Green Corruption
Mostly known as Grupt, this magical disease slowly transforms it's victims into orcs or goblins. It has long been feared by elves, gnomes, and halfings as the usual methods of dealing with diseases and curses have no effect on it.
Transmission & Vectors
Grupt is spread by physical contact with the victims becoming contagious about a week after being infected. They remain contagious until the change to their bodies is complete. In addition to those that suffer the effects of the disease, Shifters can also be carriers though the disease usually only survives in their bodies for around 3 weeks.
Symptoms
Weeks 1-2. For the first couple of weeks there is little sign of infection though elves and humans may notice a slight increase in muscle mass.
Weeks 3-4. The victim's eyes start to become darker and in the case of humans the tips of the ears start to become pointed. Victim's may experience some light sensitivity and a reduction in how far they can see clearly.
Weeks 5-6. The victim begins to develop tusks (if human or elf) and their hair begins to darken towards black. Towards the end of this period the victim's limbs begin to twist, stretch and grow so that they more closely resemble either and Orc (in the case of humans and elves) or a goblin (in the case of halflings and gnomes). The pain is excruciating at this point and most victims are unable to stand as they lose control of their limbs.
Weeks 7-8. The victims skin colour starts to change to green or yellow-green depending on what they are turining into. The change in body shape is typically complete by the start of week 8, with the victim looking completely like an orc or goblin by the end of this period.
Treatment
From when this disease was created in the second age until the middle of the fourth age, the only known treatment was the use of a Heartstone. Towards the end of the Third Age a possible solution was proposed by the Taragon Medical Centre based on their research into bonebreak fever. While this wasn't completed before the second years of darkness the notes on the research were recovered in the 184th year of the fourth age and a new treatment known as Form Stabiliser was developed at Strelphin Hall.
Prognosis
If allowed to run it's course this disease causes the victim to transform into a goblin or orc. While human victims are likely to be ostracised by the civilised races they generally won't experience any reduction in life expectancy. However, elves, halflings, and gnomes are likely to die or experience a significant reduction in life expectancy once the change is complete. This is due to the fact that the change is not just to the outward appearance of the victims. Their entire body is turned into that of an orc or goblin which will generally mean death through organ failure for anyone over the age of 80.
Those who survive the change are more prone to anger and acts of agression than before, though it is unclear whether this is due to the changes to their bodies or the way they are viewed by the rest of society.
History
Green Corruption was created by the witch of Ultesin Forest as a way to persuade the villagers who lived in the outskirts of her domain to come to her in search of aid. Many were lured into evil pacts through their desperation for a cure and their villages earned a dark reputation amongst outsiders. Though not the witch’s original intention, she was delighted when it began to spread beyond her forest as it earned her the respect of her peers.
Cultural Reception
The victims of this disease have been treated with fear since the disease first appeared. Those infected are frequently killed and their bodies burned as soon as their condition is known. The fear of this disease is such that most rulers have no qualms about sealing off and killing whole villages at the first sign of an infection. Even clerics normally known for their willingness to treat any illness will shun those infected with Grupt.
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