sektir

Seitir is a term used in fantasy and speculative fiction to denote a form of magical curse or hex. It is not a real-world concept with a fixed meaning; rather, it appears in various works as a generic trope for illicit or malevolent magic. Because different authors treat seitir in different ways, there is no single canonical definition. In some settings, it is described as a discrete kind of enchantment cast by a practitioner; in others, as a broader class of harmful magical effects.

Etymology is uncertain; the word appears primarily in modern fiction and is sometimes framed as derived from in-world languages or as an invented term. Its phonology resembles Norse- or other Germanic-inspired fantasy lexicons, but this resemblance does not imply a direct historical connection.

Mechanics of seitir vary by work. In many settings, a seitir is invoked via ritual speech, sigils, or an object charged with magical power and may require a price, oath, or sacrifice. The effects range from misfortune and illness to suppression of a target's abilities or will. Some narratives treat seitir as contagious or transferable, while others limit it to the caster or the cursed item. Dispelling a seitir typically involves counter-spells, cleansing rites, or breaking the pact that sustained it.

In fiction and games, seitir function as a narrative device to explore power, responsibility, and the ethics of harming others. They appear across novels, tabletop role-playing games, and digital media, sometimes with explicit game mechanics that govern duration, range, and cure methods.

See also: curse, hex, magic, occultism, necromancy.