Metal Man Syndrome

"You're a metal man!"

"Yeah, kid. I'm one of those people."

— Eleni Vallakis and the Mechanical Man

Metal Man sydrome is a condition characterised by the metallic skin of people affected with it. The condition affects Humans, Elves and Fey, but people with certain powers have a higher risk of getting the disease.

Causes

Metal Man syndrome is caused by a strong allergic reaction to the fur of Magma and Terra Alotaqa. Usually, the reaction happens when a Alotaqa's fur mimics their element and a person comes in contact with it.

Symptoms

Phase 1

The first symptoms usually include insatiable metal cravings and a hot stomach. People may suffer indigestion and headaches, as well as fatigue due to their iron levels being low. These symptoms can usually be cured by potions and medicines that relieve any pain. Whatever the cause of fatigue, loved ones must avoid giving the affected people any metal to eat or drink, because it will exarberate the symptoms and accelerate the disease.

Phase 2

Symptoms in the second phase usually occur when treatment for the first phase fails to work, or the symptoms aren't noticed by the affected person. In this phase, people develop silver rashes on the skin, which are visible indicators that the person has Metal Man syndrome. These rashes usually feel cool to touch, and quite smooth. People with Mechano, Ferro or Terra may start coughing or vomiting molten lava, and their powers may malfunction. Other symptoms include frequent premonitions, which are visions of the future, and addictions to consuming metallic objects.

Phase 3

Once symptoms move to phase 3, then the affected people have few options left, as the condition is irreversible. The cool, metallic rashes will have spread to the whole body by this point, leaving very little bare skin left. Usually, their skin is bronze, but can be any colour. The colours of a person's skin depend on the metals they have been consuming. The person will usually be stiff for many days, or experience muscular aches if they can still move. If a person becomes stiff, then they usually turn into a metallic statue.

Treatment

In the first two stages, the condition can be halted by a visit to a specialist doctor. While these symptoms can be severe, most of them are still treatable. To stop the spread of the cool rashes, people should apply a special cream until they can see a doctor. However, people must be warned that while the condition has halted, it can still come back, as it is an allergic reaction.
When symptoms reach the third stage, doctors will quickly advise the following: either the person gets into their last pose before bronzification, or the person tries to manipulate the metal in their body. The first option is seen as the humane option, where a person essentially has their last moments with their loved ones.
The second option is usually quite hard to do, as the entire body and internal organs have turned to metal. It involves making the metal in the body more malleable, so the person can move their muscles again. This is a lifelong process, and the person often cannot use their powers for anything else, becuase it takes up too much energy to use. People who are successful are usually called bronzed people, or "metal men", and have regular checkups to check their progress.

Post-Bronzification

If a person successfully bends the metal in their body, then after a few weeks, the most painful symptoms disappear. However, metal cravings and premonitions are usually permanent. If the metallic person has children, then their children will also be metallic, although they'll only have premonitions, metal cravings and may vomit lava.

Cultural Reception

After the epidemic in southern Veloras, people avoided the affected people, calling them the derogatory term "metal man" or "metal woman". The general public thought it was infectious, but there is no evidence to prove this.

AKA

Volcano sydrome, Bronze syndrome

Type

Physiological

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Rare

Risk Factors

People with the powers of Mechano, Ferro or Terra have a higher risk of getting Metal Man syndrome. If someone has a family history of the condition, they are also much more likely to get this condition. People who work with metals daily are also have a higher risk of getting the condition, because Magma and Terra Alotaqa love metals.

Prevention

After the epidemic of "metal men" many years ago, it is now a requirement to test every child, at least 2 years after they are born, for any allergies to Alotaqa fur. This is so better medicines and treatments can be developed for a wider range of people.