Plague of Asulon

The Plague is a disease that spreads quickly, strikes without discrimination, and has a high fatality rate. It refers both to the disease itself as well as the time it struck Asulon resulting in widespread deaths and chaos.

The plague was first recorded in year 37 in Asulon, when it broke in the lands of Seventis. Immediately the infected began to die in mass numbers, resulting in the near collapse of Seventis. Spread by travelers and other creatures, the plague quickly spread to other settlements including Skravia and the Cloud Temple Sanctuary.

All attempts to find a cure or prevent the spread of the infection initially failed. The monks of the Cloud Temple who would usually take the injured and sick to their lands for healing, became overwhelmed by the deaths and started to burn the bodies. Attempted cures such as magic and alchemy did not help halt the spread or aid the sick, but in some cases only increased the severity.

Reactions were varied. Some nations and settlements such as Holm and Ildon implemented lockdown policies to prevent themselves getting infected. Others were badly struck, such as Seventis and Skravia. Initially closed off, the plague infected the lands of Renatus and struck the peasants of Arethor and Ager with particular vengeance. The Subudai were rarely struck down with the disease, leading to claims that they were immune. Having a stronger immune system, Orcs caught the disease with less frequency, but the effects were still as severe. Kharajyr as well managed to avoid getting sick as often, having better tuned senses and being exposed to more diseases in their jungle homes.

Symptoms

When the first outbreak of plague occurred in Seventis, several symptoms were common. Over time the initial symptoms became less common as those infected died, and a new variation of the disease became more common. Other creatures and life forms were also infected.

Green-Spot Variation

- Green dots on the skin causing itching.

- Numbness in the digits and limbs.

- Weakness.

- Memory loss and mood swings.

- Vomiting.

- Coughing up blood.

Black-Spot Variation

- Shivers.

- Paranoia.

- Coughing of blood.

- Fear of blood itself.

- Internal hemorrhage, resulting in bleeding through mouth.

Other Effects

- Wheat could also suffer from the plague disease and would wither in the field. Eating bread or other goods made with infected wheat could result in infection.

- Beasts of all kind could also be struck by the disease and displayed similar symptoms to the sentient life forms. The disease passed freely between them.

Results

- Death usually occurred within one Elven day.

- Among those who survived, many were scarred for life from the green or black dots.

- Many initial survivors were killed by other diseases because of a weakened immune system, or from monsters that could attack them more easily.

- Many small settlements were made completely devoid of life, as the plague killed all who lived in them.

Political results

- Seventis ceased to be an independent nation and was annexed by Renatus to become the Duchy of Norjun.

- Many nations imposed a lockdown, such as Hanseti and Holm, that helped reduce the spread of the plague but also caused additional problems.

- Distrust among nations increased as there were accusations of some who had helped spread the plague, either consciously or inadvertently.

- Over half the peasant population of Arethor and the surrounding areas were killed, allowing the nobles to tighten their control.

- Distrust of the monks increased, as they were seen as helping the disease spread, and some citizens of Asulon lost faith in them.

- General chaos was common across the lands of Asulon, including crime, looting, murders and panic. Some areas created plans should the plague or a new disease break out once more in the future, although the plague has not been seen again, in Asulon or Anthos.

Prevention

The plague was the deadliest, fastest spreading and most contagious disease ever recorded. Prevention methods were initially limited to avoidance of those already infected, often by leaving civilized areas. Some nations and settlements issued lockdowns to prevent the plague from entering their borders. In time other methods were developed, such as masks that helped prevent the catching of the plague.