Opus Misericordiae : Codex of Sufferance

[Ashenie]

Kept in the Shrine of the Suffering of Baldur's Gate, this tome of miserable appearance has been patched together. Its cover reads with the words "Opus Misericordiae" - The Work of Mercy. Binding several poor pages with a red cord, the tome appears to be a compendium of sufferance, presenting the complexity of afflictions and their remedies. Penned with deepest care, it seems to be intended as a reference to prevent further harm from spreading. The book presents itself as patches of parchment, loose and poor pages and fragments of of scrolls bound together, sometimes adorned with prayer ribbons, glyphic scriptures or monastic drawings.

[Ashenie]

Compendium of Afflictions
Abyssal Affliction Burns of Balor Blade Corrupted Bile Crimson Spice Curse of Vampirism Golden Augury	Greensteel Wounds Hensbane Draught Lovite Seal of Deathly Torment Lycanthropic Infection Mummy Rot Old Plague

[Ashenie]

Abyssal Affliction

Nature :
The abyssal affliction is a magical alteration of body mind and soul. Forcibly enacted by abyssal power its purpose is to reshape the victim into a creation of the Abyss.

Cause :

• Inhalation of spores from a variety of Abyssal Blackgrass.
  The spores seem released as the plant is met with violence and attempts to dig the root system.
• Long exposure to abyssal influence by stationing in an area where the Abyss has been worshipped or is strongly felt.

In both cases, we can strongly suspect an abyssal influence being the cause, with the involvement of strong powers turned towards chaos and malevolence. The patients came in contact, body and soul, with concentrated forces of malevolence and chaos which infected the body and the soul, and forced abnormal changes in consequence.

It is to be noted that wards against malevolence may prevent infection.

Symptoms :

Physical symptoms :
Physical symptoms are diverse. Once they have been caused, they remain static and show no signs of evolution.

• Tumors : The apparition of tumors and cancerous growths has been noted. They can be physically touched, and seem to be present within the body. As the cure is applied, there are contractions from the growths, specifically after the blessing that cures disease. Along the treatment, the tumor growth seems to shrink and disappear entirely once the treatment has ended.
• Black Bile : As the cure is applied, a black bile is regurgitated. Upon inspection, this black bile has no magical aura, but contains tissues wrapped around organs, mainly eyeballs, teeth, or both. The patient does not seem to show any missing tooth or eye, even when some were present in the black bile.
• Varied physical symptoms : Those could include elongated limbs, shallow breath, locked eyes, growths and other alterations. There seems to be a large variety of physical symptoms, and we cannot exclude here a manifestation of the chaotic nature of the Abyss.

As the treatment is applied, all physical symptoms begin to disappear over time. When the treatment ends, none of them are left.

Mental symptoms :

• Incident of madness : Episodes of madness vary in intensity, frequency and type. Some involve paranoid episodes, some involve dissociation, hallucinations, conditioned reactions as there does not seem to be any common affliction other than the fact it affects the mind. The intensity and frequency of these episodes decrease as the treatment is applied. Once the treatment is over, there are no more incidents of madness.
• Change of morality : After the episodes, a lasting consequence can be a change in morality. Some of those who were calm and collected show signs of uncontrolled anger and violence. Whether it is the sign of unsoothed trauma lingering after the affliction or a deep, permanent change of behavior is still unknown.
• Lasting affliction : It was possible to determine that there is an alteration of the mind that requires treatment.

Spiritual symptoms :

• Soul Carving : The soul of the patients has been affected by the abyssal influence, forcing the patients to change. The exact nature of the spiritual affliction remains unknown. There is however a strong probability that repeated exposure may completely shatter the body and mind.
  The affliction of the soul bypass any consent, any form of free will, in an attempt from the Abyss to reforge a being into its image. This spiritual symptom does not seem to respond directly to any divine blessing to cleanse it completely. Once the cure has been successfully administered, the victims should continue to recieve aftercare and mental treatment to bring to consciousness the affliction of the soul.
  

