Plagues and Eldritch Effects of Ecliptica

Overview:
Three hundred years after the Calamity of the Void fractured the Aetherian Empire, the weakening Aetherian seal beneath Ravensgate leaks plagues and eldritch effects tied to the ten Eldritch Gods—Azagorth, Elysia, Morgrath, Nyrathos, Seraphel, Vortulon, Xulthar, Xyraxis, Zaladria, and Zephyrus. These supernatural afflictions, amplified by Ebon Star cultists, ravage Ecliptica, particularly Ravensgate, where King Thorne II’s lockdown, initiated a decade ago, struggles to contain them. Each plague or effect reflects its god’s cosmic essence, driving madness, decay, or transformation, and threatens a second Calamity. Plague Doctors, aided by the Order of the Saffron Veil, race to uncover their sources, craft cures, and banish the gods, navigating tensions with leaders like Verdant Queen Sylvara Thornbloom, Forgemaster Drenvar Steelrend, and Shadowlord Veyren Duskbane in a steampunk horror world of corroded brass and eldritch dread.

Description:
Ecliptica’s plagues manifest as creeping horrors, their presence marked by unnatural signs: air thick with ozone and decay, brass gears grinding to a halt, and ley-lines pulsing with sickly hues. In Ravensgate’s District of Desolation, quarantine wards echo with screams, while Veil rifts hum with eldritch whispers. Each plague warps body and mind, from cannibalistic hunger to illusory madness, fueled by Ebon Star rituals in the Veilcrypt and Blighted Mausoleum. The City Watch’s steam-forges burn infected remains, but the seal’s cracks widen, spreading taint across Sylvaris’s groves, Ironreach’s mines, and Nocturne’s alleys, threatening all of Ecliptica.

Plagues and Eldritch Effects:

  1. Vortulon’s Starveplague

    • Description: A ravenous curse from Vortulon, the Devourer Below, marked by a gnawing void in the gut and ash-scented winds. Victims’ eyes hollow, skin sags, and breaths rasp with desperation.

    • Effects: Insatiable hunger requires double rations (Constitution save DC 14 or gain 1 exhaustion level daily). After 48 hours, victims crave humanoid flesh (Wisdom save DC 16 or attack allies, gaining flaw: “I crave the flesh of my kin”). Prolonged infection (7 days) reduces Strength by 1d4 weekly (minimum 3). Spreads via tainted food or infected flesh (Survival DC 15).

    • Impact: Drives cannibalism, as seen in Ironreach’s Hungerforge Crisis, where Drenvar Steelrend lost his arm to cannibals. In Ravensgate’s Starveling Slum, infected form bands, attacking City Watch (Insight DC 15). Corrodes hydroponic vats, risking famine.

    • Source: Ebon Star relics in the Veilcrypt amplify Vortulon’s hunger, tied to Aetherian experiments 300 years ago (Investigation DC 16).

    • Cure: Greater Restoration or a ritual combining Sylvara’s herbs and Drenvar’s ores (Crafting DC 15).

  2. Xyraxis’s Witherplague

    • Description: A decaying blight from Xyraxis, Herald of Desolation, marked by ashen air and crumbling flesh. Infected lands wither, crops turning to dust, and brass corrodes with sickly green patina.

    • Effects: Victims suffer skin rot, losing 1d4 hit points daily (Constitution save DC 14 or poisoned for 1 hour). After 7 days, Dexterity drops by 1d4 (minimum 3). Spreads through tainted soil or water (Nature DC 15). Environments decay, reducing crop yields by 50% (Survival DC 15).

    • Impact: Ravages Sylvaris’s Blighted Grove, threatening Sylvara’s food stores. In Ravensgate, it weakens anchor points like the Canal Shrine, fueling Ebon Star rituals (Investigation DC 16).

    • Source: Tainted Aetherian ruins in the Withered Vault, unleashed by Vaelor Crownspire’s hubris.

    • Cure: Sylvara’s Sylvarbloom herbs in a primal ritual (Nature DC 16) or Greater Restoration.

  3. Nyrathos’s Whisperplague

    • Description: A psychic affliction from Nyrathos, the Shrouded One, marked by whispers in the dark and flickering shadows. Victims’ eyes glaze, hearing voices that erode sanity.

    • Effects: Infected suffer paranoia (Wisdom save DC 16 or frightened for 1 hour daily). After 7 days, they risk madness (Intelligence save DC 16 or gain flaw: “I hear secrets in the dark”). Spreads via prolonged darkness or relic contact (Arcana DC 16).

    • Impact: Drives Veyren’s paranoia in Nocturne’s Whispervault, disrupting his lore-sharing. In Ravensgate, it sows distrust in the District of Order, hindering Iron Quill scribes (Insight DC 15).

    • Source: Nyrathos’s relics in the Blighted Mausoleum, amplified by Ebon Star chants.

    • Cure: Dispel Magic on relics or a ritual with Veyren’s lore (Arcana DC 16).

  4. Zaladria’s Veilplague

    • Description: An illusory curse from Zaladria, the Shadow Queen, marked by shifting shadows and disorienting mists. Victims see false realities, mistaking allies for foes.

    • Effects: Infected suffer hallucinations (Wisdom save DC 15 or charmed for 1 hour, attacking allies). Prolonged exposure warps perception permanently (Perception DC 16 or disadvantage on sight-based checks). Spreads via illusory rifts (Arcana DC 15).

    • Impact: Fuels Sylvara’s dream-haunted paranoia and Veyren’s distrust, cloaking Ebon Star lairs in Ravensgate’s Mistveil Rift (Investigation DC 15).

