Tirzaan's Torment

Most of you probably know of this affliction, though it is quite possible that none of you know there is now a cure. That's right, what could before be cured only by divine intervention or extreme stroke of luck can now be survived by many people. As long as the cure is administered quickly, it is quite possible that no one will ever die of Tirzaan's Torment ever again.

Doctor Mattheus in a lecture to students

Transmission & Vectors

The virus is transmitted through bodily contact, though it does not always jump from one person to another. Mental state also appears to play a part, with those who are more easily depressed or prone to giving up more likely to contract it.

Causes

The disease is caused by contact with fallen Sylvar. It is especially present in the fallen Sylvar of Death, but it can be contracted from any of them

Symptoms

The affected party will begin to experience physical weakness and exhaustion, followed by growing extreme and continuous pain, a loss of motor functions, greying skin, depression, and apathy. The symptoms will worsen as time goes on, until the affected party becomes too exhausted to even breathe, at which point they will eventually die.

Treatment

The patient needs to be exposed to light and fresh air, coupled with periodic administrations of holy water and lightroot paste. The subject should also be kept awake and warm for as long as possible. Once the symptoms begin to subside it is important that the subject be allowed short periods of rest and sleep, but not too much lest they have a relapse. Treatment should be continued until the subject's mood drastically improves, at which point they should be allowed to sleep as much as they need. Holy water should continue to be administered as long as possible, until all symptoms have been absent for two weeks.

Prognosis

Until very recently, Tirzaan's Torment was most likely to end in a slow, agonizing death. With the recent experiments and discovered cure, the prognosis becomes much more hopeful, if the subject is taken to a knowledgable cleric as soon as possible. The longer the disease is allowed to fester, the more likely the patient is to die of exhaustion before the cure has time to take effect.

Sequela

Malnutrition and dehydration are common among affected patients, due to exhaustion and extreme pain. Raised heart rate and blood pressure are common among patients, leading to them being more likely to bleed out from smaller wounds. Headaches from being kept awake for extended periods of time are common in early stage patients, but those subside as the disease does and they are allowed more sleep. 
The patient can be prone to bouts of severe depression and apathy long after the disease has been cured.

Hosts & Carriers

Corrupted Sylvar

Prevention

Avoiding contact with corrupted Sylvar, avoiding affected parties, and keeping one's spirits up are the only known preventions. Amulets and magical protections against disease are only half successful, for this is a disease of the spirit as much as a disease of the body.

History

The first recorded cases occurred during the Epoch of Peril, where there was a large outbreak, due to the extended presence of many corrupted Sylvar and a generally depressing environment. Since the end of the Epoch, there have been no large scale outbreaks, though there are legends of entire communities that were wiped out by the disease.

Cultural Reception

Those afflicted with the disease have been historically avoided by most of the population, though they are viewed with pity and cared for as best as most communities can. With the invention of the cure, those afflicted are less likely to be avoided by close friends and family, and they are still viewed with pity and empathy by the general population who will help as much as they can without getting near the affected parties.

Type

Viral

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Uncommon