Moon Illness is a horrifying condition that plagues the inhabitants of Lamneth, a world overshadowed by the malevolent presence of four moon-like eldritch beings. Those affected by Moon Illness are driven to compulsively gaze at the night sky whenever the moons are visible, forsaking their basic needs and sanity. As they waste away, their hollow-eyed, emaciated forms become eerie echoes of their former selves. The ultimate fate of those afflicted by Moon Illness is a grim one, as they inevitably succumb to the ocean's deadly embrace.

Symptoms and Manifestations

Compulsive Moon Gazing: Individuals with Moon Illness exhibit an uncontrollable compulsion to gaze at the night sky whenever one or more of the eldritch moons are present. They are drawn to the moons' sinister radiance as if under a malevolent spell.
Sleep Deprivation: Moon-gazers rarely sleep, their obsession with the moons leaving them perpetually awake. Their eyes become bloodshot and sunken, and their once-vibrant energy is replaced by an unsettling, trance-like state.

Emaciation: As Moon Illness progresses, victims cease to eat or drink. Their bodies waste away, and their skin takes on a pallid, brittle appearance. Malnutrition and dehydration accelerate their physical deterioration.
Hollow Eyes: Perhaps the most haunting aspect of Moon Illness is the transformation of the eyes. The sockets become hollow and sunken, devoid of life or reason. The empty eyes glow, seeming to reflect the abyssal depths of the moon.

Progression

Moon Illness does not discriminate, affecting Lamnethians of all ages and backgrounds. Its progression follows a predictable pattern:
Initial Gaze: A Lamnethian gazes at one of the eldritch moons. This act marks the beginning of their descent into Moon Illness.
Compulsive Behavior: The affected individual becomes fixated on moon-gazing, forsaking all other activities. They lose interest in food, drink, and rest.
Physical Deterioration: As the compulsion intensifies, the victim's health deteriorates rapidly. They lose weight, their skin loses its elasticity, and they become increasingly frail. The most striking symptom manifests as the eyes hollow out, becoming empty voids. They are no longer capable of coherent speech or rational thought.
Final Descent: Inevitably, those afflicted by Moon Illness wander towards the ocean during high tide. They are drawn by an irresistible force, and their bodies are claimed by the malevolent waves. These tragic souls become one with the ocean, never to return.

Causes

The exact causes of Moon Illness remain enigmatic, but it is intrinsically linked to the eldritch moons that orbit Lamneth. Those who make eye contact with these cosmic entities seem most vulnerable to the affliction.

Treatment and Prevention

There is no known cure for Moon Illness, and prevention is challenging. Lamnethians are cautioned from an early age not to gaze upon the moons for too long, but the compulsion remains a powerful and insidious force. Some cults and seers claim to possess rituals or charms that can ward off the affliction, but their efficacy is questionable at best.