The Three Plagues

> *"A crawling foulness will overcome you because you did not shut the gates of your heart to iniquity." — Dishonored*
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## The Three Plagues

### Date(s)

Winter 2019

*As the war rages on and Vektren seems to steadily take every ounce of opportunity that has been granting them a seamless row of victories, a historically known evil crawls through their back door, ready to shake their confidence and test loyalties and faith.*

*Either divine action from Aryn's revered Great One, or Lady Xibalten's discontentment with their actions, the Dark Brothers and Sisters may be facing an event they all give blood and sweat to avoid: The Purge.*

*As troubles close to heart force Vektren to turn its eye inward, Aryn is given a reprieve to nurse their wounded and shore up strength. The eventual realization of Vektren's troubles come as no surprise to Ro'ei Elias, who is quick to remind his clanmates that the Great Spirit hasn't forgotten them.*

*He urges the pack to offer thanks and submission to their divine protector. This is only the beginning.*

## Brief Summary

The Three Plagues of Vektren were a serious of connected plagues which impacted the wolves of Vektren during the winter of 2019. These events were triggered by tectonic activity in the West, but many of the Vektreni believed that it was either caused by the displeasure of their own gods, or the vengeful Arynian god. These plagues distracted the Vektreni from their war against Aryn, resulting in a temporary ceasefire between the two packs.

For the official Plagues Timeline, click here.

## Timeline

* **18 November 2018 -** An earthquake rocks Tentaka. Tectonic shifts occur throughout the Domain, releasing large amounts of sulfur into the waters of Vektren, via the Steaming Maw.
* **15 January 2019** - The first cases of sulfur poisoning are reported in Vektren - the first plague has begun.
* **28 January 2019** - The water hemlock coverage in the territory has reached a point where many wolves are falling victim to its ill effects. The second plague has taken hold.
* **15 February 2019** - An eruption of the volcano in old Fellfang territory sends ash into the skies, and this ash covers the sun in and around Vektren for three days.
* **18 February 2019** - The sun returns to the sky above Vektren. The pack's recovery can begin.

## Pack Allegiance (During Event)

* **Black Council:** Hekate (Mistress), Hellion (Lord Reaper), Seraph (Lady Nightmare), Janus (Lord Cobra)
* **Thetas:** Miron (Necrolyte), Helh (Necrolyte), Epione (Magister), Nimh (Enforcer), Damon (Shade), Vieste (Viper)
* **Gammas:** Kiero Koi (Magister), Shirubafurea (Scythe), Thanatos (Scythe), Silvanus, Acheron (Viper)
* **Deltas:** Thayer (Necrolyte), Phaeton (Magister), Monty (Enforcer), Thorn (Enforcer), Ambient (Enforcer), Morrigan (Scythe), Ghislaine (Ghislaine), Rabbit (Scythe), Fornax (Scythe), Hestia (Viper)
* **Omegas:** Demogorgon, Makenna, Fenrir

## Effects

### **The First Plague: Water into Blood (Sulfur Poisoning)**

Unbeknownst to the Brotherhood of Senisteros, deep into West an earthquake has shook Tentaka grounds. Though way too far to feel any of its tremors, the plaques have moved and the depths of the Steaming Maw now receive a great amount of sulfur, bleeding from the recently active volcano in late Fellfangir territory.

As a strong rotten scent emerges from the fangs of the cave, the waters throughout the entire territory that first granted its life has now been causing only distress and death. While flora remains unaffected - for now - the fauna hasn't been as lucky, and prey has been falling ill or succumbing entirely to the poisonous water.

Initially oblivious of the issue, the easy prey was first seen as a gift from the Gods, a reward from their hard work. But as wolves feel fatigued or fall sick, they realize this is in fact a *curse*.

Water is undrinkable surrounding the swamps, poisoned by great amounts of sulfur and decomposing corpses. Safe water can only be found in the Forlorn Garden, bodies of water far away from the swamp and outside the territory.

Prey within the lands is not reliable, and food is even more scarce. Hunters are being forced to use larger teams and an enforcer tagging along to bring game from afar.

#### The Degrees of Affliction

* **QUARANTINED.** Quarantined wolves are deemed too dangerously sick to be working or in constant contact with others if not the Magisters and Clerics, and are being kept and treated in a secluded spot away from The Nest, near the Gloating Viper. They may get better, or even die, as their state is critically unstable.
	+ The quarantined Vektreni in the first plague were: Mistress Hekate, Helh, Vieste, Phaeton, Thorn, Ambient, Morrigan, Demogorgon, and Makenna.
* **CONTAMINATED.** Contaminated wolves are carrying some kind of sickness, and present soft signs of it. Since this state does not hinder their ability to work, they are not being kept secluded - though they may find their clansmates avoiding them in hopes to dodge being plagued.
	+ The contaminated wolves were: Hellion, Janus, Miron, Epione, Nimh, Damon, Shirubafurea, and Rabbit.
* **SAFE.** Safe wolves have been blessed with the Lady's Luck and are completely healthy and successfully resisted contamination. Most of them are working double time to pick up the work from the other, sick wolves.
	+ The safe wolves were: Seraph, Kiero Koi, Thanatos, Silvanus, Acheron, Thayer, Monty, Ghislaine, Fornax, Hestia, and Fenrir.

