Contaminated and Contamination Fields (Alpha 0.3)

Though demons of the Realm of Corruption aim to change, alter, and corrupt morals by a wide range of means, by and large the most common forms of corruption one can encounter is known as Contamination. While the majority of corrupting effects of demons can have blatant and substantial indicators and ramifications, contamination is significantly more subtle and far more insidious.

Though contamination comes in several forms, regardless of its strain, creatures are most often afflicted with contamination through prolonged exposure to a location in which a demon entered the Realm of Mortals through a Rift known as a Contamination Field. Like the afflictions they cause, Contamination Fields are incredibly difficult to identify when they first appear, showing no visual indicators of their presence. However, if creatures remain within close proximity of a Contamination Field for an extended period of time (a period greater than six months), that creature's mind begins to be influenced by the area's corruption. When several creatures that originate from the same area begin to act in the same uncharacteristic manner, it is often a tell tale sign that a Contamination Field is about.

Unlike major forms of corruption that fundamentally warp a creature's body and/or mind, Contamination only affects the mind, causing a creature to maintain their personality whilst being prone to a act in a manner influenced by the demon whose rift created a given contamination field. For example, a sexually-charged demon's contamination field may cause the villagers of the town within this field to begin to act in a more hedonistic manner, causing a once subdued town to open several brothels. Alternatively, the Contamination Field that resulted from a particularly combat-oriented demon entering the Realm of Mortal may cause the residents of a nearby farmstead to turn to banditry.

While the primary effect of Contamination is an altered state of mind, its common for Contaminated creatures of the same Contamination field to bear a single trait such as a small tattoo-like mark, or slightly altered eye or hair color, though in most cases, these traits are subtle enough that they could be easily overlooked.

Despite their ability to warp a creature's mind, Contamination is by and large the easiest form of corruption to treat and Contamination Fields are rather easy for Priests to purify as well. Not only does defeating a Contaminated creature in combat expunge their contamination, but if a Ritual of Purification is performed on the center point of a Contamination Field, it will be purified, ending the Contamination of those who were affected by it.

Some of the most common quests posted by  Centrilia's Adventurer's League for less experienced adventurers involve investigating a small town or outpost recently expected to be in a Contamination Field, rewarding a party if they can help the residents and purify the field.

Contamination Field

As each Contamination Field is fundamentally shaped by the Demon whose rift caused the field to form, each contamination field is unique. When generating a Contamination Field, it has the following traits:

-This area is a sphere with a diameter of 1d4 miles.

-At the center point of this Contamination Field is a marking that appeared when the Contamination Field was created. This marking may be a permanent scar in they earth or an arcane rune burned into the spot the inciting demon's rift had opened. If a ritual of purification is performed on this point, the Contamination Field is immediately purified.

-Choose one personality trait from the corrupt personality trait chart that is tied to this Contamination Field (one that reflects the demon linked to the area. While a creature is contaminated by this area, they gain this trait.

-Choose any one combat stat (one that reflects the demon linked to the area). While a creature is Contaminated by this Contamination Field, the chosen stat of that creature increases by +2

-Choose one minor physical trait that manifests itself in 50% of creatures contaminated in this Contamination Field such as a small rune that appears on the afflicted creature's skin, or a color an afflicted creature's hair, eyes, or skin are tinted.

-Each creature with 7 or less resolve that has stayed in this field for a total 6+1d6 months without leaving it for a period greater than one month is considered Contaminated. This status effect is removed if the afflicted creature is defeated, if they undergo a ritual of purification, or if the Contamination field is purified.

Contaminated Commoner:

Tier-One Enemy

Movement: 5

Combat Stats:

HP: 1d6+4

Will: 1d5+4

MP: 0

Strength: 1d6 +3

Mind: 1d6+3

Defense: 4

Resolve: 4

Finesse: 5

Evasion: 6

Speed: 5

Utility Stats:

Awareness: +1

Diplomacy: +1

Knowledge: +1

Physicality: +1

Subtlety: +1

Resistances And Weaknesses: None

Inventory:

-One bronze-tier weapon

-Any one item from the "Beginner's Gear" Item List

Abilities:

Contaminated: This creature is contaminated by default. If it is defeated, it loses this status effect.

Diverse Personalities: In addition to the Corrupt Personality trait this creature possesses through Contamination, it has one personality trait chosen by the GM.