Devilshakes

Known in Isperian as "los batidos infernales," "devilshakes" is the common name given to the affliction currently running rampant in The Kingdom of Isperia. Some believe that this disease is caused, wholly or in part, by the wickedness of Isperia's current king, Rey Fulgencio De Cardenas and The Diozic Inquisition, while others believe the Inquisition's stance that it is caused by feelings of distrust and unfaithfulness towards the king.

Transmission & Vectors

It would appear that the disease is not transmissable from person to person, at least there is no documented case of someone being infected by the disease spreading it to another.

Causes

The cause is currently unknown, but the inquisition purports that that the origin of the disease is one of the spirit: if one has foul feelings in their heart towards the kingdom, the devilshakes will manifest and curse the afflicted to a drawn-out and painful death.

Symptoms

The afflicted begins with unnatural sweating and chills. As the disease progresses, the person's shakes and convulsions become more and more intense. The convulsions eventually become so intense that the afflicted will break their own bones from the rapidity and intensity.

Treatment

The inquisition does offer a cure, the composition of which is currently unknown, but it does not work on the later stages of the disease. If the person does not confess their wrongdoings and convert to Diozicsm early in the development of the condition, their fate is sealed: even if they later repent or confess, there is nothing the Inquisition can (or will) do.

Affected Groups

The disease does not seem to discriminate- rich and poor, young and old, male and female- all are susceptible to the devilshakes if they speak out against the inquisition or harbor feelings of distrust.

History

This disease came into being shortly after Rey Fulgencio de Cardenas- then Duke Fulgencio, vassal of Prince Édouard Charbonnier announced his intentions to break away from their parent Kingdom of Rhonia. Though there was a brief civil war, the Isperians walked away with a stunning victory, causing many in the Occides to question how this could have happened. There were those who believed that the new Rhonian prince was not strong enough to hold onto his fiefs, and this is simply the first of many revolutions the decadent Rhonian government will see. There are a few- though they are becoming increasingly unwilling to speak this belief publicly- who believe that Rey Fulgencio made some sort of deal with the devil to gain Isperia its sovereignty, and the devilshakes are the fiendish price that Fulgencio paid for his victory. These factions are currently fighting, both in the halls of Isperian government, and in the streets of La Cabeza, the region's capital.

Cultural Reception

Many in Isperia are sure that Rey Fulgencio and his Inquisition have created the disease as a ploy to get people to convert to his faction. There are those who believe, however, that the plague is actually demonic in origin. Some believe the Inquisition's assertion that the devilshakes are brought about by a person having distrustful or unfaithful feelings towards Fulgencio's reign. They purport that Diozic devils, attracted to these feelings, will take hold of a person and give them the disease unless they repent.

Type

Magical

Origin

Divine

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Uncommon