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Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Oct 2, 2021 1:47:10 GMT
The streets of Miskatonic were beginning to fill in the early morning as the city sprung to life. Loads of goods were being set up in their stalls as the merchants roused from their slumber.
A visiting soldier, on leave from Duom, stumbled out of a tavern with his mates in tow. His steps were uneasy as he lurched forward, clearly drunk from the night before. Suddenly he doubled over, retching a violent stream of foul smelling brown and red bile onto the paving stones in front of him. As one man grabbed his shoulder to help him up, the soldier, glassy eyed, stared transfixed at his aide.
His speech incomprehensible, the man lunged forward, teeth bared as he charged, gnashing at the confused comrade. He sunk his teeth into the man's neck who pulled back in shock, tearing open the wound. Several passers by restrained the madman, who lashed out, screaming about fire before collapsing to the ground in a pool of his own sick. This was patient zero, though throughout the city, reports began to creep in of men and women suddenly afflicted with a violent madness.
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Post by Dunwik on Oct 2, 2021 15:19:38 GMT
Violent crime was not an uncommon thing to have happen even in Miskatonic, as in the shade of the palatial estates of the wealthiest, old gang wars continued, ingrained even in the local politics by now. The initial attacks spread swiftly, however many factors in the great capital of Dunwik both exacerbated and mitigated it.
The heavily armed Dunwikki populace, inured to violence and the disturbing, reacted to these attacks with overwhelming force. Usually those attackers would end up shot to pieces before they could claim more than a few lives, but this did nothing to stop the spread of this disease, leaving Dunwikki doctors and scientists scrambling to capture and isolate as many of the infected as they could. In this time of chaos, the criminal underbelly of the city used the distraction to ramp up their own illicit activities. Many had grown recently rich off of selling loot from the Duom campaign, and the latest and most terrible weapons were turned upon each other. As violence and paranoia reached a fever pitch in the city, those keeping order slowly but surely transformed into petty despots, held in line by the threat of the greater force of the government, but only barely. Men were snatched up as "infected" even when healthy and robbed of everything they had. Women and children disappeared, and the streets started to run red with blood, and brown with bile.
FIVE DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL INCIDENT
Ministers Arthur, Haig, and Lucas had spent the past days scrambling to gather data and keep order as best they could in the city itself, and tried their hardest to prevent an outbreak in other cities. Their efforts were mixed. Only the neighboring city of Providence reported serious issues, and all others were warned in time. Travel between cities was restricted and all those who were from the Duom campaign were to be put under strict quarantine and observation until an understanding could come of the illness. Grand Chairman Nelson did not abandon his capital city, but he had ramped up his guard significantly.
"The first thing we must do," said Minister Arthur "is determine by which means this disease, this madness, spreads. Initial autopsy of the infected reveals hypertrophy of the limbic system and degradation of the prefrontal cortex. Our studies on the infected thus far reveal hypersalivation, hyperaggression, dilated pupils, and an elevated pulse, alongside hallucinations, and sensations of burning. However a means of infection has not been determined yet. We need-"
"Your department will have one thousand slaves to experiment upon, alongside custody of the infected. Do with them as you see fit," Said Chairman Nelson, raising his hand "if you run out of either slaves or infected, you must purchase them at the rates set by the market."
Chairman Nelson sat impassive in his seat, turning his eyes to Minister Haig, who spoke next.
"It's complete chaos out there, sir. Rule of law has almost entirely collapsed and the populace is at the breaking point. The city is running out of ammunition, by our estimates we will collapse within a day. We're estimating that ten thousand have died already and we have possibly that number of infected within the city itself."
Nelson, ever the calm man, steepled his fingers "Call in guard from Goldbridge and Vagus if need be. I'll hold Minister Lucas to hand for finance of this. Order must be maintained, Haig."
Minister Lucas stood to object, but the Grand Chairman tapped the table "As for you, Minister Lucas, your investment will bring... dividends. If this disease, this agent, is so effective in sowing chaos on our people," he leads "...when we isolate it... I think you're clever enough to see where this is going."
