Dragon Madness

It is a common understanding among dragon kind that at some point in their long lives they, or someone they know, will fall spell to the "Dragon Madness". This disease causes a deterioration of the mind's faculties and most often will indirectly lead to the dragon's death. More common among male dragons, over 90% of all known cases of Dragon Madness occur in males.
In spite of the Dragon species' extremely detailed oral traditions, the origin of the mind disease remains unknown. Speculations have lead to theories that a curse was placed upon dragon kind in some ancient age or it is simply a complication of the species own celestial origins. Continued discussion of the cause of Dragon Madness is discouraged among dragon circles as the lack of information or recourse often results in depression.

Causes

Dragon Madness can develop naturally at any point in the dragon's life. The onset of the disease is slow, usually taking two to five to fully develop.
It has been exhibited that Dragon Madness can be triggered suddenly by external magic sources, such as from Hags or Demons.

Symptoms

Beginning with fevers, headaches, and rashes located on or near the nape, early symptoms can also be accompanied with sporadic memory loss. Over the course of the disease the sufferer will begin to show increased appetites and often violent tempers (especially to non-draconic races).
Late stage Dragon Madness sufferers can show symptoms including loss of balance, inability to fly, and total or partial loss of speech.

Treatment

No cure for Dragon Madness has been found despite millennia of search. Any treatments available to sufferers is limited to lifting the severity of the symptoms such as fever reducers or pain relievers.

Prognosis

While typically not the direct cause of death, those who suffer from Dragon Madness have a projection for death within ten years. Dragons with the illness who live alone outside of supportive communities will most likely cause ire among other nearby races who will liken the actions of the dragon to malevolence. If supported, the dragon may survive until the disease causes the patient's bodily functions to cease.
The disease progression is different for everyone.

Epidemiology

The disease cannot transmit directly from dragon to dragon through touch or elongated exposure. The only known way to spread the disease from a patient to healthy dragon is through the consumption of the ill's meat or brain. It is possible such transference may occur if a diseased ill dragon decomposes into a body of water that serves as a source for a community of dragons, that water source will become contaminated permanently.

History

In 812 ER, it is believed a coven of witches placed a hex upon the late King Grekor Dracosbane, a dragon who ruled over Rosara under the disguise of a human, that induced an early onset of Dragon Madness. Over a number of weeks the King's temperament devolved into a constant fury causing upset or concern among his unaware advisers and citizens. Suffereing from high fevers and constant headaches, the King finally lost control and attempted to kill Karladron Hart, Ambrose François, and Chrysanthemum Ostander revealing himself as a dragon. The group killed the King in defence.
The late King's sister, Aeldrenda, had his body cremated in the mountains north of Rosara to prevent the potential spread to herself or the King's Daughter, Rosalin Dracosbane.

"Isn't there anything I can do? Something? Anything?" Tauli wailed. "I'm sorry little one. We cannot help him now." Kiitta said, though even she could not conceal the pain in her voice. Together they watched on in tears as their brother thrashed upon the cliff below."

Type

Mental

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Rare

Affected Species

• Dragons