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Whitewasting

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Whitewasting, also known as leprosy[2] and the wasting disease,[3] was a well-known disease in Faerûn.[1][2] Those suffering from the disease were generally referred to as lepers.[4]

Acquisition[]

Whitewasting was transmissible through contact with someone suffering from the disease, although an exposed individual might not begin showing symptoms for 5 years.[1]

The disease could also be inflicted by a casting of the spell scourge[5][6] or by the touch of a spawn of Kyuss[7] and certain undead.[8] Some powerful necromancers also gained the "gift" of being able to bestow the disease with a mere touch of their scabrous hands.[9] A more aggressive form of whitewasting was bestowed by the periapt of foul rotting.[10]

Effects[]

Whitewasting was a disease that appeared to rot the sufferer's body,[10] connective tissues,[11] and/or skin.[12] It led to a numbing or cessation of the senses, notably the sense of pain.[13]

Sufferers of whitewasting experienced a steady and rapid loss of their mobility and reflexes[1] and a slow, month-to-month decline in their strength, stamina, and physical appearance.[11]

Treatment[]

With luck, a healthy individual might be able to fight off whitewasting naturally,[1][14] but the disease was generally considered incurable by the standards of non-magical illnesses.[15]

Progression of the disease could be slowed by casting Talona's blessing,[16] and it could be cured by casting cure disease[17] or reversed using cell adjustment, even in its more advanced stages.[18]

History[]

Sometime after the Year of the Cascade, 309 DR, Halaster Blackcloak faked his own death (for the first time) by creating a clone, infecting it with leprosy, and leaving it to die where patrols from Waterdeep would discover it.[3][19]

In the Year of the Fleeting Pains, 354 DR, a plague resembling a highly virulent or magical form of leprosy struck the Shoon Imperium, and came to be known as the "Leper's Curse".[13]

As a general rule, almost any rural temple was willing to provide basic food and water to those suffering from whitewasting and other similar misfortunes.[4] As of the mid-to-late 14th century DR, sufferers of whitewasting could be encountered begging on the streets of Waterdeep and other cities of Faerûn.[20] During this time, sanctioned leper houses and asylums could be found at the Hall of the Arch in Suldolphor,[21] Churthryn Hall near Ravens Bluff,[22] and St. Wityn's Hospice, an abbey of Ilmater in the Alimir Mountains.[15]

Following the razing of Zhentil Keep in the Year of the Banner, 1368 DR, whitewasting became a notable issue in the city.[23]

Throughout the 15th century DR, the Inn of the Dripping Dagger in Waterdeep became known as a place that welcomed anyone, including those suffering from whitewasting.[24]

Outside of the Material Plane, wealthy individuals in Sigil were known to place curses on their valuables which could inflict leprosy on thieves,[25] and the disease could be encountered in Thanatos, the realm of Orcus in the Abyss.[26]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

Appearances[]

Adventures

The Throne of Bloodstone

Novels & Short Stories

Referenced only
Twilight Falling • City of Torment

Video Games

Referenced only
Baldur's Gate III

References[]

  1. ↑ 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. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ed Greenwood (October 2012). Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 14. ISBN 0786960345.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ed Greenwood (1991). “Campaign Guide to Undermountain”. In Steven E. Schend ed. The Ruins of Undermountain (TSR, Inc.), p. 5. ISBN 1-5607-6061-3.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ed Greenwood (October 2012). Ed Greenwood Presents Elminster's Forgotten Realms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 136. ISBN 0786960345.
  5. ↑ Steve Kurtz (April 1, 1995). The Complete Book of Necromancers. (TSR, Inc), p. 83. ISBN 0-7869-0106-3.
  6. ↑ Mark Middleton et al. (1999). Priest's Spell Compendium Volume Two. (TSR, Inc), p. 527. ISBN 9780786914210.
  7. ↑ Don Turnbull (1981). Fiend Folio. (TSR Hobbies), p. 83. ISBN 0-9356-9621-0.
  8. ↑ Ed Greenwood et al. (December 1988). Lords of Darkness. Edited by Scott Martin Bowles. (TSR, Inc.), p. 85. ISBN 0-88038-622-3.
  9. ↑ Steve Kurtz (April 1, 1995). The Complete Book of Necromancers. (TSR, Inc), p. 32. ISBN 0-7869-0106-3.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 151. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 14. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
  12. ↑ Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 220. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Steven E. Schend (October 1998). Calimport. (TSR, Inc), p. 22. ISBN 0-7869-1238-3.
  14. ↑ Monte Cook, Jonathan Tweet, Skip Williams (July 2003). Dungeon Master's Guide v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 292. ISBN 0-7869-2889-1.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Steven E. Schend, Dale Donovan (September 1998). Empires of the Shining Sea. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 97. ISBN 0-7869-1237-5.
  16. ↑ Jon Pickens et al. (1999). Priest's Spell Compendium Volume Three. (TSR, Inc), p. 635. ISBN 9780786913596.
  17. ↑ Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 46–47. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
  18. ↑ Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 111–112. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
  19. ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 69. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  20. ↑ Ed Greenwood and Jeff Grubb (September 1988). City System. Edited by Karen Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 28. ISBN 0-8803-8600-2.
  21. ↑ Steven E. Schend, Dale Donovan (September 1998). Empires of the Shining Sea. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 163. ISBN 0-7869-1237-5.
  22. ↑ The RPGA Staff (July 2001). “Pillars of Ravens Bluff”. In Erik Mona ed. Polyhedron #147 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 23.
  23. ↑ Kevin Melka, John Terra (March 1995). “Campaign Book”. In Julia Martin ed. Ruins of Zhentil Keep (TSR, Inc.), p. 80. ISBN 0-7869-0109-8.
  24. ↑ Ed Greenwood (April 2012). “Eye on the Realms: The Talking Door”. In Steve Winter ed. Dragon #410 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 27.
  25. ↑ Wolfgang Baur, Rick Swan (June 1995). In the Cage: A Guide to Sigil. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 32. ISBN 978-0786901111.
  26. ↑ Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson (1988). The Throne of Bloodstone. (TSR, Inc), p. 46. ISBN 0-8803-8560-X.
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