Rules: Common Gamma Terra Diseases

Common Gamma Terra Diseases

Name: Blackwater Fever (Ex)
Infection DC: See Desc
Incubation: 1-6 days
Damage: Nauseated, fatigued or ability damage, possible secondary ability damage or unconsciousness, possible death (1 week)

Blackwater fever is a complication of malaria caused by bleeding into the abdomen. It causes flu-like symptoms, jaundice, vomiting, severe anemia, and red or black urine (hence the name). Death is usually imminent with blackwater fever, as it is difficult to treat and and occur within 1 week of catching malaria.

If a character rolls a natural one on a Fortitude save to avoid catching malaria, s/he contracts Blackwater fever instead, and is considered nauseated and fatigued.

If the PC fails their check by more than 5 points, s/he takes 2d4 Con and 1d6 Str damage instead of becoming nauseated and fatigued.

If the PC fails their check by more than 10 points, s/he takes ability damage of 2d4 Con and 1d6 Str, plus the initial 2d4 Con and 1d6 Str.

If the PC rolls a natural one, s/he falls into a coma (unconsciousness) and must be healed within one day or die.

Name: Botulism (Ex)
Infection DC: 16 (Ingested, Injury)
Incubation: 1-2 days
Damage: Nauseated or confused, possibly dazzled or paralyzed/ability damage, possible death (2 weeks)

Botulism is technically a illness-causing poison, but it masquerades as a disease (appearing to be a bad version of dysentery) because it is present in contaminated food and water. Botulism can also be transferred through a wound but the concentration must be large (50% chance of infection with any weapon smeared with poison unless it is coated twice). It can be injected directly into the body or caused by immersing the body in contaminated liquid (provided there are large wounds).

Botulism causes dry mouth, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech and vomiting (as if one is drunk but is not). It can also cause incontinence, diarrhea, paralysis of muscles and death from respiratory failure. The poison makes it impossible to breathe by affecting the chest muscles.

If the PC fails their check by more than 5 points, s/he is confused instead of nauseated (using regular confusion rules), and becomes dazzled.

If the PC fails their check by more than 10 points, s/he may be paralyzed. Roll 1d6 to determine extent of paralysis: 1 - Minor, takes 1d2 Dex damage; 2 - Mild, takes 1d4 Dex damage; 3 - Average, takes 1d6 Dex damage; 4 - Great, takes 1d10 Dex damage; 5 - Greater, takes 1d12 Dex damage; or 6 - Maximum, complete paralysis of upper chest and throat, and arms. The PC may survive the poison, even at the maximum level, if s/he makes another Fortitude save DC 16 to halve the ability damage. A successful save takes paralysis to Greater instead of Maximum.

Name: Cholera (Ex)
Infection DC: 18 (Ingested)
Incubation: 1 day
Damage: Fatigued, shaken, possibly prone or death (within 5 days)

Cholera causes massive dehydration which impairs the body’s ability to function. It is caused by fecal matter in food or water, and is common in areas that are constrained due to circumstance (ships, jails, other isolated areas) or crowded areas with one water source. When using cholera in an adventure, the PC makes a Fortitude save of DC 18 or becomes fatigued and shaken. If said PC fails by more than 5 points, s/he is rendered prone and helpless; failure by more than 10 points results in death.

Name: Coronavirus (Ex)
Infection DC: 20 (Inhalation, Contact)
Incubation: 2-8 days
Damage: Cough, fever, shortness of breath, loss of smell and/or taste, ability damage

A coronavirus can be severe, and has caused millions of deaths around the world as well as lasting health problems in some who have survived the illness. Symptoms mimic the flu and in many cases is it fatal. The immunocompromised, elderly and very young are more likely to have a severe response to the virus.

Initial damage is 1 Dex and 1 Con. The next day the victim takes secondary damage of 1d2 Dex and 1d2 Con, and if  damage is sustained, make a second saving throw to avoid 1d2 points being permanently drained (instead of just damaged).

Name: Dysentery (Ex)
Infection DC: 10 (Ingested)
Incubation: 1-4 weeks
Damage: Sickened or nauseated, nonfatal

Dysentery was known by the lovely name of bloody flux (or simply flux) during the Middle Ages, and was a stomach and intestinal disease caused by contaminated food and water. Usually flux was an ongoing process as many villagers ate and drank the same foods, but a temporary illness could be caused by lodging in a “bad” area for a few weeks.

The usual symptoms of flux were diarrhea (occasionally with blood and mucus), and occasional vomiting.

If the PC fails the check by more than 5 points, s/he becomes nauseated instead of sickened.

