[Amendment] Naztherak Malices: Woe & Desolation

[Unwillingly 18122]

 

Changes are Italicized

Additions are Bolded

Removals are in Strikethrough

 

Old

 

Spoiler

Upon connection, each Naztherak becomes plagued by a cruel, unforgiving temperament known as the malices. Like all aspects of a Prince’s progression, the malice bestowed begins as subtle, nigh-harmless happenings. As the Prince continues to grow and delve further into the depths of the arts, so too does the malice lay hold to their mind. Each malice acts as a reflection of the Princes very makeup, the soul, its purest virtues and foulest sins. 

False Princes may gain a multitude of different malices which permeate and warp their personalities, including a secondary, lesser malice should they pact. Starting with just a singular malice, they will receive a secondary, minor malice should they choose to Pact at T3 and whatever malice that comes with them. These are not inherently known or acknowledged in character, but a shift in personality may be noted by those who are mindful and observant.

 

By no means are malices intended to bind the character to a static, one-dimensional dynamic. The character is not required to become a husk of their once-selves in exchange for their malice, and it’s highly encouraged that each malice is roleplayed in a way that can be used to fuel narrative, dynamic, and unique interactions from player to player. 

Upon connection to Naztherak, the player must choose one of the following malices. These cannot be changed later, and are permanent to the character. 

Lies

Sometimes white, but always wrong; breaks a heart and wounds the strong — Lies are a powerful tool when used strategically, but quickly unraveled without careful employ, causing pain and harm to both the recipient and the conceive of such a fabrication. Princes who take up the Malice of Lies will find themselves to be less inclined to tell the truth, this proclivity only worsening as they progress, and thus making such Princes often the most dangerous to encounter, as they may fabricate deceptions quickly in order to achieve what they most desire. 

 

Revolt

Disgust is an inherently powerful reaction in Descendants, often used to discern what is right and wholesome from that which is unnatural. Yet a Prince who takes up this Malice brings such a concept, inherently to the reverse, making Revolt a thing which they have twisted to their own will, no longer establishing it as a concept of recognition, but rather a perverted practice. Such Princes find themselves to be disgusted with the world and even themselves, seeing focuses of their Revolt as things that must be cast from their very presence, much like how one would seek something vile to be removed from their sight. 

 

Temptation

The compulsion for one to attain an object of desire, tying in with many others' iniquities and often being the base for which true sins and wrongdoings are set, both in that of the Prince and even those untouched by the Infernal, for it is the fallacy of all mortals. Princes who take up the Malice of Temptation will oftentimes find themselves to be immersed, mesmerized even, by desires both material and immaterial, leading them to act quickly upon such desires with little thought, and allowing little to stop them from such, making them quite dangerous should one be so unfortunate as to stand between them and their deeply coveted prize. 

 

Woe

A depressive and melancholic disposition comes far too readily with those exposed to this Malice, then perhaps more so Naztherak who take it as their own. Such Princes are plunged into great misery and distress as they fail to find even the faintest semblance of hope amidst their accursed lives. They are then brought to eternal melancholy, such despondency only growing more and more with every moment of their wretched existence, perhaps even unable to recall what it was like to feel contentment. But alas — one does not escape from the clutches of the Infernal so easily.

 

Desolation

As the plains of Moz Strimoza are oft a blasted wasteland, so it is that a Prince may inherit a similarly desolate mind, reflecting the agony which is experienced within the High Hells. Princes who take up this Malice may find themselves to be withdrawn from others, coming to forget that which they held dear and cherished, such memories of fondness being cast to oblivion. As a result, Princes of Desolation will often find it difficult to recall things, whether they be simple or complex, though when applied in more ruinous practices, it is a vice not to be underestimated.

 

Madness

The mortal mind is complex and fragile, even amongst mundane matters the mind can only contend with so much violence, stress, and pain before it shatters. Princes who pursue such a Path are truly accursed, for within them is fostered a grave affliction, which they come to bestow upon others in some of the most malicious and cruel ways, even at times unintentionally. They are affected by vivid hallucinations, no longer able to conceptualize what is real and what is mere delusion, loosening the barrier between reality and their own twisted imagination.
 

Furthermore, upon pacting, a False Prince will be subjected to a secondary minor malice reflective of the Rokul that has chosen them.

 

Velkuzat the Goat, Prince of Gluttony

A False Prince who has been chosen by Velkuzat is plagued with an unending hunger — a chronic desire to consume in any shape it may come, including non-edible and material objects. 

