Iracundia curse

The Iracundia Curse, initially conjured by Star Swirl the Bearded, was an ill-fated incantation with a dark and mysterious past. This ancient spell remained dormant for centuries until an inadvertent release occurred through the actions of Willful Ground, giving him a power that would change his life.

## Description

Iracundia is an uncontrollable and menacing curse that possesses a unique power. It is drawn to close beings, infiltrating their minds and invoking a profound transformation. When triggered, the cursed individual undergoes a dramatic metamorphosis, manifesting as a larger, more formidable, and ominously darker version of themselves. This transformation is accompanied by a surge of potent magic that is channeled through sheer brute strength, unleashing a fierce and aggressive assault aimed at the perceived source of danger.

This malevolent curse lies dormant until the afflicted individual experiences fear or perceives a threat. It is in these moments of heightened emotions that Iracunia takes hold, compelling the cursed individual to react violently, seeking to eliminate or subdue the cause of their distress. With an insatiable urge to confront and combat danger, the individual afflicted by Iracundia becomes a tough adversary, harnessing its newfound strength and magic to wage intense battles against the perceived threats to their safety.

## Abilities

The Iracundia curse grants the individual formidable physical and magical abilities, making it a potent adversary in moments of danger and distress. While under the curse's influence, it possesses the following abilities:

**Strength Magic**: The individual can channel powerful strength-based magic, which enables to break through walls, shatter rocks, and rend obstacles asunder with sheer force.

**Telekinesis**: The curse empowers him with the ability to manipulate and lift heavy objects through telekinesis, allowing him to hurl them at adversaries or use them as defensive barriers.

**Flight**: The individual gains the capability to take flight, allowing to navigate the skies swiftly and efficiently, making it a versatile combatant.

**Enhanced Speed**: When airborne, it can give remarkable speeds, enabling rapid movement and strategic advantage in confrontations.

However, it's worth noting that the curse's power is rooted solely in sheer strength and physical prowess, lacking the finesse of more versatile forms of magic. Additionally, the individual is unable to teleport, leaving it reliant on its physical abilities and magic rooted in raw force, making its movements predictable and its combat style less subtle than others. These limitations, while significant, do not diminish the formidable nature of the curse's abilities when it feels threatened or cornered.

## Origins

The origins of Iracundia trace back to the ambitious experimentation of Star Swirl the Bearded when he was young. In his relentless pursuit of understanding the intricacies of dark magic, he embarked on a series of careful tests, delving into arcane realms that pushed the boundaries of magical knowledge. However, one fateful day, Star Swirl's experiments took an unexpected turn, unleashing a malevolent curse that sent shock waves through his magical research.

The curse tried taking over a nearby guard and transformed him into a dark and brutal alicorn. In a desperate bid to protect himself from the sinister force he had inadvertently unleashed, Star Swirl wielded his considerable magical prowess to save the pony from the curse and enclose it within a specially crafted locket. Recognizing the grave danger posed by this newly created maleficent spell, he concealed the locket in the Twin Sisters Castle, ensuring that it remained hidden from prying eyes.

Years later, during the tumultuous conflict between Princess Celestia and Nightmare Moon, the castle was partially destroyed in the crossfire. In the chaos that ensued, the locket containing Iracundia was flung into the forest, where it lay hidden and forgotten. Over time, the locket found its way to a secluded bush, where it patiently awaited the unwitting soul who would stumble upon it and unwittingly set the curse into motion once more.

## Willful Ground becomes Willful Quake

Many centuries after the curse had been locked away, fate brought young Willful Ground to the very spot in the forest where the malevolent locket lay concealed. Overwhelmed by sadness and a desire to distance himself from his mother, Soft Wings, he stumbled upon the hidden relic. Curiosity got the better of him, and he cautiously opened the locket, unaware of the ancient curse lurking within.

As the locket's seal was broken, the curse surged forth, enveloping Willful Ground's mind and emotions in a swirling maelstrom of darkness. His sorrow and despair were quickly consumed by intense anger, and in an instant, his once-normal form was twisted into that of a fearsome dark alicorn, with wild and untamed hair as an outward manifestation of his inner turmoil.

In the grip of madness, Willful Quake unleashed his newfound powers, wreaking havoc upon the forest, tearing through trees with destructive magic, and even intimidating the ferocious timber wolves that dared to cross his path. The curse had transformed him into an uncontrollable force of aggression and chaos, a terrifying presence in the heart of the woods.

After a tumultuous bout of rage, Willful Ground gradually regained control over himself, returning to his original form. However, the curse had left its indelible mark, and he now carried the ominous burden of being able to transform into "Willful Quake" whenever he felt threatened or in danger, a haunting reminder of that fateful day in the forest when the curse had been unwittingly unleashed.

## Controlling the curse

As Willful Ground grappled with the unpredictable influence of the Iracundia curse, he sought solace and guidance from Princess Luna. Through dedicated training and mentorship, he gradually mastered the art of transformation, gaining control over the once-uncontrollable force.

Under Princess Luna's patient tutelage and experience as Nightmare Moon, Willful Ground learned to harness the latent power within him, transforming at will and maintaining a calm demeanor even in his heightened state. The ominous burden of the curse became a tool for good, as he channeled the formidable strength of "Willful Quake" to protect ponies, thwarting external threats and fostering harmony.

Upon Willful's passing, the curse that had been a part of him for so long was finally released from his body, no longer tethered to his mortal form. Now free, Iracunia lurks somewhere, a malevolent force whose whereabouts and intentions remain shrouded in mystery. Its enigmatic existence serves as a reminder of the enduring power and consequences of magic.

## Development

The development of the Iracundia curse and the character of Willful Quake, traces its roots back to Sylvain Barre in 2021. Drawing influence from the iconic superhero, Hulk, Sylvain envisioned a character transformation akin to the Hulk's, but within the context of an alicorn. This metamorphosis represented a powerful and dynamic change for Willful Ground, reflecting his inner turmoil and the unleashing of his immense strength.

As the concept evolved, Sylvain Barre incorporated further layers into the character. Inspired by the Hulk's speech patterns, he introduced the idea that Willful Quake would primarily communicate through actions rather than words. However, in a subsequent iteration in 2023, the character gained the ability to speak in a dark voice, adding depth to the character's personality.

The metaphorical link between "Willful Quake" and the earth-shaking power of Willful Ground's emotions is evident in the character's name and nature. Initially, in 2022, the concept involved an old evil wizard possessing Willful, but in 2023, the narrative took a different turn with the introduction of the Iracundia curse sealed within a locket. Iracundia means "anger" in Latin. This shift in origin added a mystical and ancient dimension to the character's backstory, tying together the elements of magic, curses, and the inner struggles of its host.

In early 2024, Sylvain Barre changed Willful's powers and let him the ability to transform at will. This was meant to make the character's life better.