Red Flower

Transmission & Vectors

The disease was spread through sexual contact, especially genital-on-genital contact. Having active warts increased the likelihood of transmission, but it was not impossible when they were invisible.

Causes

Unknown to the people of Teneterra, the disease had a viral origin.

Symptoms

For both men and women, the condition manifested as raised lumps the same color as the person's flesh. The body often fought against the disease, and the bumps disappear for a while and then reemerge after some time. In men, the time between the warts disappearing decreased over a period of years. Instead, the warts grew larger, focusing on the head of the penis. Erections grew more painful and sex became less physically possible. Eventually, the warts grew so large, the penile tip split open. Massive blood loss followed, often causing the man's death.

Treatment

Several treatments were developed - in vain - to treat the unpleasant disease. The most popular remedy was an ointment created by grinding mint, silphium, and cabbage in a pestle and mortar and applied with undyed wool. Cheaper versions removed the silphium, but neither worked as well as its users had hoped.

Prognosis

Once the Red Flower developed, there was no hope of a cure.

Affected Groups

All sexually active people were affected by the Red Flower. Prostitutes and frequent customers were more likely to contract this disease than others.

Prevention

The only options for prevention were to choose sexual partners carefully or to abstain from carnal acts altogether.

History

The rare disease emerged during the height of the Commonwealth. Believed to have originated from southern trade routes and therefore the Fahris kingdom of Valinyd, the condition earned many unsavory names. These included the pointy cock rot, elf disease, elf rot, and the blossoming flower. The Red Flower emerged as the most common name. In the streets of cities most affected by the disease, the people expelled many of Fahris origin, including merchants, prostitutes, and travelers. From the Insular Sea, the red flower spread from port to port. Despite its horrific reputation, the disease remained relatively rare. However, the stigma against the inhabitants of Valinyd lingered for many years afterward.