Raving Charrs
The Raving Charrs is an illness caused by consuming poisonous blighted grains, often through low-quality flours.
Symptoms are quite severe, with moderately high chances of death or the development of Gangraena, resulting in amputation.
Possession is a further possible effect, which can be devastating for the individual's life if they are not treated in an embrace such as Mar. Owendolyn's Embrace of Penchester.
Symptoms are quite severe, with moderately high chances of death or the development of Gangraena, resulting in amputation.
Possession is a further possible effect, which can be devastating for the individual's life if they are not treated in an embrace such as Mar. Owendolyn's Embrace of Penchester.
Causes
Blighted grains have been identified as the source of this malady, identifiable as individual grains black or deep fuchsia in colour and often of different size then is typical of the type of grain.
It is believed that these blighted grains are highly toxic, resulting in a souring of the blood and therefore the impedance of natural bodily functions and an inversion in the rejuvination processes of the body.
The existence of these blighted grains as well as their bitterness has long been known, to some as a sign of cursed land, to others as nothing of consequence, but it is only recently that it has been identified as the cause of this malady.
It is not known why the grain-plants would develop such curious seeds that do not seed like a usual grain so easily catch fungal diseases.
Inspection in various laboratorea have shown these fairly common anomalies are in fact of an entirely different composition to the rest of the grain-plant and, even under sterile conditions, fail to germinate in soil.
ll known samples remaining inert or achieving almost miraculous rates of fungal infection of a unique species of fungus.
It has also been observed that the number of such grains increases over time, but repeated razing of fields, as traditionally done by high-quality farms, can reduce occurences of this odd seed down to undetectable levels.
The reason for this mechanism remains an enigma, with much speculation surrounding what possible, but unobserved, benefits this grain might bring to the plant bearing it.
A most popular hypothesis is that these grains develop when the plant feels a need to protect itself from wildlife, which would explain its toxicity as well as its tendency to disappear after multiple razings (since wildlife is less and less likely to survive such fires), but opponents of this idea argue that, since it's seeds are propagated by these animals, killing them would be counterproductive.
It is believed that these blighted grains are highly toxic, resulting in a souring of the blood and therefore the impedance of natural bodily functions and an inversion in the rejuvination processes of the body.
The existence of these blighted grains as well as their bitterness has long been known, to some as a sign of cursed land, to others as nothing of consequence, but it is only recently that it has been identified as the cause of this malady.
It is not known why the grain-plants would develop such curious seeds that do not seed like a usual grain so easily catch fungal diseases.
Inspection in various laboratorea have shown these fairly common anomalies are in fact of an entirely different composition to the rest of the grain-plant and, even under sterile conditions, fail to germinate in soil.
ll known samples remaining inert or achieving almost miraculous rates of fungal infection of a unique species of fungus.
It has also been observed that the number of such grains increases over time, but repeated razing of fields, as traditionally done by high-quality farms, can reduce occurences of this odd seed down to undetectable levels.
The reason for this mechanism remains an enigma, with much speculation surrounding what possible, but unobserved, benefits this grain might bring to the plant bearing it.
A most popular hypothesis is that these grains develop when the plant feels a need to protect itself from wildlife, which would explain its toxicity as well as its tendency to disappear after multiple razings (since wildlife is less and less likely to survive such fires), but opponents of this idea argue that, since it's seeds are propagated by these animals, killing them would be counterproductive.
Symptoms
Symptoms typically begin with painful, burning innards and excrement lacking in viscosity, as well as wooziness and a hammered skull.
This is followed at a later date by bursts of frantic flails and gestures, Malaruse, possession andGangraena.
Once these effects begin to manifest treatment is paramount, since the malady can no longer be prevented and one may only attempt to prepare the patient for a stable introduction into post-ailment life, should they survive.
This is followed at a later date by bursts of frantic flails and gestures, Malaruse, possession andGangraena.
