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The '''Red Death''' is a plague which has swept through the Flanaess | The '''Red Death''' is a plague which has swept through the Flanaess on two separate occasions—in [[496 CY]], and from [[576 CY]] to [[583 CY]]. | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
The cause of the disease is unknown, and though all manner of cures were | The cause of the disease is unknown, and though all manner of cures were attempted—"poulctices, infusions, draughts, quack medicines, potions from reputable herbalists, leeching, bleeding—all are ineffective."{{csb|WG8|6}} There were many faux-remedies sold by hucksters, snake-oil salesmen, and even by people who simply ''thought'' the remedies worked—though none did.{{csb|WG8|6}} Even magical healing and other clerical or divine spells (''cure disease'', ''heal'', etc.) were unable to cure the affliction.{{csb|WG8|6}} | ||
The transmission method is unknown, but the original outbreak was "transmitted at least partially by air".{{csb|WG8|46}}. | |||
The process of the disease varied from person to person, depending on their strength and health. The elderly and young were amongst the most vulnerable. Symptoms increase, and the worst phase of the disease usually comes within fewer than 72 hours.{{csb|WG8|6}} | The process of the disease varied from person to person, depending on their strength and health. The elderly and young were amongst the most vulnerable. Symptoms increase, and the worst phase of the disease usually comes within fewer than 72 hours.{{csb|WG8|6}} | ||
The victim's condition worsens, until they eventually die (from ability score loss). Eventually, if the victim of the Red Death made their way through the infection, it was possible to recover. Once the fever breaks (and the condition is eliminated), symptoms immediately begin to fade (including ability score penalties) and are gone entirely within 24 hours.{{csb|WG8|6}} | |||
{| | {| | ||
|+ style="text-align: left; width:1000px;"|'''Symptoms of the Red Death:'''{{csb|WG8|6}} | |+ style="text-align: left; width:1000px;"|'''Symptoms of the Red Death:'''{{csb|WG8|6}} | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top; text-align: left;" | |- style="vertical-align:top; text-align: left;" | ||
! Initial, mild symptoms !! Within | ! Initial, mild symptoms !! Symptoms Within Hours !! Final Stage Symptoms | ||
|- style="vertical-align:top; text-align: left;" | |- style="vertical-align:top; text-align: left;" | ||
| (-1 STR, DEX, CON) | | (-1 STR, DEX, CON) | ||
| Line 19: | Line 22: | ||
* Lassitude worsens | * Lassitude worsens | ||
* Mild fever | * Mild fever | ||
| (after # of hours = CON x 4)<br />(-4 WIS, -3 INT, 1/4 mov't rate, spellcasting impossible | | (begins after # of hours = CON x 4)<br>Can continue indefinitely.<br />(-4 WIS, -3 INT, 1/4 mov't rate, spellcasting impossible) | ||
* Red blotches or edemas appear | * Red blotches or edemas appear | ||
* Headaches become crippling | * Headaches become crippling | ||
* Victim is unable to move, and incapable of concentration | * Victim is unable to move, and incapable of concentration | ||
|} | |} | ||
The | |||
The Red Death plague caused cranial deformities which were identifiable in the bones of victims.{{cite dungeon|124|42, 45|The Whispering Cairn}} | |||
Note: The gravestones (or graves) of the victims of the Red Death were often decorated with a four-petaled flower motif.{{cite dungeon|124|36|The Whispering Cairn}} | Note: The gravestones (or graves) of the victims of the Red Death were often decorated with a four-petaled flower motif.{{cite dungeon|124|36|The Whispering Cairn}} | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The | The first known cases were in [[Rookroost]] in c.[[496 CY]], and it swept through the Flanaess. More than 2,000 people died in Rookroost alone. Though, then, the plague burnt itself out. The reason for this is as mysterious as the disease itself.{{csb|WG8|6}} | ||
The Red Death struck again, spreading eastward across the Flanaess. | The Red Death struck again, spreading eastward across the Flanaess. The infection rate was approximately 10%, though "the percentage of infected citizens and the number of reported deaths both climb[ed] steadily" and was often reported anecdotally much higher as fear of the plague ran rampant.{{csb|WG8|9}} The Red Death was present in the [[Sheldomar River|Sheldomar Valley]] in [[576 CY]] and spread eastward. It eventually reached the Great Kingdom by [[581 CY]]{{csb|LGG|24}}. The plague ravaged places like [[Jurnre]] ([[County of Ulek|Ulek]]), [[Chendl]] ([[Furyondy]]), [[Diamond Lake]] ([[Domain of Greyhawk]]),{{cite dungeon|124|36|The Whispering Cairn}} [[Elredd]] ([[Wild Coast]]), [[Leukish]] ([[Duchy of Urnst|Urnst]]), [[Rookroost]] ([[Bandit Kingdoms]]), [[Rel Mord]] ([[Nyrond]]), [[Wintershiven]] ([[Pale|The Pale]]), and [[Rauxes]] ([[Great Kingdom]]).{{csb|WG8|6}} | ||
The | The plague persisted in the [[Domain of Greyhawk]] until at least spring of [[583 CY]], when the old village of [[Skorane]] was abandoned and deserted.{{csb|Player's Guide|52}} | ||
During the same period, there was an unknown disease spreading in [[Rauxes]], believed to have been brought on by poor sewer management. It was not the Red Death, though many mistook it for such.{{csb|WG8|72}} | During the same period, there was an unknown disease spreading in [[Rauxes]], believed to have been brought on by poor sewer management. It was not the Red Death, though many mistook it for such.{{csb|WG8|72}} | ||
The Red Death ended when [[Morgorath]], the divine agent of [[Istus]] (goddess of fate), who was spreading the plague was slain,{{csb|WG8|6.109.125}} though this gave the same impression as the first outbreak—that it simply ended without a cure.{{csb|WG8|6}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 61: | Line 68: | ||
{{index}} | {{index}} | ||
[[Category: | |||
[[Category:Significant historical events]] | |||
Latest revision as of 14:17, 26 March 2025
The Red Death is a plague which has swept through the Flanaess on two separate occasions—in 496 CY, and from 576 CY to 583 CY.
