The Unrendering

The Unrendering was an event in 669 in which over 90% of the bubun rendered at the time were unrendered (restored to their status as Ancestors) in response to a plague for which bubun were carriers, but which affected humans seriously, leading to permanent lung damage and even death. The plague was first detected in the spring of 669 in Choradan, and by summer, it was determined that humans could not transmit the disease among people, but only through the intermediary of bubun. The Hand of the Dead immediately began to take action to sequester existing bubun, but their need for care and cleaning meant that there was no absolute protection against the plague. The decision was thus taken to unrender bubun throughout wide swaths of affected territory, including the entirety of the bubun armies of the Omban successor states. The elimination of bubun was a temporary measure, and by 670 new bubun who had not been in contact with the infected showed no ill effects.