The phantom dance

The Phantom Dance is a chilling magical plague that swept through Eire in the year following the death of the Blessed One and the release of the Death Rune. This plague, marked by the ominous touch of Morrígu, the deity of fate and death, brought the nation to the brink of destruction. Symptoms: The Mark of Morrígu: Those afflicted by the Phantom Dance are marked with the Death Rune, a dark symbol that appears on their skin. This mark is a constant reminder of their impending fate and is often found on the chest, neck, or hands. It emits a faint, eerie glow visible only to the afflicted, deepening their sense of doom.   Visions of Death: The most terrifying symptom is the constant, inescapable visions of one’s death. The infected see their demise in vivid, disturbing detail, with each action they take revealing a new, often more gruesome, version of their end. These visions are so intense that they blur the line between reality and nightmare, causing extreme anxiety and paranoia.   Auditory Hallucinations: Alongside the visions, the afflicted hear whispers of their death, ominous voices that seem to come from nowhere. These voices are often indistinguishable from reality, leading to confusion and a growing sense of isolation. The whispers often predict tragic events, driving the victim to madness as they struggle to understand what is real and what is not.   Social Withdrawal: Unable to cope with the constant bombardment of deathly visions and voices, many victims withdraw from society. They lock themselves away, fearing that any interaction or movement could bring their foretold death closer. This isolation only worsens their mental state, leaving them vulnerable to the final stage of the plague.   Madness and Despair: As the visions and hallucinations intensify, the victim’s sanity begins to unravel. They become obsessed with the idea of their death, often falling into deep despair. This mental decline is rapid, and many are driven to the brink of insanity, their minds shattered by the relentless torment.   Soul Reclamation: The final, tragic symptom of the Phantom Dance occurs when Morrígu and the Death Rune claim the soul of the afflicted. As the victim's mind and body weaken, they become a vessel for the rune, which slowly drains their life force. The soul is eventually drawn into the rune, leaving the body as an empty husk, devoid of life and spirit.   Impact on Eire: The Phantom Dance is not just a plague of the body, but of the mind and soul. It reflects Morrígu’s wrath upon Eire, a punishment for the scorn shown after the death of the Blessed One. The plague brought Eire to its knees, as the once-vibrant streets became eerily silent, filled with the haunted remnants of those marked by the Death Rune. The nation teetered on the edge of destruction, with fear and despair gripping its people, leaving an indelible mark on its history.