour to the subject's eyes. In almost 100% of cases, individuals with this condition will become more powerful acrane practitioners, and many find they can cast magics without the need for material components required by their peers. In a land where such abilities are highly prized, those with this condition can go far.
Tragically, the most prevalent sympton of aetherheart is a drastically reduced lifespan. Most individuals with the condition only live for 30-40% of the average lifespan for their species, with no recorded cases of any living beyond 50%. It is for this reason that most lament a life with this crystalline growth, though there are some who consider it a worthwhile trade for a stronger connection to the energies of the Mist Weaver.
Thus, the populace of the Arcanum is blessed with a higher proportion of arcane practioners than all other nations, and - although they do not have prejudice against non-magic users as their neighbours in the Mirage Archipelago - such abilities will open doors to individuals that would otherwise remain closed.
Despite the generally favourable life in the Arcanum granted by this boon, there is one side effect, regarded by some as a blessing, but most as a curse: aetherheart.
The extremely high concentration of raw magical energy around the islands has been known to leech into the bloodstreams of pregnant women of most species, and from there become absorbed by their unborn child. The energies will concentrate themselves in the child's heart, causing crystallisation within the chamber walls. A child affected by this pre-natal exposure to the arcane aethers will be born with the telltale sign of eyes glowing an otherworldly shade of vibrant blue. Curiously, there have been no recorded cases of dwarven childrend born with this condition, leading to medical scholars theorising some kind of natural dwarven resistance to the raw magics of Iridica.
Aetherheart will manifest in times of heightened emotion as glowing veins beneath the surface of the skin, exhibiting a similar colour to the subject's eyes. In almost 100% of cases, individuals with this condition will become more powerful acrane practitioners, and many find they can cast magics without the need for material components required by their peers. In a land where such abilities are highly prized, those with this condition can go far.
Tragically, the most prevalent sympton of aetherheart is a drastically reduced lifespan. Most individuals with the condition only live for 30-40% of the average lifespan for their species, with no recorded cases of any living beyond 50%. It is for this reason that most lament a life with this crystalline growth, though there are some who consider it a worthwhile trade for a stronger connection to the energies of the Mist Weaver.
Type
Magical
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