Why a curse?

For the harm in all curses ultimately aspires to one end: death. They seek death in order to preserve life. This death is indiscriminate. No one is immune. It can be instant or slow and torturous.— Cursed Are You!, page 5

<idle musing>
This is a repeated theme in the book. Curses aim to destroy the person/god/animal/thing being cursed. The difference is in the extent and means that are employed in getting it done.

In short, curses aren't nice things. And in the ancient world, everybody was susceptible to them—even the gods!

Of course, if you cursed the gods, it wouldn't go well with you,either...
</idle musing>