Willow-bark disease

Causes

Willow-bark disease is, as the name would suggest, inflicted by the bark of willow trees. Originally discovered in [the forest east of The Pass], it has never been reported elsewhere, suggesting that the willows growing in this area are unique, or themselves infected. Visibly, there is nothing distinct about these trees, and wood harvested from the willows is likewise uninteresting. The bark was an unusual ingredient, but a common enough piece of dishes. Suffice to say, it took quite the investigation to determine that it was the willow's bark that was the source of the disease.

Far less common, it seems to be transmissible through the blood of someone with the disease. While the disease has many stages, a newly infected individual always progresses from the first stage regardless of how they become infected.

Symptoms

First, a person will experience a sickness akin to food poisoning. Most try to vomit the willow bark back up, but even if they succeed, the vast majority still develop willow-bark disease. Within a few days, other symptoms will begin. This is considered Stage I.

Stage I

• Increased strength
• Heightened senses

Stage II

• Increased speed
• Constant hunger

Stage III

• Mild confusion
• Intermittent shaking, sometimes regionally, but other times patients will experience grand mal seizures
• Increased strength diminishes, with most patients becoming weaker than they were before infection

Stage IV

• Intense confusion
• Hallucinations
• Extreme aggression

Stage V

• A slow death of internal ruptures

Treatment

There is no known cure for willow-bark disease. It does not seem to respond to mundane or magical treatments. Nonetheless, it can be slowed. Those with magical talent tend to survive the longest. Strangely, more willow bark has been found to be the best treatment for willow-bark disease. However, this is a very risky treatment. If the patient misses a dose of the willow bark treatment, the disease progresses rapidly. In one day, a patient can escalate to stage III, and by the end of the second day, death will creep in. Most choose not to receive treatment, instead hoping any innate magic they have will give them several more years.

Cultural Reception

Those who were born east of The Pass fear willow-bark disease intensely. The death, slow and painful, associated with the disease leads to enough fear. Those infected are especially feared, as the disease is very easy to avoid. However, the factor of blood contact leads those infected to a shunned life. It is not uncommon to be refused treatment if one is showing symptoms of willow-bark disease or is known to be infected. This in turn has increased hatred for the Rootkeepers, who are believed to be the source of the disease. There is no proof for this claim beyond the Rootkeepers' affinity for nature and a few vicious myths and rumors.

Despite the intense fear, some in the area still foolishly believe they can withstand the negative effects, or that the willow-bark treatment is worth the risk. More commonly outsiders hear rumors of the feral strength of the willow-bark and come in search of a supernatural gift.

green tree under white sky during daytime photo by Zhenya

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare