Angrium

Angrium is the term given to the crystals discovered by the Selenites by the Dwarven Inquisition hundreds of years ago. A gemstone so rare that only three nodes have ever been found, with two being buried rashly by said Inquisition, and the last having been mined, it was said to have warm colours from violet to vermillion, appearing to contain worlds and portals trapped within that moved and grow like roots upwards from thing deep, deep below.

Angrium is considered one of the most valuable gems for its rarity and supposed beauty, and yet completely unwanted due to it’s destructive ability to corrupt every fibre of everything around it, down to the very atoms. Angrium has no prejudice, it will cause flesh to bubble and melt, bones to duplicate and form new limbs, bodies to become monstrous masses of flesh, plants to wilt and become more dangerous than Wolfsbane, even gain sentience, rock to crumble and float, Angrium’s corruption knows no bounds as is often referred to as Angriums Curse.

A warning is oft given to most heading deep into the depths of Aether, that they should hear unintelligible deep speak in the rock, to not be lured and head the opposite direction immediately, for this warbling sound can be heard for ten miles near a source of Angrium.

### Angrium Corruption

#### Stage One

Paranoia, hallucinations, invasive violent thoughts, increased death drive, subconscious scratching at hands, lack of awareness of surroundings, lack of adequate self-care. Flesh will begin to bubble and boil as the days pass, with immense pain, bones can be heard beginning to break on the final day before Stage Two.

This stage lasts a few days at most.

After the first 24 hours the Curse becomes extremely contagious, with anything coming within 10ft of the cursed becoming infected immediately.

#### Stage Two

Sudden social withdrawal, mumbling, night terrors, dissociation, unprovoked and wild aggression, sudden screaming fits. The body with rapidly begin to distort and warp, bones are regularly breaking, immense pain, blood will seep from every orifice and internal bleeding will be found throughout the whole body. Stage three bgins when organs shut down.

Lasts a day or two at most.

#### Stage Three

Organs rapidly shut down, the brain and some others may remain, zero cognitive awareness and speech, completely hostile with the intent to maim and harm, a foul stench will arise that cannot be masked.

Lasts less than 24 hours before Curse has completed its corruption.

Upon the Curse completing its corruption, the being is then known as a Revenant and the abilities of the Revenant before their turning will be distorted and highly potent versions of what was once held before.

There is currently no known cure for Angrium’s Curse but it is believed Silia and Oushivia are both working on separate cures. It is often considered a mercy to be put to a quick death and the body must be destroyed by any means, for this Curse does not stop its work upon death.

The beads given to the former Mad King were never found, neither was his body, and the veins of ore once found have been lost. Some scholars debate that Angrium is more linked to the Trickster God’s corruptive energies due to the upwards roots, and their Viothistic lore.