The Bane

The Bane is an condition that has a devastating effect on Dragonkin. It can be carried by the humanoid mammalian races of Sídge, but is asymptomatic. Once a Dragon, Dragonborn or similar race is exposed to the Bane, their body will rapidly fail them. The larger and older the victim, the more rapid and terrible is the illness.   The condition was first discovered by a slave miner named Marcus, who legend says had their skin change colour when they broke open a particular seam of rock. When Marcus was later chosen to be sacrificed to an Ancient Dragon, simply being nearby was enough for the Dragon to fall immediately ill. This event inspired Mildred's Rebellion, and the Bane was heavily weaponised in the war against the Dragons, and was largely responsible for the ruin of the once indomitable Tepeu empire.   Today, Dragons distance themselves from the mammalian races, acting through Dragonborn intermediaries where necessary. These Dragonborn typically wear magically enclosed suits to prevent accidental exposure to the Bane, as any non-Dragon could be a carrier.