Colitzl Outbreak

The **Colitzl Outbreak**, also known as **the Great Dying**, was an outbreak of disease that mostly affected human countries on Ditarre as well as neighboring nations such as Keghotogh and Norte-Muldox. It was the deadliest epidemic ever recorded.

## The Disease

Colitzl has been described as an infection of the whole body. Early symptoms included fever, cough, chills, and muscle pain. As the disease progressed, infected people would bleed from orifices (especially the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth) and lose sensation in their extremities. Death usually resulted from blood loss or organ failure.

## History

Colitzl (a poetic Uzyb term for "sickness" or "imbalance", from the Metzi "icolitzltli" meaning "sickness", "plague", "disorder") originated in eastern Nokina, in the port city of Hytum, in Ataadinum 3033 AT. From there, the disease made its way to the rest of the Human countries, which had very open trade networks with each other. It also made its way to Keghotogh, likely through Nokina Keghotuhr visiting their former home country. The disease was first identified in Usybork in mid-3033 AT.

By Bytum 3034 AT, millions had been infected with the disease. The final death toll is estimated to have been anywhere from 5-10 million people, with the majority of victims located in the Human-majority countries (especially Usybork, Ilois, and Nokina) and western Keghotogh. Tulkon Ico devoted months trying to help victims, and decided to use his healing abilities to cure the infected with massive blasts of energy amplified by Yaaamemon's Rock. After curing most of the population, Ico was weakened and died of Colitzl, becoming the disease's highest-profile victim. A short time after his death, researchers in Norte-Muldox, using Ico's magic school of Mechagia, were able to develop the world's first vaccine, effectively eradicating the disease.

## Aftermath

Colitzl had a large effect on the globe, especially in countries that experienced higher death tolls. Several memorial holidays take place in affected countries, with the International Day of Mourning taking place on 22 Bytum, the anniversary of Ico's death and the symbolic end of the pandemic. The plague had a significant effect on the arts, especially in Human countries. Pieces after the plague could be described as bleak, tragic, and dark, with subjects often including bloody eyes typical of late stage victims, or small cities ravaged by the disease. Many people living in the human territories of Ilois, Usybork, and Nokina left their countries, settling in Norte-Muldox, Keghotogh, A'Roastad, and Honsinad. Tulkon Goroch's efforts would cause many of these refugees to return home.

Ico and other Tulkons became widely celebrated figures after his death, with Tulkonism gaining many more adherents in thanks for Ico's sacrifice. The efforts of Tulkon Goroch focused on helping affected countries rebuild socially and economically in the aftermath of the pandemic, further reviving Tulkonist interest. Devotion to the Tulkon led to almost fanatical worship amongst more religious sects, with some delving into extremism. Several decades later, when Tulkon I'Ladas was given an official position within the Tulkonist Council, these extremist sects began worshipping the Council itself. Both the Council and several extremist parties would become major players during the Keghotogh Crisis in 3095 AT.

The development of the Colitzl vaccine was a huge scientific breakthrough, and led to many other scientific developments throughout the century.