Faed Cordcepi

Faed Cordcepi infections are acquired from inhalation or ingestion of a particular strain of Cordyceps fungus native to southern and western Asia. Spores can survive in a dormant state for up to 10 years in proper conditions, and will reactivate when moistened by rain or saliva from fairies. Mature fungus is also oftentimes covered in spores, so ingestion of the fungus can also cause infection. The fungus' parasitized victims will often climb into the canopy of trees, above fairy hive entrances, and frequent travel paths, dropping spores onto the area below when disturbed.

Those infected with the fungus do not typically show symptoms for the first 10-15 days. Symptoms begin mild, with slight fever, decreased appetite, and a sharp increase in water consumption as the fungus begins to grow within the body. Body parts such as the stomach, intestine, and reproductive tissues are often consumed by the fungus first to fuel its growth, as they will then be useless to the host. Vision loss is also a common symptom in the early to advanced stages of the infection. Many fairies with early infections of the disease will also oftentimes be more reluctant to fly, due to a combination of altered mental states and damage to their eyes.   As the infection worsens, so do the symptoms. Fairies will drastically lose weight as their non-vital organs are consumed by the fungus and begin to show poor motor function due to a lack of nutrients as well as muscle tissue left. Within 2 months, the majority of hosts are no longer treatable, and have lost so many of their internal tissues that their condition will be fatal, even with immediate medical intervention. By this point in the infection, the fungus has oftentimes spread up the spinal cord to the brain, and begun to feast on the eyes and brain of the host. By this point in the infection, the fruiting mushroom bodies of the fungus will oftentimes become visible by breaking out of the carapace through weak spots, such as the joints, mouth, eyes, scent membranes, ovipositor, and anus.   Once brain infection has occurred, fairies victim to the fungus will show severe neurological symptoms such as memory loss, spasms, poor motor function, sluggish movement, and a lack of awareness. They are compelled to climb in areas they frequented prior to infection, such as harvesting grounds in workers or above hive entrances in soldiers. Although infections are rare among Queens, they will oftentimes also be compelled to climb in their brood chambers once infected as well, even if not physically capable of doing so. During the climbing phase is when the majority of deaths due to the infection occur, as the fungus no longer has use of the host, and will begin consuming vital organs such as the heart, liver, and blood vessels.

Treatment of faed cordcepi is possible in the infection's early stages with the use of potent anti-fungal medications alongside boosters of vaccines and anti-bacterials to prevent infection of consumed tissues. Oftentimes in more advanced infections surgical intervention is necessary to prevent sepsis from necrosing tissue killed by medication as well as to remove fungus tissue itself.   Advanced infections are almost always fatal, as well as infections that go untreated entirely.

Only fairies and insects can be infected by the disease, counter to many urban legends and misinformation campaigns spread by social media. Humanoids and dragonkin are under no threat of the disease, and can actually eat the mushrooms the fungus produces with no ill health effects, although doing so is considered to be highly controversial, in bad taste, and disrespectful to the infected individual's hive.   The vast majority of infections are of worker caste fairies, due to their signifigantly higher chances of encountering the fungus' spores during daily work and gathering.

In areas where the fungus is known, strong anti-fungals are often used to treat the environment. Bodies from infected fairies will most commonly be burned or treated with strong acids, and are forbidden from burial within their hive. All areas infected fairies are known to have traveled will also be treated, and those they have had contact with are strongly encouraged to take anti-fungal medication and self isolate under threat of exile.   Many hives go further in preventing infections by treating every member of their hive with anti-fungals at regular intervals, generally once or twice a year. This is most common in southern and western Asia, where the fungus is well known. Additionally, goods exported from fairies in these regions are subject to intensive inspections when crossing borders and treated with anti-fungal sprays to prevent the introduction of the spores to non-native regions.

The real life Cordyceps that causes the disease has been a strong influence on Fairy culture for thousand of years, being the subject of numerous works within the horror genre. Fairies infected with the fungus are a common shorthand for carelessness, the necessity of following safety procedure, and individualistic mindsets in fae works, occasionally being used as propaganda.   Many urban legends, myths, and legends also surround the fungus or are believed to be caused by it, such as the infamous 'Ghost Fairies' stories of the Zhejiang province in China. Legends from this region almost always include fairies covered in thin white powder or fuzz, the spores of the fungus, that appear to make them glow under the moonlight, and nonsensical ramblings from them as they are unable to see their surroundings. In pop culture, representations of the Ghost Fairies of myth have seen a parallel to human era works regarding zombies or the undead.   Some regions make use of the fungus from infected individuals as part of traditional medicine and cooking, but the practice is highly frowned upon and in most cities, outlawed to protect fairies from potential infection from live spores that could be spread in the process.