Torment

Written for WA Summer Camp 2021 - Prompt 2

Condition: Detail a medical condition which is feared by some in your setting.

As a disease treated with Dream Turn transforms and buries itself deep into the mind of the patient, it becomes the affliction known as [Torment].
The symptoms post-treatment differ from patient to patient, but it is common to refer to the patient as one who is mentally tormented, hence the name for the condition. Over time, if left untreated, the symptoms may lead to insanity.

Transmission & Vectors

It can only be transmitted through reproduction after becoming afflicted. One who has inherited the condition will transmit a weaker form of it if not treated before the procreation in question.

Causes

It happens as one of two possible results of Dream Turn or it can be inherited in a lesser form.

Symptoms

The most usual symptoms are recurring nightmares, hallucinations, paranoia, apathy, migraines, heartburn, difficult breathing, lack of appetite, severe cold, severe heat, desire to cry, emergency of phobia, voice-hearing, sensory overload and forgetfulness.

Treatment

The treatment is done by a [Dream Dueller] through [Dream Diving]. The patient must be laid in a different Dreampod than the one used beforehand during the Dream Turn. New [Ramz] are inscribed on the body of both patient and Dream Dueller. Upon activation, the ramz will link them and make it possible for the Dream Diving to occur.
The treatment can only be attempted once and, in case of failure, the condition will worsen and the Dream dueller will perish. If the treatment succeeds, the patient tends to gradually forget the period while they were afflicted. No sequelae besides that have been noticed.

History

It is rumoured that, a long time ago, a Rukbat ruler became afflicted by [Torment]. Deciding not to risk worsening the condition, it was left untreated. The symptoms escalated to such a degree that the ruler's paranoia and insanity knew no bounds and almost wiped the settlement from existence. He was stopped by his son, who was then rumoured to have inherited the condition because of his stringent rule in order to revive the land.

Cultural Reception

People fear any who are diagnosed with this condition, going to the extent of hunting them down. To this day, there are Trace Bees trained to track down those afflicted, even though no one can remember the last time a case occurred. Because of the fear that any symptom common to this condition might be a signal of it, the people from Rukbat never ignore them and quickly search for treatment.

Type

Parasitic

Origin

Mutated

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Extremely Rare