Sannsarth (Rocksblood)

Sannsarth, or Rocksblood in the common tongue, is a condition that affects orcs when they reach the end of their lifespans. The orc sees tiny bumps appear in a line or formation that appears to be like a design. These bumps are hard to the touch and are extremely painful as they stretch the skin and grate against tissue. They do not form one at a time, but rather over night in groups of five or more.

Not a Disease

Originally thought of as a disease, it has been found over the centuries to be a condition brought on by battle wounds and is not contagious by any means. Even touch or blood contact is not able to transfer this affliction.

Causes

When some orcs age, their wounds they have taken in the past come back to haunt them. None of the Shamans really know what causes Sannsarth, but this one common denominator has been a reoccurring factor. There is some speculation that tiny bone fragments left behind from injuries slowly get absorbed into the blood stream and form some sort of calcified deposits. These do not happen to every orc, but enough of them that have scars have developed the condition have led to this track of thought

Symptoms

The Orc develops tiny bumps of hardened calcified blood under it's skin. These are extremely painful and tend to form in odd patterns that almost look deliberate. they can appear anywhere that the orc had scars, often times right over the wounds.

Treatment

Cutting them out seems like the only thing that has worked, yet with as many as twenty at a time, the procedure can be dangerous to the orc. Heat has been attempted in the nation of Kair and had mild success, yet other shaman's do not lend this any credence.

Prognosis

The long term outcome has only been seen twice, in which the orc has refused treatment. In those two cases the orc has developed the bumps over 90% of their body and one went insane from the pain. The other one ended up taking his own life.

Affected Groups

This condition seems to only affect orcs as they progress though old age. The youngest orc affected has been 60.

Prevention

There seems to be no form of prevention and it only onsets as the orc ages.

by Jared S Martinez

Type

Physiological

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Unique

Affected Species

• Orcs