Kadelence

A vicious parasite that horribly disfigures people.

Transmission & Vectors

This parasite is transmitted through consumption of contaminated food. The foods that can be contaminated are mostly meats, specifically giant spider meat.

Causes

All Giant spiders host the parasite normally, though for them Kadelence is to there benefit, as it allows them to survive being as large as they are.

Symptoms

When the parasite enters the system of a creature that isn't already over 8 feet tall, their face and limbs will begin to contort and stretch to grow up to that size. The face almost always stretches out too much, to the point where there is more flesh then skull, often having big droopy faces and actual face flaps all around them.

Treatment

Bloodletting often shrinks the face, and actually surgically removing the parasite will stop the effects. The elongated limbs require magic to be reset back to normal.

Prognosis

Usually, the victim will suffer a heart attack , or their hearts will be ripped open, dying after about 1 year if they never remove the parasite, as their heart and ribs will eventually grow into each other and effectively either suffocate the heart, or the ribs will pierce the heart's walls, and kill the host.

Prevention

Not eating Giant spider meat is a very good way of avoiding Kadelence. Otherwise, cooking spider meat kills the parasite.

History

Kadelence was discovered by the researcher of the same name, Kadelence Horoscop, who was researching giant spiders in the underdark.

Cultural Reception

Some Drow utilize this parasite as a form of Execution, where they leave a prisoner in their cell with the only food being raw giant spider meat. Once the meat is eaten, the prisoner is exiled from the city, usually dyeing from something from the underdark. Duergar also utilize the Kadelence for some executions, though it's usage has been mostly fazed out in favor of crushing the prisoner. Myconids are integral for most people to survive the parasite, as they can easily remove it from their body, and drain the excess blood and bodily fluids from their bodies.

Type

Parasitic

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Congenital

Rarity

Rare