Blight of the Withering Grove

The Blight of the Withering Grove is an ancient curse, rumored to be initially unleashed by vengeful nature spirits in response to the desecration and deliberate destruction of their sanctuaries during the scientific ages. The curse primarily afflicts sacred groves and lush forests.

Manifestation

The blight manifests as pervasive, spreading corruption that seeps into the very essence of the area, transforming vibrant flora into twisted, decaying forms. Once the life force is fully drained, the land turns barren and inflicts a withering decay upon anything within its reach.

Symptoms

Twisted Flora

Once majestic, lush trees wither, causing their branches to contort into gnarled and lifeless skeletal forms. Vibrant flowers lose their colors, transforming into sickly shades of gray and black. The undergrowth and once-thriving foliage become brittle and lifeless. A black, sticky tar-like substance often covers all plant matter.

Haunting Silence

An eerie silence blankets the affected area. Birdsong fades, and the usual cacophony of the forest becomes hushed. Even the wind seems still, leaving visitors with an unsettling feeling of foreboding.

Malevolent Spirits

As the blight takes hold, malevolent spirits known as wraithwood specters emerge from the trunks of the corrupted trees. Wraithwood Specters are spectral beings bound to the corrupted area, cursed to wander its darkened paths. They drain the life force of any living beings, leaving them weak and disoriented, damned to wander through the cursed area until they find a way out.

Spreading Desolation

The curse spreads relentlessly, leaving behind trails of destruction, desolation, and despair. Settlements that once relied on the products of the forest are often left in ruins even before the area becomes forbidden.

Cure

Curing the blight is a dangerous time- and energy-consuming task, requiring a combination of bravery, understanding of nature, and powerful restorative magic. Firstly an object or artifact infused with nature's essence from when the afflicted grove was blessed with life and abundance needs to be acquired. The artifact can then be used in a second step to attract and confront the specters that guard the heart of the blight. The spirits need to be released from their torment before the so-called nature's champion can perform a curing ritual at the blight's center.

Curing Ritual

The curing or purifying ritual is a dangerous endeavor that might sacrifice the well-being of the nature champion in the process. The ritual has the following steps:

1. Find the ritual site at the blight's center.
2. Enter a deep meditation or trance to establish a connection with the wraithwood specters and find a way to soothe their restless souls to unblock the heart of the blight.
3. Make an offering to the spirits and the forest itself that represents the dedication to restoring the balance of nature. The offering depends on the champion's character and the specifics of the area. It is often either an item of personal significance or an artifact representing life and growth.
4. Absorb the corruption of the blight willingly into their being. This is a physically and spiritually demanding process as this might consume the champion's soul if they don't anchor themselves in the purity of their purpose: to restore life and balance of the afflicted grove.
5. Enter a state of communication with the essence of the earth, the elements, and the ancient spirits of the forest to channel the force of nature to cleanse the area of corruption.
6. Perform a final sacrifice by releasing the blight's darkness and allowing it to dissipate into the renewed life force of the grove. This sacrifice leaves the nature champion weakened and vulnerable, but in doing so, they become a vessel of renewal, and the area can begin to flourish once again.

Type

Metaphysical, Elemental