Ethereal Thorn Plague
Contains MAJOR spoilers for the Shattered Remains Campaign.
Contains MAJOR spoilers for the Shattered Remains Campaign.
The ethereal thorn plague is an active fungal virus that has taken over the town of Ansa Thalas. Deadly and dangerous, the virus attacks nearly everyone in the town, subjecting people to a painful infliction. As the infected became unrecognizable and attacked new victims, the virus proved its effectiveness in taking over populated areas.
Transmission & Vectors
The virus transmits through water at first, and potentially blood, but that has yet to be proven. Once the water is ingested and the infected reaches stage 2 of the virus, it becomes airborne, spreading quickly.
Causes
Dr. Kazeqxik located some violet nightshade fae inkcap and siphoned a glowing violet liquid from it. He mixed the liquid with another yellowish liquid, turning it brown. This new engineered liquid was tested on shadow elves in the hopes of turning them into driders. It became a failed experiment once the shadow elves began growing strange vines and thorns sprouted from their skin.
Dr. Kazeqxik dumped the remainder vials into the sewers, where it ultimately drained in to the narrow river that ran past Ansa Thalas. Due to the wells in the town connected to the river, the water consumed by the townsfolk became infected, swiftly taking over the majority of Ansa Thalas.
Dr. Kazeqxik dumped the remainder vials into the sewers, where it ultimately drained in to the narrow river that ran past Ansa Thalas. Due to the wells in the town connected to the river, the water consumed by the townsfolk became infected, swiftly taking over the majority of Ansa Thalas.
Symptoms
There are four stages to the virus, each one getting worse than the last.
still themself
insomnia
bags under eyes
exhaustion
still themself
rashes
bumps on body start to form
bloodshot eyes
bleeding gums
vines sprouting from mouth, eyes, nose, or ears
sores / blistered on feet and ankles
corrupted, but still alive
thorns
roots bursting through skin; hooking to ground
limbs stretching
vines show thorns, extending longer as the crevices split open into gory maws
dead and completely vicious; no trace of empathy
stuck in place
vines can reach over 10 feet to attack
spores
creature is a size larger than their original size
Stage One (Lasts 1-4 Days)
Stage 2 (Lasts 2 Weeks)
Stage 3 (Lasts 5 Weeks)
Stage 4
Treatment
Dr. Kazeqxik knew that he needed a cure for the virus, so he researched into a violet nightshade fae inkcap and learned that alicorn dragon horns could nullify the effects of the fungus and the liquid quickly faded to a diluted yellow color, rendering it no longer effected. However, he only worked this out after the virus started to take over the town.
Affected Groups
Anyone can be infected, but orcs and half-orcs seem to be immune.
Prevention
To lessen transmission, people can stay indoors, board up their home, have no lights going, and keep quiet. Loud noises and bright lights can attract the attention of the infected, increasing chances of attack. Infected homes will have a giant black 'X' painted across their front and back door, if they have one.
Table of Contents
by TheDigitalArtist (pixabay)
Type
Fungal
Origin
Mutated
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
Rarity
Unique
Orc
by Sinousxl (pixabay)
The bottle contains a sample of the brown liquid created by Dr. Kazeqxik. It is said to smell enticing to lure in the target. However, the taste is bitter.
The bottle carries roughly 3 oz, just enough to start another bout of the virus in another town if one chose to do so.
The liquid also goes by the name "Witch's Grudge", and smells sweet, like caramel. Despite its appearance, most would think the liquid is a sweet liquor and drink it before they even realize that they have ingested a deadly virus.
The bottle carries roughly 3 oz, just enough to start another bout of the virus in another town if one chose to do so.
The liquid also goes by the name "Witch's Grudge", and smells sweet, like caramel. Despite its appearance, most would think the liquid is a sweet liquor and drink it before they even realize that they have ingested a deadly virus.
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