Minister Lucas sat back, thinking of all the weapons he needed to conduct experiments with. Poison gas, barbed wires, machine guns, train cannons... he was swamped with new proposals, but he knew what was said. "Of course, Grand Chairman. I will call more forces to the city. Martial law will be imposed. There will be order."
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Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Oct 2, 2021 16:40:22 GMT
Despite the efforts to bring Dunwik into order, the madness seemed to bloom throughout the nation. The prevalence of this affliction, though notably high among men returning from the overseas conflict, still arose in every corner of the nation. Restrictions on travel proved beneficial in limiting the bloodshed, but it could not stop the episodes of madness that sprang up in private households.
With no direct cure for the affliction in sight, the first victims of the disease began to die as more became afflicted. Doctors could not ascertain the cause of death as of yet, though were certain the patients usually died shortly after falling into a coma.
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Post by Dunwik on Oct 2, 2021 17:04:27 GMT
"Duom Sickness" was the name of this illness, and those who were struck by it were considered raving madmen. Bodies piled in the streets, and order would have broken down under anything but the most centralized or decentralized regime. Dunwik was the latter and continued to endure as chemists, psychologists, epidemiologists, and physicians frantically compiled corpses, attempting all matter of cures or experiments with the most sophisticated tools available at their disposal.
Meanwhile, in the streets, men took matters into their own hands. Wearing waterproofed suits, gas masks taken from the Duom campaign, and often wielding short-barreled shotguns or high caliber pistols, the gangsters ensured their own turf was... clean of infected.
There was little that could be done aside from scramble to try and stop all travel to and from infected zones, ensure that order even in a broken state was maintained, and hope that a breakthrough was made in revealing the means of transmission of the disease.
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Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Oct 2, 2021 18:19:12 GMT
A clatter of breaking glass rang sharply through the esteemed halls of the Royal residence in West Thosel-Cransconia. The servant boy stared in horror at the shattered crystal goblets before him for only a moment before scrambling to collect the shards. His arms and legs struggled to respond to his wishes as he stood again with the case,swooning. He rushed them to an empty room, hoping to hide the evidence before it was too late.
Unfortunately he was found out by the head butler, who thumped the boy about the ears, insisting the pricey Crystal would cost him months of wages to replace. The sniveling boy wiped his hand across his face to dry his tears, only to collapse shortly after. The butler had hardly given the boy a hard enough whack to knock him unconscious so. When he was turned over however, dark streams were visible flowing from the boys nose and mouth. His body convulsed, jerking out from under the butlers arms who cried out in alarm. Before aid would come, the boy had passed. Yet throughout the city, news of a similar phenomenon began to emerge.
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Post by Wilhelm Cransnikov on Oct 2, 2021 18:36:02 GMT
By order of his majesty Wilhelm Cransnikov all internal movement beyond one's town, farm, or city district is to be banned unless royal approval is given. Ships must quarantine for twenty days before being allowed into port. The northern Fyrd is to travel south and enforce any royal edict. The northern Fyrd is wear anti-gas equipment with any necessary modifications to prevent infection. The northern Fyrd is to recruit from saxony if needed. The crown offers five million thalers in grants for research into the disease.
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Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Oct 3, 2021 22:37:23 GMT
Quarantines have done little to stem the affliction as more become infected daily. Although the efforts to limit travel have helped enforce the rule of law in WTC, the disease seems to spring up at random, perplexing scientists. However, the efforts of the medical community have not gone to waste. Through tests on less than willing patients, they have confirmed that the disease does not appear to be any known form of Rabies. They have also concluded that the illness often presents with red papules on the skin.
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Post by The Kerndom of Noreska on Oct 4, 2021 13:43:15 GMT
Though currently spared the infection at home, The Noreskan Terns agree to 4 month road closures to isolate. Hyskarls are given quest charters at quarter strength companies (25 men) to assist nations in their cure efforts by apprehending and or killing infected as the respective givernments decree.
Many Hyskarls make oaths to not return home till a cure is found.
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Post by The Kerndom of Noreska on Oct 4, 2021 13:48:40 GMT
Though currently spared the infection at home, The Noreskan Terns agree to 4 month road closures to isolate. Hyskarls are given quest charters at quarter strength companies (25 men) to assist nations in their cure efforts by apprehending and or killing infected as the respective governments decree.
