ithildin | (Reply)

Actually (and may people more knowledgeable correct me if I'm wrong) I've always thought that they get ill, injured etc like mortals, only recuperate better/faster/from more advanced situations than mortals do. Basically, organisms with really good immune systems and regenerative abilites. But I think it has never been explored much in canon (illnesses at least not, traumas more - like Kalas' neck wound). Would be interesting to speculate whether they'd have to die from illnesses that'd normally kill a mortal, and come back ...or would they just be affected to a lesser degree or not at all (*imagines Caspian being so nasty because of permanent subclincal liver fluke infestation combined with rabies* *eg*). Would they get well faster if they die (like a restart *gg*)? I think for example Leslie Fish has a similar concept written in her Sins of Omission series (Father Riley, an old mmortal discovering that if he basically breaks all his bones, the immortal healing will not only restore them to the previous aged condition, but basically cure previous problems like arthritis too).
It's a really fascinating topic to discuss...unfortunately I gotta get back to epidemiology class for now...so maybe more, later?