Vok'Lanu Syndrome
Vok’Lanu Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that causes significant damage to the overall physiology of a person and even death after being exposed to high levels of astragrade-based radiation for a long period of time without proper protection. It is often characterized by deformation of joints, weight loss, hair loss, scarring of the body, loss of nails and teeth, chronic pain, gem growths, and other symptoms. The severity depends on multiple factors such as method of contraction, age, and genetics. The prognosis and treatment methods are also dependent on similar factors.
Currently, the fatality rate for this illness is about 82% mainly because of its rarity and delays in starting treatment. There is not a lot of money being put towards understanding or curing this illness mainly due social stigma against Astras as well as drug addiction. Given the secretive nature of the existence of the astragrades and any phenomenon related to them, its mechanisms and pathology remain a mystery. Without any real cure for the syndrome, prevention of the disease and the treatment of the symptoms are the current models of treatment.
Vok'Lanu Syndrome can only be obtained through astra-radiation exposure. Historically, the most common way to develop this syndrome was through prolonged contact with areas of high astra-radiation like the Ridges or around areas where astragrade carrying meteorites fell.
In modern times, chronic use of astragrade gem based drugs, body modification (ie tattoos, for example), and jewelry are the leading causes of this syndrome. The main modern culprit is a street drug known as Astral candy (article) that has become popular after its rise during the 1960s.
The severity of this disease can be different based on the type and length of the exposure.
Weight loss
Thinning of hair
Tooth decay
Loss of nails
Change in skin pigment
Arthritic deformation of joints especially in the hands and feet
Gait changes
Gem growths on the body especially in areas of loss like nail beds and the gums
Galecris scars
Light sensitivity
Mobility issues
Psychosis
Organ failure
Laguno
Early diagnosis of this disorder is crucial but tricky as many of its symptoms can be confused for other issues, especially in the early stages. It can look like withdrawal symptoms and/or side effects of using Witch’s Dust. It can also look like an acute case of astra poisoning or even rainbow madness.
First, how a person was exposed to astra material must be determined. Doctors check for astra jewelry, evidence of Astral Dust or Candy use, or other things that might have exposed the patient to it in some natural capacity like due to work or hiking in contaminated areas. If symptoms persist for more than 3 weeks after exposure or don't abate after the removal of contamination and flushing treatment then more tests are run.
In order to narrow down the possibilities, a process of elimination is used. A number of tests are done to rule out underlying problems such as other disorders or another cause. First, blood and genetics work ups are done to rule out other causes and look for signs of Astra genetics.
If Astra genes are found, then they will do scans to look for growths from overgrowing astragrades and look for astra ANAs in the blood, a marker of possible astra autoimmune activity. If at least the ANAs are present, then the diagnosis is confirmed.
As stated previously, the severity of the disease is dependent upon the type of exposure, the length of the exposure and whether or not Astra genes are in play.
If the person lacks active astra genes, the disease state is fatal due to the uncoordinated growth of astra minerals in the body. If caught early, the chance of survival goes up a good bit, but the prognosis is still not good. However, most people like this succumb to the radiation long before they even get to the point of being ill enough to raise suspicion of the illness. Some examples include overdosing on astra drugs or similar paraphernalia, remaining in contaminated areas too long, etc.
If the person at least carries some active Astra genes (ie Astra carriers) then their chances of survival go up significantly, but long term complications will remain in the form of chronic symptoms and disabling deformations, which gives the syndrome its name. A majority of the living cases of Vok’Lanu syndrome are carriers of Astra genes but not necessarily Astras themselves.
Finally, Astras and Methatis that do end up with a form of Vok’Lanu syndrome, tend to have milder symptoms or symptoms that are unique to their kind.
For example, Astras may find that their control over their powers may suffer or they may even gain new powers that are often detrimental to them as their bodies may not be able to properly handle them. They also tend to suffer sensory issues most often, which leave many of them living in relative isolation to manage their symptoms. They also tend to develop growths as well though not as quickly, and usually in some form of controlled manner.
Methatis have the lowest number of sufferers. The leading theory is that their bodies are more resistant to the detrimental effects of the syndrome due to their shifting abilities which allows their bodies to adapt to the excess foreign astragrades and their radiation. But Methati’s that do contract the disease usually only develop the sensory issues and even then those symptoms are mild and usually treatable.
The biggest clue though tends to be the change in their shifted selves. Usually, those forms take on otherworldly colors in their fur and eyes. They may even sprout gem-like adornments like gem claws or spikes on their limbs or in one case, feathers made of astra filaments rather than keratin. However, the mental state of Astras and Methatis should be watched very carefully as they can be just as vulnerable to mental collapse, but they are coherent enough to be dangerous if they succumb to delusions and such.