 

Drazhana the Bat, Prince of Dread

A False Prince who has been chosen by Drazhana is riddled with chronic fear and phobia. This can come in a variety of forms, including anxiety, isolation, or incessant worrying over the possibility of risk.

 

Kiiztria the Snake, Prince of Venom

A False Prince who has been chosen by Kiiztria is drawn towards the self-inflicted poisoning of their own body. They become prone and subjected to the extreme desire of drugs, alcoholism, or even magic-based afflictions.

 

Kholidav the Crow, Prince of Pestilence

A False Prince who has been chosen by Kholidav becomes prone to extreme bouts of sickness and bodily malhealth, capable of receiving sickness through even the most minute of blood or saliva transmission.

 

Zathairn the Black Cat, Prince of Calamity

A False Prince who has been chosen by Zathairn is followed by misfortune and poor luck. A chair may snap beneath them, or their blade may shatter in the heat of battle when they least expect it. This malice exclusively is projected in an aura around themselves, bringing bad luck to those around them as well as long as it does not affect combat.

 

- One primary malice is chosen upon connection to Naztherak.

- The secondary, lesser malice is received should a Naztherak choose to Pact at T3, but must follow the Rokul which has chosen them.

- Although the concept of “malices” aren’t inherently known by Naztherak or acknowledged in-RP, they may be inferred through the noticeable shifts in personality and behavior.

- Malices may be resisted at the cost of great mental strain and trauma upon the Naztherak. This, however, does not imply that they are “optional.” Malice resistance should be infrequent, rare, and an undesirable experience to the character, but be used as an opportunity to progress a narrative and story.

- Malices cannot be changed.

- The Temptation malice does not imply lust or love whatsoever.

- The radius for Misfortune is not defined, though it should be reasonable and should not be used to continually troll a player.

- The Misfortune effect only effects those who spend the most time near the Naztherak. 

 

 

New
 

Spoiler

Malices

Upon connection, the Naztherak becomes afflicted with a malice: a wretched temperament that takes root within the mind and only strengthens as he walks further down his accursed path. Like other infernal banes, malices begin with subtlety, manifesting as minor shifts in thought, impulse, or personality, but deepens as he advances, and steadily tightens its vice over his mind until it inevitably steers every facet of his life.

 

Lies

Sometimes white, but always wrong; breaks a heart and wounds the strong. Lies are a powerful tool when used strategically, but quickly unraveled without careful employment, causing harm to both the recipient and the conceiver of such a fabrication. Naztherak with the malice of lies will find themselves to be less inclined to speak truthfully, making these False Princes often the most dangerous to encounter, for their deceptive tongue proves a formidable weapon to the ignorant.

 

Revolt

Hatred is an inherently powerful reaction in descendants, often used to discern the goodly from the ghastly. Naztherak with the malice of revolt find themselves to be profoundly reviled with the world and its inhabitants, seeing targets of their revolt as things that must be erased from existence for its repugnance, much like how one would seek something vile to be removed from their sight.  

 

Temptation

The compulsion to attain an object of desire, both in that of the Naztherak and infernally untouched, is the shared fallacy of all mortals. Naztherak with the malice of temptation will find themselves psychotically obsessed with the acquisition of certain desires both material and immaterial, making them markedly fearsome opponents should one stand in between them and their coveted prize.

 

Woe

Sorrow is a language all mortals understand, and to those burdened with this malice, it is a weapon best spoken through others. Naztherak with the malice of woe feel compelled to sow seeds of profound sorrow in their surroundings, ranging from the slaying of a target’s loved ones, humiliation plots, subtly manipulating thoughts and circumstances, or employing other cruel devices to plunge the mentality of their targets into the depths of despair. They are among the most manipulative of False Princes.

 

Desolation

As the plains of Moz Strimoza are oft a blasted wasteland, so it is that a Naztherak may wish to cultivate this reality upon his lessers. Naztherak afflicted with the malice of desolation are driven to sabotage the bonds of those around them, discreetly sowing doubt, rumors, and division until relationships or social standings wither and fracture, leaving their victims stripped of companionship, for which he then alone remains their only refuge. 

 

Madness

The mortal mind is a delicate vessel, only capable of enduring so much stress before it fractures. Naztherak afflicted with the malice of madness are plagued by vivid, surreal hallucinations, their perception of reality steadily eroded until reality and dream blur together. They are unable to conceptualize truth from fiction, making them somewhat easy to deceive or shepherd, but violently unpredictable and volatile to those around them, such that they are often deemed a liability. 