Curation :

• Cure: A cure has been found by Sister Carys. It involves the blessings that cure disease and remove curse cast in quick succession. The black bile is to be dissolved in a bucket of holy water. A circle of protection against malevolence shall be cast upon the patient. The treatment needs to be repeated over time. An average treatment of two tenday has been observed, with daily care. However the severity of the symptoms may indicate a need for longer or shorter treatment.
• Supportive treatment: The blessing of Heart Ease may be of particular aid to support the effectiveness of Sister Cary's cure. While it does not act as immediate cure itself, the treatment is faster when it is applied.
• Relief: Relief can be applied with additional treatment, such as blessings to ease the mind, fears and pains. The wards against malevolence can also be effective in reducing some of the episodes of madness, temporarily, when there are strong reactions from the patients. The blessings of the clergy of the Broken God seem to indicate there is a great suffering to the curse, for the patients seem extremely relieved when those blessings are offered.
• Mental Therapy: An healing approach of the mind should be undertaken, beyond the blessings, to address the horrors and trauma that may still remain, even after the blessing. A surprising effect of the affiliction is its resistance and perseverance even after cure has been successfully offered.
• Spiritual Aftercare: For those whose soul might have been afflicted, a form of aftercare should be offered. Virtuous paths should be praised, and helped, along with prayers, and Faith. The dissociation between the former self and the altered self should be brought to consciousness with a soft approach, including the social circle of the afflicted, and the manifestation of past memories. This form of aftercare should be offered with dedication and requires a delicate approach.
• Prevention : Wards against malevolence seem to help against infection from the spores or long stationing. There seems to be no contagion after the patient has been infected.

It is important to note that the mental symptoms, deliriums and madness do not seem cured by the blessings and herbal remedies that would normally affect insanity, confusion and mental and emotional breakdowns. The reasons for this are unknown, however as treatment is needed, it is important to find remedies to avoid long lasting consequences. These blessings and remedies however may provide relief and help.

Perils :

Repeated exposure may cause more severe symptoms, and stronger changes that may in turn, with a high probability, shatter the body and mind completely.

Lack of treatment may induce a transformation as it was observed, with intense suffering and violent outbursts of madness. However with the variety of symptoms, the consequences can be as diverse as the symptoms. Still, with the gravity of the symptoms and the strength of the powers involved, it is safe to assume that these afflictions, if left untreated, may be extremely dangerous for the afflicted, and for those who may fall prey to their violence.

Supplication of Mercy's cleansing

Broken God who endures the Suffering of all Let Your grace cleanse the abyssal bile that grows within. May the dark curse of the Abyss cease to torment.

In Your embrace all pain fades.
In Your embrace all suffering is alleviated.

Let the hearts of those who are afflicted by abyssal torture be eased.

Broken God I beg for Mercy.

[Ashenie]

Burns of Balor Blade

Nature :
Inflicted by the cursed "Blades of Balor", made of darksteel forged in hellfire and wielded by the champions of the Demon Lord of Undeath, the wounds affect body and soul through a curse, subjecting the victim to excruciating pain and resisting healing. These injuries are cursed wounds.

Cause :
These cursed wounds are inflicted when the victim is struck by the Blade of Balor. They seem deeply tied to the very blade that inflicted them, no matter who wielded it.


Symptoms :

Physical symptoms :

• Physical Strain : The flesh and skin around the wound are inflamed, red, swollen and extremely sensitive to pressure and movement. In addition to the excruciating pain they cause, these wounds are very warm to the touch, and the wounded feel a lingering sensation of burning pain, within the flesh. The wound seems to cause sweating, fever due to the curse, and restless sleep, thus inducing extreme fatigue.
• Diminished healing : The wounds prevent healing from taking hold, and cause excruciating pains and burns that persist due to the lack of healing. Surgery and blessings are both ineffective, magically impeded. While the wounds cause no direct infection, the inhibition of healing exposes the wound and flesh to infections and parasites.
• Residual effect : Even after healing, there is a residual effect, that is not magical in nature. The flesh and mind will remember the pain. Muscular spasms and pains are observed. If the curse is still active, the pain will also still affect the wounded.

Mental symptoms :

• Mental and Emotional anguish: Mental anguish and emotional strain vary in intensity and nature depending on the person that is affected. They seem deeply tied to the cursed effect of the wound. It seems that the wound does not induce a specified type of anguish, but that this anguish comes in deep resonance with the wounded's mind and personality.

