Breath of Imperius

From Crossroads Wiki

Purportedly the source of magic, the Breath of Imperius is said to well forth from a cave at the heart of the duchy of Mists. Mystery shrouds the actual location of the source, and designated wardens from the Academy of Imperius jealously guard the secret as they have for generations. Every night the Breath flows out to cloak parts of the isle, though sometimes it is seen during the day. According to Mistian folklore, strange creatures and odd magical aberrations dwell within the mystical haze, and some mages speculate it is a door to other worlds.

Humans, animals, fish, and plants suffer from a host of health problems from prolonged exposure to the Breath. Native-born Mistians carry some immunity to its effects, possibly as a result of their magic, their lineage or arcane rituals performed upon them as children, but even native Mistians are known to suffer ill effects from Breath. People from off-island lack this resistance; therefore, the mists are lethal without protection.

Effects on Humans

Non-natives

• Humans suffer from a host of health problems from prolonged exposure. The Breath is toxic to them.
• Non-natives have no resistance, so without the aid of an amulet of protection, they experience symptoms of poisoning from the Breath.
• Time of sickening widely varies by the Breath's density. Death will occur almost immediately in heavy conditions.
• Untreated cases lead to unconsciousness, coma, and finally death after three months.
• Limiting exposure by staying indoors, on the east coast, or leaving the isle diminishes effects of the Breath.
• There are amulets of protection people can wear against the Breath, though the most common variety will not protect fully against the Breath at night when it's the thickest. Non-natives need to go inside a building that is warded to protect against the breath, or obtain one of the far more expensive and rare amulets that provide a greater level of protection.

Native to Mists

• People born on Mists have a high tolerance to the breath, though they will become ill if they are subject to overexposure to it. In the densest conditions and without the aid of additional protection, even a Mistian will find themselves in danger when the Breath rolls in at night.
• A native Mistian starts to sicken when off-island and suffers withdrawal-like effects. These effects are flu like at first, body aches, fever, chills. Untreated cases lead to weakened or failing magic, unconsciousness, coma, and finally death after two months.
• The sickness has been known to affect a mage who has not used magic as early as 6 weeks, though some seem able to live longer. A mage using large amounts of magic will feel the effects much faster.
• Genetic aberrations exist among Mistians, and as a result, many Mistians have lived by the rule of bringing in new, non-Mistian blood into a family line every fourth generation as a preventative measure. This isn't an exact science by any measure, but children born of parents exceeding that generational rage on either side are vulnerable to deformities, insanity, inability to properly wield magic, and a host of other problems, some venturing into the gruesome.

Effects on Plants and Animals

Animals

• Mists does not raise livestoock for food, only products (wool, leather, glue, etc.).
• All animals for food are purchased from other isles.
• Native species are used for components, experimentation, pets, and magical purposes.
• It is ill advised for humans to eat native livestock due to Breath contamination. Consumed byproducts induce food poisoning-like effects. The more that is consumed, the worse the condition can get.
• Native-born livestock experiences a high frequency of mutations with a higher survival rate than foreign animals.
• Imported livestock experience a higher mortality rate than native animals: 30% survive one generation, 9% the second, 3% the third, 1% to the fourth generation.
• There are some cases of ritualistic consumption of animals on Mists, but it is rare and infrequent.

Plants

• Mists does not grow any food crops.
• All foodstuffs for domestic consumption are purchased from other isles.
• Native plants are consumed by Mistian species, but not humans due to the risk of illness and poisoning.
• Native and foreign plants are raised for use in components, experimental hybrids, or arcane study.
• There are some cases of ritualistic consumption of plants on Mists, but it is rare and infrequent.