Bloodplague
A curse on our people from the jealous mortals of the realm, the Bloodplague is truly a scourge of Elves everywhere but stands as a permanent stain on all other races within this realm. - The Elderdreamer
Transmission & Vectors
The transmission rate is still unknown at this time, efforts to determine what will cause an elf to develop the Bloodplague have not been conclusive. Evidence of the curse's heritability is still shaky at best due to the long lifecycle of elves, this has been bolstered by a drop in childbirth since the Bloodplague first emerged. However, no evidence of a non-full-blooded elf contracting the Bloodplague has been documented.
Causes
The Bloodplague is a Realm-wide curse created by a consortium of extremely powerful wizards during the Vast Discordance. Historians argue whether the Bloodplague was created as a means to prevent or halt Elven aggression during the wars.
Symptoms
The Bloodplague is a rapidly expanding, degenerative disease that attacks the mind of a full-blooded elf. Early symptoms include visions or dreams during the Trance, irritability, slight fever, or headaches. Once the Bloodplague has started to manifest it quickly evolves to fits of bloodthirsty rage, body-wide rashes or boils, the extreme growth of nails, or barbs forming along the body. Eventually, the elf becomes manic and devoid of their previous personality.
Treatment
No attempt by scholars or physicians has garnered a cure or effective preventative treatment.
Prognosis
Initial symptoms of the Bloodplague surface near an elves' 100th birthday, from there advancement of the disease is very rapid. Often an elf can progress from mild symptoms to a complete transformation in a matter of weeks.
Cultural Reception
Initially, the infected elves were considered to be abominations or simply unhinged members of society. Once it became clear that the Bloodplague was a Realm-wide epidemic a feverish search for a cure was launched. Sections of elvish society became more secretive and reserved from the other races, calls for violence and revenge were not uncommon, and a few small skirmishes were fought between kingdoms as a result.
In recent years, many elvish communities have taken to a more preventative practice within their communities. The Wandering is now commonly practiced where Elves nearing their 100th birthday remove themselves from society, occasionally traveling to a remote location with just a single caretaker, until it is certain they are not afflicted with the Bloodplague. Many elves are now ashamed of the Bloodplague and the problems it has caused. This has resulted in many Elves refusing to discuss the Bloodplague with non-elves, and often those that don't return from their Wandering are not spoken of in public.
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