    • Source: Zaladria’s Shadow Veil Cabal rituals in the Shadowspire Rift.

    • Cure: True Seeing or a ritual with Sylvara’s wards (Arcana DC 16).

  5. Seraphel’s Lightblaze

    • Description: A radiant affliction from Seraphel, Ender of Worlds, marked by searing light and burning eyes. Victims glow faintly, their vision scorched.

    • Effects: Infected suffer eye pain (Constitution save DC 16 or blinded for 1 hour daily). After 7 days, permanent blindness risks (Constitution save DC 16). Spreads via radiant relics (Religion DC 15).

    • Impact: Ignites riots in Ravensgate’s District of Desolation, as Radiant Dawn cultists spread it. Veyren’s paranoia stems from past purges (Insight DC 15).

    • Source: Seraphel’s relics in the Ashen Sanctum, wielded by Ebon Star.

    • Cure: Lesser Restoration halts progression; Greater Restoration cures.

  6. Morgrath’s Madnessplague

    • Description: A chaotic affliction from Morgrath, Lord of Madness, marked by distorted voices and fractured reflections. Victims’ minds unravel, seeing warped realities.

    • Effects: Infected suffer hallucinations (Intelligence save DC 16 or frightened for 1 minute, repeatable hourly). Prolonged exposure risks insanity (Intelligence save DC 16 or gain indefinite madness). Spreads via cursed mirrors (Arcana DC 16).

    • Impact: Drives Drenvar’s temper in Ironreach’s Madflame Vault and disrupts Ravensgate’s Iron Quill (Insight DC 15).

    • Source: Morgrath’s mirrors in the Ashen Sanctum, used by Ebon Star.

    • Cure: Remove Curse or a ritual destroying mirrors (Arcana DC 16).

  7. Xulthar’s Voidplague

    • Description: A dissolving curse from Xulthar, the Voidweaver, marked by shadowy tendrils and numbing cold. Victims fade into ethereal forms, risking dissolution.

    • Effects: Infected lose corporeality (Dexterity save DC 15 or become ethereal for 1 hour daily). After 7 days, risk permanent dissolution (Dexterity save DC 16). Spreads via void-rifts (Arcana DC 16).

    • Impact: Threatens Ravensgate’s Voidforge Rift and Nocturne’s Shadowspire Rift, aiding Ebon Star (Investigation DC 15).

    • Source: Xulthar’s relics in the Veilcrypt, amplified by Ebon Star.

    • Cure: Dispel Magic or a ritual sealing rifts (Arcana DC 16).

  8. Azagorth’s Mawplague

    • Description: A consuming affliction from Azagorth, Devourer of Realms, marked by gnashing void-maws in dreams. Victims’ flesh warps, sprouting teeth-like growths.

    • Effects: Infected suffer pain (Constitution save DC 15 or 1d6 necrotic damage daily). After 7 days, risk transformation into void-wraiths (Constitution save DC 16). Spreads via tainted relics (Arcana DC 15).

    • Impact: Devastates Ravensgate’s Blighted Mausoleum, fueling Ebon Star rituals (Investigation DC 16).

    • Source: Azagorth’s relics in Aetherian ruins, wielded by Ebon Star.

    • Cure: Greater Restoration or a ritual purifying relics (Religion DC 16).

  9. Elysia’s Mistplague

    • Description: A disorienting curse from Elysia, Mistress of Veils, marked by misty veils and blurred senses. Victims wander lost, unable to find allies.

    • Effects: Infected suffer disorientation (Wisdom save DC 14 or confused for 1 hour daily). Prolonged exposure risks permanent sensory loss (Perception DC 15). Spreads via mist-rifts (Arcana DC 15).

    • Impact: Cloaks Ebon Star lairs in Ravensgate’s Mistveil Rift, confounding City Watch (Investigation DC 15).

    • Source: Elysia’s veils in the Shadowveil Sanctum, used by Ebon Star.

    • Cure: True Seeing or a ritual with Sylvara’s wards (Arcana DC 15).

  10. Zephyrus’s Windplague

    • Description: A disorienting affliction from Zephyrus, Whispering Wind, marked by howling winds and prophetic whispers. Victims lose focus, chasing omens.

    • Effects: Infected suffer distraction (Wisdom save DC 14 or disadvantage on concentration checks daily). After 7 days, risk dispersal into mist (Dexterity save DC 16). Spreads via rift-winds (Survival DC 15).

    • Impact: Disrupts Skyrunner’s Guild couriers at Ravensgate’s Mistveil Pier, aiding Ebon Star smuggling (Investigation DC 15).

    • Source: Zephyrus’s rifts in the Thornveil Rift, exploited by Ebon Star.

    • Cure: Dispel Magic or a ritual sealing wind-rifts (Arcana DC 15).

Impacts on Leaders:

  • King Thorne II (Albion): Thorne’s lockdown struggles to contain plagues, relying on Drenvar’s tech, Sylvara’s herbs, and Veyren’s lore. He suspects Ebon Star ties among allies (Insight DC 15).

  • Verdant Queen Sylvara Thornbloom (Sylvaris): Sylvara’s wards combat Witherplague and Mistplague, but Veilplague fuels her paranoia, limiting aid to Ravensgate (Persuasion DC 15).

  • Forgemaster Drenvar Steelrend (Ironreach): Drenvar’s hydroponic machines resist Starveplague, but Madnessplague and Voidplague taint his forges, risking his relic trade (Investigation DC 16).

  • Shadowlord Veyren Duskbane (Nocturne): Veyren’s lore counters Whisperplague, but Lightblaze and Veilplague fuel his paranoia, complicating his Ebon Star ties (Arcana DC 16).