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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 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 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.  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}} It eventually reached the Great Kingdom by [[581 CY]]{{csb|LGG|24}}. 
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 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}}   
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}}   

Revision as of 19:36, 20 September 2024

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]

Symptoms of the Red Death:[1]
Initial, mild symptoms Symptoms Within Hours Final Stage Symptoms
(-1 STR, DEX, CON)
  • Lassitude or malaise
  • Dull pain in joints
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Throbbing headache
 (cumulative -5 to STR, DEX, CON or more)
  • Lassitude worsens
  • Mild fever
 (begins after # of hours = CON x 4)
Can continue indefinitely.
(-4 WIS, -3 INT, 1/4 mov't rate, spellcasting impossible)
  • Red blotches or edemas appear
  • Headaches become crippling
  • Victim is unable to move, and incapable of concentration

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

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g h i WG8 Fate of Istus (1989), p.6.
  2. ↑ WG8 Fate of Istus (1989), p.46.
  3. ↑ "The Whispering Cairn". Dungeon #124 (Jul 2005), p.42, 45
  4. ↑ a b "The Whispering Cairn". Dungeon #124 (Jul 2005), p.36
  5. ↑ WG8 Fate of Istus (1989), p.9.
  6. ↑ Living Greyhawk Gazetteer (2000), p.24.
  7. ↑ Player's Guide (1998), p.52.
  8. ↑ WG8 Fate of Istus (1989), p.72.
  9. ↑ WG8 Fate of Istus (1989), p.6.109.125.

Bibliography

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
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