Remanence

Overview

Remanence is a form of alienation that afflicts Yzmir Initiates who practice The Naali. It represents one of the most serious consequences of directly channeling Aether from the collective unconscious.

Symptoms

Remanence plunges even the most powerful Yzmir into a trance-like state characterized by visions, recitations in an unknown language, long periods of deep sleep, loss of conscious control, and coughing fits that expel immaterial ideas as ephemeral motes floating in air. Eyes develop a strange sheen like iridescent oil spreading across corneas.

Expelled ideas must be captured (such as in bubbles) to prevent them from imprinting on the world. Some The Cloister residents interpret expelled ideas as a divination game to find meaning in affliction.

Primary Danger

The greatest danger of Remanence lies in the fact that those afflicted can at any moment begin to regurgitate Aether into reality. This spontaneous release risks erratic alterations to the world around them, dangerous and unpredictable manifestations, potential creation of Tumult pockets, and harm to those nearby.

Cause

Remanence appears to be connected to the contamination inherent in practicing The Naali. When Yzmir mages directly channel ideas from Aether, these ideas tend to seep into and parasitize those who manipulate them. Over time, this contamination accumulates until it manifests as Remanence.

Treatment

Treatment at The Cloister involves nurses with red star insignia bags containing vials and compresses administered during episodes. Multiple Eidolons including Baku, Caladrius, and Tooth Fairy provide temporary relief through various methods, though no permanent cure exists.

Healers from The Cloister, working with Rati surgeons, developed treatment using artificial memory Grafts—psychic fragments donated by loved ones that serve as patches for broken minds.

Experimental Treatments

In 393 AC, Saskia Averina developed experimental leeches capable of draining Remanence effects before symptoms fully manifest. Akesha Adhikari used these leeches to treat a Qorgan pendekar suffering an acute attack, applying them to the victim’s forehead while ideas erupted from tear ducts, nose, and mouth.

Current Status

Faced with this unexplained phenomenon, the Council has asked sorcerers to restrain their use of magic while awaiting the discovery of a cure.

Relationships

• Yzmir: Faction whose members suffer from Remanence
• Initiates: Practitioners vulnerable to the affliction
• The Naali: Practice that causes contamination leading to Remanence
• The Aether: Substance whose channeling causes contamination
• The Cloister: Medical facility treating Remanence patients
• Grafts: Memory grafts used in treatment
• Rati: Surgeons who assist in treatment
• Baku, Caladrius, Tooth Fairy: Eidolons providing temporary relief
• Saskia Averina: Developed experimental leech treatment (393 AC)
• Akesha Adhikari: Used leech treatment in field (393 AC)
• The Magisterium: Council that restricted magic use pending cure