Blue Breath

After the Brightening, and the chaotic magic that came with it, Orliüm's environment underwent dramatic changes both above and below the surface. Along with those changes came new diseases, the most feared of which is a condition known as “Blue Breath.” The condition is typically contracted on the surface by breathing in the pollen of a particular flower called the Nallean. During the day, direct sunlight, and thus the dreaded magic from the sun, is absorbed into this flower. After sunfall it opens its petals to allow insects in for pollination.
However, sufficiently disturbing the flower will cause the pollen to be released into the air. This usually happens when an animal or person accidentally brushes against or steps on the flower. If breathed in, the pollen settles in the lungs after a few days. Once this happens, the infected person will develop a cough, and the expelled breath turns a faint blue color.
Curiously, the sick individual is in no danger themselves; it is their breath that is dangerous and feared. The cloud of breath the expell lingers in the air, and others coming into contact with it will experience anything from a numbness or itching to painful burns on their skin within hours, depending on the person.
Breathing in the blue mist is far worse, as the magically charged breath is toxic. Those who find their skin numb as a result of touching the mist will suffocate over the course of days if left untreated. If they contracted an itch or burn when they touched it, they instead suffer a more painful fate as the mist will scorch the inside of their lungs.
Most fear the disease not for their own sake, but for the others they harm as a result of contracting it. Those who get blue breath often retreat from others to keep them safe. However, if left untreated the condition can become permanent, so the sick individual must face the choice to risk the life of a healer, or exile themselves.