Magical Deficiencies

Time for more headcanon-worldbuilding fun.

(There’s also an updated bit about that wing disorder that Rumble and Scootaloo have in Post Crusade)

Every pony has some ability in them that allows them to manipulate the magical field around them. Unicorns can bend the field itself, while earth ponies and pegasi have a more passive control, being able to change natural patterns.

This ability shall be called corporal magic, magic of the body.

Like most bodily functions, the ability to bend magic can be disabled by numerous types of disorders called Deficiencies. These ailments can partially or completely hinder a pony’s magical abilities.

In unicorns, the deficiency is called Obstruction and affects the horn. Obstruction prevents corporal magic from escaping and bending the field magic outside. Normally, this wouldn’t be life-threatening, especially in the classical type. In the case of the necrotizing type, commonly referred to as “horn rot,” it can be deadly due to dying tissues opening the way infections of the brain.

In pegasi, deficiency is called Suspension and affects the wings. Flying is highly dependent on magic. In a way, the wings act as a weak horn, exerting enough magic to allow them to fly. Suspension disables this ability. The acute type is the most common, allowing flight for a few minutes before suspending it. The static type completely disables flight, and the pegasus is permanently grounded.

In earth ponies, the deficiency is called Detachment and affects the hooves, heart, and brain. Earth ponies have the unique ability to indirectly affect the earth and the ponies living on it. Detachment disables this magical bond. Unlike the previous deficiencies, this one is primarily psychological. Depression tends to set in when the earth pony become aware of his or her detachment from his or her talent or calling. There are no discernible types.

No magical deficiencies can be cured, as magic medicine requires an equal bond of energy between the medicine and the ailment in order to balance it. If one side has no magic to give, then the bond fails and so does the medicine.

Treatments are available and usually involve a magical “recharge.” However, these are often temporary and expensive.