Two O Eight
The number 208 has always been known to be magical, even if most species do not know or understand how it is so. Therefore it was not a surprise when the focus of it became a disease - perhaps more surprising was how long it took to arise. For those afflicted by two o eight, their lives become the number, in whatever way they can manage.
While known as a tyrros disease, it has not been disproved that other species might also fall prey to this illness. Therefore, despite its rarity, all species outside of the rï’imi are wary of those who speak too often of the number 208.
Transmission & Vectors
The true matter of transmission is unknown, but there are several theories on the subject. Particular rï’imi are carriers and simply being in proximity to a sensitive tyyros will transmit the two o eight to them. As not many instances have been recorded, it is unknown if one tyyros can transmit it to another.
And proximity is the truth of it. While it was thought to be airborne, at least five documented cases had the tyyros approach to a rï’im only on the other side of a wall or glass. As it is magical in nature, yet not through any active magic, theory states it might transmit through their horns. Once again, this has yet to be proved.
Causes
The presumed cause of the two o height stems from the rï’imi. They are not sufferers of this disease, for despite how they also approve and speak of the number 208 they are able to focus on other things. Yet as they are the only species with such a focus and the ones afflicted are genetically descended from them, it makes the most sense to all researchers on the subject.
Symptoms
The one and only symptom is the obsession with the number 208. The afflicted is able to see it in everything and unravelling the secrets of the number becomes their only wish. While they are still able to care for themselves, they no longer care for anything else that might get in the way of their worship and study of the number.
Examples
- Needing to take 208 steps between any location
- Researching Mount Telmarti to claim there are 208 individual points
- Painting a landscape in only 208 strokes
- Blinking only 208 times in a day
Treatment
Currently there is no known treatment. Three cases of two o eight are being studied in Alridgeham’s edviere in an attempt to learn more of the disease and perhaps cure the afflicted. If Ser Sarvudd, the head healer of this project, has come to any discoveries, the news has not spread beyond their district.
Prognosis
Unsurprisingly, all documentation shows it takes 208 days from exposure to a rï'im carrier to the height of the illness. During those days, the interest in the number begins as an offhanded focus, before the obsession begins to rear its ugly head. Those who are aware of the illness and of the patient's recent meeting with a rï'im might realize what is happening and send the afflicted to get care before they are unable to take care of themselves or begin to disturb their community with their new focus.
Prevention
As of the current year, the only known prevention is for tyyros to never near a rï'im, as the method of transmission is still in study.
History
Discovery of two o eight occurred recently, only twenty eight years ago. The tyyros are a new species and even they are unaware of all what can afflict them. It is because of this it is believed only the tyyros can contract two o eight, but the newness also begs the question if through the tyyros it might mutate into a form other species can catch as well.
In Nine Hundred and Seventy (Two), Ser Sarvudd began their research into the disease and within two years had created a small hospital district devoted to its study and eventual cure.
Cultural Reception
Considering the rarity of the disease, many people are unaware of two o eight and therefore do not fear it. There are many in the tyyros communities who do, but either find fearing it a waste of time or are too curious to spend any time with rï'imi that they do not avoid their genetic ancestors.
Those who take this the most seriously are those close to those afflicted and the dovicorland healers who devote their lives to studying two o eight with the attempt to cure it. Outside of their attempts to make the disease more known so as to perhaps protect those who might become afflicted, most species (even including tyyros) do not think anything about someone's sudden interest in the number 208 until it becomes an obsession which interrupts the afflicted's normal life. At this point, most aren't aware that it is this particular disease and instead consider it another one of the broader compulsive disorders. As treatments for those do nothing to assist sufferers of two o eight, this mistake only allows for more tragedy.