The Jester's Touch

Causes

The cause of the Jester's Touch is widely unknown. Some say it is caused by the child's mother being of poor stock. Others say it is because of a curse from a god due to an ancestor's slight. Although the causes is largely unknown, it is clear that it can effect human children of all different walks of life and circumstance.

Symptoms

Anyone afflicted with The Jester's Touch has a significantly delayed mental ability. Their cognitive ability often does not progress past that of a three year old. In addition, the condition can be accompanied by varying degrees of deformity of the skull.

Treatment

There are no known treatments for The Jester's Touch. Divine spellcasters, medicine men, and conmen have all claimed to be able to cure the ailment, however their efforts have always eventually ended in vain. Even royal families are unable to subvert the Touch.

Prognosis

Those who are afflicted with The Jester's Touch and are not done away with at birth, often live their lives with the condition until their late thirties. Around the age of 35, The Fools Touch often causes the afflicted's internal organs to start to shut down. The causes of this sudden, and deadly turn of events is unknown.

Affected Groups

The Fool's Touch effects full and half human populations. It seems to be more prominent in full human populations than in other mixed human populations. The only exception to this is half-orc populations, who seem to be largely unaffected by the condition. It is unknown why half-orcs are not afflicted by the condition.

Prevention

Different human cultures attempt different ways to prevent the condition. Some have extensive rituals during a mother's pregnancy, while others believe in making sacrifices to particular gods before conception. Regardless of the methods used, each is largely ineffective at preventing the disease.

Type

Mental

Cycle

Chronic, Congenital

Rarity

Rare