It has come to
the attention of the RPCoG that an outbreak of
the Pox has once again reached the shores of Gor.
The initial outbreak has been reported in the
City of Kargash with a coffle of barbarian
slaves delivered to its port.
The port is
now closed and the city quarantined. However, the crew of the ship that had
transported them unknowingly remain infected and
carry the disease as well as slaves to other
ports of Gor.
As you all
know, it is transmitted by the bites of lice.
Its symptoms include pustules which appear all
over the body, and a yellowing of the whites of
the eyes. Survivors of the pox are thought to
convey an immunity to their offspring. Slaves
diagnosed with pox are usually killed as a way
of containing the disease. Hundreds of years
ago, the pox had appeared in Bazi. The port had
been closed for two years by the merchants. It
had burned itself out moving south and eastward
in some eighteen months. Oddly enough some were
immune to the pox, and with others it had only a
temporary, debilitating effect. With others it
was swift, lethal and horrifying. Those who had
survived the pox would presumably live to
procreate themselves, on the whole presumably
transmitting their immunity or relative immunity
to their offspring.
I have ordered
shipments of vaccinations to prevent
transmission of the disease, yet it is in
limited supply and will be delivered to the
major cities within a hand as we of the RPCoG
work hard to continue to make more.
The Initiates have also once
again reopened what was once called the Dar
Kosis Pits at various places, as an act of
charity. It is a place where those afflicted
may voluntarily incarcerate themselves while
they die. These huge pits have rudimentary
shelter and a well. Once within, the sufferer
may never leave. Food and necessities are thrown
down from tarnback to help the diseased.
Those
afflicted are ordered to don yellow shrouds and
carry wooden clackers to warn of their approach.
This disease
is highly contagious, so invariably devastating
in its effect, and so feared on the planet that
even the boldest of outlaws gives
those afflicted a wide berth.
Please
seek out your cities physician immediately for
the vaccination.
I wish you all
well during this perilous time.
