Titanothage
... fewer words inspire more dread to those who must endure their growing pains.
Ptolla stood atop a snowy mound, on the 999th Year of her Life.
An unforgiving chill swirled the threads of her hair and clothes, into the breeze with the sand and snow. Gathering her cloak folds, she scanned the crags in the shadow of the icy mountain.
She often came, hoping to glimpse those exiled beyond the glacial shelf. Though by now, she had forgotten why.
It was colder then, she recalled. Now, her hands constantly ached, whether cold or warm, thinking of that day. Suddenly, movement caught her attention, as a shadow descended the icy cliffs.
Quickly, with a mystical spear of Ice, she slid down the snowy mound and boarded her Bede sled. Would this be the day? Into the dense Arcadian Wilds, Ptolla chased the frigid wind.
Throughout Pathon, an unusual condition began to surface amongst the socialized Tribal Nations. This phenomenon spread quickly, lying dormant in many until their final days, when it would plague them and their families. Instead of aging and perishing, these individuals went on to metamorphose, into something new.
This condition left an impact on the evolutionary growth of many species, changing the way that they'd behave in Nature, and setting the framework for many monstrous adaptations. Those who suffered from it went mad and wild attempting to break the state. This condition is known as Titanothage- or the "Giant's Disease".
Ptolla's heart raced as she slid behind the subject of her pursuit. That's not an exile! Discarding her Bede, she rolled to her feet, and glided across the ice. In her chase, she had become the hunted.
From above, wings hovering furiously heated the wind, before a Giant Wasp dived Ptolla! Once more, she rolled, grappled with the crushing weight of the Wasp, kicking at the stinger. Hungry mandibles snapped at her as the antennae loomed overhead.
With spear held high and her knees against the stinger, she impaled the venomous creature to the ground. Heaving, wounded, leaning against her spear, she collapsed into the snow.
Ptolla couldn't recall how she and her Bede sled returned to Arcadia, but for now, she and her people were safe.
Cause & Containment
Ultimately, it's unknown how the early Tribes contracted this horrific condition. Theories exist on why and how it became a disease; some believe a germ was exposed to Sizing Magic, while others believe it was the result of Folk reaching for Immortality. The afflicted weren't contagious physically but through environmental exposure to Wild magic.
Other creatures contracted the disease as well, becoming much larger versions of their former selves. While some quickly succumbed to the maddening effects, others adapted and evolved with the markers of the condition, passing it to their offspring. This is pronounced in Beasts, Birds, Insects, Fish, Fungi, and Plants around the World.
Titanothage marks descendants of many Species, having created Giants from those that carried the contagion. It appears throughout History, creating new Giant Species or advanced mutations of the same creatures. Folk no longer suffer though traces linger in their bloodlines.
Transmission & Vectors
Giants of the Ice Age
The taxonomic classification for those Species that have adapted the Titanothage are denoted "Titano-" in their indexing. These creatures are thought to spread the disease not through normal means of touch or infestation.
Instead, it seems that long exposure is enough to contract the disease, but it isn't contagious through touch or local contamination. Having the disease isn't enough to advance the stages of the symptoms. Usually certain qualifiers, such as one's connection to Source, increase the chances of mutation.
Instead, it seems that long exposure is enough to contract the disease, but it isn't contagious through touch or local contamination. Having the disease isn't enough to advance the stages of the symptoms. Usually certain qualifiers, such as one's connection to Source, increase the chances of mutation.
Early Tribes came into contact with the disease from the material within their environment. Fossils in Blood Amber led scholars to believe that contaminated trees could have spread infectious spores. Consuming plants or animals present with the disease might have also exposed one to its' effects, but the catalyst is advancing age or strong magic to that changes, shapes, or distorts the body.
Growth and Diminishment spells were highly popular, even in the Ice Age. Even certain Healing spells were considered responsible for exposing others.
Growth and Diminishment spells were highly popular, even in the Ice Age. Even certain Healing spells were considered responsible for exposing others.
