Plague



"Allow me to remind you that an epidemic of unknown origin has already eradicated a few genuinely distinctive towns in the northern part of the country. The cause and circumstances of these tragic events remain uncertain. There is a lot that we cannot explain yet. It appears as though the plague has a mind of its own, as if it is driven by some irrepressible will. Why else has no one managed to fight it successfully? Why does it target the most precious aspects of our existence? The Sand Plague picks its victims fastidiously—and the same principle always draws it back to whoever tries to oppose it. Surprisingly, we've yet to hear a single word from the Powers That Be."

- [from H. Orff's internal note]

Sand Plague, Sand Filth, Sand Ulcers, Sand Fever, Sand Pest, Sand Dirt. There are many different names for this lethal disease that strikes the Town. It's a metaphor for Evil and a major enigma in-game. There is much evidence of its possible animate status and of the total powerlessness of science to struggle against it.

The Annotation for Patrolmen, Couriers, Executors and Sanitary Personnel
In order to prevent panic, this annotation is classified and its contents should be under no circumstances disclosed to the civilian population.

The disease is incurable. There is no vaccine, neither here nor in the Capital. However, there are a few positive facts:

1. The probability of contracting the disease is significantly lower for someone who has taken immune system stimulants. As of now we believe that A-pills and B-pills (yellow-coloured and blue-coloured pills, respectively) provide the best protective effect. Excessive doses of these medicants may be detrimental to one's health.

2. Additional protection is afforded by synthetic clothing. Woolen garments are strictly off limits (parasites). The clothing should be changed as often as possible.

3. IMPORTANT! The disease develops sporadically. At its initial stage, it does not progress in any significant way, especially if antibiotics are taken. However, if contact with the infection reoccurs, the development of the disease becomes extremely rapid.

4. The disease is not transmitted by means of droplet infection. As of now, we've yet to find out how it is contracted. Preliminary tests suggest that the disease is not contagious at early stages, therefore there is no need to isolate the sick person immediately after the appearance of the symptoms.

App. Executors:

In consideration of your particular line of work, we believe that you will not be able to avoid infection. If you have contracted the disease, do not give in to despair. It would have happened sooner or later anyway. Try your best to conserve the infection at its initial stage. Take antibiotic medicine. Consider using the "powders": they are extremely dangerous, but they help curb the infection.

The First Outbreak
Five years before the events of the game, the first outbreak of Sand Fever occurred.

It broke out in the Crude Sprawl and it was possible to localize: thanks to the unusual layout of the city, the district was boarded up quickly and thereby the infection did not spread. Isidor Burakh and his students were able to suppress the Sand outbreak because they drank twyrine extracts prepared from the experimental method, and so got a chance to avoid infection.

However, Isidor did not take praise for his role in that victory. According to Vlad the Younger, he did not like to talk about it and attributed the suppression of the Plague only to happy coincidence.

For some time before the outbreak of the epidemic, children invented Powder as a sort of game. Also, during the first outbreak Aspity came from the steppe&mdash;"as a reminder," she said.

Citizens remember the first outbreak with horror, and when they learn that the disease came back, do not believe in salvation.