[Q&a] Plague - Is There A Cure? More Inside.

[Neri 3590]

Update: 17th day of Plague Emergence. -Posted in Cloud Temple-

Crops have been reported to be blighted, withering and dying in the fields. Eating bread made from infested grain is reported to cause infection. Please, for your own safety, refrain from eating bread that smells suspicious.

[[ The first "Open-Ended" Player-decided event - the Plague - has caused quite a disturbance in Asulon, so it would seem. Many questions have been asked, and here they will be answered. Hopefully, this will address the problems some players have been debating and thinking over.]]

OOC Section:

Q: I've been told I need to perma-kill my character if I die from the Plague! Is this true?

A: No! Of course not. That's silly. Killing your character is completely optional. If you do not wish for your character to perish, simply hide or suffer through the plague until it is cured or beaten. Remember, the only one who can choose to Permanently kill your character is YOU!

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Q: Is there a Cure to the Plague? Can I get Cured? It is permanent?

A: I can surely say OOC'ly, there is no permanent Cure. The Plague is mutating out of control, countering most orthodox solutions - elixirs, magic, and natural cures have seemingly no effect, simply causing the Plague to alter somewhat. This is why some suffer from the original "Green-spot" variant, whilst others suffer what I call the "Blood-spit" variation - different strains of the same plague.

However, you don't know this IC. If you're desperate enough to try and get Cured, then feel free to spend your money on a placebo - I heard that Syrio is selling magical diamonds that cure all ailments for a million minas!

However, there IS ways to prevent the Plague, although they are by no means foolproof. Firstly, the Hansetians have made some rather... functional - if not pretty - filtration masks. They ain't comfortable, but they can prevent quite a few cases of Plague. However, they are hardly foolproof and do require a change of filter cylinder every elven day. IC Knowledge of said TAC (Teutonic Anti-Contagion) Masks can only be acquired from the "Guidebook to TAC Masks" (Circulating in-game) and by visiting Dresden in Hanseti, or by asking a Monk.

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Q: What are the symptoms of the Plague?

A: Good question. Due to the fact that the Plague has mutated wildly since it's second outbreak - initially halted by some strange occurances at the cloud temple (Unknown as of now). Also, the numerous "Cures" attempted by the peoples of Asulon have only caused it to develop further, revealing new, gruesome afflictions.

Initial Symptoms : "Green-spot"

-+Symptoms+-

-(In order)-

-Weakness.

-Green dots covering skin. (Try adding them to your MC skin!)

-Numbness in Fingers and Toes.

-Numbness in limbs.

-Loss of memory/massive mood swings.

-Vomiting.

-Coughing up blood.

Finishing up with...

-Death

Second Mutation : "Blood-spit"

-+Symptoms+-

-(In order)-

-Shivers

-Paranoia

-Coughing of blood

-Fear of blood itself

Finishing up with...

-Internal hemorrhage, resulting in bleeding through mouth

---

Q: Is anyone "Immune" to the Plague?

A: Yes. The Subudai are Immune to the Plague, since it is presumably originating from where they traveled from. However, since the Asulon "Immune System" (Not known about yet) is foreign to this disease, it is extremely deadly, and spreads like wildfire through the populace of both humans, unquiet dead, and animals, sparing none. It is highly mutating, and any who one day seem to be immune will the next be afflicted.

However, nobody knows of the Subudai's immunity, as of yet.

---

Q: Does Magic halt or stop the Plague?

No. Quite simply, it feeds the Plague and causes it to alter exponentially. Usually with rather gruesome results. This includes all forms of magic that tap into Mana or alternate Planes of being, including but limited to - Arcane Magic, Elemental Magic (Excluding Shamanism), Clerical / Holy magic, Unholy magic, "Trickster Magic", Magical potions and equipment, etc.

---

Q: Do I HAVE to take part in this event?

No, by all means, you may hide on a isolated island until it is over. It is entirely optional! You can always stay in the less frequented parts of the World, or those under strict containment regimes such as Hanseti or Holm. You'll be quite safe there... for now.

---

Q: I've heard that Orcs are only affected by this virus in the form of a cold, not having much effect. True or false?

