Witless

There is no greater horror than to see a family member go Witless. They won't recognize you. They won't stop fighting. Worst of all, they won't have mercy.

Barith Elakor - Master Clawstopper

Becoming Witless

is most likely the worst nightmare a dragon or gryphon could have. Afflicted creatures undergo a mental destabilization that reverts their level of intelligence to one of a mere animal. Not much is known about this disease other than it is very commonly found amongst Wild dragons and Hybrids living solitary or nomadic lifestyle.
It is unknown the specific ways one may contract Witlessness out of being lonesome but it has been documented that body fluids of an afflicted individual may infect a healthy one. Cases where Dragons and Gryphons were infected either by fighting against or being raped by a witless being are well documented.

Transmission & Vectors

Body fluids - Blood or sexual contact - are the only known and documented way of how Witlessness can be contracted.

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Young individuals are immune to it, only once they reach adulthood can an individual be infected.

Symptoms

Early symptoms: Nervousness, itchiness, constant irritation and jumpiness. Occurs within 2-5 days of contracting the disease
Fully developed Witlessness: Feral behavior. Inability to form coherent thoughts. Blank eyes, nearly pupil-less. Complete amnesia - no recollection of past life experiences. Heightened aggression towards non-infected individuals, heightened sexual activity as a result of the loss of inhibition. Occurs within 14-30 days of contracting the disease

Treatment

Fully infected - With time and effort, an individual may be tamed down but most attempts to do so ended up with more individuals getting infected so it is generally easier to put them down instead.
Immunity to the disease is also documented but is fairly rare. The only Draconic species immune to Witlessness are Water dragons whose blood also may be used to cure early stages of this disease.
Early infection - it is believed that drinking a small amount of blood of an immune individual can help one resist the effects of Witlessness should he/she be subjected to it in time, but the effectiveness of this serum loses its strength the longer the period between infection and drinking the immune blood. It is also near-impossible to find out who is immune without risking infection.

Prognosis

This disease is constantly spreading and individuals afflicted by it seem to be growing in numbers with each generation. As a result of the loss of inhibition, Witless beings breed faster and more often than healthy individuals and entire colonies of these dragons exist scattered across the Continent of Midrast Wain.
Currently, no catastrophically large infestation is expected in the next decades but should an infected individual be found, it is to be killed as safely and quickly as possible.
The relentless savagery and aggression of Witless individuals is also a small blessing in disguise, as more often than not, Witless beings tend to also fight amongst each other. If all Witless beings were to unite and head in any direction, there would be no force strong enough to oppose them. Thankfully, due to their feral nature, this is likely never going to happen

Sequela

It is believed that individuals surviving under Witlessness for years or even tens of years eventually grow in size and strength, even to what is beyond the norm for its species. However, the same hormones that spur growth in infected individuals also seem to quicken its metabolism and shorten its lifespan considerably.

Hosts & Carriers

It is estimated that once an individual becomes infected with Witlessness, their body fluids can transmit the disease to others in about 15 days.

Prevention

The best prevention is to refrain from prolonged isolation, avoid areas known to be frequented by Witless creatures and travel long distances accompanied by several individuals for protection.

Epidemiology

A vast amount of Wild dragons are already under the influence of Witlessness. Hatchlings or gryphlets are born free of the disease, however, they are extremely likely to contract it as soon as they reach early adulthood.

History

It is believed that Witlessness has resurfaced as a sickness only in the recent documented history. At about 500 AA are the first recorded mentions of it and ever since then, despite best efforts to cull and eradicate it, the condition has always returned back until at last at around 570 AA the amount of individuals carrying this disease could no longer be accurately counted.
Around 700 AA is when Gryphon populations started to decline as a result of Witless infestations driving surviving tribes away from their natural homes or even infecting or slaughtering those that tried to defend themselves.
800 AA is when there were more Wild dragons infected than those healthy and steps amongst the survivors to establish tribes and patrols as a means of protection their homeland in Midlands
850 AA is when Gryphons became endangered. Only the strongest and biggest tribes exist nowadays but aside from Witless beings, healthy Dragons are also threatening their survival.

Cultural Reception

The universal reception is that of panic and fear. Should a Witless individual be sighted, it is quickly relayed to the nearest Clawstoppers or Tribe Leader who in turn organizes a hunt in order to slay such an individual to prevent an outbreak of disease.

Type

Mental

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Common

Affected Species

• Gryphons
• Dragons