Death's Favor

+Mark Hassman asks: "My uncle left me something odd. Looks like a candle complete with a wick. The wick won't take a flame. By its heft and appearance, I believe it is alabaster not wax. What's this thing do?"

Mark, I believe you should dispose of this artifact posthaste. This thing is most commonly called Death's Favor, though it had many names over history, and beyond there being only a few remaining, you should not keep it or attempt to use it.

The candle has but one function, and nothing good ever comes of it: when lit, usually by ritual involving a sacrifice of human life, it begins to cause death around it, specifically to guard the life and well-being of the one who lit it, henceforth the owner. The specifics of the ritual are lost to time, or at least lost to us. Despite the fact, after a while that you keep it, you will begin remembering details regarding the ritual and its performance, including a sacrifice the candle will urge you towards.

Once lit, it will remain stationary, being too heavy for the owner and instantly killing anyone else who touches it. Obviously, due to being alabaster, it will also never actually burn out.

At first, the influence will begin with a few feet away from it, killing harmful rodents and insects. Soon after, it will spread to the room and the house, infecting things larger and larger with a disease that would kill them but will not be identified. After weeks, the entire property or building may be affected - and while not actively killing others that are not connected with the owner, it will take from their life force.

An additional effect is aimed at human beings who enter its effective range with intent of harm while being infected, they will also become delusional and see terrible illusions to cause them to turn around and flee.

After a while in its presence, the owner will begin having the same effect emanate from himself, as well as develop exceptional health. Preexisting conditions, even ones otherwise incurable, will begin to disappear. The final steps are regenerative qualities, recovering from serious injuries easily and within a very short time and extended longevity.

The only proven way to make the flame go out and end the effect is the death of the owner, which becomes hard to achieve due to the final effects. Several documents also show that there may be alternative methods to doing so, like making another ritual sacrifice or applying something provided by a god that gives life. Additionally, there are assumptions that any magic that heals or resurrects, when cast upon the candle, will cause its power to diminish.

If you do indeed not keep it, either bring it to an occult master, who will either seal it away or destroy it as a whole, or hide it somewhere safe.