Diregloom
Diregloom is a mysterious and malevolent weather-like occurrence in the Wasteland, feared across Kryllos for its virulence. It manifests as dark, twisting shadows that coil and flow like mists that seem alive and predatory. Within its shifting forms, shadows often congeal into thick, tangible clots that seem to ripple with faint whispers, emanating eerie, primal dread. Those who find themselves ensnared within a Diregloom are at grave risk of inhaling its insidious darkness, becoming infected with Whisperrot - a devastating affliction of mind and body.
Whisperrot: Stages and Symptoms
Incubation (1-3 Days):
The early stage is subtle, often dismissed as stress or mild illness. Symptoms: A persistent feeling of unease, especially in silence. Irritability and an inability to relax. Mild fever and fatigue with no discernible physical cause. Victims in the incubation stage may be saved with powerful cleansing rituals or potent alchemical antidotes. Onset (4-7 Days):
As Whisperrot takes hold, victims notice its presence but often attribute it to external stressors or paranoia. Symptoms: Faint, unintelligible whispers when the air is still. Paranoia, especially regarding those closest to the victim. Difficulty concentrating or holding conversations. Physical Signs: Darkened veins begin to appear near the ears and throat, faint but growing more visible. Sleep becomes fragmented and plagued by vivid, disturbing dreams. At the Onset stage, treatments become more invasive, often involving bloodletting, burning infected veins, or consuming rare fungal inhibitors. Advanced Stage (8-10 Days):
At this stage, Whisperrot invades the brain, significantly altering perception and behavior. Symptoms: Whispers grow louder and more coherent, mimicking voices of loved ones, ancestors, or even imagined entities. Hallucinations, both auditory and visual, blur reality. Increasingly violent outbursts, often unprovoked. Physical Signs: Darkened veins spread visibly across the neck and face. Fever spikes, often accompanied by severe headaches and tremors. The victim’s pupils dilate irregularly, giving them a haunted appearance. Final Stage (11-14 Days):
The victim’s mind and body are overcome by the fungus, marking the point of no return. Symptoms: Total loss of self-awareness; victims often speak to or lash out at unseen entities. Delirium or catatonia, depending on the individual’s mental resilience. Physical Signs: Collapse of vital systems due to fever and organ failure. The flesh near the ears and throat begins to rot visibly, leaking black wisps of mist. Outcome: Without intervention, death occurs within days. Protective talismans, firelight, and certain herbs can repel Diregloom. Diregloom and Whisperrot are feared not only for their lethality but for the horrors they inflict upon the mind and spirit, leaving behind a trail of madness and despair wherever they linger.
Incubation (1-3 Days):
The early stage is subtle, often dismissed as stress or mild illness. Symptoms: A persistent feeling of unease, especially in silence. Irritability and an inability to relax. Mild fever and fatigue with no discernible physical cause. Victims in the incubation stage may be saved with powerful cleansing rituals or potent alchemical antidotes. Onset (4-7 Days):
As Whisperrot takes hold, victims notice its presence but often attribute it to external stressors or paranoia. Symptoms: Faint, unintelligible whispers when the air is still. Paranoia, especially regarding those closest to the victim. Difficulty concentrating or holding conversations. Physical Signs: Darkened veins begin to appear near the ears and throat, faint but growing more visible. Sleep becomes fragmented and plagued by vivid, disturbing dreams. At the Onset stage, treatments become more invasive, often involving bloodletting, burning infected veins, or consuming rare fungal inhibitors. Advanced Stage (8-10 Days):
At this stage, Whisperrot invades the brain, significantly altering perception and behavior. Symptoms: Whispers grow louder and more coherent, mimicking voices of loved ones, ancestors, or even imagined entities. Hallucinations, both auditory and visual, blur reality. Increasingly violent outbursts, often unprovoked. Physical Signs: Darkened veins spread visibly across the neck and face. Fever spikes, often accompanied by severe headaches and tremors. The victim’s pupils dilate irregularly, giving them a haunted appearance. Final Stage (11-14 Days):
The victim’s mind and body are overcome by the fungus, marking the point of no return. Symptoms: Total loss of self-awareness; victims often speak to or lash out at unseen entities. Delirium or catatonia, depending on the individual’s mental resilience. Physical Signs: Collapse of vital systems due to fever and organ failure. The flesh near the ears and throat begins to rot visibly, leaking black wisps of mist. Outcome: Without intervention, death occurs within days. Protective talismans, firelight, and certain herbs can repel Diregloom. Diregloom and Whisperrot are feared not only for their lethality but for the horrors they inflict upon the mind and spirit, leaving behind a trail of madness and despair wherever they linger.
Inspired by Alikzanderwulfe's Tanaria: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/tanaria-alikzanderwulfe/a/whisperrot-condition
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