This is a horrible disease, similar in some ways to Earth leprosy. It is highly contagious, currently incurable and feared by everyone. The named "Dar-kosis" means Holy Disease. The Initiate Caste believes that the disease is a tool of the Priest-Kings, used by them to sanction those who have somehow displeased them. Because it is considered a sacred disease, it is considered heresy to shed the blood of an infected victim. Strangely enough, it is not considered heresy to stone an infected victim, even if the stones are going to make the victim bleed. Another ramification of the disease being considered holy is that the Initiate Caste will not allow anyone to seek a cure. They will and have taken action against members of the Physician's Caste who have tried to research a cure. If legal remedies will not suffice, the Initiates will hire armed men to physically prevent the Physicians. Some Physicians have been killed by such means.