Dry Fever

The dry fever, also known as the wasting, is depending on who you ask, a psychological disorder, a physical sickness, a supernatural affliction or a fiction created by miners in Ayefor who want to avoid their work.

Causes

The miners of Ayefor claim that the wasting is caused by an encounter with a supernatural being deep in the mines. It is speculated among healers and physicians there that the disease is caused by dust or gas present in the mines, some form of magical miasma, or by overwork, malnutrition, or some combination of the above factors.

Symptoms

Symptoms include low grade fever, listlessness, fatigue, nightmares, hallucinations, lack of appetite and thirst, and wasting of the muscles.

Treatment

There is no known treatment, although those who stay away from the mines and rest for some time can recover. It is speculated among mages that if there is in fact a supernatural cause, there may be some way to speed the healing process, but as miners are among the poorest in Ayefor, none can afford the fees required for a guild mage healer.

Prognosis

Recovery rate depends on age and health, with young healthy individuals having a better chance. If a young healthy miner rests and has sufficient food, they stand a 9 in 10 chance of making a full recovery. For the old or frail, or for those who don't rest, a wasting death is fairly likely.

Cultural Reception

Among the lower city, the dry fever is well known and known by many names: the wasting, miner's wasting, shade's touch and others. In the terraces, it is known as the dry fever. Many who do not live in the lower city think that the disease is simply the result of hunger and poverty, poor sanitation etc., or even the result of laziness.

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Type

Supernatural

Origin

Magical

Affected Species

• Human