107 lines
3.8 KiB
Markdown
107 lines
3.8 KiB
Markdown
The Skaven carries a rare infection known among miners as **Meridian Rot**. It is believed to originate from contaminated biological material that was exposed to Black Meridian ore deposits deep in Authority mines.
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The disease spreads only through **highly concentrated bodily fluids**. Casual contact is not enough. Infection requires open wounds and a significant amount of contaminated fluid.
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For most races the infection progresses quickly and kills within weeks. Skaven physiology slows its progression significantly. The disease remains in an **early dormant stage**, allowing the Skaven to survive while still carrying the pathogen.
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The Skaven’s long-term motivation is to eventually **remove or cure the infection**. Until then, the infection changes how his body chemistry behaves.
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One side effect is that his saliva becomes chemically unstable. When exposed to air it reacts with oxygen and biological tissue, allowing him to produce **reactive venom**.
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---
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# Core Mechanic - Venom Coating
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The Skaven can coat his weapon using infected saliva.
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### Apply Venom
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**Action:** Bonus Action
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**Target:** One weapon currently held
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The venom remains active for:
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- **3 successful hits**
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- or **3 rounds**, whichever comes first
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After that the coating breaks down and must be reapplied. Only **one weapon** may be coated at a time. Applying venom does not cost Ether.
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### Venom Charges
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The Skaven can produce a limited number of coatings before the infection becomes unstable.
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**Venom Charges:**
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- Base charges: **2 per combat**
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- Charges refresh after **Short Rest**
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Using a charge represents producing enough infected saliva to coat a weapon.
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---
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# Infection Stage System
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The plague slowly evolves over time. It has **four stages**, each unlocking stronger venom effects. The Skaven begins at **Stage I (Dormant Carrier)**. Progression is narrative and tied to the campaign.
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### Stage I - Dormant Carrier
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The infection exists but is mostly suppressed by Skaven biology.
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When a venom-coated weapon hits:
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- Apply **Rot Poison** to the target for **2 rounds**
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Rot Poison:
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- Target takes **1 damage at the start of its turn**
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- Target suffers **–1 Posture Regain**
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---
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## Stage II - Reactive Infection
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The pathogen adapts to the host. The saliva becomes more chemically aggressive.
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Venom Charges increase:
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- **3 charges per combat**
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Rot Poison becomes stronger:
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- **2 damage per round**
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- **–1 Posture Regain**
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- Target suffers **–1 Constitution checks**
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---
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## Stage III - Symbiotic Carrier
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The infection begins feeding off the host’s bloodstream. At this stage the Skaven can control venom more precisely.
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Venom Charges:
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- **3 per combat**
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Venom coating lasts:
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- **4 hits instead of 3**
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Rot Poison now applies:
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- **2 damage per round**
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- **–1 Posture Regain**
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- **–1 Dodge Throw**
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The infection interferes with reflexes.
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---
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## Stage IV - Mutated Strain
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The plague has adapted almost completely to the Skaven. Removing it becomes extremely difficult.
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Venom Charges:
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- **4 per combat**
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Rot Poison becomes **Virulent Rot**:
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- **3 damage per round**
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- **–2 Posture Regain**
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- **–1 Dodge Throw**
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- If the target becomes **Staggered**, poison damage doubles for that round.
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---
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# Infection Risk
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Because the venom comes from a living infection, it can theoretically spread.
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However transmission requires:
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- Open wound
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- Repeated exposure
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- Large quantity of infected fluid
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In combat this rarely happens.
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DMs may choose to apply infection if:
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- The Skaven deliberately infects someone
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- Someone consumes the venom
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- A character is exposed repeatedly
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For most encounters it remains a combat toxin rather than a contagious disease.
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---
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# Biological Strain
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Producing venom repeatedly irritates the infection.
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If the Skaven uses **all venom charges in one encounter**, he suffers:
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- **–1 Constitution checks until the end of combat**
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due to inflammation around infected tissue. |