Ore-Dust

Vaid

Ore-Dust is a prevalent disease within the Palston rock mines of many nations. It commonly affects slaves and other lower-class individuals who often live and work within the mines The disease is caused when the dust of the Palston rock contaminates food or dissolves in water, which people then consume or drink an Infection can also occur when the dust enters open wounds.
The disease is terminal and can take up to six years to kill the infected person The period from initial infection to death can be shorter, but no one infected with Ore-Dust has lived longer than six years. Regardless of the treatment used, there is no cure; once infected with Ore-Dust, death is inevitable.

Transmission & Vectors

The disease vector is the Palston dust itself. It spreads through contact with open wounds and when consumed by falling on food or dissolving into the water. It cannot be contracted through inhalation; however, many people are superstitious of this and wear masks anyway.
Ore-Dust is non-communicable regardless of the stage it has progressed to. The most common way it spreads outside the mines is when miners or other creatures carry the dust outside on their clothes, and it falls into food and water.

Causes

Many scholars believe it is the Palston rock itself that causes the disease, but only in its pure natural ore form. When it is refined and flamed, it poses no harm and causes no disease. Palston rock ore is incredibly fragile breaking easily, which only adds to the levels of dust in the mines and therefore increases the likelihood of contracting the disease.
While this disease can occur in other types of mines such as iron, copper, or even quarries, it is a very rare occurrence. But in Palston mines, it is as common as Ore-Cough. Indeed, people in Palston mines are more likely to contract Ore-Dust than Ore-cough, as by the time the cough develops, those infected with Ore-Dust have already succumbed to it.
To contract Ore-Dust, one has to be exposed to large amounts of Palston rock dust over many days. Cutting yourself in a Palston mine for the first time may not result in contracting the disease, but repeated exposure significantly increases the likelihood of infection.

Symptoms

• Year 1 - No symptoms
• Year 2 - Increased fatigue
• Year 3 - Less muscle control (clumsy) and insommnia
• Year 4 - Muscle soreness and a continuous dry cough
• Year 5 - Breathing difficulties, limited mobility in many limbs and muscles start to sieze
• Year 6 - Shallow breathing, extreme headaches, and eventually death from suffocation as the body stops breathing

Symptoms vary from person to person.

Treatment

The disease cannot be cured; only its progression can be slowed and pain lessened. Most will receive treatments for the pain, both herbal and divine and through many years of research, it appears that Thieb poultice (Thie root mixed with Shallow Barl) is exceptionally effective at alleviating the pain caused by Ore-Dust. Additionally, its ingredients are quite common, making them affordable for all who seek them.
Many, however, ask for their life to be ended sooner by a merciful sword, or by wandering off into the wilderness to meet the end on their own terms. Those who do not wish end their life in such a manner may be accepted into a Mining home. They are hospitals that provide end-of-life care to those suffering from Ore-Dust and such diseases. Those admitted are tended to by a number of doctors, apothecaries, and priests allowing them to live out the rest of their days relative comfort. However, they are not cheap, and places are limited, resulting in many being looked after by family

Prognosis

This condition is terminal, and there is no way to escape it. Many accept their fate from the beginning. The only thing they can do is decide how much longer they want to endure the suffering from the disease.

Affected Groups

All Humans and Elves, regardless of age, gender, or occupation, can be infected and killed by the disease. The disease does not discriminate between both genetic and environmental factors; wealth will not save you, nor will colour of skin.
However, lower-class individuals such as slaves and those in poverty are more likely to become contaminated, especially those who work directly with the unrefined Palston. Nevertheless, if you contract Ore-Dust, you will die, and can only do so much to prevent exposure to dust.

If I stop digging, I get whipped and I die from the bloody dust. I must . . . I must not allow the same fate for my daughter. Accandia, my love, I do this for you.

Note from a slave rebbelion leader - circa 1.272

Hosts & Carriers

Humans and Elves are the only known races to suffer from Ore-Dust, as the flora and fauna found within or near Palston rock veins/mines appear to possess a natural immunity to the condition. However, they can still carry it without being affected. Unfortunately, during the 1st Age, many of these creatures were hunted down and killed in an attempt to eradicate the disease believing it was the creatures who caused it. Unfortuanlty during this purge the mighty large, scaled reptilian Hi'gluur native to many regions caves and cliffs and other creatures were hunted to near extinction. The Hi'gluur are now extremely rare, becoming more of a myth than actual reality.
Everything can become a carrier of the disease if it been contaminated by the Palston dust. Even if that is not native to the caves, it can remain immune while infecting hundreds of humans.

