The Stonefield Rot
My brother and several other people were celebrated as heroes. They had saved folks whose ships had been attacked by evil Tortle fanatics while crossing the Red River. These Fielders didnt fear the rapids or the crocodiles, they simply acted to help those in need. They pulled twenty five people out of that river, each one rescued hacking up water and bile. My brother embraced them, told them they were safe. I wish he would have let them drown. A week later he was vomiting, his dark ebony skin covered in a film of sweat and spittle, his once strong body withered. A week after that he was gone. The irony is that of the twenty five he saved, the plague took twenty. And those twenty spread their disease to hundreds. I do not blame these travelers, but I wish the depths had taken them. Then my brother would not be lying next to them in a mass grave. -Sisa Adonya of StonefieldThe Stonefield Rot was a plague that hit the town of Stonefield in 57 AC (19406th year of recorded history). The plague hit rapidly. Many believe the cause of the plague was a group of travelers from the Eresus Lowlands to the east. These traveleres came by ship from a town known as Elmina Keep. The travelers said that they were looking to establish trade, but several confessed on their death beds that they were quarantined outside of Elmina. The afflicted were quarantined outside the stone walls of Elmina and left vulnerable to monster attacks. A wealthy merchant suggested they travel along the rivers and find a town unaware of their condition. A town where they could rest easy inside the town walls. He had heard of the Free Hills and of the town of Stonefield from other traveling merchants. He gathered up the healthiest people and they set out for Stonefield. When the afflicted had set out, most felt fine. Some had coughs or general stomach pains, but most believed they had been wrongfully quarantined. As the journey progressed, the symptoms began to set in. Stomach pains became vomitting and coughs became heaving. As the afflicted began navigating the Red River half their numbers were worse off than they had been when they left Elmina. When the boat was attacked by Tortle fanatics those in the worst condition drowned in the red waters of the river. About half their numbers were saved by fisherman from Stonefield. Unfotunately, most of those saved carried the plague and soon it also tore through Stonefield, reducing the population by hundreds. The plague was stemmed thanks to the insights of a cleric of Ilamter named Hand Tyre Bara. Fielders are encouraged to cover their faces with masks while in public, to wash their hands regularly, and to avoid direct contact with afflicted people unless absolutely necessary. Additionally, those that died as a result of the disease have been burried or burned in grave mounds outside of town. People are discouraged from visiting the mounds if someone was recently burried there. As of 58 AC (19407th year of recorded history) the plague is considered to be under control. However, people still take most of the precautions suggested by Hand Bara.
Symptoms
Afflicted begin uncontrollably vomiting resulting in loss of fluids and sustenance. Those afflicted have extreme difficulty keeping any food or drink down.
Treatment
Some can survive by remaining hydrated and nourished. If an afflicted person can keep their food down the disease will burn out in about two weeks. The only non-magical help that can be provided is to try and keep the afflicted well hydrated and fed with easy to digest food.
Prevention
The disease is transmitted via contact with infected bodily fluids most notably saliva and bile from afflicted people.
