There is a Blight Upon Their Heart
and in Their Soul, a Sickness
The Blights are a set of diseases known to those in Grimsby Grove that can infect Folk. While each is unique in their own way, they do share a handful of similarities. Each Blight has stages, and each stage is marked by inward and outward changes to the body of the infected Folk. They all also affect the phylakardia in some way, which is among the first symptoms the Folk will have. With the phylakardia infected, the Folk’s eye will also show signs of sickness. Each stage gets progressively worse, and the further they get the harder they are to bring back, until it is too late.
Progress of the infection is entirely dependent on the individual. Usually, signs of a Blight will begin to show within minutes to a week. Sometimes, a Folk stays in a certain stage while others progress. While some Blights are more tricky than others, they can almost always be cured, especially when caught in stage one. Some that cant be cured can be managed and kept in check through treatment. Folk who are showing any signs of sickness are asked to Promethean Society as soon as possible for treatment. Once one gains an upgrade relating to the stage which they are in, the stage increase is considered permanent and can not be drawn back. |
Blights are currently only obtainable through special events, adopts or transfers.
This Blight is one that is watched very closely by Grimsby Grove members, as those who are infected are transformed into feral and deadly beings called Predators who seek to consume the raw ether stored in the phylakardies of Folk. To learn more about Predators visit their section on the Flora & Fauna page, linked below!
Medusa Syndrome, unlike most of the other Blights that are transferred through bite or through birth, a Folk is infected after sustaining heavy damage to their phylakardia after being exposed to the strong magical force that is released following the death of another folk. When they die, the ether stored by their phylakardia explodes, and seeking a place to go, it is absorbed by the nearest things to them, especially other Folk. The magic is absorbed faster than the Folk can use and runs a high risk of not only damaging their phylakardia, but also starting the stages of Medusa Syndrome within them.
Medusa Syndrome is a progressive disease in which the crystal that makes up the phylakardia starts to grow on the body of it’s host due to the rapid absorption of magic. This is the phylakardia crystals way of trying to process and store the excess magic for the Folk to use. This Blight is also referred to as a curse due to it's progressive affects and it's deadly end. |
Symptoms
Constant hunger
Mutation of body Rapid phylakardia crystal growth High and excess energy levels |
Loss/darkening of eye whites
Expansion of pupils until eye is solid color Glowing eyes |
Memory loss
Hearing voices Loss of sanity |
Stage One: 0-1 Months At the point of no return- the infected can not be cured and must live with the infection. The Blight has only begun to infect the body. Some phylakardia crystals start to appear in random places on the Folk, but it isn't very noticeable. The inflicted Folk will experience a high amount of energy. Folk are encouraged to consult the Promethean Society as it can be slowed to a point and managed with treatment in the early stages. There is no noticeable difference to the eyes or phylakardia of the Folk at this stage. |
Stage Two: 1-2 Months The Blight will start to take its toll on the body of the afflicted. Large portions of their body will start to solidify into crystal, and other parts of their body have started to mutate and grow. Their pelt has started to change into different colors and they will start to feel hungrier and will need to eat more often, consuming large quantities of food. The whites of the eyes darken, and their phylakardia and pupils begin to turn a glowing blue or white. Not currently available for PC's |
Stage Three: 2+ Months At the point of no return- this is no longer a playable Folk, but a unplayable Predator. The Blight will begin to reach the mind, affecting their sanity and body is no longer theirs. A little voice begins to call to them to eat, to seek the ether of their kin. Often, these Folk are at a state of hunger which no one can return from and its at this point that the curse is complete. There is no cure, no turning back and their magic is forever corrupted. The eyes are voids of glowing blue or white that match the chunks of phylakardia crystal on their bodies. Not available for PC's |
The Bloodborne Virus is a Blight which forces the infected Folk to use magic at a higher rate, causing the body to evolve into a more predatory fashion than the normal prey Folk. They are considered highly dangerous and infectious, with 20% of their victims becoming infected themselves unless they have an infected parent. This infection rate increases during certain times of the year.
