Wizard's Ramble

The diseased known as Wizard's ramble, also known medically known as Penglos, is an disease which effects those of high intelligence in the later stages of their life, and especially wizards. Those effected by penglos begin to philosophise on everything around them, slowly rambling for longer and longer as the disease goes on.

At the beginning of the disease those afflicted with wizard's ramble are considered to be somewhat more charming and wiser than they where before the disease. As they begin to philosophise on everything they see around them, many of their friends enjoy the wisdom of their words. However over time the afflicted will become more paralysed by their endless philosophical thoughts, crowding their minds. Their ramblings become longer and longer until either they can't function anymore or those around them get so annoyed that they string them up.

Those victims who's families are rich enough to find them treatment are taken to surgeons of great renown. First the surgeon straps the patient to a bed, then he makes a few small incursions in the arm of their patient to let some of the blood go. As the patient slowly loses their excessive blood and loses their energy the doctor feeds them a mixture of honey, wine and ground bones. If the patient survives the procedure and comes by he should be healed from his illness.

Culture
The reaction to wizard's ramble depends on the social strata in which the victim finds themselves. In underdeveloped communities a victim might find that they are seen as a prophet of the gods or wise seers by the locals. They believe the victim will guide them with their words of wisdom into a bright future. Those amongst people of a higher education are seen as poor victims of circumstance. They have, in their eyes, finally paid the price for their gift of wisdom. Some families try to cure their ailing relative but it is not uncommon for the afflicted to meet their eventual demise at the hands of their frustrated peers.