Cross Contamination: Fish in the Sea
Giant species of titanic fish also appeared during the early rise of this unusual disease. This tends to support the theory that contamination occurs through consuming those who carry the magical contagion themselves. Fish ate insects carrying the spore. As for exposure to magic, contaminated fish migrated to Sources of Ley, where mutations developed. Fish devoured other fish, proliferating Titanothage beneath the sea.
Ptolla the Brave recovered from the stinging leg wound over aging moons. One day, she gazed beyond the confines of the Snow Dome. Malu had become concerned, as Ptolla wished to return to hunting despite a need of respite.
"Mother, Weaver, we need you here. I need you. You're no longer the huntress of the wilds," Malu spoke the later timidly. She knew how Ptolla would react while feverish.
Grasping her magic spear, Ptolla crossed the snow. "Stay here."
In one last attempt to halt her mother, Malu followed and exclaimed, "What are you looking for? Mother!"
Ptolla hesitated. Mother. Ptolla walked on, but truthfully, couldn't recall the reason compelling her beyond the safety of home.
Symptoms & Progression
Titanothage has three stages of effect.
Transformation
"At first, a tingle, as if my veins ran with ice. Then, the weight, my bones dragging me to the floor as my limbs became stone…"
- 1st Stage: Dormancy
Titanothage is present but isn't reactive with the body. Inhabits the host, changing aged cells. Experienced as loss of memories and intense hunger. Some growth at this stage occurs. - 2nd Stage: Engaged
Titanothage reacts to death throes of aging, activating on contaminated cells. Bones, tissue, and organs increase in size. Brain shrinks by comparison. Initial mutation shocks and disorients. - 3rd Stage: Stabilized
Growth has reached a threshold potential, doubling or quadrupling original size. Brain begins adjusting to the changes, but loss or fragmentation of identity occurs. Hunger becomes insatiable, often causing madness.
The creaking Giant Timber sounded like snapping bones against the crisp air. Yet there was something more- a smell as something musky, odorous. I finally found you.
One of the exiles, her horns marked a Folk, like Ptolla. Beneath the tatters of her clothing, bulging muscles rippled as the Giant Folk stood to full height, a smattering of blood across her chin.
Twice Ptolla's size, she readied the icy spear. "I need to know- what is happening to me, Ancestor?" Without hesitation, the Giantess lunged, as Ptolla heard Malu's voice, calling from behind.
"Mother!" Bones grinded as the Giantess crushed Ptolla in her teeth, but not before the icy spear shot through the roof of its mouth. Releasing Ptolla in a wave of gore, the last thing Ptolla recalled was the Giant's eyes, and their haunting familiarity. Mother... Malu gathered Ptolla in her arms and carried her home.
Historical Impact & Significance
The early Folk Tribes were deeply impacted by the effects of Titanothage. When Folk exhibited early signs, they were exiled to the outlands, where they survived in their deteriorating condition. Those that survived formed the various Giant Folk- those connected to their Folk descendants.
Isolated Tribes of Proto-Humans also became Giants, though these never became Titans. They usually doubled their lifespans, but their brains never fully recover from the transformation. Together, these isolated Giants, along with Giant Folk mentorship, formed the later Giant Nations.
Of the susceptible Tribes, the Sijinn also contracted Titanothage, but their people didn't lose their memories. Instead, they became cold, tormented by their hunger. Myths surround the cruelty of Incarnates.
The Immortal Aelves, despite exposure to magic, never contracted Titanothage. Aelves don't age, therefore, the disease could never progress. This led to the discovery of Aelven blood as a remedial reagent for the cure.
Beasts and other creatures transformed by the Titanothage were storied as well, leaving behind their primal impression upon the land surrounding them, transforming the landscape to meet their needs. Such creatures were often avoided, their territories marked by travelers.
Myths & Cultural Relevance
Incarnates of the Elementals
Sijinn are outsiders to Pathon, appearing through Gates, opened by their chief Deity, Hoqon. Isolated on the continent, Onvrin, it wasn't until the Sijinn built the Ley Gates that they encountered other Cultures. It was in this meeting that the Sijinn contracted Titanothage.
