Wandering Syndrome

The tomb is calling you back.

Wandering syndrome is a bizarre illness entirely unique to the Masoud Desert region.

Causes

While no one is yet entirely certain what causes wandering syndrome, there are a few theories. Some speculate that it may be caused by a mold, fungus, or some other yet-undiscovered bacteria that could thrive in pyramids and ancient tombs, but nothing definitive has been found. Others theorize environmental factors may play a role, including dehydration or extreme temperatures.
Among desert-dwellers, there is a popular theory that it may be a curse that is caused by disturbing the ruins of the dead. The most popular speculation, especially outside of the desert, is that it is a culture-bound syndrome- a psycho-social condition that manifests as a result of fears, anxieties, and societal pressures unique to desert-dwellers. Regularly honoring the dead is a significant part of many cultures in the Masoud desert, and death is often regarded as the next, superior cycle of life. The dead are treated with great respect and reverence, and fear of death and dying is usually taboo and, therefore, suppressed. It is postulated that wandering sickness is a temporary psychosis that manifests as a result of coming face-to-face with the gruesome parts of death that aren't usually discussed, as well as the inevitability of decomposition and eventually being forgotten.
It is suggested that for some, this brings about an intense feeling of helplessness and terror, while for others it develops into an acute, morbid fascination and even obsession.

Symptoms

Sufferers of wandering syndrome may experience a plethora of symptoms and most tend to be intense, with a few that are outright dangerous. Generally, the afflicted experience symptoms that fall in to one of two categories.
Those with withdrawn wandering syndrome may develop an intense social phobia with physical and physiological symptoms such as rapid heart palpitations, gasping for air and shortness of breath, loud outbursts of incoherent yelling or screaming, and violent shaking while in the presence of others for even short periods of time. These sufferers also tend to babble and speak incoherently, and are more prone to amnesia.
Sufferers of uninhibited wandering syndrome exhibit behaviors of self-harm such as head slamming and blood-letting, uncontrollable or inappropriate laughter, and an excessive hunger for unusual and inedible objects, such as sand or metal. On rare occasions, some have even reported experiencing cravings for the flesh of people both living and dead, and there is one known case of a man who admitted to consuming the flesh of a corpse. Delusions, especially those of religious nature, are also common. These suffers are more likely to experience insomnia.
Both types are known to exhibit kleptomania and difficulty remaining stationary, and if not restrained or treated, they are likely to return to their treasure hunting posts, or else wander seemingly endlessly throughout the desert- which is where the disorder gets its name.

Treatment

Currently, there is no consistently effective treatment for wandering syndrome, aside from letting it run its course. So far, there have been no known instances of a person falling sick to it twice, and it doesn't spread to family or community members, so most treatment is focused on minimizing the damage and distress of the sufferer until it passes.

Prognosis

Symptoms generally begin manifesting in victims beginning anywhere within 3 days to 2 weeks of their return home. It can last for as little as a day or two in some rare cases, or upwards of a year in extreme cases. While the physical symptoms themselves are not fatal, the mental anguish and the compulsions they inspire can be. Most of the time, victims who are allowed to "wander" will return home in a matter of a few weeks, recovering faster on average than those who are prevented to do so by family or community members, who generally take several months to recover. This comes with a high risk, though - occasionally, those who are left to wander of their own accord never return home at all, likely succumbing to the elements or to their own madness.

Affected Groups

Wandering syndrome affects treasure hunters and looters in the Masoud Desert . It is recorded as occurring mostly in desert natives, though occasionally travelers visiting the desert are afflicted. It is also more likely to occur in humans, but there have been sufferers of many desert-dwelling races. So far, there are no recorded cases of children with the affliction. While it doesn't appear to be contagious to most, usually if there is one afflicted in a group of adventurers, the entire group is affected or displays symptoms.

Cultural Reception

The syndrome itself is feared throughout most of the desert, if only for the strange, unnerving ways it makes its victims behave. It's not uncommon for parents to use stories of wandering syndrome as a means to keep their children from straying to far from home and potentially getting lost in the desert, or to deter them from dangerous ventures such as exploring old, dangerous tombs. 
Among many communities, sufferers are treated with hostility and derision, as the sickness is viewed as a sure sign that someone has been defiling graves and disrespecting the undead- and are now suffering the consequences for it. In some rural communities, it is believed that the afflicted will bring misfortune by attracting the wrath of angered spirits, and there have been instances where victims have been killed as a means of appeasing these ghosts. In most instances, however, sufferers and especially their families are viewed with pity and compassion.

by Photo by Garrett Nowlin on Unsplash

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Rare