Sleep Sickness

Sleep Sickness is a phanomena which occurs uniquely in Olderand. A person suffering from Sleep Sickness becomes lethargic, forgetful and entranced. The sickness makes it quite difficult to function through daily life on the island, greatly decreasing productivity and workforce organisation. Sleep Sickness is believed to be a result of the Natural Order of Olderand.

The sickness is one of the main characteristic of Olderand that makes it such a foremidable place to visit. The paths and roads become winding and misleading, strange locations become enticing and interesting, and it can become hard to remember which areas have already been visited.

While generally an obsticle to travelling in Olderand, many revere the sickness as a blessing from the Natural Order. It is believed that the sickness expands a person's understanding of the world and their environment, while causing them to re-gain a feeling of wonder at the natural world.

Pilgrims are members of religious groups that travel Olderand specifically to experience Sleep Sickness. They partake in long treks and thoughtful prayer while under the effect of the sickness. Other groups in Olderand such as Rangers have also built up experience at dealing with the sickness, although it is always a present danger in Olderand.

It is generally believed that the effects of the Sickness are a person reverting to an early form. Most believe the Clay Men were the origin of human life, and it is thought that with enough time on Olderand, a person might return to clay. However, this has never been witnessed or documented, and the origins of human life are largely a myth.

Notably, those born in Olderand are immune to the effects of the sickness. This gives them the unique characteristic of being able to walk through Olderand and see the island for what it really is. These people are instrumental in mapping and running the island, and are also treated with high religious esteem. Due to The Curse of Birth however, very few are ever born in Olderand.