vampirism
Transmission & Vectors
The parasite originates from Zotz, a winged creature that makes its home in the many caves of Technē and the Mainland. The parasite spreads to humans when people, mainly miners, are bitten by an infected bat. The parasite makes its home inside of the host, starting from wherever the bite occurred. As the parasite grows it releases a toxin that causes bloodlust in the host, then moves to the area around their mouth so that when the host bites someone else they can infect a new victim with their spawn.
Causes
The parasite initially came into contact with the Zotz whose biology allows them to flush the parasite out of their system fairly quickly before it takes hold which leads to the still alive parasite ending up in their fecal matter and infecting the plants that herbivores feed on. Not all of the Zotz are able to resist the parasite and end up biting each other or other creatures.
Symptoms
The parasite is feeding off of the host, causing them to become literally drained. They will have to eat more in order to support both of them, and their appetite grows as the parasite grows and sends out signals to the host to activate a bloodlust. Over time the physical and mental changes become more and more evident with the host getting paler, experiencing an increase in headaches, and feeling terribly lethargic.
Those who freeze the parasite can get certain side effects like odd sleeping patterns, damage to the brain and mental health, and in extreme cases: red eyes.
Treatment
During the early stages of contracting the parasite, it can be killed by applying a special balm that is only easily available among Alietum healers.
The parasite can also be frozen, without harming the parasite or the host and not allowing either to grow. This is a very rare process that is kept under lock and key by the Alegashian government.
Prognosis
The parasite starts out as a minor inconvenience then starts to require more as it grows. First, it drives the host to feed off of the blood of others, then eventually starts to feed off of the host’s vital organs. Eventually, the host dies and they become truly dead, a husk being controlled by the parasite (which bites others to spread itself). Because completely killing the host is less fun plot-wise I have designed certain counters. Firstly, a way to kill the parasite if you’re able to treat the bite immediately. Second, managing to live as long as possible with the parasite (which is only a temporary solution),
Third, a way to use a type of dark art to freeze yourself. You don’t age or die, both you and the parasite are stuck. You’re in control but need to keep up the spell which requires one to have a skewed moral compass since it involves draining magic and blood from others. Lastly, a mixture of a genetic experiment/divine possession that allows you to survive the parasite (this option is very rare)
Sequela
As the host becomes more and more corrupted the condition becomes permanent. Once the parasite has started eating at the host's vital organs the results are almost always fatal. If the host survives long enough with an active parasite they will be driven to a bloodlust so strong that they end up biting and passing on the parasite through a reproductive substance that is attached to the host's canines and sinks into the new host.
Affected Groups
Because of the rate that the parasite hurts then kills its victim, most who contract it get it from a Zotz or from a locally affected human host. On rare occasions, the condition has been partially controlled and used in a targetted attack but this is very rare and usually requires intervention from nonvampires.
The condition is disproportionately found in poor rural areas that rely on the mountains for income through mining. Because of this not many city-folk are aware of the condition and little research has been done.
Hosts & Carriers
Besides the Zotz there are some plant or dung eating creatures that can come into contact with the parasite but they are often unable to bite or unreactive to the bloodlust so end up dying from the parasite or being hunted and infecting the hunter who eats the animal.
Prevention
Towns with known cases of vampirism are very taboo and heavily avoided. The lack of research on the vampire parasite means that various 'prevention methods' are more often than not ineffectual and based more on superstition. However certain ointments have proven useful in repelling the parasite. This method is not completely reliable but can decrease the risk factor. The most successful ointments are found near the Hedoni-Alietum border. The best way to avoid spreading vampirism is to treat it immediately and to avoid caves, both of which can be financially inconvenient.
Epidemiology
It takes several weeks for the parasite to reach the stage of reproduction which they do asexually.
History
Vampirism has been a problem for fantasies but is so on the down-low that records are mostly found in the form of legends which stretch the truth.
Cultural Reception
The condition is highly taboo and those with it are cast out and ostracized. However, in certain areas there is a mythos around a mystical strength that the condition can grant so certain individuals have sought it out before, thinking it to be spiritual and/or demonic rather than parasitic.
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