Micotina
Micotina is a parasitic infection that only affects sentient felinoid species such as Laeonids and Tabaxi. It is caused by a small, wormlike parasite known as a micoworm, which attaches itself inside of the fur and under the skin of the felinoid and feeds. Over time, itching and burning will develop, great lesions can form, and fur will likely fall out from affected areas. If the host is lucky, that will be the extent of the parasitic infection.
In some cases, however, the micoworm subdivides and all its divisions make their way to the head of the infected individual. When laying their eggs into the scalp the larval parasite affect the blood vessels leading to and around the brain as well as the brain itself, causing hallucinations, paranoia, violent outbursts and eventually, madness and death.
In some cases, however, the micoworm subdivides and all its divisions make their way to the head of the infected individual. When laying their eggs into the scalp the larval parasite affect the blood vessels leading to and around the brain as well as the brain itself, causing hallucinations, paranoia, violent outbursts and eventually, madness and death.
Transmission & Vectors
The micoworms are transmitted from felinoid to felinoid only through direct touch. It is not believed the parasite can survive outside of a host, so an infected individual can only pass on the infection by directly touching fur to fur.
Typically, such social contact is rare outside of intimate situations but that isn't always the case. While Laeonids generally shun physical contact with each other outside of mating, Tabaxi use touch as a form of general greeting. Transmission and infection can carry a stigma in elements of Laeonids society, while the infection is met with great sympathy and care by the Tabaxi.
Contact between an infected and uninfected individual does not guarantee migration of the micoworm from one host to another, and even when there is a migration and infection is also not guaranteed. Sometimes the host will successfully reject the attempted infection, or on occasion the micoworm simply is not interested in the particular individual. It is believed a non-infecting worm eventually dies, ending that particular infection cycle with that individual.
Typically, such social contact is rare outside of intimate situations but that isn't always the case. While Laeonids generally shun physical contact with each other outside of mating, Tabaxi use touch as a form of general greeting. Transmission and infection can carry a stigma in elements of Laeonids society, while the infection is met with great sympathy and care by the Tabaxi.
Contact between an infected and uninfected individual does not guarantee migration of the micoworm from one host to another, and even when there is a migration and infection is also not guaranteed. Sometimes the host will successfully reject the attempted infection, or on occasion the micoworm simply is not interested in the particular individual. It is believed a non-infecting worm eventually dies, ending that particular infection cycle with that individual.
Causes
Micoworms are believed to have originated from domesticated and wild animals infectious parasites such as hookworms or tapeworms, and over time evolved to affect only felinoid populations.
While felinoids do not raise feline species as livestock or keep domestic felines as pets (Laeonids consider the action barbaric, and Tabaxi believe them to be holy, occasionally one will be introduced into a felinoid society as a sort of companion or "mascot." Some are even revered as agents of the divine. It is likely the micoworm came from one of these - harmless to the domestic, but very dangerous to their benefactors.
While felinoids do not raise feline species as livestock or keep domestic felines as pets (Laeonids consider the action barbaric, and Tabaxi believe them to be holy, occasionally one will be introduced into a felinoid society as a sort of companion or "mascot." Some are even revered as agents of the divine. It is likely the micoworm came from one of these - harmless to the domestic, but very dangerous to their benefactors.
Symptoms
Not every individual felinoid that contracts micotina will die, nor will each one go mad, lose their fur or even itch. In fact, only 25% of all infected hosts eventually die, usually the parasite will stop their progress for various reasons, either it itself dies naturally, it decides to leave the host, the body is able to naturally fight it off, or any of several other possible (fortunate) reasons. The host may also recover at any early-to-middle stage of the infection, although there have been no recorded recoveries once the micoworm eggs hatch in the head.
The first symptom is a random itching of the affected area within 1-2 days of infection. The micoworm has begun to burrow its way through the fur and into the felinoid's flesh.
2-3 days later, the itching will intensify into a burning sensation and pieces of fur will begin to shed. The exposed skin underneath will show bright red circular marks which grow as the infection spreads. While the micoworm lays eggs as a final act of its life cycle, it also has the ability to subdivide in order to cover more ground on a host individual. For the next week the worm will subdivide and re-subdivide, eventually affecting multiple areas on the host.
1-1/2 weeks after the initial infection, the micoworms will all make their way up the felinoid's body to the head, where they will then dig in around the skull. An intense burning sensation is felt and patches of fur on the head and mane are sloughed off in chunks. 1-2 days after the micoworms reach the head, they lay their eggs. which hatch in only a day. After laying the eggs, the mature worms die and wither away. There is a strange period of calm when the felinoid may feel they have beaten the infestation. That relief is quite temporary, as 1-2 days later the eggs hatch, burrow directly into the brain and surrounding blood vessels and gorge themselves.
