Zkavost

Zkavost is a Morish term that refers to a murderous frenzy within the heat of battle, literally meaning addled lines; the term is thought to originate not only from the lack of distinction between ally and friend when within the haze of zkavost, but also the most accepted use of zkavost: as a way of releasing heightened energy and becoming fatigued even while arcane-addled. As those who become arcane-addled should be kept from casting magic for their own safety, it becomes imperative that they are given other venues of exhausting their boundless energy. In these cases, these "frenzied berserkers" may be unleashed in areas where they can safely destroy everything in their path, drawing on the arcane wildfires inside them in ways that will not accelerate their arcane-addled state.
While under the effects of zkavost, the individual enters into a frenzied, destructive trance, essentially pushing their body past its usual limits for short bursts. Descriptions such as animalistic or primal have been ascribed to witnessing zkavost in action, and it is crucial that the frenzy is not interrupted until it has ended on its own and the individual has become naturally exhausted; those afflicted by zkavost have been known to attack anyone in their path, including people they know, as if their bodies are being controlled by the rushing energy inside them.
Usage of zkavost is criticized within Tumoria, as there is a belief that overreliance on zkavost can encourage aggression in arcane-addled individuals and cause them to lash out outside of locations meant to contain their destruction, especially in public areas; the fear of such rampages occurring among helpless people is often used to deny zkavost-based treatment and programs. In turn, those in favor of zkavost feel that such sentiments further stigmatize being arcane-addled and cut off one of the most promising forms of "treating" its side effects simply because the nature of contained rampages is seen as uncivilized. Zkavost facilities can be found most prominently in Stravia, typically far away from densely populated areas and often paired with research equipment to judge the effectiveness of zkavost compared to medication meant to subdue the long-term effects of being arcane-addled.
Category:Ealdremen Terms
Category:Ealdremen Psychology