The death dog malady was a potentially fatal rotting disease spread by the bite of death dogs.[1]
Acquisition[]
The disease was spread through death dog saliva,[2] and these beasts were known to bite other creatures and potential prey in hopes of infecting them.[1][3]
Effects[]
Bitten individuals developed symptoms within a day[3] but were at risk of instantly feeling early effects of the disease, which resembled the weakening effects of a poison.[2][1] Initial symptoms also included swelling of the eyes and throat as well as yellowing of the skin.[3]
Each day that the disease persisted, the infected individual's flesh would begin to rot and fall off their bones,[2] causing their bodies and strength to decline rapidly.[2][3][1] Sufferers could not recover from these injuries naturally until the disease was cured.[2][1]
In addition, sufferers of the disease could manifest other disturbing symptoms, which ranged from cosmetic changes to their skin such as new bite marks or evil symbols suddenly appearing; to psychological hallucinations including hearing howls and whispers or feeling itchy as if they had sand or fleas under their skin; and to physical changes to their bodies such as taking on the appearance of extreme dehydration or of a decaying corpse.[1]
Unchecked, the disease caused a slow and painful death, usually within 4 to 24 days.[4]
Treatment[]
While it was possible to fight off the disease naturally,[1][2] it was highly recommended to seek magical healing, such as the cure disease spell.[4]
Rumors & Legends[]
The disturbing symptoms of the disease led some to believe that death dogs had connections to gods of death, legendary cursed rulers, or the underworld.[1]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 unknown (2025). Monster Manual 5th edition (revised). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 91. ISBN 978-0-7869-6954-8.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 321. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, James Jacobs, Erik Mona, Matthew Sernett, Chris Thomasson, and James Wyatt (April 2003). Fiend Folio. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 41–42. ISBN 0-7869-2780-1.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Don Turnbull (1981). Fiend Folio. (TSR Hobbies), p. 23. ISBN 0-9356-9621-0.