Difference between revisions of "Greyscale"

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[[File:Daniel ClarkeGreyscale.png|400px|thumb|right|[[Jon Connington]], contemplating his greyscale.<br>© Fantasy Flight Games]]
 
[[File:Daniel ClarkeGreyscale.png|400px|thumb|right|[[Jon Connington]], contemplating his greyscale.<br>© Fantasy Flight Games]]
 
[[File:Sara Biddle Shireen face.png|400px|thumb|right|The legacy of [[Shireen Baratheon]]'s bout with greyscale.<br>© Fantasy Flight Games]]
 
[[File:Sara Biddle Shireen face.png|400px|thumb|right|The legacy of [[Shireen Baratheon]]'s bout with greyscale.<br>© Fantasy Flight Games]]
'''Greyscale''' is a disease that can leave flesh stiff and dead and the skin cracked and flaking, mottled black and grey and stone-like to the touch. The tongue and lips turn to stone.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}}  
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'''Greyscale''' is a disease that can leave flesh stiff and dead, and the skin cracked and flaking, mottled black and grey and stone-like to the touch.{{ref|ACOK|Prologue}} Greyscale is one of the many virulent diseases common in [[Sothoryos]].{{ref|twoiaf| Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos}} Cold, damp climates like the [[Iron Islands]] and [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]] are also prone to the disease, and it is a danger for those traveling down the [[Rhoyne]] through the [[Sorrows]].{{ref|ADWD|18}}
  
 
==About==
 
==About==
It generally affects children, especially in cold damp climates. The victims are disfigured but also rendered immune to the rarer fatal form and to the [[grey plague]]. The [[free folk]] consider people who survive greyscale unclean.{{ref|ADWD|53}}[[Tyrion Lannister]] believes that [[Garin's Curse]] is only greyscale.{{ref|ADWD|18}}
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Greyscale generally affects children, especially in cold damp climates. The afflicted flesh stiffens, calcifies, and cracks. The victims are disfigured, but also rendered immune to the rarer fatal form and to the [[grey plague]].{{ref|ADWD|18}} The [[free folk]] consider people who survive greyscale unclean, and prefer to euthanize them rather than take the chance that they may live to infect others.{{ref|ADWD|53}}
  
If a person has been exposed to greyscale they can prick each of their toes and fingers every day with a knife to check for infection. So long as the pricks hurt, they are safe. It is only when they cannot feel the blade that they will have cause to fear that they have contracted greyscale.
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The mortal form of greyscale begins by affecting the extremities, noticeable only by a blackened fingertip or loss of sensation. As numbness creeps up a person's arms or legs, the flesh stiffens and grows cold, and the victim's skin will turn grey, resembling stone.{{ref|ADWD|18}} Blindness is common when the stone reaches the face,{{ref|ADWD|18}} and the tongue and lips turn to stone.{{ref|affc|1}} In the final stages, the curse turns inward, affecting muscles, bones, and inner organs. Although the disease is supposedly not painful, near the end, all victims go mad.{{ref|ADWD|18}}
  
==Treatment==
+
If a person has been exposed to greyscale, they can prick each of their toes and fingers every day with a knife to check for infection. So long as the pricks hurt, they are safe. It is only when they cannot feel the blade that they will have cause to fear that they have contracted greyscale.{{ref|ADWD|22}}
[[Maesters]] say its progress could be stayed by limes, mustard poultices, and scalding-hot baths. Septons insist that prayer, sacrifice and fasting are the cure. It is also colloquially believed that severing any affected appendages may stop the disease from spreading, but this treatment is not always effective.  
 
  
Some say that washing a person with vinegar helps prevent the greyscale. [[Haldon]] is inclined to doubt the vinegar wash, but he sees no harm in trying it.  
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===Treatment===
 +
[[Maesters]] say greyscale's progress can be stayed by limes, mustard poultices, and scalding-hot baths. [[Septon]]s insist that prayer, sacrifice, and fasting are the cure. It is also colloquially believed that severing any affected appendages may stop the disease from spreading, but this treatment is not always effective.{{ref|ADWD|18}}
  
==Persons with Greyscale==
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Some say that washing a person with vinegar helps prevent greyscale from spreading. [[Haldon]] is inclined to doubt the vinegar wash, but he sees no harm in trying it.{{ref|ADWD|22}}
* Princess [[Maegelle Targaryen]], died of greyscale.
+
 
