The Grim Plague and Its Causes 'Plague' is a term used for any contagious epidemic disease. The term plague, however, is usually used to refer specifically to Oligarn Pox, or the Red Death, an acute infectious disease. This Pox is caused by dark spirits associated with the Demon Gonivinx, and is usually transmitted to humans by succubi. Symptoms include high fever and chills and, in its worst form, hemorrhages that turn reddish black.