Abnormal and Normal Diseases

Thank you for picking up this pamphlet. Chances are that you are worried about recent plagues and wish to improve your knowledge in this sector. I am Doctor Abd al-Aziz Howayek and I am a researcher at the Ai’ Aib Institute for Disease Research. I have studied countless diseases throughout my life and I am grateful to the Institute for allowing me to write this pamphlet. I shall provide you a simple, easy to understand guide to the current plagues that exist in Iris and how to tell between abnormal and normal diseases with helpful examples of each. 

Classification: 

While the use of the word “normal” in such contexts may be considered outdated, lacking alternative terminology forces me to continue using such classification. “Normal” under such classification refers to instances of diseases that occur through malfunction of the body’s natural processes. This can be anything from germs to imbalances of chemicals in the brain, normal would cover such classification. 

Abnormal diseases are classified as causing distress from outside the body’s natural process. This can be from magical outcomes produced by the body, or from unknown entities. These diseases change the behavior and or the body of the person in ways that aren’t explainable without these influences.  

Normal diseases:

These can be anything from the common cold to small pox. To list all of them would be a monumental task outside of the scope of this pamphlet. Mental health diseases and disorders are discovered through such imbalances and/ or malformations of the brain. These occur without the inclusion of magic or godly influence. These are purely biological, these diseases can be cured through medication or therapy depending on the disease. This can depend on disease itself, should there be treatment for it. Your doctor shall be able to prescribe the relevant medications (if available for the sickness). 

Abnormal Diseases:

Here is the list of Abnormal Diseases known to us. Please pay attention to the symptoms carefully. 

Null Affliction 

Appears to be a birth defect, look for any spiral shaped birthmarks on the babe upon birth. Once a birthmark has been discovered, it is already too late. After three weeks the babe will begin to hum the song of the Null, which dampens all magic within an area around the babe and will cause people to cease any acts of violence and will start to hum along with the Null Afflicted Person. 

Null Afflicted people cannot stop the hum, they will have difficulty eating, drinking and talking, requiring care and therapy in order to help them be integrated into society proper. Null Affliction can be contagious but the influence is only temporary. How infection occurs is unknown and any attempts at curing Null Affliction have proven ineffective. 

Changeling Syndrome 

Appears to be a fairy/ ælvŕn curse or spell that afflicts women pregnant with child or the first born of any birth following the curse. There is no evidence that this curse is contagious or fatal. However once the babe is born, they will be onset by a lower immune system and a sickly pale complexion. Once they start to grow hair, it will be auburn red. Their developmental milestones will be delayed and they will be intellectually stunted. Raising people with Changeling Syndrome will be a challenge, but it can be done with right caregiving and lots of patience. 

Tree Skin 

Spreads through contaminated bark and plant life, this disease can be removed through careful washing of the contaminated area (visible through a dark brown discoloring of the skin) within two hours of contact.  However if cleaning is not done properly then it will result in the slow transformation of skin and flesh into tree bark and wood. The infected feels no pain during the process but will find movement increasingly difficult. Depending on the spread, amputation is the only way to prevent further spread. Should the tree skin reach the head or the heart, the relevant organ will turn to wood and the victim dies. It is imperative that such events are prevented to ensure continuation of life. There is no cure for Tree Skin yet. Victims are contagious meaning it can spread through touch. To clean the area of contact, wash with hot water and soap and use a simple healing technique to ensure complete decontamination.  How Tree Skin manifests on plants is unknown, some theories suggest that it is an overactive magical production of plant growth hormones. 

The Pocked 

A strange mutation of a tree fungus that supercharges the spread of its spore. Extremely contagious to all life, once it is breathed in or absorbed by the skin, it will quickly take over the central nervous system. Once the brain has been subsumed by the fungi, growths will sprout, hollowing out all unessential parts of the body to provide more vectors for the spore and for oxygen. Infection takes approximately 5 hours to complete. The infected will wander around, spewing out spores in a cloud around them. Extremely dangerous, avoid any forests that seemingly howl and cover your body completely to avoid spore infection. 

Blood Omen 

Created by Judarat’s madness that marked The Blood Moon Crisis in the Zollvi Republic. This highly infectious disease is spread through body fluids or prolonged exposure to artistic expressions of Judarat which are bleeding themselves. Exposure needs to last for three days. In regards to fluids, blood is typically the method of transmission. The blood leaks from the eyes, mouth and ears of the infected. Infection is incubated for three days, but afterwards, the infected begins to have obsessive thoughts about worshiping Judarat. In the next three days this will progress to obsessions with blood, self harm is common at this stage. In the following four to six days the infected will start to bleed from the orifices described. The infected will turn violent, fueled intent to create wounds fit for blood letting.  There is no known cure for this disease, upon confirmed exposure the infected has to be killed to prevent spread. 

