Troll's Mark

Transmission & Vectors

The genetic mutation in human transfers to other species through exchange of fluids - saliva, blood, semen etc. Once transferred to non-humans it spreads rapidly through a population, killing most of those who contract it.

Causes

The disease is caused by a genetic mutation originating and prevalent in humans. Humans seem to have a high immunity to the resultant immune reaction, with other species displaying a more extreme response.

Symptoms

The body's natural healing goes into overdrive causing rapid reaction healing to minor external wounds and fast multiplication of internal cells. Bones calcify and become brittle, snapping with any kind of regular use. The afflicted individuals skin takes on a green-tinge from internal toxicity as bone shards rupture internal organs, blood toxicity increases, internal bleeding occurs and the body attacks itself in a cycle whereby the overactive healing response causes injury to other areas of the body, perpetuating and increasing the healing response.

Treatment

Troll's Mark is almost impossible to treat, as any natural or divine healing only accelerates the already overactive healing processes within the body and attempting to slow the healing process usually backfires by causing what the body interprets as injury or illness. As a result, the disease has an extremely high mortality rate and those who survive live with chronic pain, disfigurement and ongoing health problems for what is usually a shortened lifespan.

Prognosis

For humans the prognosis is better than for most with a lower mortality rate and generally better health after recovery from the disease. Other species have a very high mortality rate and those that survive are left in devastatingly poor condition over a much shortened lifespan.

Sequela

Though the body's immune response eventually levels out, the damage done to itself is ongoing. Brittle bones, damaged organs, chronic pain and, ironically, a reduced immune response to other diseases are common complications in survivors.

Hosts & Carriers

The blame falling on humans, though overblown, is not entirely unjustified as the genetic mutation that initiated the outbreak did first appear in the human population. However, that mutation lies dormant in all species now and the rare flare-ups that do occur cannot be placed upon humans. Those who study diseases and even Clerics of Qyrad, who have a particular interest in the disease have been unable to ascertain why flare-ups of Troll's Mark occur.

Prevention

Unfortunately for humans, particularly those who originate from Mithlerien, preventative methods adopted by numerous societies resulted in the internment of human populations across the globe. As the mutation had already jumped species, however, these measures came too late to stop the spread of the disease.

Epidemiology

Due to the method of transmission, interspecies sex and the all-too-common acts of violence in which contact with blood occurred are the major triggers of outbreaks.

History

Troll's Mark first appeared in 734, which became known as the Year of Putrescence. Coming in a massive expansion of global trade by the island kingdom of Mithlerien, the nation was isolated and became a pariah state whilst at the same time, humans became despised and feared for the assumption that the spread began with them and the fact that humans had a less severe response to the Troll's Mark plague.

Cultural Reception

Even more than 250 years after the Troll's Mark pandemic, humans are viewed with suspicion and fear in many societies, particularly those in which humans are a minority species.

Type

Physiological

Origin

Mutated

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Extremely Rare