The first stage can, at times, be difficult to spot, as it exhibits similar symptoms as Crystallization.  After an incredibly brief incubation stage, a corceïs may become symptomatic in as short as a day after infection.

Corceïs, at stage 1 of infection, may display the following symptoms: Fatigue, dizziness, muscle aches. fever, Loss of appetite, drooling, blurry vision, and crystalline growths and protrusions.

The crystals in question appear similar to early onset Crystallization and do not require magic usage to spread but are equally exacerbated by it, baffling scientists.

Growths typically originate at the horn but also from the point of contact transmission where the corceiïs was wounded.

( A visual example will be soon uploaded! )

The Stage 1 duration lasts, on average, around a week. This stage is the only one where recovery is still possible…but only marginally. The overwhelming majority of infection cases are irreversible.

( A visual example will be soon uploaded! )

A stage two infection is categorized when an infected body’s blood supply and marrow have been fully contaminated.

At the start of the second week, Stage 1’s noted symptoms remain present.

The crystal nodes continue to grow in size and surface area. Then, a thick, viscous, and oily secretion will start to be produced by the crystals, contaminating the blood and beginning the transmitting stage.

The source of the ooze cannot be staunched, cauterized, plugged, or otherwise stopped. The fluid itself doesn’t solidify or clot, and there is no treatment or cure beyond this stage.

Sadly, at this point, Stage 2 infected corceïs are forced to be cast out into the wastelands to prevent the spreading of the plague.

At this stage, a corceïs still retains their conscious personality as well as control over their body.

They will experience a decrease in the efficiency and stability of their magic, assumedly because the disease is passively feeding off of it until the reserve is completely drained.

The rates of magic depletion vary but are more likely to be lowered once the fluid appears. Time is short… Stage 2 equally lasts around a week in duration. Most know they will lose themselves in a matter of days, so many take matters into their own hands while they still have control. Others will succumb to the next stage.

At stage 3, half a month after the infection began, afflicted cors will start to deteriorate.

They will exhibit delirious behavior and lose cognition. In rare cases, a few may be able to utter several words.

Memories and cognitive function will fade until the soul and consciousness are lost, leaving behind a mindless body that wanders until an opportunity to spread its plague arises.

Crystalline growths concentrate on the upper torso range of the body, including the spine, neck, head, etc. The result is a body nearly blanketed in black fluid. nearly coating them completely.

( A visual example will be soon uploaded! )

At this point, flesh and muscle tissue begin to deteriorate and die, leaving behind only bone.

Scientists are often left confused as to how a body can still move without connective tissue, and it’s theorized that the ooze may be the only thing holding the creature together.

They are fast, persistent, and perpetually starving. Once all soft organic matter has been consumed, the plague must feed on magic to survive. Therefore, this is the most contagious stage.

Highly aggressive. DO NOT APPROACH.

( A visual example will be soon uploaded! )

The final stage.

The plague has completely taken over and consumed the body. This creature now blends in with the rest, all individuality lost.

Their corpse is nothing more than bones and crystals. They do not speak in any recognizable voice, but only screech like a wild animal in distress.

They will wander and hunt in perpetuity until they drop. The longer they go without feeding and sustaining themselves, the higher the likelihood that the body will waste away and die. This starvation process lasts at max a few weeks, and severely weakens them.