The Red Death

## The Start of the Outbreak

The Red Death that broke out in 330 AC was of a similar nature to the infamous outbreak in 25 BC in Gogossos and the Basilisk Isles, but with some notable differences. Its mortality rates were lower, accompanied by less sever symptoms. Instead of nine-in-ten dying, the rate was closer to six-in-ten. The bleeding orifices that were more subdued, though the shredding skin was still just as deadly and horrific. This is not to say that this Red Death was on the whole milder, as its spread was far more rapid.

The disease is believed to have begun among the slaves of Yunkai. It had first been noted by the Wise Masters among their captive population and believed to find an ease in spreading due to the living conditions that the slaves endured. The Wise Masters attempted to control it through several means that never resulted in favorable conditions for the slaves. Yet, in the end it failed, as the people of Astapor and Meereen soon found themselves infested the disease, highborn and lowborn alike. In 331 AC, it spread into all nine of the Free Cities.

In Westeros the disease came 332 AC, first to Eastern Dorne, White Harbor, Gulltown, the Crownlands, Oldtown, and the Southern Riverlands. Before long, however, it would consume most of the continent.

## **The Response of the Faith**

The High Septon was one of the first major figures to respond to the outbreak. He declared the devastating disease a punishment from the Seven, for the Gods would not bring down such a disaster if it was not deserved. To try and bring a swift end to the disease, septons traveled across Westeros, trying to educate the smallfolk and nobility alike on how to be free of sin and vice. Some preached more extreme methods than others. Among the desperate practices taken to please the Seven was sending daughters to become Silent Sisters or carving the Seven-Pointed Star into one's chest as atonement. Bastards and those who fathered them also came under threat by those wishing to prove themselves pious and just.

## **Persecution of the Maesters**

Before the disease even came to the shores of Westeros, the Citadel sent words to maesters all over the continent that they were to be recalled to Oldtown. Many refused to abandon their posts, or simply could not be contacted, but many heeded the warnings and returned, including the Grandmaester. When the outbreaks came and many maesters had left and avoided helping the ill, rumors spread faster than the disease of what the maesters were truly up to. Some said it was a ploy to gain more power, others believed they were conducting terrible research that angered the Gods.

The fear and hatred of the maesters continued to grow as moons and years passed with no end to the disease in sight. Maesters travelling along the roads were often accosted by the smallfolk and hanged. In 334 AC the outrage reached its climax in the city of Oldtown. Two men, half-master Aladaore and Septon Leyton, went around the city preaching on how the maesters were truly behind the entire outbreak. They roused a great number to their cause in Oldtown, and even some local guardsmen felt compelled to enact justice against the maesters. Soon a mob managed to breach the Citadel and set it to the torch. Nearly two hundred maesters fell victim before House Hightower intervened and crushed the insurrection. This event would later be known as the infamous Storming of the Citadel.

## **Deaths in the Royal Family, and the Wondrous Jaqen Nestoris**

In 333 AC, the Red Death reached none other than the royal family. Crown Prince Aenar’s daughter, Naerys, and Prince Aerys’ son, Daeron, both caught the disease and soon perished. The occasion was desperate enough to prompt King Aegon VI to reach out to the since-cleansed Free Cities, coming into contact with a famed healer - Jaqen Nestoris 'the Wondrous'. Jaqen Nestoris was a Braavosi who built up a large reputation for himself while travelling throughout the Free Cities, helping the sick and implement measures to stop further contamination. Notably he also never hesitated to try and increase his fame, and today doubt exists as to whether he was truly as effective as he claimed.

With Jaqen Nestoris’ guidance, King Aegon VI promulgated several decrees intended to limit the spread of the disease. Graves were to be built far away from both settlements and water supplies; clothes owned by the deceased were burned; people were urged not to make contact with any of the infected. These policies aided in preventing further spread and gradually brought an end to the Red Death in Westeros, though not before the disease claimed the lives of King Aegon VI and Prince Aenar in 334 AC. A private coronation is held in the Great Sept for King Aerys III, with few witnesses to limit the spread of the Red Death.

## Timeline of the Red Death

330

* Red Death spreads in Slaver’s Bay

331

* Red Death reaches the Free Cities

332

* Maesters across Westeros are recalled to the Citadel, most comply
* Red Death comes to Westeros
* High Septon declares the Red Death a punishment from the Seven

333

* Crown Prince Aenar Targaryen’s daughter, Naerys dies
* Prince Aerys’s son, Daeron, dies
* Plague comes to an end in the Free Cities
* Jaqen Nestoris arrives in King’s Landing

334

* Storming of the Citadel
* Prince Aenar dies
* King Aegon VI dies, Aerys III coronated

335

* Red Death begins to come to an end in Westeros. Will completely disappear over the course of the next couple years.