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The Bloodborne Virus is named this way because it gives the infected vampiric qualities. Those with the Bloodborne Virus do not eat normally like other Folk do - not even the high-in-Ether Papou fruit will help satisfy their hunger. They must consume blood directly from Folk, which has the highest and thickest concentration of Ether in the New World. Consuming the blood of Folk will help manage the symptoms and keep the illness at bay for as long as they’re able to get it directly. Blood donation centers within Grimsby Grove are dedicated to helping those who must consume the blood of others to help combat infection and curb assault rates.
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While Folk are omnivorous, capable of eating all sorts of meat, vegetables and fungi, this illness forces the Folk in question to develop a mostly hematophagous diet. They are incapable of digesting meals without Folk blood. They can not consume the blood of New World animals due to the fact that their Ether levels are too low to sustain themselves and actually can make them even more sick than they already are.
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Symptoms
Constant hunger
Fatigue Insomnia Low levels of energy |
Weight loss and heightened metabolism
Unable to perform higher levels of magic or eventually any magic Difficulty reproducing |
Very slow injury regeneration
Death by starvation Sociopathic behavior Cannibalistic behavior |
Stage One: 0-2 Months The infected develops a bright, neon orange ring around the pupil or iris. This is a mandatory trait of the infection. The infected teeth grow a pair of thin, flesh-piercing fangs, along with the body developing a type of venom which numbs the pain of the site of attack and forces the blood to pool out of the wound. They are the least infectious at this stage, only infecting possible attack victims. |
Stage Two: 2-4 Months The infected could quite possibly develop other, more noticeable, physical traits, such as unusually huge, jagged ears. Infertility increased by 30%. Their ability to learn magic is debuffed; 1 extra magic image is required if learning independently or with an apprenticeship. All magic class images require a complex background instead of the normal simple background. The rate of infection has increased to a 20% chance of infected offspring. |
Stage Three: 4+ Months At the point of no return- the infected can not be cured and must live with the infection. The infected are noticeably, physically affected, gaining most of the physical traits which comes with being infected. Sharp teeth, sharp eyes, sharp fingers, all so sharp and hungry. The rate of infection has increased, and while they have fertility issues, they have a 40% chance of passing the blight to their offspring. |
Moontouched is an illness which forces the infected Folk to use magic at a higher rate, causing the Folk to grow at an extreme rate and become more predatory than the normal prey Folk. They are considered highly dangerous and infectious, with 20% of their victims becoming infected themselves unless they have an infected parent. This infection rate increases during certain times of the year.
Moontouched is named this way because it forces the Folk to return to feral and more predatory roots, comparatively to the werewolves within Old World stories. However they still posses sapience, and are still capable of perceiving thoughts, feelings and speaking through out all stages of infection. Moontouched makes the Folk body grow larger, and grow more wild. The larger the body, the more food and ether that it needs, making Moontouched the more hostile of the Blights. Consuming the flesh of Folk, or a combination of raw meats and Folk blood, will help manage the symptoms and keep the illness at bay for as long as they’re able to get it. Blood donation centers within Grimsby Grove are dedicated to helping those who must consume the blood of others to help combat infection and curb assault rates. These folk can be assisted by the Adventure's guild who are one of the few resources capable of supplying fresh meat regularly.
Their size sometimes makes them feel awkward in places made specifically for Folk. Their heads may brush ceilings, or they may find it hard to fit into proper beds. Clothes may also need to be specially tailored for them!
Moontouched is named this way because it forces the Folk to return to feral and more predatory roots, comparatively to the werewolves within Old World stories. However they still posses sapience, and are still capable of perceiving thoughts, feelings and speaking through out all stages of infection. Moontouched makes the Folk body grow larger, and grow more wild. The larger the body, the more food and ether that it needs, making Moontouched the more hostile of the Blights. Consuming the flesh of Folk, or a combination of raw meats and Folk blood, will help manage the symptoms and keep the illness at bay for as long as they’re able to get it. Blood donation centers within Grimsby Grove are dedicated to helping those who must consume the blood of others to help combat infection and curb assault rates. These folk can be assisted by the Adventure's guild who are one of the few resources capable of supplying fresh meat regularly.
