ScrollTok Influencer Promotes Cursed Amulet

A major scandal has erupted on the magical social media platform ScrollTok after a popular influencer known as 'The Mystic Maven' promoted a cursed amulet without disclosing the side effects. The video, which garnered millions of views within hours, featured the influencer wearing the 'Necklace of Eternal Charm' and claiming it boosted charisma and social confidence. She provided a discount code for her followers to purchase the item from a shady vendor in the Lower City. However, within twenty-four hours, hundreds of users reported transforming into newts whenever they attempted to speak to a crush.

The platform's moderators are overwhelmed with reports of polymorphed users flooding the comments section with croaks and ribbits instead of text. ScrollTok issued a statement claiming they are not responsible for the magical properties of items sold through third-party links embedded in scrolls. They argue that they are merely a conduit for information and that users should perform their own arcane due diligence before purchasing enchanted jewelry. This explanation has done little to quell the anger of the community, who are demanding refunds and restorative potions.

The Mystic Maven has deleted her account and gone into hiding, though rumors suggest she was seen fleeing the city on a flying carpet disguised as a commoner. Investigations by the City Watch reveal that the amulets were manufactured by a necromancer who needed test subjects for a new curse. The discount code actually activated the curse rather than providing a price reduction. Legal experts are debating whether influencer marketing falls under consumer protection laws or if it counts as magical assault. Several class-action lawsuits have been filed, but serving papers to a ghost account proves difficult.

In response, the Guild of Magicians is proposing a verification system for magical products advertised online. Sellers would be required to submit their items for testing by a neutral council before linking them in posts. However, this bureaucracy could stifle innovation and drive sellers to the dark web of the arcane network. Meanwhile, affected users are seeking help from clerics, who are charging premium rates for mass dispel magic services. Some users have embraced their new forms, forming support groups for those who prefer life as amphibians. The incident serves as a stark reminder that not everything that glitters on the internet is safe to wear.

Parents are now monitoring their children's scroll usage more closely, installing wards that block purchases from unverified vendors. The incident has also sparked a debate about the ethics of using magic to enhance appearance for social gain. Critics argue that true charisma comes from within, not from a cursed necklace bought with a discount code. Until the platform implements stricter controls, the Gazette advises users to avoid clicking on links promising unrealistic magical benefits. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably turns you into a newt.