The Wandering

A disease that strikes seemingly at random. Causing extreme wanderlust and daydreaming to the point that the person loses touch with reality as it is around them and fails to perform even the most basic of tasks to take care of themselves. The subject in question appears dissociated and catatonic. While the body functions the mind is effectively gone. No one is entirely certain as to what causes it and it seems to affect all groups except children under the age of 10 in most races [humans, half-orcs, dragonborn, etc] and doesn't affect elves until they reach early adulthood or later. The only race unaffected by this disease seems to be the Alters but given their inherent wanderlust and shapechanging abilities it's hard to be certain that they are not actually constantly under the affect of the disease. Onset is usually rapid and it can last from a few days to a few years. Most societies simply try to take care of individuals afflicted by this disease and simply let it run its course as they don't know of any means of curing it.

Causes

The actual cause of the disease is a side effect of the common use of Saieron's Bells. The Bells pollen is magical in nature and carried by fae bees. These bees in turn are fae touched creatures that have been imbued with magic of the fae. As a result of this the wandering is actually an extension of fae magic that allows mortals to venture to the realm of the fae via astral means. So while their corporeal body is very much present in the here and now of the world of Zodia Accapia their spiritual being is in the realm of the fae courts.

Symptoms

Dissociative states, catatonic states, wanderlust

Treatment

The disease is left to run its course and treatment usually consists of the group, village, town, city block, taking care of the individual affected until the disease subsists.

Prognosis

No one is certain how long the disease will last but it is certain that it does end, eventually.

Affected Groups

All young adult to adult individuals of every race except Alters.

Prevention

There is no known method of preventing the disease at this time.

Epidemiology

There is no apparent pattern to the disease.

Cultural Reception

In most societies it is simply taken as another days work to be added on to the other chores and labors of life. It simply happens and people accept it. Some of the tribes in the eastern desert and to the northern icy tundra see it as a gift from the Gods. That these individuals have been chosen to go on a quest to other realms beyond the mortal coil and when they return from such ventures they are treated as respected sages and soothsayers.

Type

Mental

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Rare