Trench Fever
Trench fever, also known as "the deeps" among many other colorful nicknames, refers to a common psychological condition that afflicts many Scaraquans.
The condition is most common among Ojiongo, occasionally seen among Merfolk, and rare but not unheard of among Karakhai.
Astalakians seem curiously immune to this. A few have claimed that the blessings of the Sons of the Sea Floor keep theme safe from this. Others point out that Astalakians tend to prefer to live in shallow, sunny waters and this could be the source of their seeming good health.
It's not known whether some/most/all deep trench dwelling dragons have contracted this condition or whether they just appear to be afflicted because their normal activities mimic the symptoms of this condition.
If one of the less populous mortal Scaraquan races has contracted this condition, it has not been recorded. It is has been speculated that such an individual could easily contract the condition and look like he or she is experiencing a unique bout of madness by those who have never heard the term "trench fever."
Transmission & Vectors
Since the specific cause(s) are not known, it is not clear whether this condition is contagious or entirely due to the actions of the individual.
Causes
There are clearly other factors involved but Scaraquans that frequent deep dark waters seem more prone to develop the condition though many Scaraquans who barely ever see the sun never acquire the condition and some Scaraquans get the condition while spending barely any time in dark waters.
Because it afflicts Ojiongo more commonly some think the cause may be connected to them or cephalopods in general.
Others speculate that Ojiongo are not more prone to the disease than anyone else, they just are less likely to get early treatment because it is more likely to remain undetected in early stages.
Symptoms
Those afflicted with trench fever develop a phobia against light, especially bright light. Also individuals with the deeps tend to develop paranoid delusions.
Given that they are paranoid in general and instinctually avoid bright light, it is common that those with trench fever will retreat into deep dark places and slowly spiral into self destruction.
It has been stated, half in jest, that since Ojiongo are paranoid in general and tend to like to swim in dark places that it's very hard to tell a healthy Ojiongo from an Ojiongo that is "off in the deeps."
Treatment
Healing magic alleviates symptoms temporarily but does not cure the condition. The best long term cure seems to be aversion therapy where the subject exposes herself to a small amount of light and social interaction then increases the contact with people and light gradually.
Prognosis
A small percentage, estimated one in ten individuals manage to overcome their affliction by itself with no obvious impetus. They just wake up one day no longer afraid of the light and with their paranoia diminished.
For those who are not among the lucky few, the likely prognosis is that the individual will waste away and starve or freeze to death in a dark hole or the paranoid individual will strike at her perceived enemies and eventually be brought down by someone in self defense.
Prevention
Periodic visits to sunny waters seems to be the best prevention but it doesn't seem to work 100% of the time.
There are a great many superstitions around this illness and much arguing about what prevention remedies do and do not work.
History
Trench fever, through a wide variety of names, seems to have existed as long as Scaraquans have existed though ancient written records are sparse in general and no one seemed to have bothered to write about ancient afflictions of madness.
Given a cultural bias to quietly change the subject when a friend or family member's past or present madness is brought up in conversation, this is hardly surprising.
Speculation runs rampant for what causes this condition. Some think it's a natural disease, some think it came from this deity or that deity, others think it stems from the the Void, some think it stems from Scarterra somehow.
Cultural Reception
The wide variety of supposed causes leads to a wide variety of conflicting superstitions on what items or actions increase or decrease the chances of contracting this condition.
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