New Death

The New Death is a poorly understood disease that has no historical basis, only having been seen within the last five decades or so. The disease has no apparent contagion vector and randomly affects everyone, but is most commonly caught by guards and trainsmen, or others spending much of their time outside citadels. The current theory is due to exposure to undeath causing one's body to mysteriously begin to die despite appearing otherwise healthy. Luckily, the disease is easy to heal with magic, if one can afford it, but it may return months or years later.

Transmission & Vectors

Believed to be transmitted by exposure to undead.

Symptoms

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Unusual body pain
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Hair loss

Treatment

Most non-magical and alchemic treatments only reduce or repair symptoms, but tend to be only partially effective or only for short periods. Symptoms do not go away permanently expect with the help of restorative magic. Luckily, even low strength magical spells can dispell the disease entirely.

Prognosis

Given the ease of magical healing, death is rare, but without treatment the disease will slowly escalate to lethal levels.

Prevention

Given it occurs more frequently with guards and trainsmen, most citadels have accounted for the New Death at this point and cover the costs of magical healing for these critical staff. It is customary for trainsmen to all be screened on arrival to a citadel and getting free immediate treatment if they show any symptoms.

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Common