Spiritual symptoms :

• Curse of everlasting pain : The soul of the wounded, his body and mind, are all affected by a cursed effect that lingers, and resists the blessings of Remove Curse. This curse induces fever, and several types of mind affliction, while maintaining a sensation of inner burning and a lingering, excruciating and sometimes invalidating pain. This curse seems deeply tied to the very blade that inflicted the wound.
  

Curation :

• Blessed balms: Blessed balms are proven effective in curing the physical wound. A blessed ointment composed of Bloodroot, Ivy Leaf, and Holy water is proven efficient in soothing pain, even if for a limited time. A poultice composed of Bloodstaunch and empowered with blessings and holy water can effectively allow the scarring process to take hold permanently. Dogbane's roots, bruised and boiled, are effective against fever.
• Holy Water Holy water is very effective in easing suffering for a time. While pain is still felt, it becomes lighter and bearable. Holy water can be ingested, or applied on the wound.
• Old legends : Some legends promise relief to the wounded when the very blade that caused the wound is destroyed. It can only be destroyed by being thrown in hellfire. Rituals to purify the blade and undo its cursing effect have been proven effective in delivering the wounded from all pains and curses.

Perils :

If the blade is not purified or destroyed, the pain will linger, along with the spasms even when the wounds are healed. The wounded are subjected to excruciating suffering without continuous treatment with holy water.

Burnsooth Blessed Salve

A blessed salve of Burnsooth is a consecrated ointment composed of Ivy leaves, Bloodroot, and Holy water.Its primary purpose lies in the alleviation of the everlasting pain caused by the wounds of Balor Blades and in healing the burns they cause.

~ Use one whole rootstock of Bloodroot for seven Ivy leaves.
~ Use one ounce of Holy Water for one rootstock of Bloodroot.
~ Silce the root for a better extraction of their reagents.
~ Use dried Ivy leaves.

1. Reduce the Bloodroot to a muddy paste with a mortar and pestle, until the juice of the roots begins to flow.
2. Place the crushed roots into Holy Water and bring to a gentle boil for several minutes.
3. Grind the Ivy leaves into oil with mortar and pestle.
4. While still warm, mix the oil, the root paste, and the Holy Water until they form a smooth unguent.
5. Allow the mixture to cool, stirring gently as it settles.

Consecrated Poultice of Bloodstaunch

Bloodstaunch natural reagents can be used as astringent to prevent bloodloss and favor healing and scarring.
Prepared as a consecrated poultice, Bloodstaunch can be mixed with Holy water to mend the grievous wounds caused by the Blades of Balor.

~ Use three leaves of Bloodstaunch for one dose of poultice.
~ Use one ounce of Holy Water for one dose of poultice.
~ Use fresh leaves.

1. Consecrate the ground.
2. Fill a bowl with one ounce of Holy Water and three Bloodstaunch leaves. Recite a litany of Courage, Resilience, and Perseverance, one virtue for each leaf added.
3. Let the leaves absorb the Holy Water until they are moist and heavy.
4. Pray together with the wounded before applying the poultice.

Litany of Endurance

In the face of Courage pain yields.
May the blessing of Endurance shields the heart against suffering's ceaseless torments.

In the embrace of perseverance pain fades.
May the blessing of Endurance shroud the mind against suffering's shattering anguish.

In the wake of resilience pain is sublimed.
May the blessing of Endurance inspire the soul against suffering's excruciating darkness.

[Ashenie]

Corrupted Bile

Nature :
The Corrupted Bile is a fluid ingested, usually through contaminated food or drink, causing a magical rot of the bloodstream. After nausea and sensations of unease, the body ultimately erupts in an explosion of flesh, from which a hostile abomination rises. It seems to have been a failed magical experiment.

The Corrupted Bile is composed of four elements, comprising three reagents and one body fluid, isolated through alchemical distillation.

