Death curse

The death curse was a disastrous and far-reaching event that occurred on Toril in the late years of the 15 century DR. The curse prevented the raising of the dead, even when using resurrection spells, and caused creatures that were previously raised from death to wither and die.

It was known to have affected the beings on Toril for at least a couple tendays.

Cause
The death curse was caused by a necromantic artifact called the Soulmonger that was located within the Tomb of the Nine Gods beneath the ruins of Omu. Built by the archlich Acererak, the Soulmonger absorbed the souls of the dead and those who had been raised from the dead in order to siphon them into an atropal.

The only known means of stopping the Death Curse, was the complete destruction of the Soulmonger.

Outcome
While the death curse was in effect, many humanoids began to waste away and eventually to die. Traveling to another plane of existence or planet did nothing to halt the wasting effect once it began.

Also during this time, liches were unable to keep their souls within their phylacteries.

The knowledge about whether an individual's soul had already been absorbed, or consumed was discernible by means of a casting of the spell commune or divination. The loss of the soul could not be reversed, even by means of divine intervention.

Notable Individuals Affected

 * The warlord Ras Nsi.
 * The merchant prince Jessamine of Port Nyanzaru.
 * The Archmage Syndra Silvane of Baldur's Gate.