This syndrome shares comorbidities in many areas of pathology. First and foremost is drug addiction as most cases stem from heavy use of astragrade based drugs. It is also likely that things like PTSD, depression and anxiety could be involved as motivation for the initial drug abuse. They can also form as a result of exposure and the progression of the syndrome itself. As the disease further progresses, liver and kidney functions start to deteriorate due to damage from astra crystals causing disease. The condensing of astra crystals in and around the joints can lead to arthritis. The autoimmune aspects of the disease can cause immunosuppression which would leave some victims vulnerable to other illnesses as well.
Treatment can be varied but has the course of action. Usually the person is removed from the source of contamination first, if applicable. Those exposed through environmental means and drug users are usually taken to a detox facility immediately to begin flushing their system. If it was due to jewelry or a gem based item, that is removed and immediately put into proper containment. If it’s a form of make up or tattoo or body modification then that is removed before they are sent for a detox.
Once a detox is complete, then symptom management begins. If they get better after treating symptoms like any burns or external injuries and any lingering symptoms that can be mitigated by medicine or lighter treatments, then they are moved on to maintenance measures for any lingering chronic issues like pain, treatment for damage to organs or joints and any secondary symptoms from those things. Getting them eating and healthy again is the next priority before moving on to more intense treatments like needed surgeries for reconstruction and therapy both physical and psychological as needed.
Anything after that is for maintaining health and the prevention of further illness or damage.
Name Origin
Vok’Lanu Syndrome got its name from the myth of the Vok’Lanu beast from the Ridge Riders tribe in the Methati plains. The creature was described as walking up right like a human but having the head and face of a bird. Their skin covered in down like an awkward chick. Hands gnarled and clawed.
Some medical historians believed that the sight of someone suffering from this syndrome probably inspired the myth.
The physician who first studied and catalogued the illness, was a Methati medicine woman named Mar’de who had wrote extensively on diseases and illness during her time as a healer. She called it being “clawed by the Vok’Lanu”. Over time, the name had evolved to Vok’Lanu Syndrome after it was written about through her descendent Dr. Maddie Galecris in 1952.
Modern Reception
Thanks to its association with drug use the syndrome has a rather negative stigma attached to it. It doesn’t help that some scarring can look like Fallen script lines, which also carry heavy social stigmas due to the origin of the Fallen and the dark reputation surrounding them.
This leaves the sufferers of this disorder isolated. There are groups like The Bearers’ Hands that run projects to help these people and provide them medical help and shelter. However, more work needs to be done.
Currently, the fatality rate for this illness is about 82% mainly because of its rarity and delays in starting treatment. There is not a lot of money being put towards understanding or curing this illness mainly due social stigma against Astras as well as drug addiction. Given the secretive nature of the existence of the astragrades and any phenomenon related to them, its mechanisms and pathology remain a mystery. Without any real cure for the syndrome, prevention of the disease and the treatment of the symptoms are the current models of treatment.
Contration
Vok'Lanu Syndrome can only be obtained through astra-radiation exposure. Historically, the most common way to develop this syndrome was through prolonged contact with areas of high astra-radiation like the Ridges or around areas where astragrade carrying meteorites fell.
In modern times, chronic use of astragrade gem based drugs, body modification (ie tattoos, for example), and jewelry are the leading causes of this syndrome. The main modern culprit is a street drug known as Astral candy (article) that has become popular after its rise during the 1960s.
The severity of this disease can be different based on the type and length of the exposure.
Symptoms
Weight loss
Thinning of hair
Tooth decay
Loss of nails
Change in skin pigment
Arthritic deformation of joints especially in the hands and feet
Gait changes
Gem growths on the body especially in areas of loss like nail beds and the gums
Galecris scars
Light sensitivity
Mobility issues
Psychosis
Organ failure
Laguno
Diagnosis
Early diagnosis of this disorder is crucial but tricky as many of its symptoms can be confused for other issues, especially in the early stages. It can look like withdrawal symptoms and/or side effects of using Witch’s Dust. It can also look like an acute case of astra poisoning or even rainbow madness.
First, how a person was exposed to astra material must be determined. Doctors check for astra jewelry, evidence of Astral Dust or Candy use, or other things that might have exposed the patient to it in some natural capacity like due to work or hiking in contaminated areas. If symptoms persist for more than 3 weeks after exposure or don't abate after the removal of contamination and flushing treatment then more tests are run.
In order to narrow down the possibilities, a process of elimination is used. A number of tests are done to rule out underlying problems such as other disorders or another cause. First, blood and genetics work ups are done to rule out other causes and look for signs of Astra genetics.
If Astra genes are found, then they will do scans to look for growths from overgrowing astragrades and look for astra ANAs in the blood, a marker of possible astra autoimmune activity. If at least the ANAs are present, then the diagnosis is confirmed.
