Careo's Disease

By the northern marches of Caphitolia, north of Foeriphoen, lies the Greenreach, locally called Heorcia. Here, the forest animals roam freely, one of which being the elusive black viper. Long and thin, the black viper uses its tendril body to slip into open windows or rat dens. There it uses its venom to destroy all.
But even the black viper meets its match with the King Conda, a large-sized lizard with a lumbering stride. This creature reaches 20 ft long with its tail completely straight. Luckily, though, it curls it around itself. The creature, although menacing in size, is fairly tame except during mating season or famine or heat. The real caution of the creature is its bite. The bite causes severe crushing damage to bones and armor. Its small sharp teeth then cut into the exposed flesh so precise no pain is felt. But all this pales in comparison to the toxic sludge that drips from its mouth.
Called Careo's Milk, this substance transmits into the open wounds and solidifies on the surface, creating an instant scab. This scab is hard as stone, but light as clay. Inside, the Milk festers into an awful disease called Careo's Disease.
The disease itself causes nausea and the affected creature to collapse. If not treated within two days the muscles will begin to breakdown, starting at the area of infection and working its way to the heart. The gangrene is a yellowish pink. Pus forms and tries to push the disease out, but the scab prevents the natural healing. Instead, the toxin, now concentrated in one area, festers further and seeps out of the pores, leaking pus and causing terrific pain. When the bacteria reaches the heart either the disease breaks down the heart, or moves to a different limb.
The infection time can be between 5 days or 14.
It is known that only the areas of discoloration are the areas infected, so amputation is viable. Another cure is the break the scab, or call upon a cleric. Until recently.
Just two years ago, naturalists from the Trillia Hills University developed a potion that cures the disease and any symptoms it caused. This breakthrough paved the way for others to develop some sort of natural means to cure what was once deemed impossible diseases to cure.

Transmission & Vectors

Transmitted through saliva, called Careo's Milk, found in the King Condas of Greenreach in northern Caphitolia.

Causes

The Careo's Milk ingested or in an open wound causes the skin to scab rapidly, and traps the bacteria in. Warm to cool environments are ideal for quick and severe infection.

Symptoms

Yellowish pink gangrene is found at wound and travels with the disease. A scab as hard as stone forms on the entry point. Nausea and fever accompany the tremendous pain.

Treatment

No known natural solvents can be used to cure the disease. A cleric may cast a spell to heal. For prevention, amputating the limb(s) affected stops the disease from spreading. Two years ago, a cure potion was developed with local herbs and plants. There's a small distillation period, but the shelf life is years.

Prognosis

If untreated, it will kill. The scab prevents the body from pushing the toxin out, and with nowhere else to go, it travels further in. Amputation or healing magic are the only options.

Sequela

Towards the very end, right before it takes the heart, fever dreams are common.

Affected Groups

Heorcians, peoples living in Greenreach.

Prevention

The only real preventative measures are to not get bit.

Epidemiology

Thankfully, the disease only spreads when the Milk is ingested or applied to a wound. The bacteria stays all inside the body.

History

The Heorcians from the region claim the disease came after one of their ancient chieftains, Simbar, cursed their forgotten god's lizards. As punishment he was turned into one and made to infect others. Naturalists believe the King Conda developed this powerful toxin to inhibit larger prey when hunting.

Type

Bacterial

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Uncommon