Plaga Mortis

Treatment

While Silverthorn was at first thought to be a cure to the disease, since it was thought to be magical in origin, there was no known cure prior to The Starfall. After the Starfall, people realized that the high concentration Stardust, found in the blood of fallen Stars, could heal those with plaga mortis. Thus, fallen stars would be captured and either bled or killed, their blood given to those infected. It was also found that some of those who had consumed a considerable amount of starblood would be immune to getting infected with plaga mortis a second time.

Prevention

After noticing that those who had consumed high amounts of starblood after being infected with plaga mortis weren't being infected again, despite being around those already infected, people began to hunt down even more fallen Stars. Someone who wasn't even sick with plaga mortis could buy a drink of starblood at a high price in hopes of never enduring the plague.

History

The first recorded cases of plaga mortis were in 124 AD. The plague quickly spread, and ended up being responsible for the death of nearly 2/3 of the world's population. However, there has been no other major recorded outbreak, and the plague was almost entirely wiped from existence by the dawn of the new era, hence why it is called the era "after plague". Because of the strong emotional, societal, and mental toll plaga mortis had on the human population, it's something rarely talked about, and the history of it is sometimes altered when taught to students.

Cultural Reception

Since there was no known cure to the plague prior to The Starfall, those who were infected with plaga mortis were highly isolated from society because of how contagious the condition was. The treatment of those infected varied from place to place: some were killed immediately after falling ill, some banished, some would voluntarily leave society to live the rest of their days with others with plaga mortis so they wouldn't feel alone.
Those who weren't infected with plaga mortis tended to live in fear of anyone and everyone, even their own friends and family, for fear that they would fall ill at any moment. The outbreak of plaga mortis sparked extreme religious movements, along with upping the numbers of existing religions, since people felt their only salvation from the ruthless plague was through God(s). After The Starfall, some began to think of the fallen stars as Goddesses, angels, or otherwise divine beings, and began worshipping them.

Type

Viral

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Common

Affected Species

• Human