Melancholic Skull

**“**I know what I'm doing... right?**”**
–Wilson, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**Ew, it's covered in that gunk.**”**
–Willow, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**Wolfgang don't like looking at head.**”**
–Wolfgang, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**I am used to pain.**”**
–Wendy, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**CALCULATING RISK VERSUS REWARD**”**
–WX-78, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**That's certainly not the best idea.**”**
–Wickerbottom, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**It makes my skin crawl. eh?**”**
–Woodie, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**I already have fuel-related problems, what`s another?**”**
–Maxwell, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**Nö challenge is aböve me!**”**
–Wigfrid, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**It's looking at us!!**”**
–Webber, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**This doesn't look like Charlie's doing.**”**
–Winona, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**The lengths I go for ingredients...**”**
–Warly, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**It's not a prank if it's on yourself!**”**
–Wortox, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**Sad head?**”**
–Wormwood, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**Glurp... w-why it talking to me?**”**
–Wurt, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**I know it's a bad idea, but I want to investigate further!**”**
–Walter, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**I don't remember anything like you...**”**
–Wanda, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**Why are you speaking...**”**
–Winky, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**Heart racing, exciting! Ritual, calling!**”**
–Wathom, examining the Melancholic Skull.

**“**Hey, you uh, have goop coming out of your eyes. And nose... and mouth...**”**
–Wixie, examining the Melancholic Skull.

The **Melancholic Skull** Also known as the **Veteran's Shrine** is a special Structure that appears in a rocky mini biome usually spawning near to the Florid Postern. It is unbreakable but can be interacted with. It will speak to the player when approached, trying to coax you into activating it. If interacted with, it will cast the **Veteran's Curse** upon the player. When standing near it, the Rag Time track can faintly be heard playing.

After the touching it for the first time it will warn the player, touching it again will properly curse the player. Touching it again after the player has the curse will prompt text saying *"Now you must live with the consequences..."*

When cursed a skull icon above the map icon will appear detailing the effects of the Veteran's Curse.

## Veteran's Curse

**“**I feel.. Vulnerable...**”**
–Wilson, after receiving the curse.

**“**Bernie, help me!**”**
–Willow, after receiving the curse.

**“**Muscles... feel weaker...**”**
–Wolfgang, after receiving the curse.

**“**I have been damned...**”**
–Wendy, after receiving the curse.

**“**ERROR: HULL INTEGRITY COMPROMISED**”**
–WX-78, after receiving the curse.

**“**My chances of survival have been lowered.**”**
–Wickerbottom, after receiving the curse.

**“**Another curse? I'll throw it on the pile.**”**
–Woodie, after receiving the curse.

**“**I could perish at any moment!**”**
–Maxwell, after receiving the curse.

**“**What göd hath fröwned upön me?**”**
–Wigfrid, after receiving the curse.

**“**W-we're sorry! And Scared! Waaaah!**”**
–Webber, after receiving the curse.

**“**Wasn't one of my brightest ideas.**”**
–Winona, after receiving the curse.

**“**I feel sick...**”**
–Warly, after receiving the curse.

**“**I have yet another curse?**”**
–Wortox, after receiving the curse.

**“**Much weaker now**”**
–Wormwood, after receiving the curse.

**“**G-glorp!! What happening to me?!**”**
–Wurt, after receiving the curse.

**“**I knew I shouldn't have, but I did it anyways.**”**
–Walter, after receiving the curse.

**“**No turning back now...**”**
–Wanda, after receiving the curse.

**“**NoOOOo The darkness can't have ME!**”**
–Winky, after receiving the curse.

**“**Mettle tested, nothing new!**”**
–Wathom, after receiving the curse.

**“**I... I'm not afraid!**”**
–Wixie, after receiving the curse.

**“**Come closer if adversity is what you desire!**”**

**Veteran's Curse** is a player debuff meant to challenge more seasoned players, it's main purpose is to provide a risk-reward factor. It's activated by interacting with the Veteran's Shrine and the only way to remove is by swapping characters at the Celestial Portal.

It's effects include the following:

* 20% more damage taken.
* 20% faster hunger drain.
* Foods restore Sanity and Health overtime. (If the Stats Over Time option is disabled)
* The ability to use unique and powerful items.
	+ Below is a list of items that can only be equipped with Veteran's Curse active.

Bearger ClawCrab ClawCursed AntlerFeather FrockGore HornHand Held HiveNaught LockSlobber Lobber
## Mod Compatibility

When playing Uncompromising Mode with Cherry Forest on a server, another Veteran's Curse item will be available:

Hand Held Hibeescus Hive
## Quotes

* COME CLOSER IF ADVERSITY IS WHAT YOU DESIRE.
* COME, LET THE CURSE WASH OVER YOU.
* SURVIVAL TOO EASY FOR YOU? I CAN HELP WITH THAT...
* YOU'VE MADE YOUR CHOICE.
* TOO DIFFICULT FOR YOU?
* CURSE TOO TOUGH? THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY OUT...

## Trivia

* The Melancholic Skull used to be able to speak towards the player, this was removed in the Stalking Stuffers update for unknown reasons.
	+ It can now speak again, this was re-introduced in the Fight And Flight Update.
	+ However, it will not speak to Wes. Audio will play, but no dialogue will appear.

## Bugs

* The icon and information about Veteran's Curse which is supposed to show above the map icon, will not appear for some people.

## Gallery

The warning you receive after touching it for the first time.The message after touching it with the curse.Veteran's Shrine luring the player.Veteran's Shrine mocking a cursed player.