Plague Island Disaster

The floating island that brought screams and sickness to Zendu.

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Overview

Three generations ago a terrible plague befell the avian inhabitants of Zendu. The disease arrived atop a floating island which landed in the region carrying sick migratory screamer-birds.
The island was due to drift along the coastal winds and back out to sea but an unusual change in the weather caused the igneous albar rock to cool significantly, making the island descend until it gently collided into the great plains.
When native Zendian wildlife interacted with the infected creatures they spread the disease quickly, and it wasn't long before loran folk became fatally unwell. The virus adapted and spread among other folk types, causing devastation across the land.
The disease was originally named the Zendian Plague but when travelling physicians arrived it was correctly identified as the screamer-bird sickness that affected several other neighbouring countries including Kambara and Galimar.

Early warnings

For more than three months sailors had raised concerns of the screaming island slowly approaching from the coast, though as they were unaware of the disease being carried they were more worried about the noise and appetite of the screamer-birds. As this migration was a rare but not-unheard of occurrence, their complaints were ignored.

You could almost hear that giant floating island drifting in on the sea breeze! The thing is screaming with those insatiable beasts - I'd forgotten how early their calls wake me up.

— A voice of concern

Screamer-birds

These large sea birds lazily migrate on the floating islands and use them as their mobile nesting grounds. The winds take them from coast to coast, and they've learnt to adapt their diet to whatever is currently beneath them.
Screamer-birds dive unceremoniously from their island and hide in its shadow to swoop down on unsuspecting prey. They hunt fish and small creatures, but will sometimes go for other birds if they get too close to their nests. Sailing folk dislike them because they perch on their docks and vessels screaming for a share of the latest catch.

There's only two times they'll shut up: one is when their beaks are full and the other is when it's right about to strike you. Be wary of the silence, friend.

— A tired sailor

Contents

Type

Natural