Hey everybody and welcome to Leia’s Lair. In today’s episode I will be going over
our Top 10 most deadly diseases in the Star Wars galaxy.
Star Wars has been known to have many dangers, such as Sith, Rancors, Wampas, but one area
that has often been overlooked are the dangers of viruses and diseases.
At Number 10: We have Hibernation Sickness Bad enough that you’ve been betrayed by
your so-called friend. “My friend!” Bad enough that your girlfriend’s dad turned
you into a piece of art. Picture the shock of coming back to life a year later in Jabba
the Hutt’s court, confused and afraid, weak, blind, and aching. That’s hibernation sickness,
the result of a process described as a constant, waking last breath. No wonder Han Solo was
so befuddled once he’d been freed by an undercover Princess Leia.
Occasionally the effects of hibernation sickness lead to death but more often than not they
wane and retreat after a day or so. Potentially the victim could be held for weeks, months,
even years in such a frozen state and as such the effects of the hibernation sickness would
be worse still. Not strictly a disease, more a side-effect of a traumatic process, but
it certainly reminds us to not cross your future in-laws. “We would be honored, if
you would join us.” Number 9: Endregaad Plague
One of these illnesses is the Endregaad Palgue. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this
virulent, quick-to-spread but non-lethal disease isn’t a huge threat. Presented initially
as a fever, the onset of Endregaad Plague leads to extreme loss of bodily fluids, a
noticeable crusting around the eye and mouth areas, and the swelling of the tongue and
fingers.
Research led doctors to learn that there is no natural immunity to the plague and, to
their knowledge, there is only one known treatment, medicinal spice. Regular treatments ease the
plague, but a steady and regular course is required, which isn’t cheap to acquire.
Mutating from a similar virus originally found on the planet Varl, doctors feared that the
plague could again mutate, and with no natural immunity to the disease it could spread throughout
the stars like wildfire.
Number 8: Mon Calamari Nerveshock Being a largely aquatic species, Mon Calamari
children had extra levels of danger to face when growing up. No, I’m not talking about
peeing in the pool, I mean a deadly virus called Mon Calamari Nerveshock. Fatal if not
immunized against, the disease would lay dormant for years before exploding inside its host
and attacking the nervous system. By this time it was already too late to save the patient
and so a process of immunization was started to inoculate Mon Cal youngsters and bypass
the diseases terrible effects. Number 7: Gray Death
FNV-23, also known as the Gray Death, is another deadly virus. Created by Doctor Fesjo, Negleem
under the auspice of the Imperial-funded Pathogen-Based Loyalty Enhancement Program, this is particularly
nasty. The virus has the ability to change its own antigen needs, meaning that it’s
practically impossible for the victim to develop any kind of immunity. However, the Empire
did develop an antiviral drug to counterbalance FNV-23. Called FNA-23-B, this holds traces
of FNV-23 within it, so the “cure” is also a delivery system for the disease, creating
an endless cycle of dependency. Number 6: Bloodburn
Another illness to worry about in the galaxy is called Bloodburn. Highly rare and often
terminal, Bloodburn does exactly what its name suggests. It causes the body to overheat
and the blood to thicken, causing a painful death. Hydration eases its effects, as does
hadeira serum injections, but a life away from the rigors of space travel is more often
than not an immediate order from the attending medical droid.
Number 5: Fester Lung In a galaxy peppered with every imaginable
climate and environment, it was wise for the intrepid galactic traveler to take precautions.
Carry a fully charged blaster, keep a medkit to hand, and, when possible, even when the
air is breathable for your species, wear a mask. This was never better advice than when
on humid jungle planets like Drongar. Here, the very air is a threat. Carried in microscopic
spores that are easily inhaled, Ascomycetous Pneumoconiosis, also known as Fester Lung,
claims its victims silently, infecting to the point of death by raising body temperatures
to such a high level they’re practically cooked alive in their own juices. Eek.
Number 4: Brainrot Plague This horrific airborne virus targets humanoids
and cephalopods, attacking the central nervous system causing nausea, sweats, communication
breakdown and, if untreated by immunization, a swift death. Used by the Separatists during
the Clone Wars as a form of germ warfare, Brainrot Plague, otherwise known as Loedorvian
Brain Plague, wiped out the entire humanoid population of the Weemell sector, leaving
it uninhabitable. It even struck the Manarai Heights area of
Coruscant, leading to public service announcements and awareness campaigns by the Coruscant Health
Office. It comes in three different variations: A, B, and C. So if it doesn’t get you the
first time, there are always two other types lurking around to get you later.
Number 3: The Crimson Forever Some diseases cause physical ails, some mental,
and some both. The Crimson Forever falls into the second bracket, hitting its victims with
both at the same time. Created by the separation of two powerful gemstones, the first signal
of illness is the victim falling into a deep coma followed by an infection of the eyes
which sends them blood red, hence the name the Crimson Forever. Later stages of the disease
turn the entire skin of the victim red before a feverish death. Producing a negative aura
in the Force, the Crimson Forever is lethal to all who feel its effects.
Number 2: The Blue Shadow Virus “The return of the infamous, Blue Shadow
Virus!” The Blue Shadow Virus, in its natural form, was a waterborne virus. A victim infected
with the plague only had 48 hours to live before the virus became fatal. It was notorious
for being supposedly incurable, with a 96% success rate in killing carbon-based life-forms.
An antidote was able to be synthesized with reeksa root, a rare plant only found on the
planet Iego. Number 1: Rakghoul Plague
This one might be the most terrifying of the ten. A mere bite or scratch from an infected
host and within a span of six to 48 hours you turn into a Rakghoul, a monstrous, mindless
creature brought about by a Sith engineered disease concocted by the ancient Sith Lord
Lord Karness Muur. Attempting to cheat death as all Sith do,
Muur transferred his will and power into the Muur Talisman, an amulet which could transform
nearby sentient beings into Rakghouls and in turn those Rakghouls could infect and turn
almost any other sentient being, other than Force-sensitives. It’s another disease with
two strains, the Bozan strain and the Hirano strain, and the cure, the Rakghoul Serum,
would struggle to provide resistance over the years, as the Rakghouls would develop
immunity. The disease caused as much death and destruction as a Star Destroyer.
And there you have it! Thanks for watching everyone. What do you think of these Star
Wars diseases? Let us know down below in the comment section. And remember to like, share,
and subscribe to the channel for more great videos to come. We hope to see you all again
in Leia’s Lair.