Once these effects begin to manifest treatment is paramount, since the malady can no longer be prevented and one may only attempt to prepare the patient for a stable introduction into post-ailment life, should they survive.
Treatment
Currently there are no proven cures to this ailment apart from ensuring no further poison is ingest and supporting the body in diluting the poisons with its own humours.
Seven of sixteen cases result in death, and the malady can be contracted multiple times.
In cases where Gangraena develops there is little choice but to amputate the effected areas to prevent diseases, germinating in the dead limbs, from further souring the blood.
If the victim is not sent to an embrace is is likely that they will never fully recover from the malady, which can have drastic effects on the quality of life of the victim and those in their community.
Seven of sixteen cases result in death, and the malady can be contracted multiple times.
In cases where Gangraena develops there is little choice but to amputate the effected areas to prevent diseases, germinating in the dead limbs, from further souring the blood.
If the victim is not sent to an embrace is is likely that they will never fully recover from the malady, which can have drastic effects on the quality of life of the victim and those in their community.
Affected Groups
Luckily it appears that the disease is not transmissible between humans, but there is an insufficient supply of larger animals to examine transmission on a larger scale.
People of a less secure financial position as well as those living near swamps and the ocean seem more likely to contract the disease, though this may simply correspond to the disposition of the populace in these locations.
People of a less secure financial position as well as those living near swamps and the ocean seem more likely to contract the disease, though this may simply correspond to the disposition of the populace in these locations.
Prevention
Prevention of the ailment seems to be limited to not consuming the substance of cause, which means purchasing more expensive flours from farms that regularly raze their fields and lose much of their harvest in that manner, a practice that is fairly rare, especially in times of drought.
It is stipulated that there may be ways of neutralising the toxins in a cost-effective manner, but the nature of the precise substance in use is elusive and progress remains limited to conjecture.
It is stipulated that there may be ways of neutralising the toxins in a cost-effective manner, but the nature of the precise substance in use is elusive and progress remains limited to conjecture.
Cultural Reception
For many individuals the Raving Charrs is still a lurking fear in the back of their minds.
Many flour-mills reserve the right to burn any shipments containing blighted grains, which has lead to multiple incautious mills burning to smithereens from the highly flammable flour-dust.
Those who hand-grind flour or do not inspect the grain before thrashing it are more likely to suffer from the condition, which is why many believe milled flour to be healthier, driving flour prices up.
Children of farmers are often taught phrases such as "Barley bad when black as blood" or "Gray rye, grave's nigh" to act as a prudent reminder of the dangers of blighted grain.
Many flour-mills reserve the right to burn any shipments containing blighted grains, which has lead to multiple incautious mills burning to smithereens from the highly flammable flour-dust.
Those who hand-grind flour or do not inspect the grain before thrashing it are more likely to suffer from the condition, which is why many believe milled flour to be healthier, driving flour prices up.
Children of farmers are often taught phrases such as "Barley bad when black as blood" or "Gray rye, grave's nigh" to act as a prudent reminder of the dangers of blighted grain.
Origin
Natural
Cycle
Short-term
Rarity
Common
Great article! I love the way you've used the language to make it fit the setting and what people would know about medicine (with humours etc), same as you did in the embrace article. All the text really pulls me into the setting and the kind of mindset people would have. Content is great too, I like how you've explained the different theories. Only question I have is how easy it is to detect a corrupted grain if it's mix with normal grains? Seems like the onus should be with the farmer who bring their flour to the mill to make some selection before hand to get rid of the corrupted grains... Or would doing that take times and so drive up the price of the flour for example? I imagine people would have to be careful to whom they buy the flour and how much they trust them...
Thank you very much, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Due to the unique appearance of the blighted grains one can easily spot them among the seeds when looking out for them, but some farmers either work during the night or are in too much hurry to gather harvest before the next rain to check, and picking the bad seeds from the good is very tedious work that requires time and manpower. (They haven't figured out that the bad seeds float on brine yet.)