The Petrification

The Petrification is a disease first encountered in the region of Kaoro, that affected less than 1 in 25,000 of the native people. When an unlucky candidate who was susceptible to the Stone Fungus's spores had one attach itself to their skin, it would start to spread.
After it has devoured its host, the fungus builds up and becomes fluffy over the course of about 6 or 7 hours, and then spores again. If the spores do not latch onto a host within thirty minutes, they become dormant and can be activated again by meeting host matter, or appropriate warmth and humidity.
The Stone Fungus doesn't just spread over or through the skin of its victim. It burrows deep, spreading through and replacing every piece of soft tissue it can come in contact with. Only bones would remain intact, but would be contained within the fungus's hard, thick, and only slightly crumbly matter. In simple terms, left unattended, it would turn a person completely to stone.
When it moved quickly, the fungus could not be contained, or amputated. When it reached the head or heart, the victim would die, and the fungus would continue to devour their flesh until their was none left. In the worst cases, these petrified bodies are still knitted in place by the stone. When it moved slowly, it could be amputated, but there were times when the fungus had spread into the blood stream, or if it was really slow had caused gangrene which could kill the victim too.
After the eruption of Lyliki in 424, the disease had a new vector to spread. The Stone Fungus was capable of surviving in almost any climate with organic creatures, and today appears in every part of the world. Outside of Kaoro, many fear the Petrification severely, as they have not had time to become accustomed to its presence. Outside of Kaoro, the infection rate is much higher, at close to 1 in 5,000 people being petrified in most rural areas, and 1 in 13,000 in cities with better health provision.

Type

Fungal