### The Second Plague: Boils (Water Hemlock)

As the ranks of Vektren suffer from the sickness that has swallowed them, the chaos created would further cause damage to their territory. The lands of the cultists are now swarmed by a known - but deadly - enemy. The high amounts of sulfur provided the amount of necessary nutrients for plants develop rapidly, and without an enough stopping force to hinder their growth, cover the grounds in an almost mine-field effect.

Magisters are familiar with Water Hemlock, a strong asset on harming Vektren's foes. But the magnitude on which these plants have thrived and infested the swamps of Vektren, the cultists were given a taste of their own assets.

Cicuta is covering the bodies of water in astonishing amount, causing every living creature that dares too close to it to have severe allergic skin reaction. Vektreni are too well versed into its dangers to ingest it, but the few prey and living animals within the lands have been carrying or consuming it, affecting whoever eats them.

The skin and fur infection is devastating, and sicker wolves lose great amounts of fur or even go around bare skinned, carrying scabs and rashes. If also induced to the stronger effects of the poison, wolves may find themselves into even more trouble than sulfur contamination.

Water is undrinkable surrounding the swamps, poisoned by great amounts of sulfur and decomposing corpses from the previous plague. Safe water can only be found in the Forlorn Garden, bodies of water far away from the swamp and outside the territory.

Thanks to the effort of the Vektreni into quenching the ravaging power of the first plague, only the waters of the depths of the swamp remain poisonous and fresh and clean water is found within the Sanctum.

Prey within the lands remains unreliable, and food is steadily becoming more scarce. Hunters are being forced to use larger teams and an enforcer tagging along to bring game from afar.

#### The Degrees of Affliction

* **HAZARD.** Wolves in hazard zone are facing the deepest effects of Water Hemlock poisoning, and besides the severe skin afflictions, are in danger of losing their lives or permanent body functionality due to exposure. They may get better, or even die, as their state is critically unstable.
	+ The wolves in the Hazard Zone were: Seraph, Damon, Epione, Shirubafurea, and Ghislaine.
* **SCABBED.** Severely scabbed wolves are losing concerning amounts of fur and developing critical injuries to the exposed skin - either from the plant itself or from scratching/biting it. Their physical performance is affected, and they're constantly suffering by the stretched/calloused skin. Contamination is possible if direct contact with the wounds, and Magisters have been providing medical ointments but not applying it, leaving to the sick to do it.
	+ The scabbed wolves were: Thanatos, Acheron, Fornax, Ambient, and Fenrir.
* **ALLERGIC.** Wolves finding themselves allergic are getting mild reactions to the skin disease and the poison in general. They find themselves with more scratching places than usual and develop a rash or two, but nothing that deeply affects their performance. They're not contagious.
	+ Wolves with allergic reactions were: Hellion, Miron, Nimh, Silvanus, Morrigan, Makenna, and Hestia.
* **IMMUNE.** Wolves deemed immune have been blessed with the Lady's Luck and are completely healthy and successfully resisted contamination. Most of them are working double time to pick up the work from the other, sick wolves.
	+ Wolves who were immune were: Hekate, Vieste, Monty, Rabbit, Thorn, and Demogorgon.

### The Third Plague: Darkness for Three Days (Atmospheric Darkening)

As the ranks of Vektren suffer from the sickness that has swallowed them, there is a short break where they believe to be spared from fate's bitter tongue. The lands remain swarmed Water Hemlock, many suffer from the effects of sulfur ingestion and the toxic plant. But no further damage seems to be bestowed upon them, and all they have to deal with is bare their teeth and force their way until it runs out.

Until earth rumbles beneath them at night. Little can be witnessed as black coat covered the sky, but the cultists watch as stars seem to be *erased* - one by one.

Morning never comes.

Ashes covers the lands like a dreadful grey blanket, tainting water and plants alike. They know that the volcano by old-fellfangir territory must be spitting is burning wrath in form of smoke. It's hard to navigate, but the few rays of sun that pierce through the cloud must do.

But the second morning never comes..

The earth still occasionally taunts to swallow them, a growling beast.

Concern arises- maybe the Mistress was wrong. Maybe this was indeed the apex - the last breaths of Vektren. Hope still tries to make through the thick, hard to see air.

But the third morning never comes...

#### The Degrees of Affliction

* **INSANE*.*** Insane wolves have succumbed to the madness of eternal darkness. They may think the end has finally arrived... or simply refuse completely to believe it. They're puppets to their own minds.
	+ The wolves who went insane were: Janus, Nimh, Rabbit, Ghislaine, and Makenna.
* **PARANOID.** Paranoid wolves are trying their hardest to see the situation rationally. It's hard. Sometimes, they fall to the traps of their brains, but mostly logic perseveres.
	+ The wolves who were paranoid were: Hekate, Miron, Vieste, Epione, Kiero Koi, Shirubafurea, Thanatos, Thorn, Ambient, and Demogorgon.
* **SANE.** Sane wolves are taking the event completely on reason's light. They know that as soon the volcano ceases activity, things will be back to normal. But they still have to deal with their clansmates not seeing things as clearly - they can be compassionate about it...or not.
	+ The wolves who maintained their sanity were: Hellion, Seraph, Acheron, Morrigan, Monty, Phaeton, and Fenrir.

## Lasting Impacts

* Vieste lost half of her tail to Janus, when he attacked her in a frenzy during the plague of darkness.
* Shirubafurea lost most of her fur, and it grew back black, where it had been pale gray before.