Void Taint

An unintended consequence of void tears across the Continent, the void taint is a supernatural force that affects biological matter. When a void tear is created, dark energy from the abyss seeps out from the edges, corrupting all that it touches. Even when the tear is sealed, the lingering scar from the tear leaks remnants of the blight, but in far less obvious ways. Eventually, the blight of the void taint consumes the natural world around it, twisting and rotting forests, twisting and mutating animals, and poisoning water.

Manifestation

The first manifestation of void taint is faint smell of rot on the air. Over time, plants begin to take on a black tint, as if rot has set in. Over time, a thick black and brown oil begins to develop on the foliage, coating it like sap. As the oil coats the surface of the plant, the green begins to fade, and a wilt leading into full rot takes over. This blight spreads quickly, and as the rot begins to consume lesser plants and animals, black tendrils form like vines. These climb trees and any large structures, seeking to suck the very life essence from its victim.
A similar process occurs when the taint comes into contact with living creatures. Insects are drawn to the taint, like moths to candlelight. Once stuck in the sap-like oils, they are dissolved and used as food for the blight. Large creatures who eat tainted plants begin to contract intense symptoms of plague and illness, involving pus-filled sores, pox, cough, fever, and other severe reactions. Quickly, the host will die, acting as a seed for the virus in a new location. Corpses have been known to reanimate after a few days of prolonged contact with the void energy. For creatures left alive after contact with void taint, or for creatures spending prolonged time around high concentrations of the blight, they begin to transform into abominations. Limbs and flesh will rearrange, dissolve, or develop unexplained growths. Taint victims eventually succumb to madness, taking on characteristics of animals, becoming what is commonly known as Void Whelps.

Type

Metaphysical, Supernatural