Taint

Any time a character acquires more points of corruption at one time than his current Constitution modifier, he may attempt another Fortitude save (DC 15+points of corruption acquired). If this save is successful, he is sickened for 1d4 rounds; if he fails, he is nauseated for 1d4 rounds.

Any time a character acquires more points of depravity at one time than her current Wisdom modifier, she may attempt another Will save (DC 15+points of corruption acquired). If this save is successful, she is dazed for 1d4 rounds; if she fails, she is stunned for 1d4 rounds.

DMs may increase the DC by as much as 5 for characters in the Shadow World. DMs may also consider extending the time a nauseated or stunned character suffers to 2d4 rounds for characters in the Shadow World. Some effects may get worse in the most dread parts of the Shadow World.

Creatures with the Evil subtype and undead creatures are effectively already completely tainted, and suffer no additional effects from taint. However, they automatically have effective corruption and depravity scores equal to one half their Charisma score, +1 for undead, and +2 for outsiders. This score allows them to qualify for feats or prestige classes based on taint.

Both corruption and depravity manifest in mild, moderate, and severe symptoms. The relationship between a character's taint scores and her Constitution and Wisdom scores respectively determine the severity of physical and mental symptoms of her taint.

To determine the severity of a character's taint symptoms, consult the following table:

No Taint: A character with no taint manifests no symptoms.

Mild Taint: A character who gains her first point of taint crosses the threshold into mild taint and must receive a restoration, heal, or greater restoration spell and have her taint reduced to zero within 24 hours or be permanently afflicted with mild taint. If a character remains tainted at this level for 24 hours, she manifests one minor physical or mental Mild Taint symptom. Once a character manifests symptoms of a minor taint, only a miracle or wish spell can remove the symptom and return the character taint to zero.

Moderate Taint: A character who gains enough taint to cross the threshold into moderate taint must recieve a heal or greater restoration spell and have his taint reduced to mild taint level within 24 hours, or he manifests one moderate physical or mental Moderate Taint symptom. Once a character manifests symptoms of a moderate taint, only a miracle or wish spell can remove the symptom and return the character's to taint to mild. Taint symptoms are cumulative, the moderate symptom does not replace the mild symptom.

Severe Taint: A character who gains enough taint to cross the threshold into severe taint must receive a greater restoration spell and have his taint reduced to mild taint level within 24 hours, or he manifests one severe physical or mental Severe Taint symptom. Once a character manifests symptoms of a severe taint, only a miracle or wish spell can remove the symptom and return the character's to taint to moderate. Taint symptoms are cumulative, the severe symptom does not replace the moderate symptom.

Corruption and depravity are tracked separately based on the amount of taint and the different Con and Wis scores.

When a character acquires moderate taint and additionally when he acquires severe taint, he gains a bonus feat. This can be any feat for which the character has the prerequisites.

If a character takes a feat based on having a certain level of taint, and the character's level of taint drops, the feat becomes inactive until the required level of taint is aquired again.

There are natural material objects that absorb taint and protect those who carry these objects. The DM should select a handful of objects appropriate for Cerilia. They might included a silver moon medallion, or an embroidered sash with symbols of the Old Gods who opposed Azrai at Deismaar, or a vial of aqua vita. It is open to the DM to include whatever she feels fits her campaign. Regardless of the item, it costs 100 gp apiece.

As the item absorbs taint it becomes corrupt, darkening and aging or rotting. During this time the object can absorb 7 points of taint.