Luhtëïlu

Luhtëïlu's root cause lied in the consumption of iehlä-weed, a kelp-like plant found in northern waters. When properly dried and left out, it could be used as an insect repellent and as little something to weaken the powers of nature, at the risk of offending them. The same happened within one's body once consumed, as the balance between the different parts of body and soul became disrupted, and could even break.

Part of every human came from nature, and some of nature's folk, the spirit of the world so to speak, became the luhtï, or nature, of a person. This part, as the rest of the folk, was repelled by iehlä-weed, causing a disturbance within the body and weakening the protective abilities of one's luhtï.

The weakening of one's luhtï led to a multitude of symptoms by itself. As one's luhtï was the main defense a person had against the malignant powers of the world beyond those of a physical kind, one became both defenseless against and tempting to a number of creatures who viewed humans, their life and souls, as nourishment.

Beyond weakening a person's defenses, luhtëïlu's symptoms could include fever, weakness both physical and mental, as well as delusions and a notable lack of fear, as the main warning system of their bodies was essentially shut down by force.

The symptoms of luhtëïlu itself were mild in comparison to the potential danger it left the body in. Without the shield of luhtï, an individual—particularly the young and the elderly—was left defenseless against any number of dangers in the waking world and the one below, all tempted by the easy meal one with luhtëïlu offered. And while luhtëïlu itself was a temporary condition, it was an opportunity for things to invade the body and the mind alike, which could become permanent problems and even lead to death.

Luhtëïlu resolved itself as the consumed iehlä-weed worked itself out of the body and the effect dimmed, eventually disappearing entirely. This process could not be affected much by anyone, and any treatment mostly focused on shielding and protecting against any potential other things wanting entry into the person's mind.