Ogreism
Ogreism, also known simply as the Ogre Curse or sometimes the "red curse," is a magical affliction which can affect all the sentient races of Ferlausen except kobolds and dragonborn. The disease transforms an afflicted individual into an enormous, hulking monster with an uncommonly large head, a lion-like mane, prodigious strength, and an insatiable appetite for the flesh of intelligent species. Ogres, as the afflicted are called, often terrify the countryside, devouring whole villages down to the last man, woman, and child.
Current theory holds that the original origin of ogreism is not, as was once believed, an ancient curse, but rather, comes from a mutation of the same magical effect that once caused the scales of dragons, dragonborn, and kobolds to change in color to reflect their personalities. The red and black scale conditions, representing greed and cruelty respectively, somehow transferred from the draconic species to one of the mammalian species (most likely humans), and from there to crowfolk and goblinoids. It is unknown whether this mutation and transmission occurred naturally, or was in some way magically altered to cause the effects now observed.
Transmission & Vectors
Ogreism is believed to be passed on via bodily fluids, including blood, saliva, urine, semen, vaginal secretions, and the like. Individuals may be latent carriers of ogreism without displaying any symptoms, and it is known that ogreism may be passed through the womb in mammalian species. Females affected by or carrying ogreism will produce children that are also carriers of the disease; however, no child is born an ogre.
Causes
The ogre transformation occurs when a latent carrier of the disease becomes too greedy or cruel, resulting in a rapid, all-encompassing transformation of the physical body. The specific point at which an individual's greed or cruelty becomes "too much" is a hotly debated subject; however, scholars of the disease have noticed that it most often affects members of the nobility, those with military command, and jailers, so some form of authority appears to be a significant factor in the transformation.
It is currently believed that the disease can lie dormant for a carrier's entire life without manifesting symptoms, provided they do not become too greedy or cruel; thus, the affliction is entirely preventable. Unfortunately, as the specific line to cross is unknown (and possibly unquantifiable), this is perhaps more difficult than one might expect.
Symptoms
The most notable and obvious symptoms are the physical changes affecting the body. An afflicted individual may grow up to three times their original height over the span of a few hours, with their head swelling up to ten times its original size and appearing disproportionately large on their shoulders. Thick hair sprouts from their head, face, neck and shoulders for all races except crowfolk; for crowfolk, the hair is replaced with unusually long feathers like the tail of a rooster. Ogres also develop extraordinarily strong muscles, which allow an ogre to carry up to four times their bodyweight.
Another, less physically obvious symptom of ogreism is an insatiable appetite for flesh, particularly the flesh of their own race. Ogres are voraciously hungry, and their appetite is never satisfied until they have eaten a member of their own race. Even then, they are only satiated for a day or so before the hunger takes them again.
Treatment
There is no known cure for ogreism, although various scholars have proposed ethics training, counseling, or religious instruction as potential cures. These proposed treatments have not yet been successful. However, it is believed that if an ogre could find compassion and generosity in their heart, they would transform back into their original self.
Prognosis
Ogreism is not fatal to the afflicted individual; in fact, ogres may live quite long lives after their transformation. Unfortunately, as ogres only feel satiated after performing acts of cannibalism, ogreism is quite fatal to people living in the surrounding countryside, and more often than not, villages will band together or hire mercenaries to slay the ogre. A powerful ogre is quite a difficult creature to kill, however, and some communities will simply put up with an ogre among them, especially if the ogre was a member of the ruling class prior to their transformation.
Prevention
Ogreism can be prevented simply by having a kind and generous heart, as the transformation is triggered by extreme cruelty and greed. Indeed, it is speculated that many people go through life without even knowing they are carriers of the condition.
Cultural Reception
Ogres are extraordinarily powerful beings, and are greatly feared by the general populace. Many communities will ostracize and drive out an ogre, for fear of being devoured. However, as ogres are often members of the ruling class or have some other measure of authority, they are sometimes tolerated or treated with reverence and awe.
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