The Draconic Plague
"At first when the people complained of a cough we thought it nothing more than a side effect of the Ash that had fallen from the sky. We sent them home, like fools, to their families. We might as well have slit their throats ourselves..This plague does not honour social class nor the boundaries of kingdoms. It spreads, like a fire, and consumes like the most hungry of beasts..."
- The Diaries of Aodona, Healing Mother of the Kharitist Order
The Draconic Plague, also known as the Red Death or Scaled Fever, is a millennia old disease with potentially fatal consequences. Its nicknames come from the scale-like appearance of victims' skin in the late stages of the disease. Those that are not cured either die a painful death or become thralls.
History
"And to us did our Lord then utter; for those who shall not submit with willing-heart let them see a Death like that which hath never been seen before."
- Adalon 6:11
On Liadain and Epressa, there are a few written records linked to the Draconic Plague. The last recorded case was in Bhatharik in 302 of a young orc girl who unfortunately died of her ailments. It was believed she picked the disease up when she dug up a unique type of red dirt whilst playing on the foothills of a nearby hill. A brief study was conducted and these records now lay in the Healers Archives within the city.
Liadain and Epressa records have conflicting origins for the disease. Some claim it came from a ship delivered from an unknown land across the sea and was spread amongst the ports. Others theorise that it is a deadly virus that lives in all Dragon-kind.
It became customary in Liadain and Epressa to paint three red lines on a persons door and board up their windows when they were identified as having the plague. In some cities, rulers took the more extreme measure of then setting fire to the entire household with its occupants inside in order to try and cleanse/stop the spread.
In Thagretis's historical texts, the origins of the plague are not given. They wrote of the Holy Elder Dragon bestowing his believers the ability for their bodies to fend off the virus. Within contemporary Thagretis, the Draconic Order believes the disease to be a punishment for those that do not submit to the Dragon-God. The disease remains endemic to the city and the Draconic Order maintains the ability means to cure people. This cure is freely given to believers of the city's religion.
Interaction with different races
"When I happened upon the poor beast at first I thought she were suffering from some mortal wound the way she lay there panting and lashed out as I approached. But then I saw that she was trying to warn me not to get too close. The boils pushed up from underneath her scales and there was a madness to her glazed eyes..."
- Lystrat Hisenfol, from The Diaries of an Old Adventurer, The Death of a Dragon, Circa. 251
What studies remain suggest that the two most susceptible races to the disease are Humans and their closest offshoots. There were large reports of elves and orcs also falling prey to the plague though exact figures are not known publicly. There have also been the odd accounts of animals suffering similar symptoms and outcomes.
Those with a magical inclination seem, from what limited accounts remain, to be more likely to suffer the fate worse than death and, some accounts suggest these new minions of the Gods keep their magic when they reach their new state.
All research has concluded that the Plague passes by physical skin to skin contact. Due to its ability to adapt to different species, bypassing magics that should have rendered them immune, most Scholars believe it to be a deadly blend of both magic and a natural disease meaning it affects even those with anti-magic.
Symptoms and Stages
"The poor little dears hardly knew what to do with themselves. Their skin burned so hot they were denied even the soothing hold of their mothers arms..."
- Glendorra, Vel'Anir Healer, Circa. 292
There are three key stages to the spread of the plague. The level of symptoms which show within each depend on a persons age, race, fitness level and sheer luck at times.
Stage One: Patients will experience a terrible cough and fever. This has been universally recognised as the most vital stage to identify the illness at as a patient cannot pass on the infection whilst still in this phase. They must be removed from their place of rest at once and isolated to stop the further spread of the disease. Often there will be an odd discolouration like a bruise on the point where another infected touched the patients skin.
Typically this stage for humans lasts for 10 days. In other species, longer.
Typically this stage for humans lasts for 2 weeks In other species, longer.
Stage Three: The Doomed will now begin to find their skin cracking and forming what can only be described as an odd imitation of scales. The fever will make it impossible now to touch their skin and it has been reported an unusual glow can be seen beneath a persons skin.
Typically this stage for humans lasts for 1 - 2 days. In other species, longer.
The Cure
"As of yet there is no known Cure. We have sent a small group of our best mages in search of one, among them my own dear son Alatar. I pray that they will return safely..."
- Maester Dransolish of Elbion College, Circa 350.
Due to the extreme rarity of the disease, a cure was never developed on Liadain and Epressa.
Alatar Dransolish came the closest to finding one. Ancient tomes in the major cities of Liadain and Epressa reveal that he was last known to be in a place called the Wilds. Alatar is described as having traveled to lands beyond the horizon and that he babbled about a cure that can only be created with the Flame Willingly Given.
Known treatments of the Draconic Plague are:
- Fresh mountain water mixed with the pollen of the flower known as Iridel
- Keeping a person submerged in ice and those with ice magics
- Blood transfusions from an uncontaminated persons
- Amputation of the infected limb if caught in stage on
- Dragon forged metal which seems to suck the poison out until it is 'full'.
The Arisen
"He had thought his wife had returned to him and he fell to his knees with great wracking sobs, arms uplifted towards her as if she were an angel. I tried to call him away but he either did not hear me in his grief torn relief or he did not wish to hear me. But I knew the creature that walked towards him was no longer sweet Lissa. There was a cruel look about her face and when her eyes opened they held within them a fire. Before I could reach him she had taken his face in her hands as if she were about to kiss him and he had turned to nothing more than ash."
- Witness statement recorded in the Ragash Scrolls, Circa 58.
Most believe their actions are controlled somewhat by the Old Ones.
On Liadain and Epressa, if those that are transformed are not slayed then they have been seen to retreat to underground cave systems. The same is seen in Thagretis, though non-believers that suffer from the disease are normally euthanized if the Draconic Order finds them.