Their size sometimes makes them feel awkward in places made specifically for Folk. Their heads may brush ceilings, or they may find it hard to fit into proper beds. Clothes may also need to be specially tailored for them!
Symptoms
Extremely slow regeneration
Growing larger than normal Constant and extreme hunger Fatigue Insomnia |
Weight loss and heightened metabolism
Unable to perform higher levels of magic or eventually any magic Slower than normal processing rates |
Develops feral behavior, comparative to a Vendetta Black
Death by starvation Sociopathic behavior Cannibalistic behavior |
Stage One: 0-2 Months A bright blue iris completely takes over the eye, the Folk no longer has sclera. This is a mandatory trait of the infection. The infected teeth become sharper, capable of piercing flesh. They are the least infectious at this stage, only infecting possible attack victims. |
Stage Two: 2-4 Months The infected could quite possibly develop other, more noticeable, physical traits, such as increased height. Their ability to learn magic is debuffed; 1 extra magic image is required if learning independently or with an apprenticeship. All magic class images require a complex background instead of the normal simple background. The rate of infection has increased to a 20% chance of infected offspring. |
Stage Three: 4+ Months At the point of no return - the infected can not be cured and must live with the infection. The infected are noticeably, physically affected, gaining most of the physical traits which comes with being infected. They have become large imposing and feral threat and will find living with the general public difficult. The rate of infection has increased, they have a 40% chance of passing the blight to their offspring. |
The Mummy Rot is an illness which forces the infected Folk to use magic at a higher rate, causing the body’s regeneration rate to slow to a significant amount, causing parts of the body to get infected with other illnesses which do not affect New World creatures. They are considered moderately dangerous and highly infectious, with 20% of their victims becoming infected themselves unless they have an infected parent. This infection rate increases during certain times of the year.
Mummy Rot is named this way because it is the only illness that forces the body to decompose bits and pieces of flesh. Mummy Rot makes it harder for a Folk to regenerate. (Due to the extreme hostility of New World illnesses, the Folk body is constantly regenerating from their attacks.) This illness prevents the regeneration from going at the rate it’s needed to keep the Folk’s form. Folk bodies do not decompose upon death like all other New and Old World creatures - instead their bodies explode due to the Ether being held in their phylakardies being released. Ether is needed to help keep the physical form from completely rotting away, which Folk blood has the highest concentration from.
New world animals do not satisfy the rotted, and only their own kind hold the type of ether that will stop them from being able to function and die. Consuming the blood of Folk will help manage the symptoms and keep the illness at bay for as long as they’re able to get it. Blood donation centers within Grimsby Grove are dedicated to helping those who must consume the blood of others to help combat infection and curb assault rates.
Aside from the previous issues, the rotted also heal very slowly but experience pain much less than others. They may loose a limb and shrug it off completely. Because of their penchant for being injured, and their exposed and rotting nature, a good relationship with the Prometheus society is a must for those who are living with Mummy Rot.
Mummy Rot is named this way because it is the only illness that forces the body to decompose bits and pieces of flesh. Mummy Rot makes it harder for a Folk to regenerate. (Due to the extreme hostility of New World illnesses, the Folk body is constantly regenerating from their attacks.) This illness prevents the regeneration from going at the rate it’s needed to keep the Folk’s form. Folk bodies do not decompose upon death like all other New and Old World creatures - instead their bodies explode due to the Ether being held in their phylakardies being released. Ether is needed to help keep the physical form from completely rotting away, which Folk blood has the highest concentration from.
New world animals do not satisfy the rotted, and only their own kind hold the type of ether that will stop them from being able to function and die. Consuming the blood of Folk will help manage the symptoms and keep the illness at bay for as long as they’re able to get it. Blood donation centers within Grimsby Grove are dedicated to helping those who must consume the blood of others to help combat infection and curb assault rates.
Aside from the previous issues, the rotted also heal very slowly but experience pain much less than others. They may loose a limb and shrug it off completely. Because of their penchant for being injured, and their exposed and rotting nature, a good relationship with the Prometheus society is a must for those who are living with Mummy Rot.