Description
The cause of the disease is unknown, and though all manner of cures were attempted—"poulctices, infusions, draughts, quack medicines, potions from reputable herbalists, leeching, bleeding—all are ineffective."[1] There were many faux-remedies sold by hucksters, snake-oil salesmen, and even by people who simply thought the remedies worked—though none did.[1] Even magical healing and other clerical or divine spells (cure disease, heal, etc.) were unable to cure the affliction.[1]
The transmission method is unknown, but the original outbreak was "transmitted at least partially by air".[2].
The process of the disease varied from person to person, depending on their strength and health. The elderly and young were amongst the most vulnerable. Symptoms increase, and the worst phase of the disease usually comes within fewer than 72 hours.[1]
The victim's condition worsens, until they eventually die (from ability score loss). Eventually, if the victim of the Red Death made their way through the infection, it was possible to recover. Once the fever breaks (and the condition is eliminated), symptoms immediately begin to fade (including ability score penalties) and are gone entirely within 24 hours.[1]
| Initial, mild symptoms | Symptoms Within Hours | Final Stage Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
(-1 STR, DEX, CON)
|
(cumulative -5 to STR, DEX, CON or more)
|
(begins after # of hours = CON x 4) Can continue indefinitely. (-4 WIS, -3 INT, 1/4 mov't rate, spellcasting impossible)
|
The Red Death plague caused cranial deformities which were identifiable in the bones of victims.[3]
Note: The gravestones (or graves) of the victims of the Red Death were often decorated with a four-petaled flower motif.[4]
History
The first known cases were in Rookroost in c.496 CY, and it swept through the Flanaess. More than 2,000 people died in Rookroost alone. Though, then, the plague burnt itself out. The reason for this is as mysterious as the disease itself.[1]
The Red Death struck again, spreading eastward across the Flanaess. The infection rate was approximately 10%, though "the percentage of infected citizens and the number of reported deaths both climb[ed] steadily" and was often reported anecdotally much higher as fear of the plague ran rampant.[5] The Red Death was present in the Sheldomar Valley in 576 CY and spread eastward. It eventually reached the Great Kingdom by 581 CY[6]. The plague ravaged places like Jurnre (Ulek), Chendl (Furyondy), Diamond Lake (Domain of Greyhawk),[4] Elredd (Wild Coast), Leukish (Urnst), Rookroost (Bandit Kingdoms), Rel Mord (Nyrond), Wintershiven (The Pale), and Rauxes (Great Kingdom).[1]
The plague persisted in the Domain of Greyhawk until at least spring of 583 CY, when the old village of Skorane was abandoned and deserted.[7]
During the same period, there was an unknown disease spreading in Rauxes, believed to have been brought on by poor sewer management. It was not the Red Death, though many mistook it for such.[8]
The Red Death ended when Morgorath, the divine agent of Istus (goddess of fate), who was spreading the plague was slain,[9] though this gave the same impression as the first outbreak—that it simply ended without a cure.[1]
References
Citations
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i WG8 Fate of Istus (1989), p.6.
- ↑ WG8 Fate of Istus (1989), p.46.
- ↑ "The Whispering Cairn". Dungeon #124 (Jul 2005), p.42, 45
- ↑ a b "The Whispering Cairn". Dungeon #124 (Jul 2005), p.36
- ↑ WG8 Fate of Istus (1989), p.9.
- ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.24.
- ↑ Player's Guide (1998), p.52.
- ↑ WG8 Fate of Istus (1989), p.72.
- ↑ WG8 Fate of Istus (1989), p.6.109.125.
Bibliography
- Brown, Anne. Player's Guide. Renton, WA: TSR, 1998. Item code TSR9578.
- Findley, Nigel, Dan Salas, Stephen Inniss and Robert J. Kuntz. WG8 Fate of Istus. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1989. Item code TSR9253.
- Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean Reynolds and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000. Item code 11743.
- Mona, Erik. "The Whispering Cairn". Dungeon #124. Bellvue, WA: Paizo Publishing, Jul 2005.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Death Plague | Calendar | Living Greyhawk Gazetteer | 24 | |
| Red Death Plague | Calendar | WG8 Fate of Istus | 6, 8, 12, 40, 45 |