vrusht
Those afflicted with vrusht are most often found wandering the ruins of Yarth in a confused and aggressive state. they pose a threat to any and all Topsiders who are searching for artifacts. there have been a few cases of intelligent vrusht victims and the following information was gathered from interviews with them.
Transmission & Vectors
vrusht cant be transmitted in the traditional sense but CAN be contracted if one person willingly accepts the condition from one who suffers from it.
Causes
Nanites roughly the size of bacteria that have been damaged through some ancient process making them unable to replicate.
Symptoms
A rust colored full body "rash" that in actuality is a layer of nanites half an inch thick.
Auditory and visual Hallucinations.
Dementia.
Aggression.
Enhanced strength.
immortality.
Treatment
The condition by its very nature is sadly necessary. Though those afflicted can find some peace by exposing themselves to high strength electro magnets.
Prognosis
After willfully accepting the burden of vrusht the nanites will flow from the old host to the new leaving no nanites behind.
When the volunteer is fully encased in the vrusht they will immediatly begin to hear what is beleived to be a local artificial intelligence that coordinates the nanites begin speaking, threatening immense psychological and physical harm to the subject unless the subject finds a way to "fix" them.
These threats are not for show and an intense pain followed by powerful hallucinations will follow the subject for the rest of its life as separation from the nanites past this point is lethal.
These extreme conditions drive nearly all afflicted to insanity within a year or less.
Sequela
The nanites are not defenseless and if their host is atttacked they will harden in response and can even form blades out of itself.
Hosts & Carriers
Anything intelligent enough to volunteer can contract vrusht.
Prevention
no need for prevention is required as the nanites that cause the condition, while numerous, can no longer replicate leaving a fixed population of infected.
History
vrusht used to be much worse according to those sane enough to recall its origins. the nanites were created as the next natural step from the Buzzies this civilization had created prior, but unbeknownst to them this would be the last invention they ever make. the nanites quickly grew out of control being capable of breaking down most if not all matter and create more of itself with the materials creating a classic "grey goo" scenario the plague quickly swept across Yarth destroying most modern technology that this empire had created before a solution was found. A weapon that could shut down the nanites ability to replicate, but at a cost. Through unknown means the civilization managed to fuse its own population with the nanites themselves becoming living prisons for the plague they had created.
Cultural Reception
Pity is a natural reaction to have if one knows the history of those afflicted. That someone could give up their life and even death to live in a hell that keeps the world safe.
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