Sky-Rot Overview

“The Creeping Doom”

“It starts with a vein. Black, thin, barely visible. Then another. Then the whispers begin.”

Sky-Rot Corruption Stages

Overview

Sky-Rot (commonly “the Rot”) is a supernatural corruption that transforms living beings into mindless, hostile creatures. It spreads through physical contact, airborne particles in dense corruption zones, and possibly other vectors. Once infected, progression is inevitable—consciousness erodes, body transforms, and eventually the victim becomes a Rot-Beast: aggressive, inhuman, driven by unknown purpose.

The Rot appeared post-Shattering (origin debated: consequence of Shattering? Pre-existing curse? Natural phenomenon?). Over 300 years, it has claimed thousands of lives, consumed dozens of islands, and become humanity’s greatest existential threat. No cure exists (though Alchemist Kael’s research shows promise), only treatments that slow progression temporarily.

Origins (Theories)

Shattering Consequence Theory

Claim: Rot emerged from reality-breaking event

Evidence: No pre-Shattering Rot references (seemingly)

Mechanism: Reality damage allowed corruption to seep through

Problem: Pre-Shattering texts mention “corruption” (ambiguous)

Ancient Curse Theory

Claim: Rot existed before, Shattering released it

Evidence: Some fragmentary pre-Shattering warnings

Mechanism: Luminar Council experiments broke containment

Problem: Speculative (no clear proof)

Natural Phenomenon Theory

Claim: Rot is natural (like disease)

Evidence: Behaves consistently (not supernatural randomness)

Mechanism: Aether-based organism/force

Problem: Why spreads now, not earlier?

The Voice Theory

Claim: Rot is intelligent entity spreading deliberately

Evidence: Voice Beneath communicates (purpose?)

Mechanism: Conscious force converting reality

Problem: Terrifying if true

Sister Morrigan’s View

Claim: Rot is transformation, not destruction

Evidence: Consciousness persists (she claims)

Orthodox Response: Heresy

Physical Manifestation

Early Signs

Black veins (subcutaneous)
Cool skin temperature
Fatigue (persistent)
Minor dissociation

Advanced Corruption

Skin discoloration (gray/black)
Physical deformation
Eyes changing (glow/cloud)
Voice audible

Full Transformation

Humanity lost (apparently)
Hostile behavior
Superhuman attributes (strength, resilience)
Coordinated (Voice control?)

Psychological Effects

The Voice Beneath

Phenomenon: Infected hear whispers

Content: - Promises (power, acceptance, truth) - Commands (spread corruption) - Philosophy (transformation is evolution)

Progression: Faint → constant → overwhelming

Resistance: Possible but exhausting

Mental Deterioration

Memory: Fragments (late stages)

Identity: Erodes (who am I becoming?)

Emotion: Dulls (or transforms?)

Rationality: Compromised (Voice influences thought)

Spread Mechanics

Primary Vectors

Contact: Direct touch with corrupted tissue

Airborne: Dense corruption zones (Rot-clouds)

Consumption: Eating corrupted material (rare, fatal)

Rot-Shards: Concentrated corruption (extremely dangerous)

Risk Factors

Exposure Duration: Longer = higher risk

Despair: Psychological state affects susceptibility

Previous Exposure: Cumulative effect

Protection: Physical barriers help (not perfect)

Geographic Distribution

The Murk

Highest Concentration: Deep Murk extremely dangerous

The Hollow: Nexus (epicenter?)

Rot-Clouds: Mobile hazards

Safe Zones: Minimal (careful navigation required)

Periphery

Corrupted Islands: Some completely consumed

Variable: Patches of high/low corruption

Expanding: Rot advances slowly

Bright Reaches

Relatively Safe: Low corruption

Vigilance Required: Can appear anywhere

Island Loss: Occasional corruption spread

Societal Impact

Quarantine Protocols

Standard Response: Exile infected

Rationale: Prevent spread

Humanity Cost: Families destroyed

Effectiveness: Partial (Rot still spreads)

Economic

Trade Routes: Avoiding corruption zones

Resource Loss: Islands abandoned

Scarcity: Some materials only available in corrupted regions

Black Market: Rot-Shards (dangerous, lucrative)

Psychological

Fear: Pervasive (everyone vulnerable)

Paranoia: Hidden infections

Despair: Inevitability

Hope: Research continues (Kael)

Research

Alchemist Kael Greythorn

Leading Expert: Decade of study

Discoveries: - Chemical composition - Progression patterns - Stage mechanics - Partial treatment (Compound Theta-7)

Problem: Cure requires unethical sourcing

Constellation Clergy

Official Position: Divine punishment/test

Approach: Prayer (ineffective)

Some Clergy: Support Kael’s research quietly

The Archivists

Historical Research: Pre-Shattering references

Discovery: Mentions of “corruption” (ambiguous context)

Preservation: Documenting Rot progression

Resistance & Treatment

Kael’s Compound Theta-7

Function: Arrests Stage 1 progression

Effectiveness: Temporary (requires continuous dosing)

Cost: Requires Rot-Touched tissue (ethical nightmare)

Availability: Extremely limited

Traditional Methods

Quarantine: Isolation (prevents spread, not cure)

Prayer: Psychological comfort (no physical effect)

Amputation: If localized (rarely works, Rot internal)

Avoidance: Best prevention (avoid exposure)

Sister Morrigan’s Way

Acceptance: Embrace transformation

Community: Support through change

Consciousness: Claim it persists

Orthodox: Condemned as heresy

Current State (287 S.)

Spreading: Gradually advancing

No Cure: Despite research

Casualties: Thousands yearly

Desperation: Growing (drives risky behavior)

Research: Ongoing (Kael primary)

Alternative: Morrigan’s philosophy gaining followers

Quest Hooks

The Infection: Party member infected (seek cure)
The Research: Help Kael gather materials
The Outbreak: Settlement contaminated (quarantine? Evacuate?)
The Source: Investigate Rot origin
The Cure: Rumor of cure (true? Scam?)
The Acceptance: Encounter Morrigan’s philosophy
The Sacrifice: Ethical dilemmas (who to save?)
The Rot-Shard: Dangerous material needed
The Voice: Direct encounter (what does it want?)
The Prevention: Stop Rot spread (how?)

“The Rot takes everything. First your health. Then your mind. Then your humanity. And finally, your choice. Fight it while you can. Because once the Voice is all you hear, fighting becomes impossible.” — Kael Greythorn

“They call it corruption. I call it transformation. The difference? Perspective.” — Sister Morrigan