The Long Dream

To our kind, dreams are a connection with all of those who came before us. Every day we meditate upon the wisdom that our ancestors have left for us, embracing that dreaming world and the knowledge it holds. But when we open our eyes and the line between life and dream starts to blur, then we know that the time will soon come when we will join them forever.

Causes

The condition starts to show in most elves who live past 600 years. If one remains physically, and mentally, active it is possible to stave off the effects.

Symptoms

In its early stages, The Long Dream simply makes elves a little more drowsy whenever they finish meditating. Their dreams linger in their peripheral vision for a little longer than usual, sunlight may seem too bright, and their darkvision may take some time before it adjusts.
As the affliction starts to set in the elf starts having trouble separating their dreams from reality. It's common for them to mistake people around them for the ancestors they have seen in their dreams, or to be confused by how the area around them is not how they remember it.
Finally, the afflicted can no longer differentiate between life or dream and becomes trapped in a state where they can do nothing more than stare blankly ahead.
Once it progresses further the afflicted can no longer separate their two realities. They might fully believe that they are one of their ancestors, or that they live in a different time altogether. They constantly misremember the names and faces of those around them, although the connection often stays the same. The lover that they had in their own life may appear to them as the lover of their great grandmother. As such their feelings are often the same, but directed at the memory of someone else.

Treatment

In the early stages of the affliction, it is possible for the elf to stave off the effects by trying to live more in the moment. By keeping their mind and body focused on what they are doing, and where they want to go, they can keep their head clear of the memories of others.
However, once the sickness progresses there is little that can be done.

Type

Genetic