Magical Dependence

An addiction to casting spells is unfortunately not all uncommon. In older times, a dependence on magic was seen as insanity; a person would be driven to extreme measures in order to cast spells. Only recently in many cultures has the psychology behind it been studied, revealing that casting magic actually causes metaphysical changes in the body and soul, resulting in this damaging dependence.

Hey, do you remember Cassie?

The one who would spend every lunch break casting the same spell over and over again?

Yeah. She lost her mind. Got bound. They caught her in a complete trance, casting that same damn spell at the wall. When they bound her she just snapped, freaked out, and bit a professor.

That's wild.

— Two students at a magic academy

A magical dependence is magnified when a sorcerer is bound. To bind a sorcerer is to forbid them from casting spells. In many civilisations this was a solution to those with magical dependence, then referred to as magical insanity. The term was changed to give more compassion to the affected.

Because of this condition, magic schools encourage safe practices. Certain spells have a worse effect than others, forbidden in schools and discouraged outside of them.

---

On different planets the treatment of those with magical dependency greatly varies. Certain planets and cultures vilify them, shutting them out of social circles, society as a whole, always ending terribly for the afflicted. Maloruno is famously one of those locations, where nomadic groups abandon those that develop magical dependency.

Other cultures are much more caring. Razheans provide true care to those with magical dependency, rehabilitating them. Sadly, some cases are unreversible, but that doesn't stop them from trying.

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Common

Related Articles