 +
===History===
 +
The [[Rhoynar]] Prince [[Garin the Great]] went to war against [[Volantis]] and [[Valyria]] in the [[Second Spice War]]. He was captured in battle, and hung in a cage at [[Chroyane]] to see the enslavement of his people. The prince [[water magic|called down]] a [[Garin's Curse|curse]] upon the conquerors, entreating [[Mother Rhoyne]] to avenge her children, and that night the [[Rhoyne]] flooded out of season and a thick fog fell upon the river, and the Valyrian conquerors began to die of greyscale. To this day, the [[Sorrows]] is known for its foul fogs and waters, and the ruins of Chroyane are haunted by [[stone men]], people suffering from the later stages of greyscale.{{ref|twoiaf| Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships}}{{ref|ADWD|18}}
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==Victims of Greyscale==
 +
* Princess/[[Septa]] [[Maegelle Targaryen]], who treated children afflicted with greyscale, and died of the disease herself.
 
* [[Harlon Greyjoy]], died of greyscale.
 
* [[Harlon Greyjoy]], died of greyscale.
* [[Shireen Baratheon]], survived a bout as an infant.  
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* Princess [[Shireen Baratheon]], survived a bout as an infant.  
* [[Jon Connington]]
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* Lord [[Jon Connington]]
* [[Shrouded Lord]]
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* The [[Shrouded Lord]]
* [[Stone men]]
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* The [[stone men]]
  
 
==Recent Events==
 
==Recent Events==
 
===A Dance with Dragons===
 
===A Dance with Dragons===
Under the [[Bridge of Dream]] the [[Shy Maid]]'s crew are attacked by [[stone men]]. Tyrion Lannister falls into the [[Rhoyne]] but [[Jon Connington]] manages to pull him out of saving his life, but Jon becomes infected with greyscale in the process.  
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Under the [[Bridge of Dream]] in the Sorrows, the crew of the ''[[Shy Maid]]'' are attacked by [[stone men]]. Tyrion Lannister falls into the [[Rhoyne]], but [[Jon Connington]] manages to pull him out, saving his life.{{ref|ADWD|18}} However, Jon becomes infected with greyscale in the process.{{ref|ADWD|24}} Jon Connington keeps his greyscale secret, soaking his hand with bad wine since he fears if he asked for vinegar people would realize that he is infected.{{ref|ADWD|61}}
  
At the [[Wall]] [[Val]] becomes wary of [[Shireen Baratheon]] because of her greyscale. Val mentions to [[Jon Snow]] that the child is not clean and should be killed, and that she would have given Shireen the [[gift of mercy]] long ago.  
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At the [[Wall]], [[Val]] becomes wary of [[Shireen Baratheon]] because of her greyscale scars. Val tells [[Jon Snow]] that the child is not clean and should be killed, and that she would have given Shireen the [[gift of mercy]] long ago. She says that the free folk believe the disease never truly goes away in survivors, and insists that [[monster|Gilly's son]] and his [[wet nurse]]s not live in the same tower as Shireen.{{ref|ADWD|53}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|Death had lost its terror for [[Tyrion Lannister]], but greyscale was another matter.}}
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{{Quote|Death had lost its terror for [[Tyrion Lannister]], but greyscale was another matter.{{ref|ADWD|18}}}}
 
 
  
{{Quote|He had heard it said that there were three good cures for greyscale: axe and sword and cleaver. Hacking off afflicted parts did sometimes stop the spread of the disease, Tyrion knew, but not always. Many a man had sacrificed one arm or foot, only to find the other going grey. Once that happened, hope was gone. Blindness was common when the stone reached the face. In the final stages the curse turned inward, to muscles, bones, and inner organs.}}
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{{Quote|He had heard it said that there were three good cures for greyscale: axe and sword and cleaver. Hacking off afflicted parts did sometimes stop the spread of the disease, Tyrion knew, but not always. Many a man had sacrificed one arm or foot, only to find the other going grey. Once that happened, hope was gone.{{ref|ADWD|18}}}}
  
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{{Quote|[[Jon Connington|He]] dare not let the greyscale become known. Queer as it seemed, men who would cheerfully face battle and risk death to rescue a companion would abandon that same companion in a heartbeat if he were known to have greyscale.{{ref|ADWD|61}}}}
  
{{Quote|“The maesters may believe what they wish. Ask a [[woods witch]] if you would know the truth. The grey death sleeps , only to wake again. [[Shireen Baratheon|The child]] is not clean!}} - [[Val]], to [[Jon Snow]]
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{{Quote|The maesters may believe what they wish. Ask a [[woods witch]] if you would know the truth. The grey death sleeps, only to wake again. [[Shireen Baratheon|The child]] is not clean!{{ref|ADWD|53}}|[[Val]], to [[Jon Snow]]}}
  
 
==References and Notes==
 
==References and Notes==
{{references}}
+
{{references|2}}
  
 
[[Category:Diseases]]
 