 

Furthermore, upon pacting, a False Prince will be subjected to a secondary minor malice reflective of the Rokul that has chosen them.

 

Velkuzat the Goat, Prince of Gluttony

A False Prince who has been chosen by Velkuzat is plagued with an unending hunger — a chronic desire to consume in any shape it may come, including non-edible and material objects. 

 

Drazhana the Bat, Prince of Dread

A False Prince who has been chosen by Drazhana is riddled with chronic fear and phobia. This can come in a variety of forms, including anxiety, isolation, or incessant worrying over the possibility of risk.

 

Kiiztria the Snake, Prince of Venom

A False Prince who has been chosen by Kiiztria is drawn towards the self-inflicted poisoning of their own body. They become prone and subjected to the extreme desire of drugs, alcoholism, or even magic-based afflictions.

 

Kholidav the Crow, Prince of Pestilence

A False Prince who has been chosen by Kholidav becomes prone to extreme bouts of sickness and bodily malhealth, capable of receiving sickness through even the most minute of blood or saliva transmission.

 

Zathairn the Black Cat, Prince of Calamity

A False Prince who has been chosen by Zathairn is followed by misfortune and poor luck. A chair may snap beneath them, or their blade may shatter in the heat of battle when they least expect it. This malice exclusively is projected in an aura around themselves, bringing bad luck to those around them as well as long as it does not affect combat.

 

- Upon connection to Naztherak, players may choose one malice that will irrevocably afflict their character. This may not be changed later.

- Malices are not inherently known about in-character as an affliction, and may not be blatantly referenced. Behavioral shifts, however, may be inferred.

- Although malices should be a primary trait of the Naztherak, they are not all-consuming of the character. They are best used as tools designed to forward narratives, storylines, and unique interactions with other Naztherak and descendants.

- The malice of temptation does not imply lust or love, it is a psychotic and volatile obsession with the acquisition of a goal, object, or concept. 

- While Malices are character development tools, they’re additionally powerful conduits for storytelling and player interaction. Players are encouraged to weaponize their Malices in such a way that cultivates plots and brings roleplay to fruition, rather than acting purely as an internal device for their character alone.

- The radius for Misfortune is not defined, though it should be reasonable and should not be used to continually troll a player.

- The Misfortune effect only effects those who spend the most time near the Naztherak. 
- Malices may be resisted at the cost of great mental strain and trauma upon the Naztherak. This, however, does not imply that they are “optional.” Malice resistance should be infrequent, rare, and an undesirable experience to the character, but be used as an opportunity to progress a narrative and story.

 

Purpose
 

Spoiler

In my many years of interacting with this magic, the Desolation and Woe malices are the two I've heard the most criticism of for being fundamentally uninteractive. My changes keep Woe functionally the same, but changes it's RP application from self-isolating depression RP, to a compulsion to project sorrow upon those around them. Desolation I changed from amnesia RP to a metaphor for the feelings of isolation that come with memory loss, wherein a Naztherak will feel compelled to sow division and sabotage the relationships of those around them to guide them towards himself only. 

You'll also notice that I reworded most of the Malices section. This was in an attempt to better describe the application of malices, as well as cut down on unnecessary wording and bloat to make this passage easier and to absorb. Everything other than the introduction paragraph, Woe and Desolation malices, and the redlines are unchanged outside of wording.

I removed the redline about "resisting" a malice, it's always felt out place to me and is already implied in the redline that specifies malices are not all-consuming of a character and are rather tools for storytelling. It's also vague. What is "strain and trauma" to a Naztherak? 

In the future I'm interested in removing the secondary malices and condensing them with an amendment + addition under physical tells/aesthetics, as the secondary malices are so benign that they don't necessitate their own section, and almost feel like they undercut or detract the primary malices in a way. But that's a future amendment.

[DISCOLIQUID 2702]

I support these changes, I have often felt that Woe was an extremely restrictive malice, and as a Desolation enjoyer myself, the way I played the character encapsulated the changes here as well. 

[KeiaTypeBeat 3277]

5 hours ago, Unwillingly said:

Sorrow is a language all mortals understand

this is me frfr, really resonated wit what u said, chief

[Pallodium 3776]

Amendments/Additions implemented into main lore post. Thank you for your submission. Moving to correct subforum to prevent redundancy and clutter.