Silicos Plague

"We must remember those we lost not as victims, but as warriors in a silent war. Their memory fuels our fight, and their sacrifice will not be in vain."

— Elder Councilor Gothrar Deepiron, at a memorial ceremony

The Silicos Plague is a deadly and insidious disease that exclusively afflicts the dwarven race. Originating from the deep underground caverns of Domen Aria, the plague is transmitted through contact with infected Rock Bats, creatures believed to hail from the elemental Plane of Earth. The disease spreads among dwarves through repeated physical contact, leading to a gradual and horrifying transformation where the afflicted absorb silicon and slowly turn to stone. First identified in the dwarven nation of Guan Din, the plague has had profound social, economic, and cultural impacts. Despite the development of a life saving cure by the famous human healer, Clararton Bartolara in 564 A.S., the Silicos Plague remains a formidable threat, deeply etched into the collective consciousness of dwarven society.

Transmission & Vectors

The Silicos Plague is primarily transmitted through contact with an infected Rock Bat. These creatures are the main carriers of the disease, harboring the plague within their bodies. Rock Bats are elusive and reside in the deepest, darkest underground caverns, making them difficult to avoid for those dwarves who venture into these areas for mining or exploration. The bats' fur, saliva, and droppings contain the plague causing pathogen. If a Rock Bat bites or scratches a dwarf, the pathogen can enter the body through the wound. Contact with the bats saliva, either directly or indirectly can also lead to infection. Touching surfaces or materials contaminated with the fur or droppings of Rock Bats can transmit the disease. This is particularly dangerous in mining areas where the bats roost or nest.
Once a dwarf is infected, the Silicos Plague can spread to other dwarves through repeated physical contact. Repeated skin to skin contact with an infected dwarf can transfer the pathogen, especially if the infected dwarf has reached the stage where their skin begins to harden and crack, releasing minute particles of silicon laden material. Using tools or equipment handled by an infected dwarf can spread the disease if those items are not properly cleaned and disinfected. The silicon particles can linger on these objects, posing a risk to anyone who subsequently touches them.
The underground environment itself can facilitate the spread of the disease due to its enclosed nature and the presence of shared spaces and materials. The tight, often crowded conditions of dwarven mines and settlements can accelerate the spread of the plague among individuals who are in constant close proximity. Poor ventilation in underground areas can allow for the accumulation of silicon dust and other particles, increasing the likelihood of transmission through the air in confined spaces.

Causes

Exactly where the Silcos Plague originated from is still a mystery. Whether it is seen as a curse, a failed experiment, a natural phenomenon, or a divine act, the origins of the plague are still a mystery. All that is truly known is that the Rock Bats carry and spread the disease. The most likely cause seems to be some sort of adaptation of the bats to their new environment, away from their elemental home plane. This adaptation kick started an evolution of the bacteria that causes the disease. The new altered biology of the bacteria allows for its elemental essence to interact with the dwarven physiology, causing silicon to accumulate in their bodies.

Symptoms

Early Stage:

• Joint Stiffness: The first sign is a subtle stiffness in the joints, often mistaken for common fatigue or overwork.

• Dry Cough: A persistent dry cough develops, which expels tiny grains of silicon dust.

• Heavy Limbs: Dwarves begin to feel an unusual heaviness in their limbs, making movement slightly laborious.

• Gray Tint: A faint grayish tint appears on the skin, particularly around the fingertips and eyes.

Mid Stage:

• Severe Joint Pain: The stiffness in the joints intensifies into severe, chronic pain, significantly limiting mobility.

• Increased Heaviness: The sensation of heaviness grows more pronounced, making even simple tasks feel arduous.

• Silicon Build-up: Silicon dust visibly accumulates in the eyes, mouth, and nostrils, causing discomfort and irritation.

• Skin Changes: The skin takes on a more pronounced gray tint and begins to feel rough and gritty to the touch.

Late Stage:

• Rigid Movements: Movements become increasingly rigid and slow as the silicon infiltrates muscles and tendons.

• Slurred Speech: The tongue and facial muscles stiffen, leading to slurred and labored speech.

• Crystalline Deposits: Visible crystalline silicon deposits form under the skin, creating a patchwork of hard, stony areas.

• Vision Impairment: The eyes start to glaze over with a silvery sheen, impairing vision and leading to eventual blindness.

Terminal Stage:

• Complete Petrification: The final stage sees the complete petrification of the dwarf. The entire body hardens into a statue-like state, with all biological functions ceasing.