• Dark Blue Blood : The blood is likely the source of infection. It has been taken from a strange creature of the depths, known as an Aboleth.
• Necromantic Volutes : The necromantic volutes are of arcane nature. They evaporated when the reagents were separated. They are likely related to undeath. They would either enhance the necromantic power of the solution, or enable the solution to turn a living body into an undead being, or to extend life through means of undeath. Its origin remains obscured by the arcane nature of the magic, and its purpose is not well defined.
• Alcohol : The presence of alcohol has been found combined with the necromantic volutes and the dark blue blood.
• Human Bile : Traces of human bile have been found, separated from the three other elements.

Cause :
The transformation into an undead abomination of flesh is started through ingestion of the corrupted bile, generally through infected meals and drinks. Most of the infected foods were meat and fish. After the ingestion of the solution, the bloodstream will rot.


Symptoms :

Physical symptoms :

• Nausea : Before the transformation, the victim is afflicted with powerful nausea.

Mental symptoms :

• Feeling of unease : The victim does not feel well after the ingestion of the corrupted bile, and until the transformation takes hold.

Magical symptoms :

• Necromantic aura : An aura of necromancy can be revealed around the victim through the use of Detect Magic.
  

Curation :

• Cure: Blessings of greater and empowered Heal, or Greater Restoration, successfully remove the affliction, provided they take effect before the bile completely rots the bloodstream.
• Prevention A blessing of Death Ward prevents the effects from taking hold and from rotting the bloodstream.

Perils :

If the victim is not helped and if the bloodstream is not purified, the body will explode in fragments of flesh. From the remains, a hostile flesh abomination will rise, as undead.

Orison of Purification

Compassionate tears of the Enduring
Cleanse the rot that has taken hold.
May flesh and blood find solace from the rot and torment of affliction.

May Your Mercy flow anew where decay has taken hold and heal what has been hurt.

May Your Endurance shroud body and soul to withstand the degradation from within.

In Your weeping care, purification from all taints shall come.

[Ashenie]

Crimson Spice

Nature :
The Crimson Spice is a red colored substance. Distributed in the form of a powder, the substance combines the effects of an anabolic steroid and stimulant together, temporarily improving eye-to-hand coordination, enhancing bodily capacity and heightening the senses. Its highly addictive nature forces rapid and intense stages of dependency, leading to severe social degradation and harmful behaviors.

The Crimson Spice is brewed from two major ingredients. The preparation is very easy, thus widely accessible. Poor synthesis in the preparation makes the Crimson Spice even more dangerous, reducing the desired effect and amplifying the harmful ones.

• Redflower leaves: The Crimson Spice is primarily derived from Redflower Leaves, grown in Cormyr, Sembia and the Dragon Coast. They are easily gathered in the wild, and much can be harvested from a single plant. The plant has a long preservation if kept dry, likely many months. Redflower leaves repesent three quarters of the preparation. It can also be grown and cultivated in regions with a similar climate.
• Thickener : A generic thickener is used in the preparation of the Crimson Spice. It represents one quarter of the preparation. Generic thickener for herbal preparations may include Seaweed, Rowan or Themallow Flower. The use of other specific, unsuitable, harmful or poisonous thickener could further amplify the damages caused by the Crimson Spice, such as Hiexel paste used to seal houses, Stonewort, Redroot causing nausea when ingested or Waxworm used in woodwork.

Cause :
The Crimson Spice is ingested for the substance to imbibe the user's body. Dependency is induced by the highly addictive reagents of the substance itself. The urge to consume this substance may be amplified by social pressure, or induced by environmental factors in case of forced consumption or cycles of criminality.


Symptoms :

Physical symptoms :

• Overuse : Long term use may cause muscular pain and migraines.

Stages of Dependency :

• Experimentation : No real experimentation stage with the Crimson Spice, the users are incentivized to step directly into the regular use, this phase is often skipped or of short duration.
  
• Regular Or Social Use : 21 to 28 days of regular use might be enough to shift into the next phase. One dose per day is considered a regular use, although some may use more than one per day, thus accelerating the process noticeably.
  
• Problem And Risk-Taking Use : This phase tends to become apparent as it might cause real disruption, financial and social struggles for the individual that will alter their life in order to continue the consumption of Crimson Spice. Symptoms of addiction and obsession are already apparent during this stage.
  
• Dependency And Addiction : A complete disruption of daily life may occur during the dependency stage. The drug will be sought to avoid withdrawal effects instead of enhancing work performance, thus losing its initial benefit and purpose. The spiral of dependency only grows stronger.
  

