Jester's Jest

9th of Oneiria, Year 635 ADA

By: Elandor Syne, Archmage of Zolirak

One of the strangest recorded cases of malady throughout Zolirak is the infamous disease known as Jester's Jest. During a harsh winter, a common plague spread swiftly across the kingdom, claiming lives in its wake. Yet, in a single hamlet, the disease failed to take hold. What seemed, at first, a blessing soon became a curse. While the villagers of Nymrien were spared the ravages of the plague, they were destined to suffer something extremelly different. Instead of fever or delirium, they were struck by the most peculiar affliction; uncontrollable fits of laughter. Their once peaceful village became filled with cackles and giggles at the most inopportune moments. Soon, even the most mundane events would spark waves of hysterical laughter, disrupting life for the villagers in ways no one could have predicted.

Symptoms

1. Early Stage

   At the onset, the affliction begins as an innocent tickle in the chest. This sensation quickly morphs into an unexplainable giggle at the slightest provocation- whether it’s a neighbor’s cheerful greeting or the sound of footsteps crunching in the snow. It’s almost as though the very air is full of jokes waiting to be laughed at. Victims of this early stage find themselves amused by things they would usually ignore, laughing for no particular reason at all.

2. Mid Stage

   As the disease progresses, the laughter intensifies, and suddenly it’s no longer just the occasional chuckle. It’s an all-consuming, uncontrollable howl of hilarity that can make even the most somber occasion feel like a comedy show. The urge to prank others becomes so strong that even the most serious of elves will find themselves tossing pies on unsuspecting heads or tying shoes together without a second thought. Logic? Gone. Decorum? Gone. The only thing that remains is an overwhelming desire to cause mischief; and to laugh about it.

3. Late Stage

   By now, the laughter is relentless. Victims may laugh for hours at a time, barely able to catch their breath as their sides ache. Conversations devolve into a cacophony of giggles and snorts, making communication almost impossible. And yet, the pranks continue. The afflicted might find themselves dressing in ridiculous costumes or painting their faces with absurdly exaggerated expressions. It’s as if the very act of pranking is now as important as breathing.

4. Final Stage

   As the laughter continues, physical exhaustion sets in. Victims are weak, dehydrated, and delirious, often falling into strange states of half-consciousness where they mix reality with absurd dreams. In these final stages, some patients claim to experience hallucinations of giant jesters or talking furniture- visions too bizarre to describe. The laughter persists for days on end, with no respite in sight, until eventually, a strange calm settles over the individual. If the victim has managed to endure this far, the affliction will finally fade and after what seems like an eternity, the laughter stops.

Spread of Jester's Jest

Despite its strange and uncontrollable nature, Jester’s Jest is a highly contagious affliction. The laughter spreads quickly when those already afflicted gather in close quarters. However, its reach is curiously limited to the village of Nymrien- those who leave the village remain unaffected, while the condition shows no signs of spreading beyond its borders. It is as though the disease is tied to the very land, or perhaps to something hidden within the village itself.

Attempts to contain it by quarantine proved futile, as the laughter spread uncontrollably even among those isolated from the afflicted. It was as if the disease thrived on chaos, growing stronger with each effort to keep it in check.

"I- I can't stop! Hahaha! I swapped the farmer's pitchfork with a giant spoon- HA! He tried to pick up hay with it! And I put salt in the village water! Imagine their faces when they tried to drink it! Hahahaha! Oh, I can’t breathe! I’m wearing my own boots as a hat! HA-HA-HA I’m supposed to be chopping firewood, but instead, I’m throwing pies in the snow! Oh, gods, please make it stop... Hahaha!"

— -an afflicted elf, former mayor of Nymrien

An elf afflicted by "Jester's Jest"

19th of Levaris, Year 635 ADA

by Elandor Syne, Archmage of Zolirak

I have examined Jester's Jest with great care, though its origins remain elusive. Several theories have emerged over the years, but none can explain its baffling nature with certainty.
One popular theory suggests that some arcane artifact, long lost to time, may be responsible for the affliction. There are those who believe the disease was triggered by the discovery of such an artifact, perhaps one tied to chaos or trickery. While the artifact’s existence remains unproven, many suspect its magic to be the source of the affliction’s erratic symptoms.
There are also whispers of a more sinister theory, that Jester’s Jest may have been a magical experiment gone wrong, perpetrated by a rogue mage or hidden cult. Though it remains a possibility, I have yet to encounter concrete evidence that supports such a dark and deliberate act.
One of the most peculiar aspects of Jester’s Jest is its unpredictable reappearance. Unlike typical diseases, this affliction does not follow a consistent cycle but has been known to resurface irregularly in Nymrien. This unpredictability has cast a shadow over the village, as the villagers live in constant fear that laughter or joy will trigger the disease once more. Over time, this fear has transformed Nymrien into a place where humor and merriment have become rare commodities, and the once-vibrant village is now gripped by an eerie silence, with its inhabitants too terrified to smile or laugh lest they bring about another outbreak.
As we continue to investigate, these theories remain unproven speculations. Only time will tell if we can uncover the true origin of Jester's Jest.

Afflicted at the final stages

Treatment & Cure

There is no known cure for Jester’s Jest. Healers and mystics have tried various remedies, from potions to rituals, but nothing has proven effective in halting the disease’s progression. The affliction simply runs its course, typically lasting around a week. Once the laughter reaches its peak and the victim’s body has been drained of its energy, the disease fades, leaving behind an exhausted, but oddly relieved, populace.

Interestingly enough, it has been reported that some afflicted individuals managed to end their ordeal by performing an utterly outrageous prank- something so bold, so ridiculous, that it shocked both the afflicted and the unaffected. These acts of absurdity seemed to reset the cycle of the disease, causing it to pass more swiftly, though this phenomenon is still a mystery.

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