Many Hyskarls make oaths to not return home till a cure is found.
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Post by xander10 on Oct 4, 2021 19:33:22 GMT
Due to a risk of the contamination spreading to the port, The Port of Sheen Company decided that any country with known outbreaks of the madness would have their ships quarantined on arrival to prevent spread to the City itself.
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Post by Dunwik on Oct 7, 2021 0:56:48 GMT
TEN DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL INCIDENT
The Grand Chairman sat in his seat, having called all his Ministers to a meeting, save Lysin and Arthur, who were desperately needed to ration food and sift through proposals to cure this mystery illness. Heavy bags sat under the Grand Chairman's eyes and numerous empty mugs of coffee, cans of soda, and several other kinds of stimulant were neatly stacked in a pile to his left, his right hand twitching as it held a mug of some infernal substance almost strong enough to wake the dead. He took a sip, then rubbed his eyes, his breath somewhat swifter than it should have been.
"Gentlemen, we must accelerate our efforts," he said "our current actions are insufficient. Minister Lucas? Have you seen my proposal? It must be law." He commanded "enact it. Minister Haig? Ensure that it goes smoothly. Minister Clarke? Keep a line to the Sheenish and keep an eye open on the findings of any others. We must establish a global network to discuss this disease. It will do us good to seem the charitable ones. Dunwikki science can also only go so far. We need more men, materials, and time."
Lucas shifted in his seat "Grand Chairman, your proposal is insane. Centralization of the Armed Forces would take-"
The Grand Chairman slammed his fist into the table, sending a drink can clattering to the ground as he rose. "I know it would take years, Lucas, but we do not have years! It would be a miracle if we lasted one! Have you read the reports from Haig's desk, have you?! Murder in the streets! A stain upon us all! You will do your duty, Trevor!" He roared, his face bright red "you understand war in terms of men, Lucas, but only when they hold a gun. But the war of the unarmed, the war of the seething masses, the war that we must always fight, that is something you do not know! How easy, how easy do you think it would be, Minister Lucas, for some Socialist discontent, for some counter-royal rebellion, for some rival corporation, how easy do you think it would be for them to rally the rabble and have our heads on pikes?! The only thing that keeps us in suits and out of the grave is the order of our nation and the fact that, under us, the average man has food in his gut and a roof over his head! We toil all day, every day, in our offices and in our efforts so that men are happy with what they have and do not dream of what they could get if they murdered us! Now! Triple your efforts! There will be great reward if you succeed," he sighed, slumping back into his chair "Minister Haig, you and Minister Lucas are to continue establishing our monopoly of force and bringing the streets back under control. Minister Arthur will report to me soon on his experiments."
There was silence in the boardroom, the Dunwikki flag seeming awkward but imposing behind the exhausted shell of Grand Chairman Nelson. Nobody said a word, staring at the clean, well-polished mahogany furniture for a while. Then Minister Lucas spoke.
"You ask me to do the impossible, Grand Chairman."
"In Dunwik, we do the impossible, Minister," The Grand Chairman spat. "Get back to work."
Minister Lucas excused himself in a hurry, odd for such a brave man. Grand Chairman Nelson turned back to Haig and Clarke.
"Haig, give me some good news. How goes the quarantine?"
"Results are... mixed, Grand Chairman, but the disease is not as bad as the unrest it caused," Haig said stiffly, watching the Chairman. "If I may interject, Grand Chairman, you look like you have a foot in the grave. Take a day to set your mind in order," he offered, though he looked little better himself.
Minister Clarke shuffled "I know the Sheenish have sent some firearms, and we have heard reports of this illness in Noreska and the W.T.C. Sadly, there is not much more I have."
Howard Nelson, Grand Chairman of all Dunwik, rested his head in his hands and slowly tried to control his breathing.
