Grave Rot

Grave Rot

Transmission & Vectors

Transmitted through blood finding it's way into an open wound of some sort or alternatively through an afflicted aviary dying near a source of open water which would then affect usually smaller children who then drink from the water source

Causes

First beginning when a fungal disease transferred to crows.

Prognosis

Usually it goes on to cover the skin of the entire body, at which point it is no longer curable and can, if untreated, drive a person mad and make them highly aggressive.

Affected Groups

Largely rural areas in the colder North, where after battles there sometimes be a large number of cases nearby. Affecting most every bipedal creature in the same way with the exclusion of Kenkus.

Hosts & Carriers

Affecting ravens asymptomatically, they pick it up from deceased carriors who would die in battle, then going on to pass it to the local populus, in whom it shows it's symptoms. The disease can also be transferred by blood to blood transmission and open wounds coming in contact with infected blood.

Prevention

The burning of raven carcases and the general avoidance of both them and large battlefields, especially dead mercenaries. And on a personal level ensuring no open sores around dead bodies or during combat.

Epidemiology

Due to the low amounts of population it has failed to spread and has been largely contained by the local populus and as such is usually only ever given in a controlled enviornment.

History

Long since revered as a sign of a person of great power it has infected a number of warlords and heroes of old however also turning a few into mad murderers spurred on by their newfound horrifying appearence to stalk the wastes of the north

Cultural Reception

Viewed amongst the "Civilised" south as a horrible bane exemplifying the stereotype of the rampaging Northener, and it is treated as a condition to be hid if you wish to exist amongst the upper echelons of society, being a key point in a few slander campaigns as real or not it proves to be valid blackmail. However amongst the afflicted areas and by people from martial cultures or backgrounds it is a sign power, and garners a lot of respect, being sought out by many mercenaries and underground boxers due to it's performance enhancing ability.

Type

Fungal

Origin

Mutated

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Extremely Rare