Withering

Causes

Palari have very long life spans already but some live even longer and suffer from a condition known as Withering Typically, around the 1,000 earth year mark, the average Palari will succom to old age either from heart failure or illness. However some don't do this and enter a stage called Withering.
Withering is a genetic anomaly caused by the growth patterns of the Palari. Every few years they need to shed their skin and in the days leading up to shedding, their skin will become very dry and wrinkly before it peels off. However at a certain age, they will enter this state, but never shed, instead their body slowly deteriorates in the same way as their skin.

Symptoms

Early stages of withering is dried, wrinkling skin that never sheds. Over time, the Palari will become more and more emaciated, and the bone structure in their limbs will weaken. THeir skin will go from a healthy vibrant green, to a dingy brown color.
Late states of withering causes limps to completely shrivel up and back off. At some point, the elderly Palari will need help getting around and taking care of themselves. At this point their body will look almost unnaturally thin and grotesque.
The final stage of withering is usually death. At some point the organs will be too weak to support the Palari and fail.
In the final stages

Treatment

There is no treatment for withering as it's simply a natural process the Palari body goes through in it's final years of life. The best that can be done is to take care of the elder and make them as comfortable as possible before they pass. Attempts to keep elderly Palari alive through forms of life support is considered cruel.

Cultural Reception

Withering is considered a particularly awful way to go in Palari culture. Most would rather die gloriously in battle than succumb to severe old age. There is some controversy around it, as some Palari consider it merciful to aid in the suicide of a Palari showing signs of withering, while other groups believe that it's murder regardless of the context.
Despite it being a natural part of Palari life, withering is demonized by the general public and is often used as a 'fate worse than death' scare tactic.

Type

Genetic

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Common

Affected Species

• Palari