The medusa plague was the name given to a magical disease first seen in human communities on Mithas in 345 AC. It is later seen in Thonvil, a village in Northern Ergoth, in 346 AC. The disease is magical in nature but cannot be dispelled and is not visible to detect magic spells. It can be transmitted via water. The minotaurs and humans of Mithas blamed each other for spreading the disease. It is only known to effect humans.
The plague incubates for about a day. On the first day of symptom, the victim has chills and fevers. On the second day, they shed a layer of skin over their whole body like a snake. On the third day, they are uncontrollably thirsty. The third night, each arm and leg turns into a three-headed snake, the victim's eyes become black, and eventually their entire body turns to stone. On each of the days, the symptoms begin as Nuitari rises over the horizon.
The snakes immediately grow back if cut off. Poisoning the snakes transmits the poison to the victim. The snakes bite but are not venomous. The plague also effects all snakes anywhere near an outbreak area; They are highly active and are seen far more frequently.
Lyim Rhistadt found the disease on Mithas while searching for a cure for his cursed arm. He made a modified version of the plague where the snakes hiss the name of his nemesis Guerrand before turning to stone. Guerrand discovered the relationship between Nuitari and the disease and was able to devise a cure.
Kender Tales[]
- The War of the Lance (Sourcebook) claims that the plague was mostly in Solamnia.