Dreaming Insanity

He awakens with bloodshot eyes and one of his pupils blown. The caretakers move in on the gnome after he had stopped convulsing. The sick gnome reaches out and grabs a bottle from his tray. He hurls it at one of the others, ranting, "You will not take me alive." The bottle hits a nurse upside the head and shatters, knocking her to the floor. The others move in quickly as he leaps to his feet. As he raises his fist above his frail body, his face quickly distorts before his body falls to the ground, nothing more than a pile of bones in a skin sack.

Causes

Exposure to high levels of pollution or volcanic gasses causes this problem before filtration of the air of The Fiery Isles caused many to perish because of this illness. After that, the disease almost disappeared until it reappeared in the lower levels of Tower Cities, where the poor of the city live and work.

Symptoms

Fever, Chills, Headaches, Disorientation, Confusion, Paranoia, Fatigue, Seizures, and Sapping of Fortitude

Treatment

Until the Hyperbaric Extraction treatment came along the only option was to seek the help of a powerful Cleric. Still this new treatment can only be used if caught before it enters the third stage of progression.

Prognosis

Without treatment the only outcome is eventual death.

Sequela

The illness progresses through four stages. It does not appear to be anything more than something like the common Flu during the first stage. As it evolves, the mind and body start to take heavier and heavier tolls. By the third stage, the disease has already permanently damaged the brain. In some cases, the victim no longer even knows who their friends or family are. A time filled with distrust and violent outbursts. If it reaches this stage, the only thing that can help is powerful healing magic. In the final stages, the body is wracked with convulsions and seizures. The process continues to ravage the body till death.

Prevention

The Elders Council has been working on a plan to increase the efficiency of the lower-level air filtration systems. Many inventions are currently in use to help decrease their chances of not breathing the pollution. The Council has also instituted a month-long paid vacation to any other gnomish city for any workers who work in the most polluted areas.

History

This disease dates back to when the gnomes first started to breach their underground lair. They found that because of the toxins in the air because of the volcanic activity. They found by using filters that, they could protect themselves from this disease. The resurgence was detected in gnomish foundry workers in the year 10999. The pollution in the lower levels of Tower Cities caused this disease to creep back into society. Before the end of the Millenium, the number of cases had already risen to over 500 patients. In the last census of the year 22220, there were 1,000,000 current cases and 10,000,000+ deaths.

Cultural Reception

Even though this condition is not contagious. The Elders Council have still mandated. That anyone that has been diagnosed with this disease is not allowed to go above the 100th Floor. For any gnome who lives on the upper floors they see this sickness as a disgusting blight on their otherwise great cities.

Type

Prion

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare