Gray Wasting

The Gray Wasting is a fungal-based disease that is believed to spread from crypts or burial chambers that get exposed to moisture and plant growth. The Fungus then gradually spreads to the plant life and through the plants outside of the crypt. This can make it very difficult to find the original source of the fungus. When the fungus is disturbed it emits spores that are airborne and inhaled by animals and people. Its name comes from the gray color those that are afflicted become and how they waste away. Once the disease claims a victim it continues to grow and will eventually cause the victim to reanimate as a fungal zombie with the sole desire to spread the spores. If the zombie is recently raised it is indistinguishable from a standard undead zombie and acts the same except it still breaths emitting spores. Gray Wasting Zombies further along in their fungal growth becomes obvious and spread their spores around them in a cloud or haze and will in some cases explode on death.
This disease moves very quickly through small villages and due to the delay in symptoms however burning the dead often helps stem the spread and the more advanced spread tactics. The transmission through animals is a significant concern. It is often up to adventurers or other courageous souls to find the source of the fungus and eradicated it, sadly this is often and death sentence for the ones involved due to the increased exposure and risk.

Treatment

Caught early enough there is a medicinal draught, Albric's Tussen that can be consumed to cure the disease or stall it if it is more advanced. This medicinal draught can be found in and around Port Altair. Beyond this point, it can only be cured by clerical means.

Prevention

Typical methods prevent the acquisition of the disease but often victims have no idea they were exposed until it is too late.

History

The first recoded occurance of the disease shows up after the fall of the Sira’Kahn in the current Kingdom of Jote then the Zevalon Dynasty. Scholars believe it was the result of the arcane experimentations of the Sira'kahn in their attempts to conquer the Dynasty and rule Dane but these theories haven't been verified since no one has found any concrete records of this.

Cultural Reception

Anyone who is afflicted is isolated and feared.

Type

Fungal

Origin

Mutated

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Extremely Rare