Curation :

• Natural Antidotes : Bloodpurge and Dathlil may serve as natural antidotes, especially if Beorunna's Cure-All is used as a healing supplement.
• Holy Blessings : Spells about body healing and against poisons may help. A blessing of Remove Addiction may offer invaluable benefit, but will not prevent a new cycle of dependency if the patient choses to consume Crimson Spice after treatment.

Perils :

The Crimson Spice induces a high addiction. Given the quick evolution through the phases of dependency, the user falls prey to degraded economical and social situations to sustain the irrepressible need and avoid withdrawal symptoms.

The overstimulation induced by the Crimson Spice will cause chronic overuse of body and mind. Abuse of the substance may cause severe damage to the body, and may become lethal. A progressive loss of energy and consumption of body and mind slowly erodes the user's health.

Bloodpurge Powder

Bloodpurge's natural reagents resist blights and neutralize the poisons irrigating its native environment. The red streaked leaves can be dried and used to prepare antidotes. Whether ingested directly or applied to open wounds to purify the bloodstream of toxins, the dried leaves retain potent curative properties. A tincture can also be brewed from the plant.

Dried leaves may be crushed into a fine powder condensing their healing reagents for easier use.

Use one full leaf of Bloodpurge for one dose of powder
Tie the leaves together to hang them in a dry location

Use seven dried leaves to concentrate their curative potency in a bowl of powder
Let the dried leaves fall to dust between your hands before pressing the remnants into a curative mash.

1. Cleanse the leaves taking care not to bruise their red streaked veins.
2. Allow them to dry for three days and nights or until they crumble easily between the fingers.
3. Crumble the dried leaves gently by hand then grind the fragments with a mortar and pestle until they form a fine crimson green powder.

Combine the Bloodpurge powder with an Infusion of Dathlil against the Crimson Spice.

Infusion of Dathlil

Petals of Dathlil hold an unpredictable curative reagent. Its healing essence is sometimes enough to cure poison and intoxication completely with just one petal. Sometimes it is also without effect, though most of the time Dathlil slows the progression of poisons and helps detoxify the bloodstream.

An infusion of Dathlil can be brewed from dried petals, allowing easy ingestion and a higher concentration of its reagents.
Use twelve dried petals of Dathlil for one cup of infusion
One cup equals eight ounces of water

1. Dry the Dathlil flowers. Gather them in small bunches and hang them upside down in a dry and cold area away from direct sunlight. Let them dry between seven and fourteen days until they become crisp.
2. Boil water in a kettle or pot. Place one or two teaspoons of dried flowers in a cup or infuser.
3. Pour the boiling water over the dried Dathlil flowers. Let the preparation steep for fifteen minutes to allow the Dathlil to infuse the water. Strain the infusion to remove the herbal waste.

Infusion of Beorunna's Cure-All

A rare plant from the Savage Frontier, Beorruna's Cure-All holds no potency of its own. An herbal tea brewed from the stems act as healing adjuvant, enhancing any curative treatment, whether mundane or magical. The infusion must be ingested after the treatement, once the healing reagents are already present in the body.

Use three stems for one cup of infusion
Do not let the leaves crumble when dried
Do not separate the leaves from the stems
One cup equals eight ounces of water

1. Clean and dry the stems of Beorunna s Cure-All. Tie them in bunches and hang them upside down in a dry and cold area away from direct sunlight. Let them dry between four and seven nights until they become completely dried.
2. Boil water in a kettle or pot. Place two teaspoons of dried stems in a cup or infuser.
3. Pour the boiling water over the dried stems. Let the preparation steep for fifteen minutes to allow the plant to infuse the water. Strain the infusion to remove the herbal waste.

Litany of Deliverance

In the dark depth of dependency, body and mind are shattered by craving needs.
From the irrepressible hook of addiction, let Mercy offer deliverance.

In the agony of damnation, blood is spilled, tears are shed, suffering casts out.
From the chains of isolation and the cycle of violence, let Mercy offer deliverance.

In the coven of harm, consuming becomes an expected need, an imposed burden.
From the unspoken and insidious servitude, let Mercy offer deliverance.