shellphones | text; Sleeping Curse

Entry tags:

text; Sleeping Curse

Type: Text
Sender ID: afflatusexarch ( G'raha Tia )
To: General
Subject: Assistance
Warnings: Nothing, honestly

I apologize in advance, for I truly wish that I could present you all with a more cheerful message. In truth, I am asking for assistance and any knowledge in relation to the malady that has stricken several individuals in the last couple of weeks. Some are finding it difficult to desire to get an appropriate level of rest, for fear of a nightmare that might ultimately result in the loss of life.

[ Okay so he's not really sleeping that much either, but that's a normal life choice for him. And only about two people ~~at this point~~ actually know that G'raha is afflicted as well. ]

There are means to temporarily alleviate symptoms, but thus far a cure does not seem to be within sight. As the nature of this does not seem to be physical, it must be magical in nature.

I was hoping to acquire aid in researching the matter. Curses, hexes, other illnesses that are thought to be magical in nature. Given how many are sharing in the same nightmare, I wonder if we might start there.

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As soon as the curse started appearing among the locals, I asked around and also went to the archives. There's a sleeping curse that involves a demon that targets a person at night. It sits on a person's chest, cursing them. The text there also mentioned sulfur and smelling salts as a way to help, but that this still does not act as a cure.

There aren't really such creatures in my world, so I asked around some more and talked with Xenk for his expertise. Celestial and angelic type of creatures are counters to a demon's type of power. So, we consulted a physician on Elah if a part of the angelic jellyfish could be used to counter the curse, which brought up the result above. Even if there is no literal demon involved, there's some type of demonic or hex magic that can be somewhat countered by a substance that's made from an angelic-type beast.

I've also been scouring the volcanic mountain on Avaleci for any information. [ As she types it out, she realizes it's just Ice lava spelt backward... wild. Okay. ] One of the still intact texts mentions a dark, round disk that was used to dispel sleeping demons. Finding or making that disk might be the key, but I haven't any idea what it could be.

So I'm still exploring there almost daily for other artifacts or this "disk". There could be something else missed.

You realize that some have dismissed such claims of a demon by discovering "sleep paralysis." Not to mention, I doubt it is something as simple as that, for that would mean there are many demons all doing the same thing either at the same time or differing times. If there are multiples, how would we not have come across them at some point? How would someone not have been able to sense their presence?

Though I won't deny that there must be some sort of malevolent force if "holy" aligned magicks or byproducts seem to work against it. At the same time, since it doesn't seem to cure the person of the affliction, the source of it isn't within the person, but from some externalized place. Perhaps it is some sort of entity or even location. Mayhap even item.

Regardless, that "disk" may very well be needed.

I'm only going by what I read in the archives and tomes I found on the mountain, but you are right. All of it could be myth, not a literal entity causing the curse. It'd be better to hope so, too, because it might be relatively easier to tackle sleep paralysis caused by anything else other than some mysterious creature that's powerful enough to evade detection by all. It's scary to even think about!

Xenk mentioned the same thing. He said the best way to stop a curse like this would be to destroy the source or the caster. Do you know of any ways to trace a curse back to its source?

(︶︹︺) Most of the tomes on the mountain are so burnt, it's difficult to find more information. I do wonder what, exactly, the black disk has to be, or if it can be something generic. But if we are to believe what was written, that it's a way to dispel the curse, do you think it's as simple as falling asleep with a black disk made from anything? Or maybe even the obsidian found in the mountain? Apologies if this question comes off as ignorant. I really don't know how curses like these work.

Were I upon my own star, there might be the means to do so. In fact, Emet-Selch would have been someone that was capable of such a thing. Yet I do not have the equipment and I've yet to inquire about what sort of limitations he, personally, faces.

[ So maybe Rem might be able to wrangle that out of him. Or get the old Ascian to help? Who knows. ]

Finding the source would be the best method. From there we would be able to determine if there is something to be destroyed or some sort of process to undo what has been done.

None of your questions are ignorant, Rem. We cannot hope to find answers if questions are not asked. Sometimes the solution can come from questions that are overlooked because they seem "ignorant." The truth is, we have no idea what this "black disk" could be. I would see no reason not to at least test some theories. At least then we can rule these possibilities out.

