Miasma

Miasma, also known as Dead Weather or the "fog of nightmares" is a corrupted form of Mist that enshrouds areas where dark magics have been used. The most common cause is the use of magic to influence the Divine, causing a corruption of both. This makes Soul Magic one of the most common sources for man-made Miasma corruption.

## Origins

It is unknown when Miasma was first detected. Discussions of it and it's effects are found even in the writings of the Mortalis. Although in ancient times the Miasma was very rare, it seems to have only grown in presence and strength. Scholars believe that it is a possible sign of the End.

### Long Night Era

The Winter King was known to march his armies under Miasma that he would control. He learned of it's effects far more than any others, and through Soul Magic was able to control it's flow. It is believed that he used the Miasma as an integral part of the creation of the Orcs.

He would later use this control to corrupt the Magitek of the Augury from within, using it to generate Miasma which sickened and wiped out the people. The few who survived would grow to fear and despise the ways of their past.

### Present Day

Since the Long Night Era, the largest source of Miasma emanates from the far north, past the Great North Glaciers, at the former capital city of the Winter Kingdom. The Miasma in this area is incredibly dense, and occasionally blows into the northern Commonwealth.

## Effect of Miasma

There are many effects to Miasma exposure, and most are incredibly dangerous and hazardous to the health of people.

### The Hunger

Unadapted beings that breathe in Miasma often find their energy draining at an accelerated rate. They find themselves feeling incredibly hungry and thirsty constantly, and have an insatiable appetite. Untreated, this will cause starvation and death within a few hours.

### Mutation

Those who survive the Hunger and breathe in Miasma will soon find themselves mutating, often in undesirable ways. These mutations will gradually corrupt their body and twist their soul so that they become a being that relies on the Miasma and it's presence to live. Mutation combined with hunger often causes rapid deteroration of mental processes, resulting in an animalistic state.

### Dependence

After a certain amount of time breathing in Miasma, the mutations may cause a dependency- the structure of your body alters to the point where it is impossible for you to live without it.

## Gameplay

Wearing an Enchanted item that purifies air, a Gasmask, or other protection allows you to breathe freely in Miasma. Orcs, Half-Orcs, and Drow are immune to the effects of Miasma. As are any beings that do not breathe.

Every time you take a Short Rest while breathing in Miasma, you must make a Constitution Save against DC of 20. If you fail, you can choose to take a point of Miasma Corruption, OR permanently lose a Death Save. You can only regain the Death Save through divine intervention, or the reincarnation spell.

Miasma Corruption is uncurable by any magic, sort of a divine gift from the touch of a god. However, it's progression can be halted with a Greater Restoration provided the sick do not breathe in any more of the corrupted air.

There is some darkening of the skin around the eyes.
Visible under-the-skin veins appear black, creating spiderweb patterns on the skin.

They routinely cough this thickened liquid Miasma out.
You have developed a permanent dependence on it, and will soon die without it's presence.
 4th
Underneath the coating, the skin and body begin to mutate.

The victim's mind becomes addled. They are unable to tell what is real and false as their memories corrupt.
 5th

The daemon likely does not remember their prior life, but does retain some of their prior obsessions, albeit in a corrupted, twisted form.