Eclipse Blight
Some time ago, most of the wheat grown inside the Empire was of a variant called sunwheat. This golden grain is one of the most commonly used crop, along with several similar plants. Crop blights were nothing new, but usually there were enough variety for serious damage to be avoided due to a blight. Then there was the region of Antor Vale, where a number of farms used favorable conditions to grow only sunwheat. Over the course of a year, a blight which affected one farm spread until all the wheat had been affected and drastic measures were required to avoid it spreading any further. This became known as "the eclipse blight". To this day the region is no longer seen as suitable for farming crops (or even livestock), instead being converted to woodcraft and metalworking.
The eclipse blight remains an issue to this day, though it can be prevented from reaching such dangerous levels. Members of the Order of Trees are known to keep an eye on major farming communities in case of another major blight outbreak. There is a deep, and very real, concern about whether the blight might change to affect other crops which are similar enough to sunwheat to carry it, which would be a terrible problem for the Empire's citizens.
The eclipse blight remains an issue to this day, though it can be prevented from reaching such dangerous levels. Members of the Order of Trees are known to keep an eye on major farming communities in case of another major blight outbreak. There is a deep, and very real, concern about whether the blight might change to affect other crops which are similar enough to sunwheat to carry it, which would be a terrible problem for the Empire's citizens.
Causes
The blight is caused by a fungal infection, and can quickly spread from infected plants to healthy ones with the proper circumstances. The exact cycle is unknown at this time, but it is known blighted soil retains the fungal spores for several years unless treated. Sunwheat planted in blighted soil will spread it after a few weeks, with the rate of spread increasing as the crop is slowly taken over by the blight.
Symptoms
Infected sunwheat will show reddish-gold spots on the 'spike' at the tip, as well as dark spots on the leaves and stem. Once these spots are seen, the blight is technically capable of spreading spores if the affected area is disturbed. Wheat affected by the blight which is processed retain the spores throughout the steps and can cause infections in either animals or people due to exposure.
This usually manifests as an uncharacteristically bitter taste to food, or a dark rash. This is similar to many other fungal infections, and is usually difficult to narrow down to eclipse blight unless contaminated wheat can be found. The only other potential clue to eclipse blight is the infection becoming serious rather swiftly if untreated.
This usually manifests as an uncharacteristically bitter taste to food, or a dark rash. This is similar to many other fungal infections, and is usually difficult to narrow down to eclipse blight unless contaminated wheat can be found. The only other potential clue to eclipse blight is the infection becoming serious rather swiftly if untreated.
Treatment
The only process which seems capable of stopping eclipse blight from becoming a serious problem is burning the affected crops. Direct heat destroys the spores, which keeps it from spreading. It is important to use a roaring flame instead of a smoky one, as there is a chance the spores may not be exposed to enough heat and escape in the smoke. Blighted soil means the ground is burned in a similar fashion, and also not used again for at least two growing seasons. During those seasons, the fiery solution will be enacted twice more, to be certain no lingering spores remain.
The infections of animals and people are more easily treated, though it is an expense which many will attempt to skip. While direct heat destroys the spores, this is not a treatment which can be used on people; instead there is a simple unguent applied to the area. This covering is laced with specific medicines, and must be reapplied for several weeks before the infection heals.
The infections of animals and people are more easily treated, though it is an expense which many will attempt to skip. While direct heat destroys the spores, this is not a treatment which can be used on people; instead there is a simple unguent applied to the area. This covering is laced with specific medicines, and must be reapplied for several weeks before the infection heals.
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