Sparklung

I look upon my patients in both curiosity and fear. Curiosity at the symptoms presented to me. Fear, for it will be the end of the Fjall if Sparkstone becomes as desirable as Mithril.
-Zuril Shieldsmith

Transmission & Vectors

This is an environmental illness that afflcts miners of Sparkstone. This happens over the course of many years and the effects are not seen immediately. Some technomancers are also afflicted, but less often.

Causes

When Sparkstone is mined it releases electricity and will often cause injury without proper precautions. As it is picked from the wall shards are vaporized by this release of electricity. Inhalation can cause a euphoric feeling and increase in strength that many miners have felt. This inhalation causes the material to coat the inside of the lungs eventually causing Sparklung.

Symptoms

• Excessive Coughing that Expels Black Smoke: Arcs of Electricity can also be seen in this loud

• Difficulty Breathing

• Magnetism: mostly to small objects and metallic dust

• Heart Failure

• Blindness

• Water Sensitivity: Water upon the skin can cause electrical like burns

• Nosebleeds

Treatment

Sparklung has no known cure. The most that can be done is to delay the progression of the illness in the body. Removing exposure to the environmental cause is one of the easiest ways to do this. A more expensive route is to boil health potions and breath in the fumes. Minimal testing has been done with this method. Some clerics believe this dulls the pain, while others believe that a more refined process may lead to remission.

Prognosis

Sparklung is typically split into four stages of affliction.

Stage 1- Initial Exposure (Instantaneous)

With initial exposure, the body creates a feeling of euphoria and an increase in physical capabilities. Both these symptoms dissipate after 1-2 minutes depending on the individual and decrease with additional exposure. Both symptoms only affect individuals if they have slept since their last exposure. Additional symptoms include temporary coughing and nasal congestion, these dissipate when leaving the environment.

Stage 2 - Prolonged Exposure (0-1 Year)

With prolonged exposure shortness of breath becomes the primary symptom. Symptoms of coughing do not dissipate when leaving the exposure sites. Miners have symptoms of slight magnetism. This is noted by metal shavings collecting on the individual's skin. Symptoms of euphoria and increased physical capabilities are no longer present. Symptoms are reversible at this point with proper treatment and lack of exposure.

Stage 3 - Extended Exposure (2-3 Years)

Extended exposure causes symptoms that are exceptionally painful. Shortness of breath increases to the point that walking up stairs can be tiring. Coughing is persistent and produces phlegm and clouds of electrified black smoke. Near the end of this stage it is common for blindness to overtake the individual as well as their mouth to be surrounded by electrical burns. Individuals also become sensitive to water. Skin that becomes damp will soon be covered in electrical burns as the energy attempts to leave the body. Individuals suffer from muscle spasms and walking become difficult. Individuals in this stage now suffer from a dependence to Sparkstone. Sparkstone dependence is difficult to overcome and will likely cause the individual to push themselves into stage 4 of Sparklung. Symptoms of Sparkstone withdrawal are listed below.

• Flu like symptoms

• Insomnia

• Psychological and Emotional Symptoms

• Nosebleeds

• Heart Failure

• Body Aches

• Apoplexy

Stage 4 - Incessant Exposure (4-7 years)

Individuals with Incessant Exposure do not survive long. Coughing is chronic and the smoke can easily hurt those around the individual. Simple tasks, such as getting dressed or eating, now tire the individual. Individuals suffer from arrhythmia as the Sparkstone confuses the muscles. Water that is drank by the individual now hurts them as well. This leads many individuals to choose death over living. There are few cases that the individual is not blind by this stage. Individuals suffer from chronic insomnia as the coughing and arrhythmia keep them awake. The most common cause of death is heart failure, suicide, and apoplexy. Individuals in Stage 4 are now completely dependent upon Sparkstone. Many cannot afford to maintain this habit and die from withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal at this point of dependence almost always results in death by heart failure or apoplexy.

Affected Groups

Of the races of Unril, humans are the most affected by Sparkstone. With full exposure they usually will not last beyond four to five years. The Fjall are quite resilient, but will succumb after ten to fifteen years. Most other races fall in between these two categories and size does not appear to be a contributing factor to how long Sparklung takes to become fatal. Certain individuals have found themselves to be immune to the positive and negative effects of naturally occurring Sparkstone. They continue to be affected by refined sources of Sparkstone, these individuals are listed below.

• Dragonborn

• Kobolds

• Tiefling

• Triton

• Sorcerers

• Gnomes

• Aasimar

• Firbolg

• Genasi

Much speculation has gone into the reasoning behind these individuals immunity. Many studies have attempted to pinpoint the source and be able to replicate it. The prevailing theory is that the extraplanar nature of these individuals ancestry play a large role.

Prevention

The Fjall solved this issue long ago. Their method of prevention works with facial masks that have been implemented with Vethr Zana filters. These filters need to be replaced daily and are not able to be reused. This style of prevention is exceptionally expensive for any nation outside of The Fjall Territories. For this reason, majority of Sparkstone mines do not take precautions or buy cheaper and ineffective counterfeit options. The Feldor are the largest culprit of counterfeit masks. Ashye, one of the largest producers of Sparkstone, have been making every effort to stop the import of counterfeit masks into their country.

History

The cause of Sparklung was first discovered by renowned cleric,Zuril Shieldsmith in the year 3152. Sparkstone did not have a known use at this time so the Fjall avoided mining it until more used were found. With the increase in mining, the cases of Sparklung increased exponentially. Historians quickly associated Sparklung with the disease discovered in 3152. The Fjall quickly found a way to create preventative measures. Other nations have a constant struggle between worker safety and meeting the demands of the market for Sparkstone.

Cultural Reception

Perception of victims of Sparklung differ greatly depending the region:

Fjall

The Fjall view victims with respect. These victims gave their life to furthering their trade. They believe the fault is in their supervisors, not in the individual.

Ashye

Victims in the country of Ashye are viewed with pity. They are considered victims of circumstance. The blame of the disease falls upon the The Feldor or the greed of the supervisors.

Corshantians/Blacktree Elves

Victims are viewed with disdain. The victims were foolish for not choosing a line of work that would bring them better health. The Elves view the lives lost as a waste. It is better to let the Fjall harvest Sparkstone or those who are unaffected by Sparklung.

The Urazdamese Empire

Victims are viewed as unlucky. Sparklung is an occupational hazard. The Imperials are no stranger to the Feldor leaving blood in their wake. It's best to just steer clear if you can, but it is unavoidable.

Type

Chemical Compound

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Common