The Drought

An after effect of the chemical ordinance fired from artillery during the War of Zealots and Martyrs. The Drought is a virus that latches onto and erodes flesh and steel. It is especially infectious to plant life, leading to droughts and famines in lands dependent on agriculture.
Its effects on people is devastating. Bodies can be melted away after exposure to the Drought. It is difficult for communities and countries to contain the virus. Territories afflicted by the Drought have to be abandoned leading to decades or even a century for the virus to let up.

Transmission & Vectors

The Drought is delivered through specialized artillery shells. These shells impact the ground, infecting it and the air with the Drought. Different shell types can deliver the Drought in different ways.
From needle shells that injects the Drought into the ground, explosive shells that spray the Drought out, to aerial shells that explode in the air meant to spread the Drought as far as possible.

Prognosis

Those affected by the Drought almost always die soon after coming into contact. Their bodies are assaulted by the ravenous chemicals. To prevent any further damage a medic or doctor would have to quickly amputate the affected limbs and ensure that a doctor and patient are far enough away that the Drought will not immediately leap towards them.
Few have this luxury though as the Drought quickly eats through the body leaving only a melted sludge. From this bubbling pit the Drought quickly seeks out more another target to consume. The Drought gets worse in dense urban areas and lush environments. It spreads like wildfire.

Affected Groups

The Drought is deadliest with sentient, living creatures. While the Drought can melt through anything its effects are doubly effective against creatures and races. This leaves lands and cities desolate. The Drought soon moves on to consume more.

Epidemiology

The Drought is fired from special artillery shells. When the shells smash into an area the Drought is unleashed in four different direction. It infects the air and surges across the ground. If there is anyone still alive from initial impact they are quickly melted down.
Bombardment can completely decimate a city or even entire territories in an instant.

History

The Drought was created during the dark days of the War of Zealots and Martyrs. More than even the infamous World Killer Shells, the Drought and the shells it is stored in have completely ended civilizations and depopulated cities and lands.
The Drought was deployed throughout the war and its effects can be seen throughout the world. The Darcassian Empire, wary of the fate Darcassia suffered during the war, has even attempted a world wide ban of the Drought to keep it from being used in future wars.

"This weapon... was permitted by the God Kings themselves. What further proof do we need of the God Kings tyranny and paranoia? They allowed the creation of a virus that can wipe the entire world clean of life. Darcassia's secession is justified and its defense is of utmost importance."
Orlan Fedderland, Administrative Director for Medicine, Sanitation, and Health, Darcassian Empire

Type

Viral

Origin

Divine

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Common

Affected Species

• Darcassian
• Uriban
• Zarmudan