Skratt bisporus

As the elves made their way into Elturia, they brought something else with them. The lords of the Fae thought it would be quite the joke to give the gift of Skratt to the people of Elturia, hiding the spores of the mushroom with the elven travelers. These small light blue mushrooms caused a sickness so dangerous, that it brought the region to its knees. Though the disease was short lived (since the mushroom couldn't survive in the prime material) the wealthy of Aldhon have found ways to keep a small amount alive since, in lesser infections, it induces euphoric effects. If the queen were to find who is keeping colonies of the mushrooms alive, they would be surely executed due to the danger of another outbreak.

Stages

There are 4 stages to the infection. It is easily cured within the first two stages of the condition, while in the third and fourth stages it is incredibly difficult to cure and highly contagious.

Stage 1: Euphoria

The first stage of the infection begins shortly after an individual eats one of the Skratt Mushrooms. The infection is not contagious at this point. Symptoms include:

The inability to feel sad

An insatiable sense of optimism

Unnatural amount of confidence

Stage 2: Delusion

The second stage begins within a day of contracting the infection. By this point the fungus becomes infectious, having taken root within the host's lungs. Spores are released through the infected's breath. Symptoms Include:

Hallucination

Incorrigible Laughter

Become Unironically great at jokes

Stage 3: Wanderlust

The third stage begins around two days after Stage 2. By this stage the infection becomes very difficult to remove from the host and it becomes incredibly infections. New Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

Lust for Adventure

Skin turning vibrant colors

Incredibly Trusting, becoming susceptible to Fae enchantment

Intense desire to make bets on trivial matters

Lack of fear

Stage 4: Mania

The fourth stage begins 4 days after the third stage begins causing the disease to run its course in just about 7 days. The condition is nearly impossible to cure short of incredibly powerful magic at this stage. If the infected does not cross over to a Fae portal by this stage, the infection will kill them. If the infected dies in this way, their body explodes in a cloud of spores attempting to infect all those nearby. The effects change at this stage causing the following effects:

Profound depression

Extreme Paranoia

The desire to scream incessantly

Prevention, Spread, and History

Prevention

Skratt spores are easily preventable if individuals where a cloth mask over their nose and mouth. The flourishing of this infection was the main reason medicine people began wearing these masks whenever they worked since they learned lesser diseases were also stifled with this practice.

Epidemiology

Outbreaks occur when those that do not know they are infected travel into a populated area. The diseases symptoms are designed to give the host confidence, and a desire for exploration so that they travel to meet as many people as possible.

History

The first outbreaks occurred when the latest group of Elves came through the Fae portal hidden deep within the Whispering Wood, travelling to Bayhold and inevitably Aldhon. The Fae lords behind the Whispering Wood portal wished to play a joke on the people of Elturia. Like most Fae jokes, it went too far. They hid the mushroom among the refugees that they helped usher across, in the hopes that they would gain some entertainment as well as some new willing mortals to make deals with them. Their plan was too effective, causing several severe outbreaks in both Bayhold and Aldhon. Several thousand died as a result, particularly those that didn't have access to magical healing.

This outbreak was the first crisis of the new Queen Elturandis II. She ordered quarantines, and the creation of a new medical organization dedicated to the goddess of light, Solmithra. Ever since, the healers of Solmithra's Grace have served the people of Aldhon, and all those that would come to their home. Luckily the disease was short lived. The Skratt mushroom could not survive within the prime material plane for more than 6 months.

Due to the disease, the populace has a new found fear and respect for the Fae lords. Most nonelven folk once looked upon the elves with a combination of disdain for bringing the disease, and awe for their connection to the powerful creatures of the Fae. Now that it has been nearly 10 years since the outbreak, many people treat the elves much like any other species, but they still hold a healthy respect for the Fae.

In recent times, there have been a few small outbreaks within the Mountain Spring District of Aldhon. This has informed the queen that one of the nobles has kept some Skratt alive for its Euphoric and other addictive effects. She is keeping a keep eye out for who the perpetrator might be, so they are held accountable.

Type

Fungal

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Rare