Iron Bone

Iron Bone is an extremely rare disease that is found in any number of species, but due to the rarity it is hard to determine which species is more susceptible to it. The basic effect of Iron Bone is a bacterium that uses the iron found in the human body depositing leftover ferric materials in & around the bones of the victim. In many cases, the bones are actually hardened to the point of taking less damage over time at the cost of some movement.

Transmission & Vectors

The bacterium is found in some snakes in the Middle East & Far East, of which causes them severe damage. Improperly cooked snake meat, raw snake blood, and a bite from an infected snake are the main source of the disease.

Causes

The disease is caused by a bacterium found in snakes. When the improper handling of the snake, especially the meat, the drinking of it's blood, or being bitten leads to a small chance of passing it on to a new host. Most often, an outsider who is not used to handling the animal or edible produce from it's carcass is the leading cause. So far, no sentient to sentient vector has been noted.

Symptoms

The victim of the bacterium starts to feel lethargic, stiff, and anaemic getting worse over time. These effects start to get worse over time until the victim can barely move, breathe or swallow food & drink. By the end their body is stiffened enough it is not pliable.

Treatment

No known cure is possible except through magical means. Even then it will still take a number of weeks before the victim can move around normally.

Prognosis

Unless got by magical means and recuperation afterwards there is a high risk of the victim dying of this disease. Eventually not able to breathe, move or even move their jaw will render the person shut in.

Sequela

The victim gradually stiffens up as the bones harden in their joints preventing proper movement, and the ferric deposits cause muscles to rub against them causing some risk of inflammation. Also, the breakdown of iron in the body leads to exhaustion & anaemia due to the lack of red blood cells. This also gets worse as more & more red blood cells are damaged. The body can't create enough as the bacteria grows attacking more of the marrow quickening this effect.
One strange effect is that in minor cases the victims are carriers or some slight immunity. In these cases their skeletal structures actually get toughened by the build up of the iron deposits making them harder to break. They seem to be able to take bludgeoning damage to a degree better than most. This makes many such victims better at survival in combat, including in unarmed combat, or only needing light armour instead of full suits of it.

Hosts & Carriers

Snakes are the natural well of this disease, and if it bites an infected person they can get it from them. Snakes who have it can pass it on to other snakes by touch.

Prevention

The only safe way is to avoid snake bites, meat & blood.

Epidemiology

Relatively few will be affected if not more than one or two cases. With no spread amongst individuals outside the local snake population they are generally confined to the latter amount. No-one is sure if the same can be said about possible Yuan-Ti populations though.

History

The first outbreak of Iron Bone comes from the Indian Subcontinent, followed closely by China to the west of it's territory. A number of people had contracted it and it is thought they had brought infected snakes over the border. At the time there was military conflict between both nations and a powerful snake cult thought to be backed by the Yuan-Ti in the region to disrupt the Silk Road. This has never been proven since though the truth may still be lying there somewhere.
Since that time, many small outbreaks in areas where snakes & snake meat has been bought & sold have suffered the occasional problem. With many of the locals quickly driving off or killing snakes in the affected regions they were brought quickly under control. Unfortunately it has still spread slowly over this time into many neighbouring regions causing a small brief flareups especially in hot weather when the snakes are more active and in larger numbers.

Cultural Reception

Most of the peoples who have encountered the disease are wary of it believing that the victim has been cursed either by a serpent deity of some kind, or have enraged some other evil spirit. Some believe that the person has been targeted by the Yuan-Ti and paranoia can sweep through a region quickly, especially in rural areas cut off from more enlightened area.

"Strange disease that. Seen one who had survived a bout of Iron Bone after being bitten by a snake. A few days later he was that bad they had to get a temple healer in to cure him. It worked thankfully but he was never the same. Moved kind of stiffly afterwards but took up some kind of eastern unarmed combat style in a monastery. Came back with some more flexibility but could take one hell of a beating. Went up against some boxers & wrestlers and beat them all. Each one said they felt like they were punching or grappling someone made of metal not flesh & bone. Makes you think how or where that disease came from."
George the Monk, talking to an Imam in Tunis.

Type

Parasitic

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Extremely Rare