Wendignosis

Wendignosis is a supposed condition that is specific only to Gnolls, wherein an afflicted individual will typically behave "in a matter that is, for all intents and purposes, and put very lightly, highly uncivilized" (Maximalian Rylien, The Clear-Cut Line).

Transmission & Vectors

Though the condition is strictly psychological, many falsely believe that wendignosis is an affliction that can spread easily between gnolls. With this belief, many will refrain from any physical or social contact with an alleged patient, which may further exacerbate the condition's effects.

Causes

Wendignosis is mostly a social-based condition, overwhelmingly affected by the individual's sense of belonging to urban or civilized environments. Those afflicted often feel a disconnect or rebellion between themselves and other civilians, often with accompanying instincts to lash out or run off.

Symptoms

"Civilians are currently warned to avoid any individuals, especially gnolls, with the following symptoms:

• Irritability or increased aggression
• Odd cravings
• Very sudden mood swings
• Continuous tiredness

If these symptoms persist, consult your local doctor, shaman, wiseman, or city guard immediately."
-Tylotian Empire Bulletin: Wendignosis and You

Treatment

Modern treatment of wendignosis in locations such as the Tylotian Empire include alchemical cocktail therapy, lecturing by an empire official, excommunication, or if the former two fail, compulsory military service. This occurs in 28C, more commonly known as the 28th Caucus, which specializes in missions and operations against the Bitterfangs.
Simple conversation or inclusion are the most effective methods of "curing" wendignosis, though the condition does have the capacity to simply leave on its own for some individuals. Physiological cures are of limited effectiveness, often accomplishing the opposite task of further progressing wendignosis.

Prognosis

A withdrawn individual will typically undergo the growth of wendignosis much faster than one who is socially comfortable. What starts out as a perception of loneliness and misunderstanding among peers grows along a path towards self-driven isolation and negative thoughts, manifesting in multiple physiological symptoms. Further progression will drive the afflicted towards acts that veer from the cornerstone of civility, such as abandonment, open antagonism, consuming raw meat, or actions that inflict physical harm. The consumption of raw meat, in some specific cases rumored to be cannibalistic, gives wendignosis its name.

Sequela

Those in the later stages of wendignosis often end up either running off to join the Bitterfangs or executed by a governing body under the accusation of treason, or suspicion or accomplishment of a violent crime. Recovery to a level of civility fit for most societies is unheard of.

Prevention

Wendignosis is a condition that may affect any gnolls, no matter their age, sex, or lifestyle. Therefore, the best method to prevent this is to make sure that all individuals, or any suspected ones, be comfortable in their community. Unfortunately, this is not often heeded in a real scenario, and so the above methods of treatment must be referred to instead.

Epidemiology

Wendignosis will often spread among outcasts who share the same feeling of isolation from the rest of community, though it more often manifests naturally in civilized environments.

History

The most infamous case, and the origin of this disease, can trace its roots back to the earliest days of the Cataclysm. As a large portion of gnoll packs began to grow more intelligent and developed a thirst for knowledge, some either stayed rooted in their pillaging or bloodthirsty ways, with a fraction becoming even more devoted to these habits.

Cultural Reception

In socities like the Tylotian Empire, wendignosis is a deeply feared disease that threatens to undo the civilization they and their ancestors sacrificed so much to achieve. As such, most citizens will avoid those suspected to be afflicted with wendignosis as if it were a genuine plague.
Most Bitterfangs, often immediately tagged to be victims of the condition, embrace themselves with it, typically using the label as a method to strike fear into the more upstanding and civilized gnolls. They happily take in any other victims, happy to simply have more numbers, as well as anyone who has turned their back to high society and towards their innate, more savage roots.

Above: An individual believed to be affected by wendignosis. It should be noted that this image has also been used for multiple pieces of propaganda in the Tylotian Empire against the Bitterfangs.

Type

Neurological

Origin

Mutated

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Uncommon

Affected Species

• Gnolls