The Blight is an ominous force that plagues the land, corrupting all it touches. Its origins remain shrouded in mystery, with various theories attributing its birth to magical experiments, the lifeblood of an Orcish God or some sort of incursion from the Abyss. Occasional foolish magic users and scholars seek to harness it's power, despite the grave risks involved, some even manage to delay their inevitable corruption for a time; but still the pursuit of this forbidden knowledge persists.
Though unpredictable and ever changing, the Blight normally spreads through contact with living beings, gradually causing physical mutations and a descent into insanity. It manifests as pale skin, sunken eyes, and, eventually, hardened skin, claws, and sharp teeth in animals. Blighted regions, like the vast Blighted Wastes and the warded off Yami no Kuni, serve as grim reminders of the Blight's impact - mutated settlements deep in those regions house inhabitants living out a grotesque parody of normal life.
The Monarchy of Alvarium has assigned House Kapros and High Lady Everilda Villsvin as responsible for safeguarding its southern border against the Blighted Wastes and managing a chapter of witch hunters to combat internal threats from the Blight. Similarly, the Dynasty of the Jade Lotus relies on it's order of Obsidian Magistrates to root out heresy in all forms - including the Blight.
Many customs and taboos have arisen to combat the Blight's menace, while an illegal market for fake protective crystals thrives.
Throughout history, tales of both heroes and villains related to the Blight have emerged - with Sabine's transformation into the Goddess of Redemption standing as the most exceptional. Though the Blight remains unconquerable, the struggle against it shapes the destiny of the land and its people.