Corruption and Affliction

These modified corruption rules based on Mercer's are designed to be flexible and provide a framework for many different types of corruption (void madness, lust for power, pure evil, etc.)  The source of corruption and how they gain corruption, affliction, madness, or taint, for example can be tailored for each type or even character.  Basic rules as follows:

Completing a long rest, or spending over 24 hours in or near a source of corruption calls for a Wisdom saving throw.  DCs for the saving throw are listed below in the Gaining Corruption table.  The table also lists other encounters or events that can trigger a corruption save (specific corruptions may have unique triggers).  On a failure the character suffers 1 point of Corruption.  When a new tier of corruption is achieved (Mild, Moderate, Severe), roll on either the generic Corruption Tiers table below, or the table for a specific corruption.  The DM and the player should customize the results of the roll to fit into the type of corruption and what roleplay characteristics are acceptable to the player (avoid real world trigger points).

Corruption can be cured naturally by resting away from any source of corruption , at a rate of 1 corruption point per week of rest.  Otherwise, a Lessor Restoration spell can cure 1 corruption point, and a Greater Restoration spell can cure 1d4 corruption points.  A wish, or similar spell can completely remove a character’s affliction score, although it is impossible to reduce it below 1 while in a corrupted area.  Any abilities gained from corruption are lost (most recent first) if the character's corruption level drops below the level they were gained.

A Calm emotions spell can suppress the effects of madness, while a Lesser restoration spell can rid a character of a short-term or long-term madness. Depending on the source of the madness, Remove curse or Dispel evil might also prove effective. A Greater restoration spell or more powerful magic is required to rid a character of indefinite madness.

Gaining Corruption

Corruption Tiers