𝕭𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖂𝖊𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖑𝖘 [D&D 5e Disease.]
May it be noted that I have attempted to rename this parasite as Mitherford’s Mites to reflect the grave seriousness of an infestation, yet their colloquial name and reputation supersedes all attempts to dignify them. The term Bone Weevils, or, osnidificans curliculio, remains as stubborn to eradicate as their counterparts.
Bone Weevils are a osteovorous eusocial insect that originally inhabited the Underdark, feasting on the collagen and marrow of carcasses and leaving fine mineral powder in their wake. Their role in providing fertility to the soil is unparalleled. They may be miniscule, yet do not underestimate their voraciousness nor their resourcefulness.
In my correspondence with several physicians that work below our surface world, Bone Weevils will leave one human skull desiccated in twelve hours. In the wake of widespread ceremonial cremation, these parasites have moved from carrion to living hosts.
If one ingests a creature infested with Bones Weevils or sleeps where they are nesting, infestation will follow. Bone-Weevils thankfully only nest in dark, damp subterranean habitats. Mausoleums, burial grounds ruins and dripping caves are their chosen haunts. Wet, cold and enclosed spaces should be thoroughly smoked to kill off their nests. Queen Bone-Weevils are often buried in the densest parts of skeletons and can reinfest a cave within a week if not thoroughly cleansed. Corpses should be buried or burned.
One could theoretically live with the brittle bones they tunnel through, it is the agonising internal itching that leads to a unique madness in victims. They are driven to gruesome acts to amputate or cut out the parasites. Early treatment is essential or else the Weevils will destroy both the spirit of the afflicted, as well as their battered immune systems.
Typical sufferers: Humans, Elves, Drow, Halflings, Gnomes and Dwarves. (The internal temperature of Tieflings and Dragonborn may stave these creatures off.)
Symptoms: Internal Itching, described at first as a fizzing developing later into excruciating burning itching. This progresses to delirium and erraticism if the malady progresses.
[Roll a constitution saving throw of 12 on first infestation.
On failure, roll on the Bone Weevils table once per long rest. Each time you roll, you lose the previous conditions and gain a new condition. If treatment cannot be found after five long rests, progress to the Short-Term Madness table and lose a permanent -2 to Constitution.]
Treatment: There are two known ways of driving the weevils out of the body; bone-Knit ointment, or subjecting yourself to an Insecticide as a last resort.
[Foraging in forests, grasslands, mountains, swamps, or the underdark terrain for Bone-Knit herb, using a Herbalist’s Kit to create an ointment from Bone-Knit. Applying Bone Knit ointment at the end of a long rest until the itching stops.
Or, ingesting a poison that gives 25 Poison damage or more that will kill off the Bone Weevils.]
Osnidificans curliculio can be prevented with a thorough smoke out of their dwellings. The bones they inhabit are easily recognised from the intricate hexagonal patterns left on the dry skeleton, as well as the fine ashy powder they leave behind. Lighting strong incense is enough to choke them.
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