Scurvy
Description
Scurvy, often whispered as the curse of the sea-faring folk, takes hold of a man like a leech to the skin, sucking the vitality from his bones. Characterized by a weary demeanor, the afflicted becomes pale as the moon, their gums betraying their suffering as they redden and bleed. Their skin becomes speckled with spots, and their old battle wounds may reopen as if the gods of war demand penance. Their breath shortens, and their heart grows heavy. The bones ache as if gripped by a spectral hand, and the mariner's spirit wanes with the strength of his flesh. Many an old sailor would tell you tales of the ghostly wail of scurvy, claiming it is the lament of the spirits of drowned sailors calling out for life ashore.
Typical Exposure
Scurvy oft befalls the hardy souls who venture out on the high seas, as the wind kisses their sails for months on end. The root of the curse lies in the very soul of the ocean voyage – the lack of fresh greens and fruits from the bountiful land. A diet of salted meats and hardtack gives no quarter to the body's yearning for the earth's blessings. A sailor, bereft of the fresh gifts of the land, finds scurvy clambering aboard. On occasion, land-lubbers, who scorn the harvest and partake only in dried or salted fare, may find themselves in the grip of this affliction.