A: True. For now, at least. Orcs have a higher immune system as a result of their harsh way of life. However, ingestion of blood will bypass said resistance and will subject them to the full plethora of harmful maladies as everyone else. This is probably why they have been sighted wearing masks similiar to those of Plague Doctors and Hansetians, although for different reasons.

---

Q: Is this going to basically end Asulon?

A: No, it will not. However, if Asulon fails to deal with this threat, it will definitely have a impact on the course of history. On the other edge of the sword, if the world deals with the Plague well, it will gain several things - new understanding of disease and medicine, new methods and ways of dealing with Plagues, new allies and friends they can depend on, and most of all... lots and lots of dirty sheets.

---

Q: If Orcs are immune due to their harsh way of life, does that mean that characters who have lived similarly are immune?

Orcs are not immune to the disease, they simply have a hard time catching it. Once they have it, it is just as lethal to them as any other race. The resistance to it is caused by both the Orc's physiology combined with their way of life, so no, it does not extend to other races. However, I suspect that some Hansetians may have a better time faring against it. It all depends on the individual, although it can be a general rule that the young and the old will fall first.

---

Q: I heard there's a Cure? Is this true?

A: As said before, OOC'ly, there is no valid cure beyond not catching it in the first place.

However, RP'ly, you could easily be convinced by all the Cures circulating, from alchemical to magical to... complete bogus and lies. You're welcome to believe what you wish to believe.

---

Q: Will there BE a cure?

A: Yes, Eventually there will be. It's up the players to do that - and it needs to be properly backed up with evidence and good RP reasoning for it to count. We've already had enough rabbits from hats to last a lifetime.

---

Q: The Kharajyr live in a harsh jungle enviroment and they have a completely different genetic structure to ALL the other races. They are the only race where it's not possible to cross-breed them with any other race. How will they react to the plague?

The Plague is foreign to Asulon, that is why it is so deadly - combined with it's ability to adapt and evolve of course. By the method of thinking, the Plague is also foreign to the Khara'jyr, therefore I would imagine it would have a similar effect to what the Aegisian races are experiencing at this time.

As said in the main post for the Plague, it affects "Both Man, Crops and Beasts" - and even if the Plague did have some trouble adapting to Kharaj'yian bodies, it would soon be a threat to them.

However, Khara'jyians have exceptional extrasensory skills, and would most likely be able to smell infested or blighted food, crops, and beasts before they consume them. Although they would not know that the awful smell is a disease, they'd probably presume the food rotten and not consume it.

Also, living in a Jungle - most likely crawling with all manner of illnesses and sickness, will definitely give the Khara'jyians some sort of resistance to the Plague. Nothing you can risk your life on, though.

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Q: Would it be possible to make false, cheap "cure" that only lessens the symptoms for a short time?

A:Yes. I suspect a VA for deception would help here though... making money off who are dieing is pretty villainous in my books - only if you know the Cure is placebo though. If you believe it actually works, that's not villainous, right?

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Q: Would not logging on be considered as "going to the far reaches of the globe"?

A:Yes, logging out for a extended period of time counts as being in isolation.

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Q: What if the plague is only the first step of becoming Undead?

Sadly (Or Happily, I suppose) no. Becoming an Undead requires that critical final ritual, which is now long lost in the depths of a literal god-forsaken world left to collapse into the Nether and beyond, et-cetera.

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Q: Can my question be added here?

A: Of course, simply post in this thread!

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RP Section:

Astar's Diary - 1 day after PE (Plague Emergence) - Year 35AC (Asulon Colonization)

This is... horrible. We simply cannot cope any more... supplies limited, we're having to break into the donations stores... we can't look after this many people. Especially when we know so little about the Plague. It just seems to... change so fast. We can't seem to figure out what it is or how it spreads. What we do know, though, is that it's dangerous. I've decided to lock... no... "contain" the victims afflicted, in the Monastery to stop the disease spreading further. This abomination must end here, today.

2 days after PE - 35AC

I checked down in the wards today... no sign of any improvement on any of the subjects victims. We're going to have to try something new... something drastic, I think. New symptoms keep emerging right left and center, causing us to divert all of our manpower into simply stopping the afflicted from escaping into the Sanctuary. This is our main mission until a cure can be found. We cannot fail this.