Symptoms
Loss of appetite/taste except for folk flesh
Loss of sleep/insomnia Loss of ability to sleep at all Constant hunger Eyes develop red hue at the peaks |
Deterioration and loss of skin
Loss of feeling in parts of body Loss of pain Very slow regeneration Unable to perform higher levels of magic- or in some cases- unable to use magic at all |
Death by starvation
Sociopathic Behavior Cannibalistic Behavior |
Stage One: 0-2 Months The infected develops a bright, neon red gradient on the iris. This is a mandatory trait of the infection. Their chances of failure to produce children with their partner(s) increased by 30%. The infected teeth become sharper, capable of piercing flesh. They are the least infectious at this stage, only infecting possible attack victims. |
Stage Two: 2-4 Months The infected could quite possibly develop other, more noticeable, physical traits, such as patches of decomposing skin. Infertility increased by 40%. Their ability to learn magic is debuffed; 1 extra magic image is required if learning independently or with an apprenticeship. All magic class images require a complex background instead of the normal simple background. The rate of infection has increased to a 20% chance of infected offspring. |
Stage Three: 4+ Months At the point of no return- the infected can not be cured and must live with the infection. The infected are noticeably, physically affected, gaining most of the physical traits which comes with being infected. Spots of their decomposing body give way to bone, exposing parts of the skeleton on Folk. The rate of infection has increased, however, at this stage they are permanently infertile and are unable to breed. |
Those blighted by Frostmaiden's are always cold and seek 'warmth', but the only warmth they find is by draining the "warm" ether from other Folk through physical contact. (This can take the form of something as innocent as a hug, or something as violent as tearing another Folk apart to reach their phylakardia) This keeps them from freezing over completely and dying. However, prolonged exposure to a victim of Frostmaiden's can result in hypothermia or the Blight spreading.
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Frostmaiden's Kiss is a Blight which forces the infected Folk to use magic at a higher rate, leeching heat from the Folk's body in an attempt to freeze what the Folk's body interprets to be foreign disease or invaders. They are considered moderately dangerous and moderately infectious, with 15% of their victims becoming infected themselves unless they have an infected parent. This infection rate increases during certain times of the year.
Frostmaiden's Kiss is like a "glitch" in the Folk's immune system. It's an overreaction to the diseases of the New World that a normal Folk will be able to naturally fend off; in an attempt to kill a foreign disease, the body uses magic to freeze the perceived threat. However, in most cases of Frostmaiden's, there is no threat, and the magic is targeting the Folk's body and draining the Folk's resources and energy. |
Consuming the blood of Folk will help manage the symptoms and keep the illness at bay for as long as they’re able to get it. Blood donation centers within Grimsby Grove are dedicated to helping those who must consume the blood of others to help combat infection and curb assault rates.
The more advanced the Blight becomes, the more sluggish the infected Folk becomes. Those with stage 3 are often too exhausted to do more than focus on finding "warmth", and don't consider the needs of other Folk. |
Symptoms
Eyes become solid white and are surrounded by a mist or miasma of cold
Phylakardia freezes over Low energy, constantly cold |
Unable to perform higher levels of magic or eventually any magic
Limbs become frozen, and freeze anything the Folk touches Often exhausted |
Ice "crown" forms on the Folk's head
Death by starvation Disassociation Cannibalistic behavior |
Stage One: 0-2 Months The infected develops ghostly white eye with no pupil or iris. Their chances of failure to produce children with their partner(s) increased by 30%. The infected phylakardia freezes over and can cause damage when touched directly. They are the least infectious at this stage, only infecting possible attack victims. |
Stage Two: 2-4 Months The infected could quite possibly develop other, more noticeable, physical traits, such as frost touch. Anything their limbs come in direct contact with (such as water, creatures, or other Folk) rapidly starts to lower in temperature and will eventually freeze. Infertility increased by 30%. Their ability to learn magic is debuffed; 1 extra magic image is required if learning independently or with an apprenticeship. All magic class images require a complex background instead of the normal simple background. The rate of infection has increased to a 20% chance of infected offspring. |
Stage Three: 4+ Months At the point of no return- the infected can not be cured and must live with the infection. The infected are noticeably, physically affected, gaining most of the physical traits which comes with being infected. Their whole body is cold all of the time, and they spread it to all they touch. Their head is permanently crested in a crown of ice. The rate of infection has increased, however at this stage they are permanently infertile and are unable to breed. |
Decadent's Folly is a Blight that is part of the life cycle of a plant known as the Lovesick Sapling. This carnivorous, Ether-loving water lily variant was magically engineered by a Druid several hundred years ago, and has been causing havoc ever since. The plant's stems are covered in sticky "hairs" that trap small bugs, animals, and fish, and the plant reproduces not by traditional pollination, but by tricking Folk or other creatures into taking their blossoms and seeds.
