Memory Blight
Transmission & Vectors
The parasite is transmitted mainly through contaminated water, though the eggs can also be transmitted through plants, and occasionally meat, if the food is not prepared right. The eggs can also be passed on through the waste of animals, and, very rarely, through the bite of an infected animal.
Causes
The disease is caused by a parasite that was originally native to the Americas but has now spread throughout most of the known world. It is classified as a soft-skinned, parasitic echinoderm. It can only survive for a maximum of 3 days outside of a host body, during the first part of its lifecycle, as an egg. The egg will not hatch outside of a host body.
Symptoms
The disease can often be mistaken for a rapid onset of Alzheimer's disease. Those affected begin to experience personality changes within days of being infected and lose long-term memory shortly thereafter. Within three weeks, the infected individual will become almost childlike in behaviour, often becoming attached to one or two specific people and relying on them for help with most things. The parasite causes problems with complex thinking, loss of memory, behaviour that is often considered out-of-character, and reduced motor function control. As the parasite grows, hearing, learning and emotions can be affected, shortly followed by multisystem organ failure.
The parasite is a magical organism and feeds off the innate magic of its host. As the disease progresses, the host will become drained of magic, causing problems with performing spells and magical rituals. For the hosts with more magic, they will often die before organ failure sets in, being killed by the drain of their magic.
Treatment
The parasite is sensitive to the Arcane magic present in and harnessed by Mages and the Fae. When exposed to Arcane magic, the parasite will contract itself away from the host's brain in order to protect itself. While exposed to this magic, the infected person experiences a reduction in symptoms. However, most spells which affect the parasite to a high enough level that the host can experience no symptoms, cannot be continuously cast on the host without causing the host damage. With the removal of the Arcane magic, the parasite expands rapidly and kills the host soon after.
No enchantments have been found effective in the longterm once placed on an item, such a necklace or bracelet.
It took decades, but, last year, it was announced that a circle of healing Mages created a ritual that can be performed on an infected person while a trained surgeon operates to extract the parasite from the host's brain. The parasite is then disposed of through destructive Arcane spells.
Prognosis
Before the new treatment was found, the parasite was considered a death sentence, with a minimum of 3-week life expectancy and a maximum of 4 months.
Sequela
While infected with the parasite, hosts can be susceptible to brain infections and other viruses.
Typically, memory and motor problems will only persist for around a week or two after being cured. The risk of permanent issues increases with the age of the infected person.
Affected Groups
Those with weakened immune systems are more prone to being infected with the parasite, as well as those of advanced age.
Prevention
Arcane amulets of other such items can sometimes kill the parasite while it is in the early stages of its life.
Type
Parasitic
Origin
Natural
Cycle
Short-term
Rarity
Uncommon
Affected Species
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