Ambience Corrosion
Nuon-poisoning is a condition resulting from physical exposure to reorientation. The severity depends on the duration of exposure, passivity level (or lack thereof) and ambience. In essence, the afflicted person undergo a transformation into an intangible, glowing entity that bears similarity to Light Ghosts, though whether light ghosts are the result of nuon-poisoning is unproven but likely.
Causes
Nuon-poisoning occurs when the body is unable to cope with rapid changes to reality and loses connection to the physical world. Age is a contributing factor as statistically children and adolescents are more resistant to nuon-poisoning than adults.
Symptoms
Within the first minute of exposure, the patient will begin to feel lightheaded and experience auditory and/or visual hallucinations, often featuring dead loved ones. Then, the patient's irises will rip, followed by momentary blindness and numbness in limbs. At this point, if they are not removed from the vicinity immediately, the patient is considered dead. They will rapidly lose coherence and emit white light from their entire body, which would by then be intangible. Pulses of coloured light may be seen if the person has higher degrees of affinity, but within half an hour of entering this stage, the patient will disappear, seemingly collapsing into a pinpoint of light. It is uncertain how long the person is conscious for and whether they retain any of their memories after transformation.
If the patient is moved before the critical stage, they will resist with abnormal strength from the sudden release of adrenaline, reports describing 'an inhuman wrath'. Additionally, they will experience increasingly vivid hallucinations and may enter a coma. If the patient wakes, they are likely to suffer from amnesia and mental issues. They will often have trouble speaking.
Treatment
Nuon-poisoning can occur from even the smallest exposure, usually due to vulnerabilities in protective clothing made of Kachasān which requires constant maintenance. A single finger may be exposed and the poisoning will spread from finger to knuckle to hand to arm until the entire body is affected. The only way to halt the spread is by amputating the affected limb, but this is not always effective. If the entire body is exposed, it is imperative to remove the patient from the influence of the reorientation, which is at least 10 metres. It is impossible to treat body parts that have partaken in the transformation as it is simply untouchable.
Prognosis
The condition seems to create Light Ghosts due to visual similarities between them and the victims of nuon-poisoning. Even if this is the case, it is uncertain if they can be considered "alive" and if they can remember their previous identity. The lifespan of Light Ghosts is equally nebulous as they are, where we currently stand, impossible to track.
Affected Groups
It is possible for anyone to suffer from nuon-poisoning, but certain conditions make it more likely. For example, old age, weak health, and low or no passivity. Certain environmental factors can contribute, such as high ambience.
Prevention
Protective equipment including:
- Hazmats and other forms of protective clothing made of Kachasān need to fully cover the body.
- Orbs of Iridium are often worn as amulets. The effectiveness of these is questionable, although they do have orientating properties.
- Items made of Sandiye can generate a small field to protect from nuon-poisoning, the size of which depends on the quality of the sandiye used.
Epidemiology
Nuon-poisoning is most common during Lightstorms and consequently in areas closest to the poles, but it is also frequent in factories manufacturing Grounding Blades, other sandiye-based products, and equipment powered by affinitive potential (see: Weapons of Mass Destruction).
Cultural Reception
Nuon-poisoning is seen in many cultures as a curse. Many myths describe how it is a punishment for humanity's sins. Some cults believe that it is a way of ascending to higher planes of existence, leading to mass suicides (if, of course, they actually die). Survivors are treated with respect and even feared, especially since many are traumatised or suffer from mental issues such as difficulty in speaking.
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