The lichbane curse

Lichbane is both the name of a powerful, curse-inducing plant and the devastating plague that swept through the nation of Brittany during the Merging War. This plague, born from the misuse of the plant in dark rituals, decimated Brittany's forces, turning the tide of the war and leaving a haunting legacy. Symptoms: Necrotic Transformation: The primary symptom of the Lichbane plague is a gradual transformation into an undead state. The skin of the afflicted starts to pale and take on a grayish hue, veins darken as necrotic energy courses through the body, and the flesh begins to decay even as the person still lives. This transformation is accompanied by intense pain and a creeping sense of coldness that no warmth can alleviate.   Loss of Vitality: As the plague progresses, victims experience a significant loss of strength and vitality. Their energy wanes, and they become increasingly lethargic, struggling to perform even basic tasks. This physical decline is mirrored by a dimming of their life force, as if the very essence of their being is being drained away.   Cognitive Deterioration: Infected individuals begin to experience cognitive decline, with memory loss, confusion, and disorientation becoming more common. Their thoughts grow sluggish, and they have difficulty recognizing loved ones or recalling important details of their lives. This mental deterioration isolates them further as they lose their sense of self.   Undead Hunger: A twisted symptom of the Lichbane plague is the emergence of a ravenous hunger for flesh, particularly that of the living. As the transformation progresses, the afflicted become driven by a primal need to feed, their humanity slipping away as they turn into mindless predators. This hunger is insatiable and drives the infected to commit horrific acts against those around them.   Dark Aura: Those infected with the plague begin to exude a dark, oppressive aura, one that chills the air and causes unease in those nearby. This aura is a manifestation of the necrotic energy overtaking their bodies, and it grows stronger as the transformation nears completion.   Final Transformation: The plague's final stage culminates in the full transformation of the afflicted into undead creatures. Their heart ceases to beat, their breath becomes unnecessary, and they lose all remnants of their former selves. Now fully undead, they are driven by a compulsion to spread the plague and continue the cycle of death and undeath.   Impact on Brittany: The Lichbane plague swept through Brittany with terrifying speed, turning its people into undead horrors. The once-proud nation was decimated, its forces reduced to shambling husks. The plague forced Brittany out of the Merging War, leaving it crippled and vulnerable. The curse of Lichbane, born from the misuse of a plant meant to ward off the undead, became a symbol of the nation’s downfall, a dark reminder of the consequences of tampering with powers beyond understanding.