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Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Oct 7, 2021 2:02:20 GMT
When the illness reached the shores of New Respite, despite the small number of victims, the people treated it with the utmost vigor. The afflicted were quarantined in Misericords for the infirm so that the blight would not spread. Prayers were offered up for the Ill, along with food and drink blessed with holy water. The sick were treated to Lenten fasts: small portions of bread and water. Stews made with preserved fish and vegetables. Most of the afflicted died regardless.
And yet, as the religious ministered to the sick, one of the infirm fell from his bed to the feet of the priest before him. Thinking the man was going into another fit, they called for aid, only to realize the man was kissing the feet of the priest. Whether by divine intervention or some other means, the first confirmed man had been cured of the illness.
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Post by C.W. Fairbairn on Oct 8, 2021 1:36:54 GMT
From the Desk of the Governor-General, and the Director of Commerce
Any and all Kaskadien ports of entry are here-by closed to vessels of Dunwikki or Tholish Origin, besides Port Roberts, where they will be quarantined and checked for signs of infection. Cargo will not be offloaded, ships must resupply within 72 hours of medical clearance, and be sent back to the Ringsea.
Any citizens of these nations, in the nation before cases were reported, and with a clear bill of health, will be quartered at our expense until the plague is no longer a threat.
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Post by The Realm of Moderal on Oct 11, 2021 3:28:15 GMT
14/6/4/390
From the Hrana familie.
All trade vessles are to travel through the DOC islands, quarantining until cleared for travel north.
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Post by The Realm of Moderal on Oct 11, 2021 4:43:41 GMT
14/6/4/390
The workers and researchers of the Scris family hurried around franticly. They were attempting to discover a cure for a new disease in a record time of two days. Just before the new year celebrations began. They did not want to work over the five day holiday, and if they didn't discover the cure they would be forced to. They had next to no clue about what could be causing the madness, although there was a vague impression that it might have something to do with mosquitos, this put a few at ease as this far north in Vesmijl there were few mosquitos to be found at this time of year.
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Post by xander10 on Oct 11, 2021 9:27:02 GMT
From the ministry of foreign affairs,
All vessels that have visited the ports in the nations of West Thosel Cransconia or Dunwik in the last Month are to be quarantined at arrival in any Sheenish Port until It is clear all crew are healthy.
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Post by Wilhelm Cransnikov on Oct 13, 2021 2:11:23 GMT
By order of his order of his Majesty Wilhelm Cransnikov the quarantine is officially lifted, however foreign ships are not allowed to carry any non desiccated forms of meat. All infected are to be fed a traditional monastic diet and all monasteries are order to tend to as many sick as possible. All Tholish military camps are to implement strict hygiene discipline in ensuring all meat is fully cooked and prepared in as cleanly an environment possible.
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Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Oct 13, 2021 2:27:20 GMT
By order of his order of his Majesty Wilhelm Cransnikov the quarantine is officially lifted, however foreign ships are not allowed to carry any non desiccated forms of meat. All infected are to be fed a traditional monastic diet and all monasteries are order to tend to as many sick as possible. All Tholish military camps are to implement strict hygiene discipline in ensuring all meat is fully cooked and prepared in as cleanly an environment possible. The efforts of the monks of WTC have born fruit! By means not quite yet known, the afflicted in the monasteries of WTC have begun to improve in their condition. Those residing outside the monasteries have improved mildly, though not with the same speed. Soldiers have tossed their meat rations, but continue to become infected with the disease regardless. Those afflicted who have been allowed leave however, have noticed decent improvement in their condition. |
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Post by xander10 on Oct 13, 2021 2:43:14 GMT
With proof from neighbouring states of the lack of importance of quarantines, the Quarantine is officially lifted, though any inflicted must travel first to a secure hospital for treatment if they wish to leave the ship.
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Post by Emperor Florin von Marcum on Oct 13, 2021 3:56:43 GMT
Following announcements from Sheen and Sadalen, food goods from the DOC are no longer being purchased for their troops serving in Duom. The Imperium Divinium followed suit, requesting a full scale investigation on DOC holdings in the States proper.
The rates of illness among soldiers have plummeted following this decision, though those already infirm have made little progress in the road to recovery.
The DOC Chambers in St. Helena have launched an investigation into their internal produce, and have reported to be willing to share any results with those nations afflicted with this illness.
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