Sons of Silvanus

The Roman settlers on the planet Palatinus are easily distinguishable from the rest of the Empire's population, in fact their skin has a greenish hue. This is due to an algae endemic to the planet that, before the arrival of the settlers, was limited only to some native species comparable to earthly mammals. This algae is extremely infesting, so much so that unless special measures are taken to avoid it, both newborns and new arrivals on the planet are infected within a few hours. At the beginning of colonization, many efforts had been made to stem the phenomenon, so much so that a plan had also been studied to provoke its extinction, given that the first infected had declared a series of illnesses, from dizziness to nausea, but nothing really serious. However, both clinical studies and practical experience have shown that the alga is not only beneficial, but even provides protection against bacteria and viruses typical of the planet, strengthening the immune system of the host. This alga, whose scientific name is Silvana Alga, is currently under study by several scientists of the Empire both to make sure that it is really harmless as it appears, and possibly, to transport it to the rest of the Empire, in fact so far it was not possible to do it, since the percentages of nitrogen and helium present on Aventinus are very particular, and any variation for the minimum leads to the immediate death of the algae. If a person already infested with this algae loses it for some reason it is seized by a violent fever, which however in most cases is resolved in a short time. This condition, nicknamed silvanitys, has created a sort of division within the Empire between those who suffer from it and those who do not. In fact, most of the inhabitants of the Empire find the inhabitants of Aventinus disgusting, while they consider the others unfortunate and make their own color a point of pride, so much so that they made a formal motion to change the name of the planet in Silvanus, which has not yet been accepted.

Transmission & Vectors

Airborne, endemic.

Causes

The algae presents in the athmosphere of the planet seed any host that they can find.

Symptoms

The skin of the infected has a greenish hue.

Treatment

Changing the percentages of nitrogen and elium in the air.

Prognosis

It's chronic, but not dangerous.

Sequela

A strenghtened immune system. Long term consequences are unknown.

Prevention

Total isolation from Aventinus athmosphere.

Epidemiology

This algae is transmitted from an infected host to the those that are uninfected. While humidity is a factor in its spread temperature does not seems to have an effect, at least not temperatures that a human can survive.

History

This infection has been recorded since the first settlers came on the planet, and has since been spreading with a constant rhytm through the population.

Cultural Reception

Mixed. The inhabitants of the colony sees it as a blessing, while the rest of the Roman Empire find the greenish hue revolting.

Type

Fungal

Origin

Alien

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Common