Curse of the Plane Eater

Transmission & Vectors

The curse is extremely contagious, transmitted through injury by the infected once they reach the third stage of infection and beyond. It can be recognized by the infection site becoming black, as well the the victim's teeth and nails, which grow into razor sharp fangs and claws.

Symptoms

Though extensive study is dangerous and tricky, due to how rapidly the curse can spread, the more distinct syptoms witnessed are as follows:
Stage 1 - The site of the infecting injury becomes red and inflamed, causing a great amount of discomfort when touched.
Stage 2 - Increased aggression, prone to bursts of rage. Frequent hunger is also noted.
Stage 3 - Forgetfulness of loved ones and events; reports of seeing said family as potential food. Loss of teeth and nails to grow in as long fangs and claws. Injury has become black and numb.
Stage 4 - Victim begins to peel off and eat their own skin, revealing a blackened hide underneath. Begins to hear voices in their mind, speaking of an "Old One."
Stage 5 - All sense of self is lost, as well as the ability to speak and withstand light. Infected becomes rabid with the frenzied desire to fill a bottomless hunger.
Stage 6 - Rarely seen, but specimens over three centuries old have displayed the ability to read minds and mimic humanoid voices, as a potential lure for prey.

Unique case, only noted in patient zero "Old One": He seems to have regained his ability to think and reason, and can control other infected. Still suffers from unending extreme starvation, no matter how much is consumed.
The time it takes from intial infection to final stage varies, but typically takes no longer then a fortnight.

Treatment

There is no cure, but some have used a special, deadly plant known as Final Embrace to slow down the progression. This has been shown to extend what is typically fourteen days of infection to a number of months. However, the rarity of this flower makes it an unlikely treatment.

Prognosis

Infection is a death sentence. There being no known cure, the maddening stages, rapid progression, and ultimate loss of self, many choose to end it early or leave their loved ones to get as far away as possible before the infection causes them to turn in those around them. Unfortunately it does not seem that an early death makes a difference, as the body will reanimate all the same, only quicker.

Prevention

Due to the extreme light sensitivity expressed by the infected, a simple torch is often enough to keep them at bay in the night. However you must be sure that your own shadow is not creating a path of darkness to you. It is also wise to keep in mind that some of these creatures have expressed the ability to read minds and mimic humanoid voices, attempting to lure victims out of the light's protection.

History

The Curse of the Plane Eater was entirely made through the magical meddling of a mage, desperate to save his city from an approaching doom. He was a paragon of transmutation magics, and had been attempting to create a creature who could challenge the wrath of a greedy evil god. He uncovered the existance of the Plane Eaters: shapeless, thoughtless creatures that exist within the veil between planes of existance, feeding off the excess energy of the divines and providing a balance of power so that these devine gods did not grow to powerful.
The archmage believed they could be the solution to his problem, but found that any sample he pulled through to the material plane would evaporate at the touch of light.
In the middle of the god's attack, the archmage pulled a large portion of the plane eaters through and bonded it with himself, hoping his form as a native to the plane, and intelligence would give the plane eater ability a sustainable form and the capability of thought. Unfortunately, the mage had not had the time needed to fully test this theory and assure its success in intent.
It did not go as he had planned.

Type

Viral

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Uncommon