Overview

The Corpse Plague is not a disease of flesh but a metaphysical infection. It occurs when the Veil between the Divine Realm and the mortal world weakens due to masses of lingering souls. These trapped souls, unable to pass on, force themselves violently back into mortal remains. This re-entry warps flesh, spawning the Corpse Plague and spreading corruption into the living.

Origin

The Veil Strained: When many souls linger, they cluster against the Veil.
Re-Entry into Corpses: These souls violently re-enter nearby bodies. The flesh rejects the intrusion, blackening, rupturing, and animating into plague-spawn. This is the physical beginning of the Corpse Plague.
Spread to the Living: Contact spreads necrotic sickness. The living grow fevered and weak as their souls are consumed and replaced by corruption.
Demonic Anchor: At outbreak peak, the Veil tears fully. Demons cross through, either inhabiting bodies or forming solid demon-cores.

Stages of an Outbreak

Whispers of the Dead – Cold air, ghost-lights, and voices manifest where mass death occurred. Animals flee these sites.
First Corpses Rise – Freshly dead bodies violently reanimate. Survivors develop blackened veins and fever.
Living Infection – Necrotic sickness spreads. Victims cough black bile, weaken spiritually, and become vessels for corruption.
Plague Peak – Corruption spreads into the environment. Revenants and plague-beasts roam freely.
Demonic Incursion – The Veil collapses. Demons manifest, anchoring themselves in corpses or crystallizing into demon-cores.

Known Outbreaks

Fall of Gloomdeep (1,000+ years ago): The largest recorded outbreak. The goblin metropolis was consumed, its layers transformed into a necropolis of revenants and demons.

The Frontier Plague (within past century): Smaller outbreaks around battlefields beyond the Wall. Controlled only by constant intervention from the Order of Last Light and the Ashen Vigil.

Containment Methods

Order of Last Light: Consecrates the dead to prevent soul re-entry. Preventative, non-destructive.
Ashen Vigil: Burns bodies, towns, and survivors at the first sign of infection. Motto: “Better ash than plague.”
Mage Guild: Salvages @Corpse Plague Sample, and demon-cores for rune and ward research. Useful but distrusted.
Crimson Standard: Calls upon Last Light or Vigil for containment during campaigns.

Effects on the World

Fear of Unburied Dead: Large gatherings of corpses are viewed as dangerous catalysts.

Plague Zones: Old battlefields, ruins, and towns remain scarred with lingering corruption.

Veil Scars: Each outbreak weakens the Veil, making future demon incursions more likely.