Mana Backlash
There are three types of Mana on Vitcoona. They each have their own sources and uses, and when misused they each have their own ways of inflicting Backlash. White Mana is misused when the caster attempts to use White Mana to destroy that which is not Fel. White Mana also backlashes against casters who attempt to cast using White Mana for the wrong reasons. White Mana must be used for good. The caster must be sure that their intended use of the White Mana aligns with how The Three would have used the Mana. Generally, The Three will merely smite an abuser of their White Mana with no longer being able to use it at all, but They are known for extending the smiting into other areas of the caster's being.
Blue Mana is less strict in its use than White Mana. Blue Mana can be used for almost any purpose or reason, but it cannot be used to violate any of the Laws of Magic. In other words, Blue Mana cannot be used to defy the Laws of Magic. Blue Mana Backlash manifests as some kind of physical malady that makes continuing to live on Vitcoona a tormented existence.
Black Mana is the polar opposite of White Mana. It revels in destruction and does not backlash against a caster regardless of the nature of their target. Black Mana can only be used to destroy or defy the natural order of things. Should an individual fail to use Black Mana in a way that (for lack of better words) pleases the Black Mana, then it will turn and actively, violently consume the caster who irritated it.
Transmission & Vectors
The transmission of Mana Misuse is personal choice or personal intention. Those who intend to use the various forms of Mana correctly have nothing to fear from the Mana itself.
Causes
When an individual begins to shape Mana to perform an action that Mana is not intended for, then the Mana will move sluggishly. The Mana will resist being shaped, and it will require a much greater amount of energy and concentration from the erring caster to have the spell ready. Once released, that's when the backlash truly takes hold, and backlash takes hold in a fraction of a moment.
Symptoms
White Mana Backlash:
Loss of Consciousness
Inability to Cast White Magic
Depression
Feeling of a Great Weight
Black Mana Backlash:
Aggressive Fel Corruption
Blue Mana Backlash:
Loss of One or More Senses
Loss of Proper Function in the Senses
Reduced Capability in Casting
Reduced Recovery after Casting
Loss of Consciousness
Inability to Cast White Magic
Depression
Feeling of a Great Weight
Black Mana Backlash:
Aggressive Fel Corruption
Blue Mana Backlash:
Loss of One or More Senses
Loss of Proper Function in the Senses
Reduced Capability in Casting
Reduced Recovery after Casting
Treatment
Those suffering from White or Blue Mana Backlash are normally capable of earning their casting abilities back. In some rare cases, the casting abilities are lost forever. In all cases, there will be some scar left behind by the backlash that will never completely heal. One example of these permanent scars is abusers of Blue Mana lose the ability to taste things. They end up only being able to taste ash or sour milk.
Those suffering from Black Mana Backlash are best treated by having their corrupted parts cut off quickly. Unfortunately, if an individual is able to stop the corruption from killing them, there is no guarantee they'll be able to function well.
Prognosis
White and Blue Mana Backlash hit hard in the beginning stages and will generally progress to less severity. In the majority of cases, symptoms subside after lifestyle changes or some kind of redemptive quest.
Black Mana Backlash has a vicious onset that does not lighten up until the corruption process has fully run its course. Survivors are normally diminished and will likely be suffering other conditions that are a result of the corruption being interrupted instead of the actual Backlash itself.
Sequela
Generally, Mana Backlash of all types will leave scarring that looks to be sourced from chemical burns or unnaturally hot flames. Survivors of Black Mana Backlash will more than likely be missing pieces. Depending on what pieces were removed to stop the corruption from progressing, survivors of Black Mana Backlash frequently need support either in both the short- and long-term.
Affected Groups
While it is true that Mana is readily available, not everyone has the capability to make use of Mana. Only those who can use significant amounts of Mana are at risk of breaking one of the Laws, as only a mage of considerable power has the magical prowess necessary to override the Laws. Specifically, only mages of Adept level and higher need are at risk of violating the Laws as Initiate and Apprentice level mages simply don't have the magical "muscles" necessary to push past the protection of the Laws.
Prevention
Anyone wishing to use Mana for casting must understand and abide by the Laws of Magic. These Laws apply to all magic. Users of White Mana must understand that there is the additional requirements of using the White Mana appropriately beyond just staying within the bounds of the Laws.
Epidemiology
Mana Backlash will not move from one caster to another unless multiple casters are subject to the consequences of breaking one of the Laws of Magic.
History
In the vast majority of cases, Backlash occurs on the individual or small group scale. If a ritual goes awry, the members of the ritual crew may all experience various degrees of backlash. There is one exception to the normal degree of backlash.
The full story of the only large scale Backlash in history can be found here: Cataclysm of Fire.
In short, an entire nation of Men gave their allegiance to Odieom. These Men performed a nationwide ritual that would rip a massive hole in The Barrier. Such a large hole in The Barrier would allow the entirety of Odieom's army to make landfall and spread like a shadowy plague across the whole of Vitcoona. Vitcoona's reaction was to trigger a massive storm of flame and wind that rendered the entirety of the kingdom a barren wasteland now known as Blightlands. The survivors of the Cataclysm of Fire are among some of the most zealous enforcers of the Laws of Magic even up to this day.
Cultural Reception
Generally, magic users afflicted with backlash are regarded with pity. They are enduring a great deal of suffering for their mistakes, and most people are content to leave these cursed individuals alone.
Most victims of Black Mana Backlash end up becoming Fel anyway, so most cultures regard Black Mana Backlash survivors as cursed.
Type
Supernatural
Origin
Divine
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
Rarity
Unique
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