Memory Plague

The Memory Plague is frequently considered a disease resulting in the loss of the afflicted's memories. As the Champions Valoris discovered, there is no such actual disease, and the symptoms of the so-called plague were caused by a dusk hag called the Dream Eater eating the afflicted's memories. With the Dream Eater's death, it is unknown whether no further outbreaks of the Memory Plague will occur or if there are other entities that may cause it.

Symptoms
Anyone struck by this illness experiences a fever and weakness until they slowly begin to lose the memories that make them whole: first childhood, then further on. After a while, the afflicted can’t remember their names or take care of themselves. While many sources seem to describe the Plague as a death sentence (or as good as one), several people from Hommlin, such as Emma, seem to have at least survived the disease, even if they never fully recovered their faculties. Because the disease is not technically a disease, it cannot be treated by typical magical means, although especially powerful clerics seem to have had some success in protecting their patients from the Dream Eater. However, most sources recommend a swift death as treatment.

History
The last known major outbreak of the Memory Plague happened roughly in 583 in Hommlin. Half of the village's population, including most of the Wolfwood family, Emma, and Ormond contracted the plague, and while some of them survived, most of those who fell ill died from it. A combination of fear of the Memory Plague and a desire to fetch help for his family also drove a young Jorah Wolfwood from his home to Atemcester. When the Dream Eater had eaten enough to sleep for an extended period of time, cases of the Memory Plague stopped occurring in Hommlin and the unafflicted found ways to rebuild as the survivors recovered. However, isolated cases have occurred in other places since the Hommlin outbreak. For example, Grinlief Dartson seems to have some experience relating to the Memory Plague, despite having no obvious connection to Hommlin. Despite this, the tomes in Falas's library on the Memory Plague are all at least fifteen years old and are infrequently consulted.

In 598, the Dream Eater awoke once more and another outbreak of the Memory Plague threatened Hommlin. However, before anyone fell ill, a group of adventurers, including the returning Jorah Wolfwood, learned of the Dream Eater's existence and traveled to the center of Aidan's Glen to confront her. The Dream Eater was slain by Jorah, and the full return of the Memory Plague in Hommlin was averted. However, it is unknown if the Dream Eater was responsible for all incidences of the Memory Plague, or if the more isolated cases during her hibernation were caused by similar fey entities who are still at large.