Contaminated items caused Sijinn to grow, causing some to become Incarnates. Throughout History, the Incarnates appear with their loyalists, seeking to use their elemental powers for dominance. Titanothage is responsible for the various larger sizes of Elementals while Incarnates retain their former motivations.
Folk Lore & Giant Ancestry
Folks were related to former members of their Tribes through the Giant Folk bloodlines. Encounters with former Tribal members often resulted in conflicts.
Such is the case in numerous tales of Folk Lore. A reoccurring theme includes these challenges, displaying different attitudes towards Giant Folk.
Giant Slayers & Tamers
Proto-Humans and Folk often shared myths surrounding their Giant Slayers. The human portrayals often portray Giants as oafish, but this also reflects the dichotomy of the two groups- Giants and Giant Folk. Stories of Tamers became popular amongst both groups. For Folk, they saw behavioral change, but these stories often reflected the Giant's malice, in great tributes of food to their hunger. A local Giant or Giant Band was often a sign of famine, stress, or difficult times, but these stories offered Folk hope.
They called her Ptolla the Giant Slayer now- a title that was her burden. Only Malu understood the cost, standing by her mother’s side until the end, enduring with her, even on that fateful day. They had come to the Shadow Lands, where her fears were given form.
Snow crunched under Malu’s boots as she stepped forward. Ptolla stood, motionless, arms slack at her sides, muttering to the wind.
Malu's frozen tears stung her face. She reached out, voice cracking, "You have to go now, Mother." But she wasn’t ready to let go. "Please..."
Ptolla moved before she could say more, wrapping Malu in her arms. At first, Malu melted into the embrace she had longed for. But then, a tremor.
Ptolla’s body quivered, a shudder that ran deep, as muscles burst beneath her skin with unnatural strength. Malu stiffened. Her mother wasn’t letting go, as she sobbed, violent, gut-wrenchingly. Malu understood. Her words had awoken something now lost.
"Mother!" Malu gasped, writihing against the tightening grip. Together, their cries shattered the cold air. "Mother!"
Malu was breathless in her mother's arms. The pressure had her dancing on the verges of unconsciousness, but then, a release, and her breath returned as she hit the snow from the air above.
Ptolla, panting with her pain, muttered, "Don't leave me, alone... I need you..." she lumbered, her body unnaturally twisted, creaking, as Ptolla vanished behind a screen of sleet, leaving Malu gasping.
Once her breath returned, she sobbed. The pain her mother carried for years- watching her own mother leave to the moment Ptolla slain her mother- Malu now carried that weight in her thoughts. Will there come a day when I must do the same? Mother...
Larger than Life
Slaying the Wounded Giant
Diagnosis
Stage 1
- Gradual, slight growth
- Hair, nail, tooth growth
- Chitin, fur, or skin growth
- Gradual loss of memories
- Increased metabolic function
Stage 2
- Brain shrinkage
- Loss of identity
- Increased aggression
- Skeletal thickening
- Accelerated growth
Stage 3
- Brain growth
- Rabid appetite
- Loss of memories
- Light regeneration
- Growth stabilizes
- Isolation, aggression
Remedy
- Giant's Tooth
- Blood Amber
- Aelven Blood
Comments
Author's Notes
Having a bad day, so I'll come back to this, but just to get it out the door, here you go!
{07/15/24} I'd like to mention, that magic is contagious in the Pathon setting. Any use of a Growth or Shrink spell could infect a Caster with Titanothage. Note, the phrasing. Wild magic is something that Pathon & Arc Sagas will be exploring in the future!
**Update: 02/08/25** There have been some extensive updates to this Article since the last time I visited! The sections, flow, and narrative have all been revved up! I'll be back to eventually complete the "Cure" section! For now, I hope you enjoyed Ptolla the Giant Slayer!
MYTH X