[[Category:Diseases]]

Revision as of 23:32, 4 May 2016

File:Daniel ClarkeGreyscale.png
Jon Connington, contemplating his greyscale.
© Fantasy Flight Games
The legacy of Shireen Baratheon's bout with greyscale.
© Fantasy Flight Games

Greyscale is a disease that can leave flesh stiff and dead, and the skin cracked and flaking, mottled black and grey and stone-like to the touch.[1] Greyscale is one of the many virulent diseases common in Sothoryos.[2] Cold, damp climates like the Iron Islands and Dragonstone are also prone to the disease, and it is a danger for those traveling down the Rhoyne through the Sorrows.[3]

About

Greyscale generally affects children, especially in cold damp climates. The afflicted flesh stiffens, calcifies, and cracks. The victims are disfigured, but also rendered immune to the rarer fatal form and to the grey plague.[3] The free folk consider people who survive greyscale unclean, and prefer to euthanize them rather than take the chance that they may live to infect others.[4]

The mortal form of greyscale begins by affecting the extremities, noticeable only by a blackened fingertip or loss of sensation. As numbness creeps up a person's arms or legs, the flesh stiffens and grows cold, and the victim's skin will turn grey, resembling stone.[3] Blindness is common when the stone reaches the face,[3] and the tongue and lips turn to stone.[5] In the final stages, the curse turns inward, affecting muscles, bones, and inner organs. Although the disease is supposedly not painful, near the end, all victims go mad.[3]

If a person has been exposed to greyscale, they can prick each of their toes and fingers every day with a knife to check for infection. So long as the pricks hurt, they are safe. It is only when they cannot feel the blade that they will have cause to fear that they have contracted greyscale.[6]

Treatment

Maesters say greyscale's progress can be stayed by limes, mustard poultices, and scalding-hot baths. Septons insist that prayer, sacrifice, and fasting are the cure. It is also colloquially believed that severing any affected appendages may stop the disease from spreading, but this treatment is not always effective.[3]

Some say that washing a person with vinegar helps prevent greyscale from spreading. Haldon is inclined to doubt the vinegar wash, but he sees no harm in trying it.[6]

History

The Rhoynar Prince Garin the Great went to war against Volantis and Valyria in the Second Spice War. He was captured in battle, and hung in a cage at Chroyane to see the enslavement of his people. The prince called down a curse upon the conquerors, entreating Mother Rhoyne to avenge her children, and that night the Rhoyne flooded out of season and a thick fog fell upon the river, and the Valyrian conquerors began to die of greyscale. To this day, the Sorrows is known for its foul fogs and waters, and the ruins of Chroyane are haunted by stone men, people suffering from the later stages of greyscale.[7][3]

Victims of Greyscale

Recent Events

A Dance with Dragons

Under the Bridge of Dream in the Sorrows, the crew of the Shy Maid are attacked by stone men. Tyrion Lannister falls into the Rhoyne, but Jon Connington manages to pull him out, saving his life.[3] However, Jon becomes infected with greyscale in the process.[8] Jon Connington keeps his greyscale secret, soaking his hand with bad wine since he fears if he asked for vinegar people would realize that he is infected.[9]

At the Wall, Val becomes wary of Shireen Baratheon because of her greyscale scars. Val tells Jon Snow that the child is not clean and should be killed, and that she would have given Shireen the gift of mercy long ago. She says that the free folk believe the disease never truly goes away in survivors, and insists that Gilly's son and his wet nurses not live in the same tower as Shireen.[4]

Quotes

Death had lost its terror for Tyrion Lannister, but greyscale was another matter.[3]

He had heard it said that there were three good cures for greyscale: axe and sword and cleaver. Hacking off afflicted parts did sometimes stop the spread of the disease, Tyrion knew, but not always. Many a man had sacrificed one arm or foot, only to find the other going grey. Once that happened, hope was gone.[3]

He dare not let the greyscale become known. Queer as it seemed, men who would cheerfully face battle and risk death to rescue a companion would abandon that same companion in a heartbeat if he were known to have greyscale.[9]

The maesters may believe what they wish. Ask a woods witch if you would know the truth. The grey death sleeps, only to wake again. The child is not clean![4]

Val, to Jon Snow

References and Notes

  1. A Clash of Kings, Prologue.
  2. The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: Sothoryos.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 18, Tyrion V.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 53, Jon XI.
  5. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 1, The Prophet.
  6. 6.0 6.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 22, Tyrion VI.
  7. The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships.
  8. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 24, The Lost Lord.
  9. 9.0 9.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 61, The Griffin Reborn.