Total Humorlessness

There are several magical conditions that can lead to chronic loss of laughter. The two most prevalent are Anima Depletion and possession by a Lethargian. Alternatively, it could have a cause as mundane as depression or anxiety. Even in the latter case, though, humorlessness can still pose a threat, as Undifferentiated Anima is powered in part by positive emotions and lack thereof creates holes in Altairus's first line of defense against Wendigoes.

When a patient is unable to laugh, magical causes are treated and ruled out first. The patient is kept in the hospital, where they are continuously kept on a regimen of Spectral Water. If the cause is magical, Spectral Water works for both conditions that most commonly lead to it; it restores the Anima of those who drink it (if the loss of humor is caused by Anima Depletion) and it drives out Wendigoes, including Lethargians.

If Lethargian possession is suspected, the patient may also be supplied with Laughing Gas. This gas is particularly repulsive to Lethargians and often drives them out in short order. These treatments last until either a wendigo is expelled or the patient laughs again.

It can be hard to convince one who has admitted to a loss of humor to accept a stay in the hospital. Healers will impress upon these Altairians the importance of taking this sign seriously and do their best to make the visit as short as possible. However, if non-magical factors are at play, treating the condition can become more difficult. If the stay would have to be longer than a few weeks, the patient is often sent home with Spectral Water potions and encouraged to participate in community events. After some time, their sense of humor may come back on its own.

Given its association with two particularly serious conditions, total humorlessness is looked upon with great fear and concern. It not only makes its victim privy to Wendigo Possession, it could spell doom for the entire community if allowed to persist.

This is especially true in regions that are protected by a single wendigo ward, such as Ygdrassil's grove in The Emerald Woodland (with The Heartwood) or in Yule City (with The Winter Solstice Spirit). A lack of positive emotion in general, not just humorlessness, makes these areas' respective wendigo wards less powerful, leaving them open to Wendigo attacks. This is the reason why Yule Goats have a taboo against disliking the Winter Solstice, for example.

Unfortunately, the extreme way that many respond to one admitting to a loss of humor can encourage those suffering from it to hide their condition. Patients may also feel that their struggle is their fault and be too ashamed to seek help. Healers must be proactive and refrain from any accusatory language when assessing one who may have lost their sense of humor.