Background

It started with a slight itch, then a rash, then death. It was almost like it appeared out of nowhere, a disease that spread heavily among the lower class but even affected the richer Nytlanders. No one knew how it appeared in Nytlande, but it did and it seemed like it was here to stay. The disease, known as the 'Itching Plague', started in the lower classes of Nytlande, the unwashed, the enthralled. It started out slow with a few thralls getting sick, getting a red rash, a strong headache, then they would die. However, after the first thralls got the plague, it spread like wildfire. It hit all aspects of Nytlande, killing the poor, the rich, even the clean-obsessed priests that handled all the medicine in the confederation.

The symptoms were simple:

Fever, Rash, Headache, Delirium, Coma, then Death.

The priests of Nytlande had figured out that the disease was spread by lice, small insects that usually stuck around within the more unwashed members of Nytlander society. However, lice did not discriminate. It seemed that every member of the Nytlander classes was under the dangerous flame of the Itching Plague.

Within Nytlande

From the report of Thidrandi Boesson, High-Priest of Erik's Landing.

Circa 759BCE.

I have walked among the people of Nytlande, what I have seen is nothing short than an act of the gods. We have been punished, we have insulted our ancestors in some unknown way, we have been chosen to receive this curse. I have seen men on the street, bleeding from sores across their bodies, I have seen women carrying children who have already ascended into Valhöll. I feel sick in my stomach and in my spirit. My priests have not been able to cure this, nor have we figured out a remedy to their pain. It seems the only thing that relieves them off their sickness is death. However, we have figured out that the creature that causes this disease is easily killed. What we have decided upon is to shave every man who attends Temple. If you are without hair, the lice has nowhere to live or feed upon you, thus, the insect will die.

As much as this is a temporary solution, we must enforce this in every step of life. I will be bringing this report to the confederation of Erilaz of Nytlande so that the warriors may ensure that this does not go undone. Now, I leave you all, for I am starting to also grow sick. I have already gained the rash and my brain is starting to leave itself. It seems I am also being punished for my transgressions. My last suggestion to all who read this is repent, punish yourself so that you may avoid this curse from the gods.

Effects

Already within Nytlande, thousands have died. Hundreds more are infected almost every week. It seems that the plague spreads purely by lice, but also by contact from an infected. The lice survives over water as well as over land, so traders who have brought the lice from Nytlande could possibly infect foreigners in other lands.