Vael'kethra

Vael’kethra is not infectious and cannot be transmitted between individuals.

The sole known vector is direct exposure to unrefined Zhar’kasa without appropriate containment or shielding.

The condition arises from sustained proximity to raw Zhar’kasa in its adaptive state. Unlike refined derivatives, unprocessed Zhar’kasa continuously interacts with its surrounding environment. This interaction appears to interfere with normal cognitive processes responsible for temporal sequencing, memory integration, and perceptual filtering.

The precise neurological mechanism remains incompletely understood, though its effects are consistently reproducible under controlled conditions.

Symptoms develop gradually and intensify with continued exposure.

Early-stage symptoms include:

• Difficulty perceiving the passage of time
• Persistent distraction and fixation
• Heightened attention toward the exposed material

Intermediate symptoms include:

• Intrusive perceptual impressions unrelated to immediate surroundings
• Confusion between memory, imagination, and present experience
• Disrupted sleep cycles and cognitive fatigue

Advanced symptoms include:

• Perception of overlapping temporal states
• Simultaneous awareness of multiple contradictory outcomes or events
• Impaired judgement and emotional flattening
• Reduced ability to disengage from perceived alternate experiences

Symptoms do not typically include hallucinations in the traditional sense, and subjects remain conscious and responsive throughout progression.

Treatment consists primarily of immediate removal from exposure, followed by cognitive stabilisation therapy. Kithari medical protocols emphasise sensory grounding, temporal reinforcement exercises, and structured reality reorientation.

Pharmacological intervention is used sparingly and primarily to manage anxiety or sleep disruption during early recovery.

Prognosis is favourable in cases identified early. Most individuals recover full cognitive function within weeks to months following cessation of exposure.

Prolonged or repeated exposure significantly worsens outcomes. Advanced cases may require long-term care, and complete recovery cannot always be achieved.

In severe or long-duration cases, residual effects may persist after treatment. These include:

• Intermittent temporal disorientation
• Persistent intrusive impressions under stress
• Difficulty trusting linear cause-and-effect reasoning

The permanence of these effects remains debated. Official Kithari medical consensus maintains that all symptoms are non-prophetic and represent cognitive interference rather than insight. Data regarding irreversible cases is limited and not publicly disclosed.

The condition has been observed across multiple species, though susceptibility varies. Kithari appear less prone to rapid onset but more vulnerable to long-term fixation when exposure is sustained.

Individuals working in extraction, transport, or illicit refinement environments are at highest risk.

Vael’kethra is entirely preventable. Proper containment, shielding, and procedural adherence eliminate risk. All sanctioned Kithari operations involving raw Zhar’kasa employ automated handling systems and restricted-access protocols.

Voluntary exposure without containment is strongly discouraged and classified as a medical violation under Kithari regulation.

Incidence of Vael’kethra is rare within Kithari-controlled space due to strict handling protocols. Cases occur more frequently in illicit or unsanctioned contexts, particularly where raw material is mishandled or intentionally exposed.

Documented cases outside Kithari jurisdiction are believed to be underreported.

Vael’kethra was first identified during early Zhar’kasa extraction efforts, when prolonged handling resulted in unexplained cognitive effects among Kithari workers. Formal classification followed after repeated exposure trials produced consistent symptoms.

Mainstream Kithari culture regards Vael’kethra as an occupational and medical hazard, not a source of insight.

A minority subsect within and beyond Kithari society deliberately seeks exposure, believing the condition grants access to authentic perceptions of future or parallel outcomes. These beliefs are not endorsed by Kithari institutions and remain a point of internal ethical tension.