The Crawling

"The hunters returned early, the chiefs son Goonda had been marked by the spirits of the jungle." Immamu explained. He had been taken to the 'Channel' a place where 'our world and that of jungle spirits meet.' The great witch doctor lead me across the village to the 'Channel', it was a uniquely designed building elaborately carved, aside this its must unique features were the multitude of holes just below the rim of the over hanging lips of roofing. I tried to enter but Immamu halted my advance with a slight gesture. Despite my best efforts, he refused all my attempts to help Goonda. I stopped my pleading when a short sharp scream bellowed forth from the hut. Soon after a loud humming arose as a sizable swarm of insects poured forth from the 'Channel's' lofty vents. The great witch doctor winced with pain "He is gone now, he has joined the spirits of the jungle".
-Account of Dr Goodman Brown, in the jungles of Vindore

Transmission & Vectors

At no stage is this condition contagious.

Causes

This condition is caused by the hallucinogenic transmutational venom of the Geji. For this condition to develop beyond its initial stages the individual must be located in a warm, dark and humid environment for a prolonged period (varies based on the individuals bio mass and the amount of venom injected).

Symptoms

headaches and a fever that intensify over time. the afflicted feel dehydrated, light sensitive and cold subsequently this will lead to it being drawn to dark, warm and humid environments. A few hours after the initial symptoms are noticed the afflicted will be affected by delirium causing them to become somewhat oblivious to their symptoms. the afflicted will loose muscle mass, twill begin to sweat blood and then it will then loose mobility. finally its skin will writhe and soon after will die as a swarm of grape sized insects burst forth from the victim.

Treatment

the Geji venom is incredibly alkali meaning if the sufficient quantity and concentration of acid is injected within a short period of time after the initial attack the individual will be cured, being left with only miner internal burns. if too much time has passed acidic treatment will not be a guaranteed cure and the only remaining means of treatment will be the extract of the Frufras, a flower bearing canopy dwelling epiphyte. This cure will only be effective during the the stages proceeding the sweating of blood.

Prognosis

this condition is only fatal if enough venom is injected which will lead to a quick death or if the individual is allowed to find the optimal environment. During the early stages mild headaches and a fever are constant, these symptoms intensify over time. the individual becomes light sensitive and is subsequently drawn to darkness. the throat becomes dry, the lips chapped, the individual is drawn to water sources. the subject due to their intensifying fever feels colder and colder, shivering constantly, feeling drawn to warmth. All the while the individuals body and brains chemistry is being altered, causing the individual to become delirious making them somewhat oblivious to their condition. once the subject is in a suitable environment, the venom begins to convert all the bodies muscle predominantly the limbs into juvenile Geji. this causes the individual to wither and for the body to sweat blood. Then the most terrifying of symptoms quickly arises, the skin begins to writhe like a bed of worms and finally the delirious individual dies as the juvenile Geji gush forth in a swarm.

Affected Groups

Mature healthy individuals.

Hosts & Carriers

The adult Geji carry this affliction causing venom in their venom sacks. They are unaffected by the venom's properties with the exception of its intense alkali nature, which after a few hours leads to the Geji's death.

Prevention

wearing garments that are tough enough to prevent the adult Geji's stinger from piercing the skin will prevent this condition being afflicted. Smelling of death deters the adult Geji from wasting their precious venom because they need living hosts in order for their venom to be of any use.

Cultural Reception

The affliction is met with fear however those afflicted are met with care, all their needs are met and in their final hours they are left alone(often in a specially designed hut on the edge of a village). It is forbidden to kill an afflicted for it is believed that it angers the spirits of the jungle to kill one claimed by them and if one claimed is killed a terrible toll will be wrought on the family of the murderer.

Type

Parasitic

Origin

Natural

Rarity

Uncommon