Sponge Blood

In the past several months a new and unknown disease has begun to creep its way into the lives of the inhabitants of Asayahbat. Known primarily as Sponge Blood, The Red Vein, or Stiffjoint, this disease is causing horrific symptoms, and without proper treatment taking the lives of many of the citizens. The afflicted, and those most likely to see fatal consequences, are of the poorer class. The doctors and medical practitioners of the region quickly found a temporary treatment in the form of Blunsaire root extract. However, the treatment is expensive, rare, and heavily fought over due to Blunsaire root being found in moist environments such as desert oases, or humid underground caverns.

Transmission & Vectors

It is not widely known how Sponge Blood is contracted. Some practitioners have surmised that it was brought in through infected food in the port of entry. Others believe that it is spread through bodily fluids or infected blood. There is still even a smaller amount that believes it is a plague brought on by the dissatisfaction of Lachmarum (Daemoth) to punish those who have not listened to his will.

Treatment

The only currently known treatment is a boiled extract from the Blunsaire root. This wood-like hardened root only grows from cragly rock or hard sand in areas with ample moisture - making it very difficult to acquire in the region. Adventurous foragers have begun to make a living in traveling out into the deserts, or underground chasms to harvest it. However, the demand and threat of possessing such a sought after treatment has made managing the distribution rather difficult. The Ta-jubal Family has funded and is looking out for the wealthy class but the poorer infected, if they can afford it at all, are having to deal with black market vendors such as the gangs from Thirty Keys.

Prognosis

• Early on, the infected experience a strong metallic taste in the mouth as well as pain and swelling in the inner ears.
• 1-10 days after experiencing the above, victims begin to feel stiffness in the joints and muscles, particularly around the hips, knees, and shoulders - making it painful to move comfortably.
• 11-20 days after infection if not treated the subject will begin to experience bleeding from ears and locked muscles. This period of time is often accompanied with bloody seepage from any swollen orifices.
• 21-30 days after infection, the infected will lose control of their outer extremities, often requiring amputation as the blood in all of the vessels solidifies into a porous sponge-like material. Treatment at this stage is only partially successful.
• 31-50 days. The remainder of the blood in the infected body solidifies, resulting in death. The corpses that have been autopsied have revealed all of the blood having become stiffened, unable to flow, and with a porous and granular texture.

Prevention

As the rise of this horrific virus is relatively new to the region there are currently no known preventative measures.  Many of the local physicians, clerics, and doctors are seeking resources to discover preventative measures, but are not getting adequate support from the oligarchy.

Type

Viral