Dark Blood Fever

Curse of the Minotaur: A Popular denomination, used by some humans who blame minotaurs for the disease.

Some humans, without evidence, blame the minotaurs for the disease, claiming that their corrupted blood is the source of the contagion. This belief is intensified due to the disease's resistance to divine healing magic, which some interpret as a sign of the curse of a deity. The last part is true: The disease is caused by a bacterium created by Yaxxar, God of Wrath and Vengeance. Tired of the cruel and selfish behavior of some humans, who designed the bacterium to exterminate this part of humanity as punishment.

Dark Blood Fever drove humans to abandon their nomadic and scattered lifestyle. To protect themselves from the disease, they grouped in walled cities and developed a more organized social structure.

• Walled cities: The walls acted as a physical barrier against infected humans and animals carrying the bacteria.
• Social organization: Society was structured hierarchically, with leaders making decisions to protect the community and establish hygiene and sanitation measures.
• Cooperation: Collaboration among humans was crucial to share resources, caring for the sick, and developing treatments and research on the disease.
  
  

This plague not only changed the way of life for humans but for minotaurs as well, because decades ago, they were labor slaves for human settlements. The rumor that they are the cause of the disease helps them to be free. 

Transmission & Vectors

The disease is transmitted through contact with infected humans' blood or bodily fluids.
It spreads easily through open wounds, animal bites, or contact with contaminated objects.
It only affects humans.

Symptoms

• Stage 1 (Fever and Weakness): Low fever, chills, muscle aches, extreme weakness, and fatigue. In this stage, blood darkens subtly, visible only in the veins or drawn blood.
• Stage 2 (Rashes and Bleeding): High fever, skin rashes that turn into blood-filled blisters, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and internal bleeding. Blood darkens more noticeably, becoming visible on the skin and in bleeding.
• Stage 3 (Multiple Organ Failure): Kidney, liver, and lung failure, delirium, coma, and death. Blood becomes completely dark and thick, making circulation difficult and accelerating death.
  
  

Treatment

• Stage 1: The disease can be cured in stage 1 with natural medicine, even with home remedies. However, early detection is difficult due to the vague initial symptoms.
• Stage 2: The cure in stage 2 is more complex and requires a combination of two steps:

1. Remove the curse: A divine ritual must be performed (a petition to a god or non-divine magic that is supposed to no longer exist) to remove the curse that intensifies the disease.
2. Medical treatment: Once the curse is removed, the disease can be treated with healing magic or with several weeks of intensive natural treatment.

• Stage 3: There is no known cure for stage 3. The disease is irreversible and death is inevitable.
  
  

Sequela

1. Physical weakness:
The disease can leave survivors with persistent physical weakness, chronic fatigue, and difficulty performing everyday activities.
This could be due to the damage caused to the body's muscles, organs, and systems during the illness.
2. Immunity to the disease:
Survivors may develop natural immunity to Dark Blood Fever, making them resistant to reinfection.
3. Resistance to curses:
Survivors are more resistant to curses, some can be free of a curse without treatment.
4. Physical and emotional scars:
The physical scars of the rashes, bleeding, and other lesions caused by the disease can be a constant reminder of the terrible experience they have been through.
Having experienced the nearness of death, survivors may feel a compelling need to find a purpose or meaning in their lives.
5. Sensory changes:
Some survivors may experience changes in touch as a result of the disease.

Very few survivors exist, almost all by chance in the first stage.

Type

Divine

Origin

Divine

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Uncommon

Affected Species

• Human

Myths:

• Myth 1: The disease only affects humans who have had contact with minotaurs or who have been enslaved by them. (partially true)
• Myth 2: The disease is a curse sent by the gods to punish the wicked men. (partially true)
• Myth 3: An ancient minotaur ritual, involving the sacrifice of a white bull, can appease the deity responsible for the disease and stop its spread. (False)
• Myth 4: The disease can be cured if the infected person isolates themselves in a dark cave and remains silent for seven days. (False) This dangerous practice has caused the deaths of many from dehydration or starvation.