3 days after PE - 35AC

Today, one man escaped. He ran several feet outside before collapsing. One of the Monks tried to help him, but the infected was clearly out of his mind and attacked the Monk. The smell of burning bodies hung heavily on us all that day.

Fortunately, a Golem turned up to aid us, neither stating it's purpose or whom had sent it, even after extended questioning. We decided something that is immune to the disease would be highly useful, so we utilized it accordingly.

We also built a barricade over the hospital door... no, not a hospital. It's a prison now. A prison keeping those inside from escaping, and those outside from rescuing those within.

5 days after PE - 35AC

Today a pompous mage turned up, saying he'd found a Cure. We all believed him, the naive sheep we are. We allowed to him "Cure" the patients. The funeral Pyres burnt high this night, the ash weighing heavily on our burdened souls.

6 days after PE - 35AC

Today, several of the infected became psychotic, attacking Monk Gurigal. He beat one down with his staff, almost killing him. The others rallied, crying murder and assaulting us with medical equipment. Several were slain in the resulting fight, although the original man survived, dragged back by the strange Golem. We are monsters. We do what is necessary... doesn't make it easier sleeping at night.

We received several packages of aid from the other Nations. May Aeriel watch over them.

[[more to be added soon]]

[Cresaran 81]

-snip

[Neri 3590]

-snip-

((The RP solution to all the "Deus Ex Machina" cures is that the Plague can out-adapt them and evolve. I do however agree with your points - players ask for long, involving events and then when presented one seek to cure it as quickly and as painlessly as possible. I don't quite see the logic there.

It's going to be a bitter, harsh battle to cure this. If you aren't up for it, you can always sit out on the metaphorical bench!))

[Aislin 4354]

I've heard that Orcs are only affected by this virus in the form of a cold, not having much effect. True or false?

[Neri 3590]

I've heard that Orcs are only affected by this virus in the form of a cold, not having much effect. True or false?

True. For now, at least. Orcs have a higher immune system as a result of their harsh way of life. However, ingestion of blood will bypass said resistance and will subject them to the full plethora of harmful maladies as everyone else.

Added to post~

[Strife 266]

Is this going to basically end Asulon?

[Neri 3590]

Is this going to basically end Asulon?

No, it will not. However, if Asulon fails to deal with this threat, it will definitely have a impact on the course of history. On the other edge of the sword, if the world deals with the Plague well, it will gain several things - new understanding of disease and medicine, new methods and ways of dealing with Plagues, new allies and friends they can depend on, and most of all... lots and lots of dirty sheets.

[Xerion 12]

I have heard rumours of this cure? I sure hope it is true?

[Bawd 222]

If Orcs are immune due to their harsh way of life, does that mean that characters who have lived similarly are immune?

[Aislin 4354]

I have heard rumours of a cure? Is this true?

Did you read the post?

[Neri 3590]

I have heard rumours of a cure? Is this true?

Your Question is answered in the OOC section of the post.

If Orcs are immune due to their harsh way of life, does that mean that characters who have lived similarly are immune?

Orcs are not immune to the disease, they simply have a hard time catching it. Once they have it, it is just as lethal to them as any other race. The resistance to it is caused by both the Orc's physiology combined with their way of life.

[Bat Druid 140]

Will there BE a cure?

[Lym 849]

What if the plague is only the first step of becoming Undead? :o

[seriously, this is to 90% what happens when you turn Undead :mrgreen:]

[Neri 3590]

Will there BE a cure?

Yes, Eventually there will be. It's up the players to do that - and it needs to be properly backed up with evidence and good RP reasoning for it to count. We've already had enough rabbits from hats to last a lifetime.

What if the plague is only the first step of becoming Undead? :o

[seriously, this is to 90% what happens when you turn Undead :mrgreen:]

Sadly (Or Happily, I suppose) no. Becoming an Undead requires that critical final ritual, which is now long lost in the depths of a literal god-forsaken world left to collapse into the Nether and beyond, et-cetera.

[Xerion 12]

Did you read the post?

Oh, sorry. I just re-read my post.. yeah, that didn't make much sense, sorry. I posted it when I was exceptionally tired. I edited it for it to make sense.