• Stony Shell: The petrified dwarf becomes a lifeless stone statue, a tragic and permanent reminder of the plague's devastating effects.

Treatment

In the year 564 A.S., the famous human healer Clararton Bartolara developed a groundbreaking treatment for the Silicos Plague in the dwarven nation of Guan Din. This treatment has since saved countless lives and is regarded as one of the most significant medical advancements in the history of Domen Aria. The cure consists of the famous Bartolara Elixir, a purifying ritual, and a regimented post-treatment diet and physical therapy.

"In the depths of despair, I found hope not in the power of magic, but in the unity of our hearts and the strength of our will. The Silicos Plague may turn flesh to stone, but it cannot petrify our spirit."

— Clararton Bartolara, upon announcing the discovery of a cure.

Cultural Reception

Initial outbreaks of the Silicos Plague usually causes widespread fear and panic among the usually stoic dwarven people. The mysterious nature of the disease and its horrifying symptoms leads to a climate of uncertainty and dread. In some communities, the fear of infection leads to mass hysteria, with dwarves abandoning their homes and fleeing to less affected areas.
Early on, some clans blamed rival factions or perceived enemies for the plague, leading to tensions and conflicts. The plague has also been attributed to curses, divine punishment, and malevolent spirits, resulting in superstitious practices aimed at warding off the disease.
The discovery of the disease’s origins and transmission methods, along with the development of the Bartolara Elixir, shifted the cultural perception from superstition to a more rational understanding. Clararton Bartolara and other healers who contributed to combating the plague became celebrated figures, revered as heroes and saviors.

Type

Bacterial

Origin

Alien

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Extremely Rare

Affected Species

• Dwarf

"I've seen my friends turn to stone before my eyes. It's a curse, sure enough, but it's also a call to arms. We have to be careful, aye, but we can't stop. The ore won't wait."

— An anonymous miner from Guan Din, speaking in a tavern.

by by me with Dall-E

Rumors

The Curse of the Elemental Plane: It is whispered that the Silicos Plague is not merely a disease but a curse from the elemental Plane of Earth. According to this rumor, the Rock Bats were sent by an ancient earth deity angered by the dwarves’ relentless mining and exploitation of the earth's resources. The plague is seen as divine retribution, a punishment for their greed. Some dwarven communities, particularly those who have suffered the most, believe in this curse. They perform elaborate rituals and offer sacrifices to appease the deity and seek forgiveness.
The Phantom Healer: Legends speak of a mysterious figure known as the Phantom Healer, who is said to roam the deepest of caverns. This spectral being is believed to possess the ability to cure the Silicos Plague with a single touch. Sightings of the Phantom Healer are rare and often occur in the darkest, most remote parts of the mines. Desperate families and plague victims sometimes venture into the depths in search of the Phantom Healer, hoping for a miraculous cure.
The Secret of the Crystal Ferns: There is a persistent rumor that the Crystal Ferns, which grow in the silicon rich environments of the underground caverns, hold the true cure for the Silicos Plague. According to this tale, consuming a specially prepared potion made from the fern’s leaves can completely eradicate the disease. Alchemists and herbalists are particularly interested in this rumor, leading to frequent expeditions to harvest and experiment with Crystal Ferns. However, no conclusive evidence has been found to support the claim.
The Rock Bat King: Some believe that the source of the Silicos Plague is a mythical creature known as the Rock Bat King, a giant and ancient bat said to dwell in the deepest cavern, guarded by a legion of lesser Rock Bats. Slaying the Rock Bat King is rumored to break the curse and end the plague forever. Adventurers and warriors sometimes take up the quest to find and slay the Rock Bat King, though none have returned with proof of its existence.
The Dwarven Conspiracy: A darker rumor suggests that the Silicos Plague was intentionally created by a faction within dwarven society. This conspiracy theory posits that a group of rogue alchemists or political rivals developed the plague as a weapon to gain power or control over the mining regions. Distrustful and politically motivated individuals often propagate this rumor, leading to suspicion and division within some dwarven communities.
The Ghosts of the Petrified: Many believe that the spirits of those who have been petrified by the plague continue to haunt the areas where they turned to stone. These ghosts are said to whisper warnings and secrets to those who dare to listen, offering cryptic clues about the plague’s origins and possible cures. Ghost stories and haunting tales are common, especially among miners and children, who share these eerie legends to explain strange occurrences in the caverns.