Meridian Rot is not a normal disease. The miners originally believed it was a contaminant created when biological matter mixed with Black Meridian Ore deep underground. That assumption was only partially correct. The infection is better understood as a **parasitic symbiote**, an adaptive colony of microscopic organisms that reacts to nervous systems, Ether exposure, and emotional stress. Black Meridian Ore does not create the organism, but it appears to accelerate its development. Most infected hosts die quickly because the symbiote consumes too much of the body too fast. Skaven survive longer because of their unusually resilient metabolism and aggressive immune response. The infection adapts to the host instead of immediately overwhelming it. Over time, the symbiote becomes less like a disease and more like a second nervous system. The symbiote keeps the host alive because it depends on the host to survive, but it is also slowly killing him. --- ## Infection Behavior Meridian Rot is almost impossible to spread naturally. The symbiote rapidly dies outside of a compatible host and cannot survive normal environmental exposure. Transmission requires: - direct bloodstream exposure - large quantities of living infected fluid - biological compatibility - prolonged exposure Even then, infection success is extremely rare. Most exposed victims either reject the infection entirely, die before stabilization or develop temporary poisoning symptoms only. The Skaven himself is effectively a statistical anomaly. For practical purposes: - venom coating is toxic - Meridian Rot itself is not realistically contagious during normal combat The disease is treated more like a cursed biological condition than a plague outbreak. --- ## Symbiote Effects The symbiote continuously alters the Skaven’s body. Positive effects: - accelerated reflexes - toxin production - heightened survival response - increased physical adaptation Negative effects: - organ degradation - insomnia - paranoia - appetite suppression - involuntary muscle activity - cognitive instability The stronger the symbiote becomes, the stronger the venom becomes. But the host weakens over time. --- ## Core Mechanic - Venom Coating The Skaven can weaponize infected saliva produced by the symbiote. When exposed to air, the saliva becomes chemically unstable and aggressively reactive against living tissue. ## Apply Venom **Action:** Bonus Action **Target:** One held weapon Venom remains active for: - **3 successful hits** - or **3 rounds** Only one weapon may be coated at a time. Applying venom: - costs no Ether - consumes 1 Venom Charge ## Venom Charges The symbiote can only produce a limited amount of reactive fluid before becoming unstable. ### Base Charges - **2 charges per combat** Charges refresh after: - Short Rest --- # Infection Stage System The symbiote evolves over time. Each stage: - strengthens venom production - improves biological adaptation - worsens physical degeneration The Skaven begins at: ### Stage I - Dormant Host The symbiote is weak and mostly hidden within the bloodstream. The host experiences: - mild insomnia - occasional twitching - increased appetite ### Venom Effect Apply **Rot Poison** for 2 rounds. Rot Poison: - 1 damage per round - -1 Posture Regain ### Host Effect - No major penalties --- ### Stage II - Reactive Host The symbiote begins responding actively to stress and combat. The host experiences: - muscle spasms - elevated heartbeat - emotional instability ### Changes Venom Charges: - **3 per combat** Rot Poison: - 2 damage per round - -1 Posture Regain - -1 Constitution checks ### Host Penalties - Healing received reduced by 25% - Sleep becomes difficult without stimulant use --- ### Stage III - Symbiotic State The symbiote has integrated into the nervous system. The host begins unconsciously reacting faster to danger. ### Changes Venom Coating: - lasts 4 hits instead of 3 Rot Poison: - 2 damage per round - -1 Posture Regain - -1 Dodge Throw - -1 Constitution checks ### Host Penalties - Max HP reduced by 2 - Sanity loss effects occur 1 threshold earlier - The host occasionally hears involuntary thoughts or impulses from the symbiote --- ### Stage IV - Mutated Symbiosis The symbiote has spread throughout most of the body. The host is physically stronger in combat situations but visibly deteriorating. Symptoms: - blackened veins - coughing blood - involuntary aggression - severe insomnia ### Changes Venom Charges: - **4 per combat** Rot Poison becomes **Mutated Rot** Effects: - 3 damage per round - -2 Posture Regain - -1 Dodge Throw - -1 Constitution checks If target becomes Staggered: - poison damage doubles for that round ### Host Penalties - Max HP reduced by 5 - Constitution checks suffer -1 - Gain 1 level of exhaustion after every Long Rest unless suppressant drugs are consumed Removing the infection at this stage is extremely difficult. --- ### Stage V - Terminal Integration The host is barely alive. The symbiote is sustaining essential body functions directly. The Skaven: - drifts in and out of consciousness - struggles to recognize people - experiences organ shutdown - suffers constant internal pain The body is no longer functioning properly without the symbiote compensating for it. ### Venom Changes Mutated Rot: - 5 damage per round - -3 Posture Regain - -3 Dodge Throw - -3 Constitution checks If target becomes Staggered: - poison damage triples for that round ### Host State The host immediately gains: - **Exhaustion Level 5** Effects: - Movement speed becomes 0 - Severe physical weakness - Barely conscious The host will die within: - **Several hours** No natural recovery is possible. The symbiote has reached the point where: - either it is removed - or the host fully collapses At this stage the infection is effectively consuming the remaining body mass to sustain itself. --- ### Biological Strain Using too much venom stresses the symbiote-host balance. If all Venom Charges are used in one encounter: - Constitution checks suffer **-1** until combat ends The body becomes inflamed as the symbiote overproduces reactive fluid. ## Related notes - [[Players/RADIOACTIVE CRACK RAT/RADIOACTIVE CRACK RAT|Character sheet]]