Guylegratmu

It is transmitted by receiving a substantial amount of blood of a infected in a blood infusion. Exactly how much infected blood is required depends on how recently the individual has received uninfected blood. A freshly fed Cha'gem will need to donate almost a whole feedings worth while a starved Cha'gem could infect with a fraction of that. It also is transmitted from mother to child during gestation.

Immediately after infection the individual will feel the emotional depth of the world fading, and loss of appetite. The infected also will find that they are now immune to the majority of illnesses.   However the more dramatic conditions arrive more gradually over weeks. The infected will find they have almost double their prior strength. Accompanying this strength will come much faster reflexes. They also will find all their senses are much stronger. These enhanced sense can cause some stimuli to be unpleasant. Cha'gem tend to avoid strong smells, strongly flavored foods, and the miday sun.

There is no cure for the Guylegratmu. An infected individual requires frequent transfusions of uninfected blood. Without fresh transfusion the infected will suffer symptoms similar to severe blood loss resulting in death if left untreated. Most Cha'gem receive their "feedings" from willing Cha'reh donors.    To simplify the feeding process most Cha'gem have a small valve installed on their forearm. The standard model has a simple twist lock mechanism. When opened the valve oozes a clear viscous fluid. After opening the valve a Cha'gem will fit a Feedvial on it and depress the vial's plunger draining it's contents into the bloodstream. The empty Feedvial can then be fitted with a needle for refilling.

The Guylegratmu seems to infect all Humans equally. However the lack of care knowledge and infected individuals outside of the north limits its spread beyond Cha'reh lands. Most infected outside the Cha'gem culture tend to die of their symptoms not understanding their condition.

The discovery of the disease split the Cha'reh and Cha'gem. While revered by the Cha'reh, their differences drove the Cha'gem to develop a parallel culture and society.