Oripathy

“This tragedy will only continue to repeat, again and again.” - Unknown Bard"

For centuries, Originium has remained an inseparable part of life on Terra. However, along with Originium came Oripathy, an incurable disease that is theoretically 100% fatal. The ones who have fallen to the infection are collectively known as the “Infected”; their bodies will slowly be consumed by the same crystals that gave us power, and one day it will claim their life. Before 1911, every nation tried its hardest to suppress information and knowledge about this disease, but the sickness has reached a critical mass. Now it is impossible to hide because now every infected person shows symptoms and suffers the pain of the infection.
A common misconception is that Oripathy always improves the infected's arts, magic, and powers, although this is not the case; and Oripathy can sometimes have no effect on one's Arts potential. This misconception most likely comes from the fact that while the Teekaz/Sarkaz are exceptionally vulnerable to contracting it, to the point where they may even carry such illness since birth, butthey can survive much longer and always have their arts, magic, and powers improved when infected. The Sarkaz clearly have a long history with Originium and Oripathy.
Rarely, infected can even have their Arts potential weakened instead of strengthened. The Infected, however, can always use Arts without a catalyst at the cost of worsening their Oripathy.
As Terran society has been highly dependent on Originium since ancient times, Oripathy can be found in all Terran countries and territories – thus making it a pandemic and this has lead to general discrimination against the infected also making it a worldwide societal problem.
Although a select few of the Infected manage to stall or even halt their Oripathy's progress, the condition itself remains terminal; in fact, Oripathy has a near-100% mortality rate.

Be careful we are entering a heavily contaminated area. Protection gear is a must. - P.O.D Guard

Transmission & Vectors

To this day, the primary method shown to become infected is through contact with Active Originium, which includes but is not limited to Originium shards, Originium gas, and Originium products. However, Originium can be processed to the point that it is safe to use in a day-to-day setting (e.g. Artificial Orundum).
A common myth is that contact with the Infected is also said to be able to spread Oripathy, although Rhine Lab’s, Fire Moths, and our research have proven time and again that Oripathy transmission from person to person is rare, only by interacting with the crystals on the skin could someone get infected. Meaning physical contact does not cause infection. Those infected with Oripathy aren't contagious until the Originium growing out of their bodies, and they are using magic while also attacking you with that part of the body.
When an infected die, their bodies crystallize and at some point all the Originium will glow gold and the body will turn into dust, and become new infection vectors. In some cases, the corpse can also explode. For a demonstration of this effect, refer to the explosive spiders (Infused Originium Slugs).

Imaging test showed blurry outline of internal organs with visible unusual dark spots. Unusually high concentration of Originium particles were present in her circulation, indicating signs of infection and confirming them as infected at this stage.

Causes

Almost all living creatures have Originium inside their body or tattoo on their skin, to allow for even easier use of Arts. Normally, Originium is a poison and causes sickness to creatures to that interact with it. However, life on Terra has evolved past this. All creatures born on this planet have a level of resistance to some of the negative aspect of Originium to allow it to become a part of every creature's lives.
This resistance and ability to use Originium so easily has come at a cost. Just as we evoled to be able to have Originium in our bodies, Originium has evolves to assimilation our bodies as well.
When in contact with active Originium the Originium will start to assimilation your cells and enter you blood stream. Your assimilation rate is linked to your Originium adaptable level. This means that casters are at the greatest risk of infection.

Symptoms

No one has told them how to live the rest of their lives.  - The Unknown Bard

Symptoms can be both physical and psychological and manifest differently depending on the individual. Oripathy is primarily measured via blood Originium-crystal density and cell assimilation rate and is divided into the early, mid, and late stages.
Additionally, a person can suffer acute symptoms or chronic the difference between the acute and chronic types is a rather complicated topic and will not be covered in this document. Only a basic overview of the common symptoms. Any symptoms that can come from Originium tattoo madness also will come with Oripathy.

Early Stage

Originium Formations: The Infected will begin to exhibit hardened skin on the site of contact, which will then turn dark and start to rise in elevation similar to a regular scab. After a few more days, the Infected will often experience internal burns and the blackened spot will continue to harden to the point of crystallization, resembling that of Originium crystals, which has become the tell-tale sign of Oripathy. It is typically preceded by lesions in the shape of radiating lines on the outer skin.
Originium Outbursts: The Infected will begin to have extremely painful unstoppable coughing fits. This is due to a buildup of Active Originium building up in the infected person's lungs. These bloody coughing fits are vectors for other people to become infected and can last for a few minutes

Mid Stage

At this point, for unknown reasons, the Originium Outburst will stop. All other Symptoms will last until death. Once the body stop having Originium Outbursts or the infected person has an Originium-blood-crystal density over 0.15u/L.
Nonmagic: Assimilate into the cells inhibits functions in the body by binding and blocking receptors leading to memory loss, physicists, personality disorders, Mental instability loss of senses, pain, headaches, mood swings, vomiting.
Magically: Multiple personality disorder, Voice inside her head, enhanced combat abilities and sense, extra memories.

Treatment

A medical reagent developed by Pillar of Dawn to suppress acute Oripathy infections. However, further enrichment of the reagent's concentration will cause irreversible damage to the infection site.

Although Oripathy is ~100% fatal, there are methods to slow down or speed up the rate of infection. It is known that continued exposure to Originum and overuse of Arts can accelerate the infection, while proper treatment can delay the infection.
Invasive surgery to remove any big chunks or obstruction that can be operated on without risk. Transplants to remove organs entirely wrecked by Oripathy with new ones from donors or fabrication. Removing the Originium crystals cannot cure the infection but in some cases can slow the infection. The most accurate indicator for Oripathy is the cell assimilation rate, as 95% of people have trace amounts of Originium in their bloodstream. Even if the crystals are removed, it is infeasible to remove every infected cell in the body.
Nebulizer or inhalants to get Originium dust or deposition out of lungs by precipitating them out. Medicines to slow the spread of Oripathy. Painkillers to cope with the pain.

Prevention

Take a gas mask it might save your life

The proper use of protective equipment can also defend against Oripathy. However, these kinds of gear are usually only used by wealthy people working with Originium, and for the most part, are inaccessible to the public in mass or high quality. On the other extreme, certain places force people to work with Originium without any protection. These people all inevitably become infected.

Cultural Reception

Currently, Infected are doomed to death, either by the hands of hostiles, or through their own making. A cure is not enough. Our work is greater then just finding a cure. - Kal'tsit

The struggle between the infected and uninfected are not simply one of status; an uninfected can become infected, but an infected cannot become uninfected. It’s possible for something like “equality for the infected'' to exist on a small scale like what we have here in the Pillar of Dawn, but when it involves cities with millions of people, a full-on integration is next to impossible. Oripathy, at its core, is still an incurable disease that causes extreme pain, madness, and lastly a disturbing death. Without a cure, this will never change. Even with a cure unless people bridge the growing gap the damage done during this time may lead to a world where a cure comes too late to save us.

Type

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Common

Affected Species

• Demi-Humans
• Aegir Race
• Sarkaz/Teekaz