Prognosis
As stated previously, the severity of the disease is dependent upon the type of exposure, the length of the exposure and whether or not Astra genes are in play.
If the person lacks active astra genes, the disease state is fatal due to the uncoordinated growth of astra minerals in the body. If caught early, the chance of survival goes up a good bit, but the prognosis is still not good. However, most people like this succumb to the radiation long before they even get to the point of being ill enough to raise suspicion of the illness. Some examples include overdosing on astra drugs or similar paraphernalia, remaining in contaminated areas too long, etc.
If the person at least carries some active Astra genes (ie Astra carriers) then their chances of survival go up significantly, but long term complications will remain in the form of chronic symptoms and disabling deformations, which gives the syndrome its name. A majority of the living cases of Vok’Lanu syndrome are carriers of Astra genes but not necessarily Astras themselves.
Finally, Astras and Methatis that do end up with a form of Vok’Lanu syndrome, tend to have milder symptoms or symptoms that are unique to their kind.
For example, Astras may find that their control over their powers may suffer or they may even gain new powers that are often detrimental to them as their bodies may not be able to properly handle them. They also tend to suffer sensory issues most often, which leave many of them living in relative isolation to manage their symptoms. They also tend to develop growths as well though not as quickly, and usually in some form of controlled manner.
Methatis have the lowest number of sufferers. The leading theory is that their bodies are more resistant to the detrimental effects of the syndrome due to their shifting abilities which allows their bodies to adapt to the excess foreign astragrades and their radiation. But Methati’s that do contract the disease usually only develop the sensory issues and even then those symptoms are mild and usually treatable.
The biggest clue though tends to be the change in their shifted selves. Usually, those forms take on otherworldly colors in their fur and eyes. They may even sprout gem-like adornments like gem claws or spikes on their limbs or in one case, feathers made of astra filaments rather than keratin. However, the mental state of Astras and Methatis should be watched very carefully as they can be just as vulnerable to mental collapse, but they are coherent enough to be dangerous if they succumb to delusions and such.
Comorbidities
This syndrome shares comorbidities in many areas of pathology. First and foremost is drug addiction as most cases stem from heavy use of astragrade based drugs. It is also likely that things like PTSD, depression and anxiety could be involved as motivation for the initial drug abuse. They can also form as a result of exposure and the progression of the syndrome itself. As the disease further progresses, liver and kidney functions start to deteriorate due to damage from astra crystals causing disease. The condensing of astra crystals in and around the joints can lead to arthritis. The autoimmune aspects of the disease can cause immunosuppression which would leave some victims vulnerable to other illnesses as well.
Treatment
Treatment can be varied but has the course of action. Usually the person is removed from the source of contamination first, if applicable. Those exposed through environmental means and drug users are usually taken to a detox facility immediately to begin flushing their system. If it was due to jewelry or a gem based item, that is removed and immediately put into proper containment. If it’s a form of make up or tattoo or body modification then that is removed before they are sent for a detox.
Once a detox is complete, then symptom management begins. If they get better after treating symptoms like any burns or external injuries and any lingering symptoms that can be mitigated by medicine or lighter treatments, then they are moved on to maintenance measures for any lingering chronic issues like pain, treatment for damage to organs or joints and any secondary symptoms from those things. Getting them eating and healthy again is the next priority before moving on to more intense treatments like needed surgeries for reconstruction and therapy both physical and psychological as needed.
Anything after that is for maintaining health and the prevention of further illness or damage.
History
Name Origin
Vok’Lanu Syndrome got its name from the myth of the Vok’Lanu beast from the Ridge Riders tribe in the Methati plains. The creature was described as walking up right like a human but having the head and face of a bird. Their skin covered in down like an awkward chick. Hands gnarled and clawed.
Some medical historians believed that the sight of someone suffering from this syndrome probably inspired the myth.
The physician who first studied and catalogued the illness, was a Methati medicine woman named Mar’de who had wrote extensively on diseases and illness during her time as a healer. She called it being “clawed by the Vok’Lanu”. Over time, the name had evolved to Vok’Lanu Syndrome after it was written about through her descendent Dr. Maddie Galecris in 1952.
Modern Reception
Thanks to its association with drug use the syndrome has a rather negative stigma attached to it. It doesn’t help that some scarring can look like Fallen script lines, which also carry heavy social stigmas due to the origin of the Fallen and the dark reputation surrounding them.
This leaves the sufferers of this disorder isolated. There are groups like The Bearers’ Hands that run projects to help these people and provide them medical help and shelter. However, more work needs to be done.
Type
Physiological
Origin
Mutated
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
Rarity
Rare
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