Prevention

The disease can be easily prevented by boiling all water before consumption, securely covering all wounds and broken skin, washing hands before eating and keeping food covered and stored away from Palston rock.
People wear amulets of the Gods or Spirits to protect against it, and power users often employ magical wards to protect themselves from the dust. However, results have been inconclusive on whether or not these practices defend against the disease, many people not sufficiently educated on the prevention techniques mentioned earlier, believing that the Gods' protection will be enough. Unfortunately, they are wrong.

History

The first recorded case was -685 PB, but was named Ore-Dust just under 1000 years later, in the year 1.276.

Apothecary Jie XA - Personal journal - 2nd Halfmoon of spring A young man entered my shelter yestermoon helped along by his mother as if his muscles had turned to stone and gasping for air, he claimed he could not sleep as if his body would not allow him to. I could tell they were slaves from the moment they walked in, whether or not they had escaped was not my buisness.
I used every poultice, potion, and salve at my diposal. Nothing worked. His arms and legs were frozen, they offered me what little they had but I refused. This was a disease I had never come across before. They both remain at my shelter and I plan to figure this illness out, nextmoon I will venture to the nearby Druids tribe and question them about this paralysis. ...
Apothecary Jie Xa - Personal Journal - 1st Cresentmoon of Autumn
Just over half a year ago since poor Lanax was dragged in by his mother and two moons ago he succombed to this illness. Yestermoon we held a solumn ceromony for him, such a lovly boy, such wonder and intrest in everything I did. Always asking questions. What does that do? Why does it smell like that? Why is it pink? If I had mangaed to save him I would have took him in as my apprentice, but I failed. May the Spirits guide you to peace Lanax. ...
Apothecary Jie Xa - Personal Journal - 4th Quartermoon of winter
Over the past weeks I have scoured my notes and I may have found poor Lanax's Illness or at least what caused it. I spoke to the Druids also and they concur as well as speaking to Cenna. I believe the illness was caused from the mines many slaves are forced to work in.
Now, to find a cure for there will be others like Lanax.

Journal found in a collectors treasury - Circa 685 PB

In fact, it was the prevalence of this disease within the slave mines that ignited the beginning of the Second great conflict in 1.278. The old tales also state that leader of the slave rebellion, The Saviour of the West, was herself infected with Ore-Dust
There have been several large-scale outbreaks where streams and groundwater have been contaminated by dust, especially in A'ular. In 6.2229, 11.4361, 6.1903, and 2.354, these outbreaks all had infection rates above 3,000 people. However, the 6.2229 outbreak was worst outbreak in recorded history. When the river supplying the mountain city of Rivik with fresh drinking water in A'ular was contaminated by an overturned Palston rock shipment, infecting around 8000 people.

There have been other significant outbreaks, such as the 11.3776 outbreak in Ecarr, where 1,000 soldiers lost their lives due to a contaminated water source. Additionally, the Great collapse of Meney mine in Talro'en affected both the Arrellian and Talish sides, resulting in just under 1,500 fatalities. While there have been other outbreaks, none have been as severe as the aforementioned incidents.

Cultural Reception

The majority of individuals infected Ore-Dust come from lower class backgrounds, many being slaves or living in poverty with no other choice. So are already belittled and demeaned without the disease, and unfortunately the disease only adds to that disrespect. Some regions even use Palston rock mining as a punishment for certain crimes. Thus, even without the disease, these people are looked down upon by higher society, and the disease does not alter this perception. However, among their own class, this is an unfortunate aspect of the lifestyle they are often forced endure

Type

Chemical Compound

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Common

Related articles:

• Palston rock
• Ore-Cough
• Thieb poultice
• Thie root
• Shallow Barl
• Mining home
• Human
• Elves
• Hi'gluur
• The Gods of Talrak
• Second great conflict
• The kingdom of A'ular
• Rivik
• The Kingdom of Ecarr
• Great collapse of Meney mine
• The kingdom of Talro'en
• The Kingdom of Arrell
• Spirits
• Palston punishment
• The Saviour of the West
• Apothecary
• Druids

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