Corpus
Corpus, or the The Shrieking Death , is an extremely viral and dangerous disease, degrading its victims bones and skin until they turn into dust. The last large outbreak decimated the Gold Coast and was partly responsible for the persecution of magic users by the Andorian Church.
While Smaller outbreaks have been reported, they usually happen in remote locations and the local population is decimated before being able to spread the disease to other communities. One concerning incident happened in Sesan in 1050 when an explorer returned from a sealed tomb near the city. The outbreak was so intense an entire district of the city was needed to be closed off and its inhabitants left to die.
While Smaller outbreaks have been reported, they usually happen in remote locations and the local population is decimated before being able to spread the disease to other communities. One concerning incident happened in Sesan in 1050 when an explorer returned from a sealed tomb near the city. The outbreak was so intense an entire district of the city was needed to be closed off and its inhabitants left to die.
Transmission & Vectors
Even being 6 feet away from an ill person, or the remains of a deceased one, for more then a few minutes is enough to infect someone with Corpus.
Symptoms
While at first a victims may appear to be fine, 1 or 2 days after contraction their skin begins to blacken around their hands, this is accompanied with intense pain as the bone marrow start to degrade and waste away, living the bones hollow and brittle. The pain is so intense it may leave the victim unable to do anything but scream, leading the common folk to call the disease the Shrieking Death.
Treatment
No known treatment exist for Corpus. Some cases report intervention of a Wish spell or some divine intervention on a similar scale may lift the affliction.
Prognosis
After another day or two the bones start to waste away and crumble in such a fast rate that victims reported hearing their own bones and skin break. The infected person loses all motor capabilities and the blackness of their skin may cover the entire body at this stage.
Up to 6 days after the initial infection the patient bones crumble into dust inside their own body. If the victim haven't died from shock, infection or internal bleeding already they quickly succumb as their internal organs are left with no support while their skin slowly disintegrate, living their internals exposed. The remains that are left are extremely infectious.
Sequela
Over the course of a day, the body crumbles into very fine dust particles, infecting anyone who inhales even a small amount.
Hosts & Carriers
Despite all undead creatures are immune to its effects some may still carry the disease, and spread it once it encounters a susceptible host.
A
This plague is terrifying. I love it. Interesting game mechanic too that you can still survive it somehow, but I suppose that adventuring life is over since, well, having your bone turned to dust is usually a life sentence to farming, or bookshops.
You are welcome to explore Nimenra, a world in conflict between Humans and Demons.
My summer camp articles and half-finished pledge document: Summer Camp 2022