So somewhere along the way Chukka picked up a red cogwheel encircling the base of his character. Would someone please tell me what this means? Is it permanent slow? Do I need to get a scroll of disperse magic?

Thanks

Cursed item. Take it off. If your game is patched with UAP v.091225, it's not permanent. If your game is NOT patched, it might be bugged.

The game is the original version I downloaded from gog. He's not wearing any cursed items. Also, it's not a pentagram, it's literally a cog wheel, like the one you get when you cast haste except red and not rotating. I've traveled all over the world map and it's not disappearing

Overloaded?
Check his inventory for any huge rocks and other trash he might have picked up, carrying capacity (in inventory) and current strength (on character sheet).

Too bad about not using the UAP.

Nope, not overloaded. Whatever, I guess it's not really affecting my gameplay (at least I don't think so). I'll have to install the UAP next playthrough. Thanks