Contamination

Characters will also encounter deadly eldritch contamination caused by creatures, delerium, and other magical phenomena in Drakkenheim. Abilities, equipment, and spells that protect against diseases, magic, or poisons do not work against contamination. It cannot be healed naturally, nor readily removed with low-level spells. Player characters will need to work with the factions and find creative solutions to manage these problems during their adventures. 

Contamination Symptoms

A contaminated creature suffers the symptoms from its current level as well as all lower levels.

1. None.
2. Hit points regained by expending hit dice halved.
3. No hit points regained at the end of a long rest.
4. Damage dealt by weapon attacks and spells halved.
5. Incapacitated.
6. Monstrous Transformation!

Mutations

In addition to suffering symptoms, each time a character gains a contamination level, it rolls 1d6. If the result is equal to or less than the character’s current contamination level the creature gains a mutation. The Game Master may choose the mutation, or determine it randomly by rolling 1d20 on the Mutations Table. If the result is the same as a mutation affecting the creature currently, the GM chooses a different one or rolls again.

Removing Contamination

Only specific magic can remove contamination levels. Creatures do not recover naturally. The purge contamination spell (see Appendix D) can remove contamination, but it leaves affected characters exhausted. A heal spell removes all contamination levels and mutations from a contaminated character. 
An effect which removes a contamination level also removes one randomly determined mutation. All contamination symptoms end and all mutations are removed if a creature’s contamination level is reduced below 1. Skin, hair, fingernails, and toenails lost to mutations regrow normally once contamination is removed. However, a regenerate spell or similar magic is needed to restore any other body parts (such as teeth, limbs, or eyes) lost as a result of contamination levels. Appendages or limbs which develop as a result of mutations wither and fall off when contamination is removed, and other warped body parts are restored to their original form.

Death and Dying while Contaminated

When a humanoid creature with any contamination levels dies, it animates as a haze husk 24 hours later. A creature with six or more class levels or hit dice rises as a haze wight instead. 
Being raised from the dead reduces a creature’s contamination level by one.

Monstrous Transformation!

A creature who reaches contamination level 6 or higher triggers a transformation into a horrific monster controlled by the Game Master. Once triggered, the transformation finishes in 1 round. It is thereafter permanent. The Game Master chooses the creature’s new form, which is most often an aberration or monstrosity of some kind such as a delerium dreg, haze hulk, or gibbering mouther.

Type

Supernatural