The infected felinoid slowly loses their faculties until madness results. The decline is quick, and manifests itself in different ways depending on species, gender and even individual intelligence. Laeonids tend to get aggressive or experience wild swings of emotion - fear, anger, sadness, rage. Some even experience a euphoria so intense they actually can die laughing. Tabaxi seem to become paranoid or overly cautious, exhibiting symptoms of hyper awareness to small details and frightening hallucinations. They can also quickly lose their memories and eventually have no recollection of their loved ones, their lives, or their own names. Regardless of the circumstances, true madness and death come within a week of the eggs hatching.
The first symptom is a random itching of the affected area within 1-2 days of infection. The micoworm has begun to burrow its way through the fur and into the felinoid's flesh.
2-3 days later, the itching will intensify into a burning sensation and pieces of fur will begin to shed. The exposed skin underneath will show bright red circular marks which grow as the infection spreads. While the micoworm lays eggs as a final act of its life cycle, it also has the ability to subdivide in order to cover more ground on a host individual. For the next week the worm will subdivide and re-subdivide, eventually affecting multiple areas on the host.
1-1/2 weeks after the initial infection, the micoworms will all make their way up the felinoid's body to the head, where they will then dig in around the skull. An intense burning sensation is felt and patches of fur on the head and mane are sloughed off in chunks. 1-2 days after the micoworms reach the head, they lay their eggs. which hatch in only a day. After laying the eggs, the mature worms die and wither away. There is a strange period of calm when the felinoid may feel they have beaten the infestation. That relief is quite temporary, as 1-2 days later the eggs hatch, burrow directly into the brain and surrounding blood vessels and gorge themselves.
The infected felinoid slowly loses their faculties until madness results. The decline is quick, and manifests itself in different ways depending on species, gender and even individual intelligence. Laeonids tend to get aggressive or experience wild swings of emotion - fear, anger, sadness, rage. Some even experience a euphoria so intense they actually can die laughing. Tabaxi seem to become paranoid or overly cautious, exhibiting symptoms of hyper awareness to small details and frightening hallucinations. They can also quickly lose their memories and eventually have no recollection of their loved ones, their lives, or their own names. Regardless of the circumstances, true madness and death come within a week of the eggs hatching.
Treatment
To date there is no known treatment or cure for micoworms, although some clerical healers have had good results. In years past, many Laeonids and Tabaxi made the pilgrimage to Aerost and the healing power of The Great Pantheon Library which returned great outcomes.
Prognosis
When infected, a prognosis of madness and death is almost a consistently solid 25%. Of the remaining 75%, only half will usually lose their fur. Only 1% of the remaining infected individuals successfully rid their body of the parasites autonomously.
Affected Groups
Male and female felinoids are equally susceptible to infection by the micoworm, and body mass and general health or infirmity does not seem to afford any extra protection or vulnerability. Laeonids and Tabaxi are both equally likely to contract micotina with neither species showing any more susceptibility than the other. There is a curious protection given to younger felinoids that is unexplained. There have been no recorded cases of any Laeonid or Tabaxi becoming infected by the parasite and contracting micotina if they are less than 20% of their normal lifespan (15 cycles for Laeonids, 20 for Tabaxi). It is unknown why cubs never seem to attract the parasite, and further study is recommended.
There have been no recorded cases of micotina in non-felinoid species to date.
There have been no recorded cases of micotina in non-felinoid species to date.
Prevention
An infected individual is usually required by law to isolate themselves in either the Blaurbos Forest or the Morta Jungla for a number of days while they await the inevitable result of their infection. Supposedly this will prevent others from gaining the parasite, although this is not always the case.
Cultural Reception
The two main felinoid species treat infected individuals differently, depending on their cultural norms.
- Laeonids, due to the typical lack of transmission other than through mating rituals, tend to treat those infected as pariahs and unclean, transgressing against nature in some heinous way. If they survive their self-exile in the Blaurbos Forest and try to return to their homes they are often shunned, mocked and sometimes even attacked. While there are no actual laws addressing infections, at times both male and female Laeonids have been incarcerated or exiled. A male Laeonid missing parts of his fur or especially his mane is especially ostracized.
- Tabaxi view social touch with a more relaxed view, and consider an infection to be an occasion for solemn reflection and family healing. While they self-exile in the Morta Jungla, members of their family or friends may accompany them, keeping a careful distance, in order to look out for them and see to their needs. They consider this "social distancing" to be a caring substitute for their normal touching rituals. When a surviving Tabaxi returns to their dens, they are welcomed with open arms and even given special social status temporarily.
Type
Parasitic
Origin
Natural
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
Rarity
Extremely Rare
Comments