The flower of a Lovesick Sapling is a gorgeous, bright pink, and its seed pods are opalescent and shiny - when cracked or crushed, the seed pods release incredibly tiny seeds that begin to germinate when they make contact with a suitably moist surface. However, the seedlings will perish without a suitable source of proteins and Ether. This is where Folk come in. The Lovesick Sapling is uniquely adapted to live on the blood of Folk. The seeds can enter and germinate into a Folk's eyes, ears, nose, mouth, open cuts, or gills, and will immediately begin taking root and multiplying. The seedlings have the ability to break apart into viable plants, much like succulents, and within a matter of months can completely overwhelm a host.
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When Decadent's Folly takes root in a Folk host, their Ether consumption increases because their natural reserves are being drained by the Lovesick Sapling seeds. While early forms of this Blight can be fought off or "weeded" with help from medical staff and Druid Nudibarks, the final stage involves the Sapling being so deeply rooted that the Folk is inextricably bound to the plant. Because of its nature, this Blight is considered very transmissible, with 35% of Folk exposed to it becoming infected. Infected Folk will need to increase their Ether intake and may require more food overall as the Sapling steals nutrients from all parts of the Folk.
There isn't any scientific indication that the Sapling will change a Folk's behavior beyond the common symptoms associated with starvation, some sufferers of the Blight seem to take pride in their gorgeous blooms, and may seek to share this "joy" with others...
There isn't any scientific indication that the Sapling will change a Folk's behavior beyond the common symptoms associated with starvation, some sufferers of the Blight seem to take pride in their gorgeous blooms, and may seek to share this "joy" with others...
Symptoms
Bright pink blotches appear in the iris and sclera, creating sectoral heterochromia.
Phylakardia becomes blotched with pink spots. A bud begins forming on a Folk's sternum, or a Kit's Phylakardia. |
Chest bud becomes a blossom, begins propagating vines across the body.
Experiences difficulty casting magic. Fatigue becomes worse. |
Blossoms form in the eye sockets, mouth, across the vines, and on the Folk's back.
Always hungry, seeking water and meat. |
Stage One: 0-2 Months The infected's iris, pupil, and phylakardia become blotched with pink as the plant spreads microscopic roots. A tiny bud forms on the chest, mostly closed with just a few stray petals. They are the least infectious at this stage, only infecting those that are exposed to their blood or spit. |
Stage Two: 2-4 Months The bud on the infected's chest opens, and the plant begins spreading and wrapping vines around the infected's body. The infected will begin to notice greater problems with fatigue. Their ability to learn magic is debuffed; 1 extra magic image is required if learning independently or with an apprenticeship. All magic class images require a complex background instead of the normal simple background. The rate of infection has increased to a 20% chance of infecting partners or offspring. |
Stage Three: 4+ Months At the point of no return- the infected can not be cured and must live with the infection. The infected are noticeably, physically affected, gaining most of the physical traits which comes with being infected. Their whole body is wrapped with vines, and blossoms emerge from their eyes, mouth, gills, and back. They will often feel hungry even if full as the Lovesick Sapling uses their body as plant food and hijacks their stomach. The rate of infection has increased, and they have a 40% chance of passing the blight to their partners or offspring. |