[Edi]

Jack, they got the limp affliction. Home province, hence no possibility of special site. Furthermore, there is no site that gives out afflictions except for the sites that cause disease (Inkpot End, Leper Fens, Chillsick Swamp and Crown of Darkness). The most likely cause is that the mages got the afflictions due to old age (practically all of the more powerful mages start old), which is worsened if you have death scales in your dominion.

Edi