One of the main plotlines centers around a dysfunctional marriage. The woman arranged powerful magic to force the man to become romantically obsessed with her, and as the glamour begins to wear off, he gradually becomes confused, distressed, and highly abusive (physically, emotionally, and ultimately spiritually/magically). A significant secondary male character is magically highly sensitive. When he is touched, he involuntarily and painfully absorbs psychic impressions from the other person. Multiple characters (mostly past, some present) use this double-edged talent as a weapon. Most notably, a past authority figure forced him into prostitution (with all the personal pain that entailed) to act as a spy.