Glimmergut
A rare, mildly addictive magical condition caused by consuming too much fae-touched fruit, such as moonberries or starplums. The condition infuses the body with residual fae magic, resulting in glowing veins, heightened euphoria, and mild levitation when emotionally stimulated. Those afflicted struggle to sleep during Callista’s full cycle and often experience whimsical delusions or a compulsion to speak in riddles.
While harmless in small doses, prolonged indulgence can erode one's grip on reality and permanently alter their aura, making them detectable by magical means. Some cultures view Glimmergut as a symbol of creativity or divine favor—others as a foolish indulgence or sign of fae corruption.
Transmission & Vectors
Glimmergut is magical and dietary in origin, not contagious. It is acquired exclusively through the repeated ingestion of fae-touched fruit or magically saturated foods—primarily moonberries, starplums, glowsap, or dishes prepared with them.
- Primary Vector: Consumption of raw or magically enhanced fae-fruit
- Secondary Vector: Potions, wines, or desserts infused with fae essence or distilled moonberry extract
Symptoms
- Glowing Veins: Bioluminescent, blue or violet veins visible beneath the skin, especially during emotional spikes or lunar alignment.
- Euphoria: Heightened emotional state, often giddy, dreamy, or overly affectionate. Can escalate into manic behavior in chronic cases.
- Levitation: Mild, involuntary lifting off the ground when excited, startled, or under strong moonlight—usually only a few inches.
- Insomnia: Difficulty sleeping during Callista’s full moon cycle. Sleep becomes restless or entirely elusive for 2–3 nights.
- Riddle-Speak: In more advanced stages, sufferers may compulsively speak in rhymes, riddles, or poetic phrases, especially around fae magic.
- Detachment from Reality: Chronic cases can exhibit whimsical delusions or a drifting focus, as if the person is mentally ‘elsewhere.’
- Magical Residue: Detectable magical aura even in non-magic users; often shimmers faintly in darkness.
Treatment
There’s no simple cure, but the condition can be managed or reversed in most non-chronic cases with time, detoxification, and grounding magic.
- Immediate Detox:
Cease all consumption of fae-touched foods. The earlier the exposure stops, the less likely the condition is to become permanent. - Grounding Tonics:
Brewed from earthy, anti-fae herbs like rootbind, ironmoss, and dullthorn bark, these potions counteract magical overstimulation. Bitter but effective, often served by village hedge witches or temple healers. - Moonbinding Rituals:
A lunar rite performed under Umbriel’s waning cycle to “bind” excess magical energy back into the earth. Practiced by druids, it involves runes, chanting, and planting the afflicted’s footprints in salt-lined soil. - Arcane Dampening:
In severe cases, a mage may apply aether anchors—temporary enchantments that suppress the subject’s magical aura. These must be carefully managed, or they risk causing spiritual numbness. - Rest and Reclusion:
Quiet, low-magic environments help. Monasteries, root-caves, or stone sanctuaries are preferred for long-term recovery. Strong emotions or arcane exposure should be avoided.
Type
Magical
Origin
Magical
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
Rarity
Uncommon
Ahhh the wiles and wills of the Fae, and their tricksy influences. Its always them, if one is ever not sure, just blame the fae, you have like 50/50 odds of being right. I like how thought out this is, you didn't over sell or overdue the potency, you kept well to the trickster spirit, describing it as a slower affect, something that requires time and repeated use, increasing to the dangerous amounts. This adds a unique aspect of tricksy danger to a level in regards to Fae hospitality, which I do love. Whilst often in many realms, though I know not if Tanaria is similarly affected, I have not yet traveled her extensively, Fae are bound by laws of hospitality and guestrights in deep foundational ways, magickally. This turns that on its head, so that yes being invited to break bread and water with a fae provides you the protections of guestrights, you are but a mere mortal. What they call mundane foods might very well be the beginning of a slow descent into these effects and should you accept their hospitality for to long a time, perhaps you shall find yourself becoming afflicted with glimmergut, and perhaps that was the long con intention the whole time? I really like this and simply must add it to my collection, its a fantastic piece of writing and worldbuilding and I enjoyed it greatly.