Oh, you two are from the same world? That's wonderful! But yes, I'll ask for his insight.

Have you ever dealt with curses before?

Locked
How are you feeling, by the way? Has it gotten worse? Do you need anything?

[ HEH HEH HEH. WONDERFUL. YEAH, SURE. ]

I've not dealt with curses before. At least not of this nature. I am not sure that you would call the imbalance of one's aether corroding the soul a "curse" really.

As for myself? I am fine, Rem. Of course I won't lie and say that I don't find myself exhausted as you were the one that caught me.

[ "Aether"... He's used that term before, and others have, too. From her understanding, it's something like energy and life. ] What do you mean by "corroding", if not a curse? Like a disease?

Okay. Please don't push yourself, it could only make you more tired. [ /Fuss fuss fuss

But then more text comes: ]

Because I know I don't speak only for myself when I say that we all like you being here with us. You're a joy to work with, and so wonderful to have on this crew. And this world.

You're patient, and you're kind, you are. You're insightful. And you always put others first-- don't think I haven't noticed how you're still working hard and giving your all. But losing you would mean that all that kindness and wisdom you give would go away with you. The world would lose something wonderful, because we would have lost you.

So, please, take care of yourself. Stay safe while you sleep, make sure someone is there with you, if only to wake you if they see you having nightmares. Please.

There were individuals that began to experience an imbalance in their aether by beasts. Eventually the imbalance would cause them to deteriorate and transform into the very sort of beast that attacked them. Aether flows through all living things. If this flow is disrupted, the results are usually detrimental and difficult to reverse.

As far as

[ G'raha stops because the other message comes in. ]

[ Oh Rem. She has no idea that she is touching upon a rather sensitive subject for G'raha - if only because others have expressed similar sentiments while he had been pushing himself as the Crystal Exarch. It hadn't done any good at that point. The Crystal Tower would have consumed him regardless.

But now... ]

I will do my best, Rem. Now I do not know where such flattery words are coming from, but I understand that they are heartfelt all the same.

Sleep is not something that comes easily to me on the regular, just so we are aware.

[ "Now I do not know where such flattery words are coming from,"-- she reads this over again once. Twice. Maybe he's the type to need to hear that someone cares about him, bluntly. ]

They're coming from how I like and care about you, silly! (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)

We're friends. We're on the same crew. You're really amazing and helpful. And you definitely deserve to live and to not be cursed, you do.

Edited 2024-02-03 23:20 (UTC)

[ She can't see how he fusses with his bracers. How his tail swishes back and forth. Ears wiggling - all in flustered embarrassment. ]

You are truly a kind and caring soul, Rem. We are all truly fortunate and blessed to have you looking out for us.

Thank you, but?

The credit is all yours. You make it too easy for someone to like you. No effort at all, really.

[ Such is the unconditional part about it, and this applies to others. Too many good, amazing, incredible people in this world, on this ship, in this crew, and here she is, lucky to know them all.

....

She won't know the few who are cursed, though, if they die. It's the Crystal's blessing to forget. ]

G'raha... I need to get back to looking for that "black disk". But make sure your affairs are in order. Write letters, lots of them, for those you care about here, and those of your world who might show up after. Just in case, okay? I'm 100% sure others would want to remember you. [ Almost immediately after-- ] I mean, they would want to pay their respects.

Rem, you are making me blush. We might not completely see eye to eye on that matter.

Though you are making it sound as we are doomed. I am not about to let that be so. Should I find what we are looking for, you will be the first to know.

[ In her experience, death comes swiftly and before there is time to think. If he won't prepare for the possibility of succumbing... would it be okay for her to write his name down somewhere, if only so that she might remember it? Or would that be blasphemous?

Again, it's the Crystal's blessing to forget. Which means she can only focus on what she can presently do to help to prevent that doom. ]

Right. I'll do the same, should I find something else. Take care, and let me know if you need anything.

Of course, Rem. I have been taking your advice to heart, I promise.

Which means I will take care of myself and encourage you to do the same. Should I need anything or discover something, I won't hesitate.

So please don't hesitate to call on me either.

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