Gligits

Viridis is known for its diversity in edible resources. There are still areas of jungle being explored where new foods can be discovered. One such discovery has been embraced by the black market centuries ago, and is therefore now available in all of Prismundi, despite being outlawed. Of course we speak of jellyfrill vines. This resilient plant can grow on any vertical surface and does not need a lot of sunlight. In fact, it has a very efficient second feeding strategy, for it is a carnivorous plant. Under the right circumstances, it uses bioluminescense to attract insects, which get stuck on the vine's frills and get digested.

The reason this plant has become so popular, is because of its stimulating properties. Jellyfrill vines can also be processed into powder, which can be consumed mixed with water (named frilljuice) or in pill form (named frillity). The drugs can enhance physical, mental or even spiritual abilities for a short time. Jellifrill leaves are even used as a culinary ingredient, known to strengthen the sensations and flavours of the foods it is paired with.

The plant and these drugs are not necessarily highly addictive or directly dangerous to the consumer. Nevertheless, any and all posession has been banned for many decades. This was decided after its consumption was linked to the condition now called gligits.

Yexil of clan Mardaar is an undisputed genius for his contributions to the field, but many are befuddled by the simplicity, dare I say gracelessness, of the way he named his discoveries. Take gligits for example. Nothing ancient or with deeper meaning, but an abbreviation of the most prevalent symptom: glowing digits.

— Mirabella Hazelcheeks, medical journalist

Symptoms

Most obviously, the condition can be seen because the patient's fingers and toes faintly glow in the dark. This luminescence typically has a green hue, only slightly affected by the patients skin colour. With continued consumption of any product made of jellyfrill vines, the glow intensifies and other extremities can glow as well: ear tips and tail tips, in some cases also the nose and lips. So far the condition is quite harmless, but a tipping point has been discovered when natural skin tone variations like freckles and birthmarks are also affected.

In further stages of gligits, patients report frequent and sudden headaches, cravings for oily or fatty foods, and impaired risk assessment. Certain patients are assessed to get erratic, impulsive behaviour. This is especially dangerous when combined with the stimulating effect, should one continue to take frilljuice or frillity pills. After several incidents of property damage and assault in a short amount of time, all ascribed to the chronic use of jellyfrill products, the government issued the ban.

Cause, treatment, and prognosis

There is still a lot of mystery around how the bioluminescence is transferred. No matter how processed the product is, it seems that any part of the plant can transfer the bioluminescent abilities. The current medical theory is that this is due to a viral-like infection of the patient, though not all properties of the condition support this theory.

When a patiend is in the first stages of gligits, the glow can still be counteracted with an ointment. The glow ceases within a few hours of application. However, in later stages of gligits this ointment is less effective, and the only real cure is completely stopping the consumption of jellyfrill products. Even then, losing the symptoms can take months or in some cases years. Magical healing does speed up the process tremendously.