Gangrene, or darkrot, was the death of body tissues caused by prolonged lack of blood flow, characterized by putrification, foul smell, and blackened color.[1][4]
Acquisition[]
Gangrene was considered one of the most dangerous natural diseases as it could be contracted via a simple piercing or slashing wound if left untreated. Gangrene could set in a short period of time as 24 hours.[1] Frostbite was just as dangerous. Frozen tissue stopped blood flow which eventually led to gangrene.[5]
Some dangerous undead creatures like angels of decay[6] and plague blights could spread gangrene with a mere touch.[7] Some living creatures, such as shadowdrakes were known to inflict darkrot.[8]
Some rare and unlucky individuals who wronged the Vistani folk of Barovia were sentenced to death by some of the most horrific way. One such death was inflicted upon a criminal via a full-body gangrene.[9]
Darkrot was a common danger in the Rat Hills outside the City of Splendors, Waterdeep.[3][10]
Effects[]
Once gangrene set in, afflicted flesh sprouted blackened patches within one or two days after infection. Within two to twelve days, the breathing of the afflicted became labored and hissing. As the infection spread, their bodies weakened until they reached the full-system shock as early as seven days after infection. If left untreated, death was inevitable.[3]
Treatment[]
The spell of Talona's blessing could ward off gangrene or stop its spread. The spell required the cleric to touch the afflicted body part.[11]
Comfrey root was a healing herb that possessed some curative properties that could stave the spread of gangrene.[12] Herbal treatments for gangrene required thrice daily ingestion of dangerously potent herbs as well as frequent observation by a healer.[13]
A set of amputation saws – a sure cure for the dreaded darkrot.
Once the rot set in, the only non-magical cure was amputation, with death being the only alternative. When performed in a controlled environment, amputation was performed using amputation saws. Each limb or appendage requited a separate tool, all professionally forged in Procampur and purchasable from the Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. Separate saws were used to remove fingers, arms, legs, and trunk sections; a special joint cutter was required in some cases, while snips were required to amputate for fleshy sections. The surgery required tourniquets and gauze as it produced a lot of blood. Healers recommended the subjects of the surgeries to be very drunk to dull the pain.[2]
A holy spring of Eldath – Sweetwater, that flowed among the rocks in the forest not far east of The Standing Stone, was known to wash away and neutralize all known poisons and diseases, including such afflictions as mummy rot and darkrot.[14]
Notable Individuals Who Survived Darkrot[]
- Athan, who was entrusted with the Gauntlets of Moander by Elminster was tortured by the Cult of the Dragon and his wounds turned to rot. He was rescued by the Veiled Ones and, eventually, had his grave wounds healed via Mystra healing blessings.[4]
- Halana Shauluth, the proprietor of aptly-named Halana Shauluth's bakery in Amphail. She lost her hand to gangrene, which ended her adventuring career and led her to open the popular and successful bakery business.[15]
- Yousouf, of Yousouf's Grocery a retired adventurer whose friend and healer Ihre was forced to amputate his gangrenous toes following nasty frostbite.[5]
Appendix[]
See also[]
Appearances[]
- Novels
- King Pinch • Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor • Lady of Poison • Unclean • Unholy
- Referenced only
- Dawnbringer
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (March 2006). Power of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 94. ISBN 0-7869-3910-9.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), pp. 144–145. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ed Greenwood and Steven E. Schend (July 1994). “Campaign Guide”. City of Splendors (TSR, Inc), p. 94. ISBN 0-5607-6868-1.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Carrie Bebris (2001). Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 16, p. 247. ISBN 0-7869-1387-8.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 slade, Jim Butler (October 1996). “The Winds of Netheril”. In Jim Butler ed. Netheril: Empire of Magic (TSR, Inc.), p. 105. ISBN 0-7869-0437-2.
- ↑ Richard Lee Byers (April 2007). Unclean. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 13. ISBN 978-0-7869-4258-9.
- ↑ Richard Lee Byers (February 2009). Unholy. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 8. ISBN 978-0-7869-5021-8.
- ↑ Richard Baker (October 1995). Monstrous Compendium Planescape Appendix II. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 94. ISBN 0-7869-0173-X.
- ↑ David Wise Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium Vol.III. Edited by Jonatha Ariadne Caspin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 163. ISBN 0-7869-1613-3.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1991). “Undermountain Adventures”. In Steven E. Schend ed. The Ruins of Undermountain (TSR, Inc.), p. 31. ISBN 1-5607-6061-3.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 155. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 220. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
- ↑ Owen K.C. Stephens (March 2000). “Herbcraft”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #269 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 39.
- ↑ Error on call to Template:cite web: Parameters url and title must be specified. {{{title}}}. (26-12-2021). Retrieved on 26-12-2021.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 25. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.