Tomb Virus

The tomb virus is a condition which is equal parts feared and shunned; for those who contract it, have brought it upon themselves. Known across the region of Nekoth as the Robber's Mark, this crippling, often-fatal disease is believed to be the curse of those who have disturbed the rest of the ancient Nekothi Mustih, rulers of great wealth, influence and power, by entering their tombs with the intent of stealing from them.

Transmission & Vectors

Tomb virus does not spread through traditional means like other disease; the only way in which this disease can be transmitted is through complicity in the crime of attempting to steal from or deface the Mustih's tomb. Those who knowingly bankrolled or assisted tomb bandits and come into contact with their ally or charge will find themselves carrying the Robber's Mark.

Causes

The tomb virus can only by contracted by venturing into the tombs of the Mustih, rulers of ancient Nekoth. Entering the tomb with ill ambitions, such as the hope of stealing the Mustih's treasures, to deface the tomb or the Mustih's sarcophagus or body, will lead to the tomb bandit contracting the tomb virus, often without their knowledge until the symptoms appear. 
Those who knowingly assist in these tomb bandits entering and stealing or defacing these tombs are not exempt from the tomb virus. Those who fund or help enter the tomb will face the wrath of the Mustih's spirits when they come into contact with the bandits or any loot they have managed to retrieve.

Symptoms

The first and most obvious symptom of the tomb virus is that of the Robber's Mark. This appears as a prominent red rash appearing on the skin of the tomb bandit in the part of the body which has come into contact with the Mustih's tomb or any loot. The most commonly locations for this rash is the palm of the hand where they have handed the Mustih's treasure or tomb for defacing purposes or along the arms where they have brushed against the tomb or where they have been touched by their comrade in celebration.
The second symptom of the tomb virus is the spreading of the rash and the changing of the skin colour associate with it. After the rash appears, over the coming days it will spread across the infected person's body, slowly turning the skin around it a sickly grey colour, giving them the appearance of a walking corpse. As this becomes more prominent and covers more of the afflicted's body, they will physically weaken, becoming more gaunt and drastically losing muscle mass and tone. As the rash, greying skin and weakness spreads, the infected person will begin to suffer visions and fits of madness, at first intermittently, before they grow stronger and closer together.

Treatment

The traditional cure for the tomb virus is to return the treasure which you have stolen from the Mustih's tomb to its rightful place or to undo any defacement you have performed whether that is repairing any surfaces defaced or repreparing the Mustih's body in the traditional fashion. This is a surefire way to undo the curse and can be seen by the rash fading from the bandit's body upon completion.
Another way in which the tomb virus can be cured is the casting of a remove curse upon the infected person. For this to be completely successful, the person must have given up possession of all treasure and not have any on their person and they must avoid returning to the tomb and contact with any person infected otherwise they risk reinfection.

Prognosis

As the discolouration becomes stronger and the visions increase in occurrence, the body of the afflicted will begin to change even more. They will come to possess an irresistible urge to return to the tomb in which they contracted the virus and their body seems to change to accommodate this task. Gaining nearly limitless energy and losing the need to eat, drink and sleep almost completely, they will pursue their goal of returning to this tomb no matter what. People reaching this stage of the disease have been seen to break through a number of obstacles and barriers to continue on their march despite their gaunt, starved appearance.
People who have not been cured and have been allowed to fulfil their journey, will walk nonstop to the tomb they contracted the virus in before dropping to a kneeling position before the sarcophagus of the Mustih as in prayer before finally expiring. Their bodies will then disintegrate as if made of ash, blowing on the desert wind.

Sequela

One condition that becomes prevalent in those cured of the tomb virus is they will suffer from terrifying visions and dreams. These are usually composed of members of the Mulhorandi pantheon, most often Horus-Re, Osiris, Anubis and Set, as well the spirits of Mustihs and enormous beasts coming to torment and condemn the tomb bandit for the rest of their life with no known way to remove this influence.

Affected Groups

The tomb virus can affect anyone of any age, race or gender as long as they are a tomb bandit associated with the disturbing of a Mustih's tomb with no known exception.

Prevention

The most effective prevention against the tomb virus is to avoid interfering with and stealing from the tombs of the Mustih. For bandits attemping despite knowing the risks, carrying an ancient pendant of the Mulhorandi pantheon and offering prayers of thanks and protection to both the pantheon and the Mustih is believed to be an effective prevention.

Epidemiology

The tomb virus once gestated within a tomb bandit will quickly spread through the criminal network in which they are associated either through handling treasure stolen from the tomb knowingly stolen and being aware of its origins, or through touch between members of the organisation knowingly associated with the crime.

History

The first known recorded case is that of Amrek Ustavi. A tomb bandit of antiquity, Amrek attempted to steal from the tomb of the first Mustih Awa shortly after his entombment. Found crawling the Nekothi desert outside of the town of Plenoth, the tomb bandit begged for water and food between his bouts of madness in which he would scream for mercy from the Mustih. As he neared his end, the tomb bandit gained small moments of lucidity in which he was able to inform others of what had happened. He claimed as he entered the tomb Awa's spirit had risen from his sarcophagus and had gripped the bandit by the throat, lifting him from the ground. The Mustih's spirit had informed Amrek of the fate that would befall him and all tomb raiders who would disturb Awa's tomb or those of his descendants. Before releasing the bandit, the spirit cursed him, calling upon the Mulhorandi Pantheon to brand him and all his ilk with a mark that would show them for who they are. With that, Awa's spirit ascended to Heliopolis, leaving Amrek with a mark burned into his throat where the spirit's hand had held him aloft. Amrek was later found dead in his bed with his head tilted in such a way that it was facing the tomb of Awa despite being completly enclosed indoors.

Cultural Reception

Those carrying the tomb virus, especially those with a prominent Robber's Mark, are shunned harshly within the Nekothi culture. Knowing what is the cause of the disease leads them to being close to excluded from the society except in circles such as other criminals or those infected. People will avoid them in the street even those who have no chance of becoming infected due to the implication of how the tomb virus is contracted and spread.

Type

Supernatural

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Unique