Plot:Dragon Epidemic
From Absit Omen Lexicon
The dragon epidemic of 2010 spanned a length of approximately six to ten months in the United Kingdom. It was recognised as a serious threat to the dragon population of the United Kingdom and was a source of conflict for the Ministry of Magic, who sought to contain the situation through practical as well as trade means. In late August 2010, a liaison between Dragonologists in the UK and Australia resulted in an effective cure for the widespread disease.
In spite of this, the epidemic is still at large as dragons continue to be quarantined and trade bans are yet to be lifted. It is estimated that the dragon population will be significantly clear of the disease by the new year.
How to Get Involved
Who?
- Dragon Handlers
- Magical Creatures Experts
- Potioneers
- Apothecaries
Plotting Resources
- Plot Development Topics: Dragon Epidemic?, Save the Dragons!
- Tags: Dragon Epidemic
- Primary Contact: Kelly (Alphonse Zephyr), Nuri (Balfour Spectre), Jessica (Margo Amherst)
Additional Information
Symptoms
The established symptoms are:
- Confusion, leading to heightened aggression
- Inability to produce flame
- Eventual death
- Defects in young if the mother is ill when laying, eggs have thinner shells
- Neglect of eggs by mother dragons
Impacts
- Shortage of potions ingredients
- Increased price of available remaining ingredients and increase of import
- Ban on dragon exports from the UK
- Financial and reputation impact on dragon breeders in the UK
- Muggle sightings of dragons during transportation for isolation
- Heavy criticism of dragon trade and slaughter by wizarding public
- Fearmongering that the epidemic can spread to humans/wizardkind, possibly by consumption
- Fundraising for research and treatment
Characters
The Ministry
![[[Margo Amherst]]](/wiki/images/f/f3/Margo_Amherst.jpg)
![[[Ghastly Atassi]]](/wiki/images/6/63/Ghastly_Atassi.png)
![[[Vincent Fournier]]](/wiki/images/thumb/d/d3/Vincent_Fournier.png/200px-Vincent_Fournier.png)
![[[Mortimer Gamp]]](/wiki/images/thumb/9/99/Mortimer_Gamp.jpg/180px-Mortimer_Gamp.jpg)
![[[Roberta Pinn]]](/wiki/images/thumb/c/cd/Roberta_Pinn.jpg/180px-Roberta_Pinn.jpg)
![[[Quill Som]]](/wiki/images/thumb/2/24/Quill_Som.jpg/180px-Quill_Som.jpg)
![[[Balfour Spectre]]](/wiki/images/c/ca/Balfour_Spectre.png)
![[[Johann Storm]]](/wiki/images/thumb/c/cc/Johann_Storm.jpg/180px-Johann_Storm.jpg)
![[[Alphonse Zephyr]]](/wiki/images/3/35/Alphonse_Zephyr.jpg)
![[[Persepolis Zephyr]]](/wiki/images/1/1f/Persepolis_Zephyr.jpg)
The Public
![[[Vadim Vyrubov]]](/wiki/images/d/d0/Vadim_Vyrubov.jpg)
![[[Lucrezia Di Luca]]](/wiki/images/thumb/8/82/Lucrezia_Di_Luca.png/180px-Lucrezia_Di_Luca.png)
![[[Iris Nollett]]](/wiki/images/c/cc/Iris_Nollett.jpg)
The Events Unfold
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[Edit]
Alphonse Zephyr is tasked with collecting Ukranian Ironbelly eggs for transport from Wales. Needing another capable pair of hands, he brings along Margo Amherst. They are met by dragon handler, Pendry, who mentions a rumour that there was trouble with vipertooths in Peru during February 2010. Alphonse observes the eggs have a thinner shell than typical.
[Edit]
Johann Storm brings a dragon egg to Ghastly Atassi which has been left behind by one of his private clients under the table in a pub. The dragon is a few days away from hatching but seems healthy.
[Edit]
Alphonse Zephyr writes to Persepolis Zephyr about the situation.
[Edit]
At Hebrides Dragon Sanctuary, Scotland, dragons are held in isolation together. Balfour Spectre invites Vadim Vyrubov to inspect. He is greeted by Margo Amherst. They discuss a recent Magizoologist referring to the epidemic as 'The Necessary Plague', and Alphonse Zephyr voices his disgust.
A six year old Hebridean Black, known as Frangag is under observation. Her recent delivery of eggs is suspected to also be infected and have been taken away for care. Balfour leads the party to collect samples for testing: blood, scale, inner cheek and if possible: a chip off of the spike on her tail.
[Edit]
Alphonse Zephyr writes back to Persepolis Zephyr regarding recent incidents with the dragons. He is recovering in St Mungo's after being hit by a Herbridean Black's tail.
[Edit]
Balfour Spectre mentions in his letter to Alexandra Carstairs that the dragons in the United Kingdom are still suffering from the epidemic.
[Edit]
Margo Amherst travels to an Australian reservation for over two weeks with fellow Dragon Tamer Vincent Fournier to examine a similar epidemic and learn of a vaccination from the Dragonologists there.
[Edit]
Margo Amherst reflects on Harrison White, an Australian dragon handler. She and Vincent Fournier have now learned how to administer the vaccination, and Vincent is focusing on how to brew it.
[Edit]
Margo Amherst takes a break from the vaccination efforts to celebrate her 28th birthday in Melbourne, Australia. Amongst others she meets Keegan MacGregor
[Edit]
Margo Amherst and Vincent Fournier leave Australia, equipped with necessary knowledge to begin a vaccination programme in Britain.
[Edit]
An open debriefing is held by Level 3 regarding the epidemic and the solution. A debate breaks out over trade and publicity.
[Edit]
Balfour's favourite dragon, Nidhug, is dying due to the Dragon Epidemic, so the pair spend the night out in the cold with her until the end.
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