Cosmic Despair 

Compared to normal depression, Cosmic Despair is marked by infection through interaction with the Goddess of Despair. Once infected with the sickness, the victim is highly susceptible to cycles of existential depression. Anyone who listens to the infected talk about the despair of existence will themselves become infected with the disease. Cosmic Despair is a memetic disease, knowledge is the infection. Only a memory wipe will prevent the final stage of the sickness, which is suicide. Early detection is key to prevent spread so be attentive to your interactions with gods. When you are in the dreamscape, be mindful of your surroundings. Should you hear some terrible wailing, do not approach the direction of the sound. Do not interact with the source of the crying and If needed, wake yourself up. 

Lycanthropy

Sometimes, the arcane genre that exists within wolves mutates, causing hyper aggression within wolves along with supernatural strength. Should a human be bitten by this arcane sick wolf they will undergo a similar mutation over three to five months. They will have reduced cognitive ability during the night along with heightened aggression. They will lose themselves to the animalistic fervor, crawling on all fours and barking. They will inherit the same strength during the night. When dealing with a Lycanthrope, try to hide if unarmed. If armed, try to stun or maim the infected, for a cure is possible, through a reversal of the genetic mutation via alchemical cocktails of silver and hemlock. Killing a Lycanthrope is only allowed in the most dire of circumstances. This disease can be passed down through infected human bite marks too. Call a trained Lycanthrope Catcher to detain and administer the cure. 

Wondering Corpse 

Most would know this disease as having occurred during Myth of the Dead Whale. However surviving reports that relate to the time of which this myth had occurred suggest that this had happened. In such a case, Wondering Corpse is the state in which a mortal has died but continues to move for a prolonged period of time. This seems to occur when someone doesn’t exist on the Death records. This plague is only spread through the absence of such. These creatures however are responsible for creating normal plagues and diseases through their decay, which sees the collapse of ecosystems and societies. Report any sightings to the God of Death immediately. 

Gut Mites 

Parasitic bugs designed by some unknown entity, released by the Sako during the Emerald wars. They travel via rodents or other mammals, latching onto humans in close proximity. Regardless of host, these mites will infest the gut and destroy the body from the inside out. Watch for crawling sensations on the skin and feelings of bloat early on in infection. The secondary stage will see bloat in the stomach and lower parts of the body. Unexplained bruises will appear around the pelvic regions as the mites destroy the gut. Some reports of mites crawling out of genital areas have occurred. The third stage will see the victim go down with a fever, the bloating will resemble that of a pregnancy. The victim will be in agony for three days before the stomach bursts, sending fresh mites out.  Keep the house clean, report any bloated animals immediately to the veterinary authority and do not let in any stray dogs or cats. 

Agonist

An obsessive erotic interest in pain. As this is spread through body fluids, the person suffering from this godly disorder will feel strong impulses to rape and assault anyone. Please keep in mind that orientation doesn’t register for the infected, they seek pleasure by inflicting pain. The infected will get a sadistic delight in the violation. Any body fluids that enter through any orifice will result in symptoms manifesting in the victim after an incubation period of one to two weeks. Theorized to be the result of madness born by The Fragment of Love: Pyrrhic. It is vital that the patient gets to a church for an exorcism once confirmation of infection has been established. Avoid any statues of Pyrrhic and the Fragments of Love to avoid infection. Be aware of any strange behavior at bars or in public spaces. Do not be alone if you suspect an Agonist is hunting you.  

Current Plagues and how to protect yourself:

The Pocked in Forest States

All Forest States in Helios territories must be avoided at all costs, the plague has been contained. But any attempts to enter the exclusion zones must be prevented for even a single spore leaving the exclusion zone will endanger thousands. Watch for any hole filled mushrooms and or plant life and report any sightings immediately. Spores are small and often invisible, get yourself tested should you stumble upon life influenced by The Pocked. Swift action prevents death and transformation 

Blood Omen in the Eastern Zollvi Republic 

Blood Omen has been eliminated in major metropolises. However small isolated pockets of Devourers remain in the rural mountains in the Republic. There the statues of the former father of man remain in his limited influence. Only prolonged existence within his influence (an estimated period of three to four days) must pass before symptoms appear. If you see any statues/ animals/ people bleeding from the eyes, mouth or ears you must run away immediately. Animals or people affected by Blood Omen are extremely violent and fanatical, they will try to kill or infect you. 

Small Pox: Global

Avoid close contact with people infected, do not touch any objects interacted with by the infected. Any surfaces that were interacted with by the infected will be safe with the alcoholic disinfectant. Until the scabs have fallen off, the infection is contagious. 

Thank you for reading, I hope that this pamphlet will help prepare you for any unfortunate encounters with normal and abnormal diseases. If you have any questions please call the number at the bottom of the page.