Name: Malaria (Ex)
Infection DC: 20 (Injury)
Incubation: 1d6 days
Duration: Permanent until cured
Damage: Nauseated or confusion, possible ability damage or unconsciousness, possible Blackwater fever, possible death (2 weeks)

Malaria is, of course, a notorious disease caused by mosquitos who transfer it through blood-sucking. It has been known as ague, “bad air” (mala aria from which it gets the name), and marsh fever. Malaria is likely to occur in swampy areas where mosquitos thrive.

Malaria causes fever, shivers, vomiting, anemia (pale skin and poor blood flow), convulsions, tingling in extremities, brain damage, and coma. Death usually occurs while in this coma, from kidney failure or other organ failure. In severe cases, malaria can lead to Blackwater fever, which causes urine to appear red or black (hence the name).

If the PC fails their check by more than 5 points, s/he is confused instead of nauseated (using convulsions as variable of unusable actions). S/he also takes 2d4 Con and 1d3 Str damage.

If the PC fails their check by more than 10 points, s/he takes 2d4 Con and 2d3 Str damage and falls unconscious.

Name: Measles (Ex)
Infection DC: 14 (Contact)
Incubation: 1-4 days
Damage: Nauseated, possibly confused or pneumonia

Measles is a common childhood disease that can be dangerous but is generally nonfatal. It causes coughing, runny noses, red eyes, fever, rash, itching and may lead to pneumonia (which may cause death).

If the PC fails the check by more than 5 points, s/he is confused (itching replacing the variable useless actions of confusion).

If the PC fails the check by more than 10 points, s/he may contract pneumonia.

Name: Meningitis (Ex)
Infection DC: 15 ( Inhalation, Contact, Injury)
Incubation: 1-6 days
Damage: Severe headache, mild nausea, vomiting, fever, neck stiffness, spasms

There are several forms of meningitis, some no more dangerous than a common cold or a mild case of the flu. Bacterial meningitis, however, is quite serious.

Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that outline your brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called meninges, giving the illness its name: “meningitis.” Meningitis can be bacterial or viral, though there are also fungal forms of the disease. Viral meningitis is the most common form. Bacterial meningitis is the most serious form. Without treatment, bacterial meningitis can cause paralysis, stroke, seizures, sepsis, and even death.

When infected with meningitis, the character will take 1d2 Con damage and 1 Dex damage.

If the PC fails their check by more than 5 points, s/he becomes nauseated instead of sick.

If the PC fails their check by more than 10 points, s/he takes an additional 1d3 Con damage and 1d2 Dex damage.

Name: Pneumonia (Ex)
Infection DC: 24 (after long illness only, see description)
Incubation: 1-4 weeks
Damage: Sick or nauseated, exhausted or fatigued, possibly confused or prone, possibly staggered or unconscious

Pneumonia is no laughing matter. It is most definitely fatal in long-term illnesses. Pneumonia is generally a complication of other diseases (though it can be caught by it’s lonesome) and causes coughing (with or without blood), chest pain, fever, shaking, chills, headaches, sweaty skin, fatigue, blueish skin, nausea, joint pains and muscle aches.

If the PC fails their check by more than 5 points, s/he becomes nauseated instead of sick, and fatigued instead of exhausted.

If the PC fails by more than 10 points, s/he becomes confused and staggered in addition to nauseated and fatigued.

If the PC rolls a natural 1 or fails by more than 15 points, s/he becomes prone and unconscious (effectively helpless) until some Good Samaritan drags him or her off to be healed.

Name: Rabies (Ex)
Infection DC: 26 (Injury)
Incubation: 1 day
Damage: Confusion or permanent ability damage, possibly paralyzed or death (2-10 days)

Rabies is also known as hydrophobia. Rabies is caused by the bite or scratch (and subsequent salival dripping onto) of an infected animal.

Rabies causes slight or partial paralysis, brain dysfunction, anxiety, insomnia, confusion, agitation, general weird behavior, paranoia, terror, hallucinations, and delirium. The body produces a lot of tears (from the eyes) and saliva, and during the later stages the person may not be able to speak or swallow. Death occurs within 2-10 days (usually after lapsing into a coma); there is a cure for rabies in the modern era, but in medieval times it was 100% lethal.

If the PC fails the check by more than 5 points, s/he suffers 1d6 Con damage (permanent) but gains a +2 to his or her Str score (as a result of frenzied behavior).

If the PC fails the check by more than 10 points, s/he becomes paralyzed and may only be healed through divine means, or suffer death.

If the PC rolls a natural 1, s/he attempts to bite those who come near him or her, possible spreading the disease.

Name: Syphilis (Ex)
Infection DC: 22 (Contact, Injury)
Incubation: Months, sometimes years
Damage: See description

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease also called great pox, cupid’s disease, grandgore, Lues’ disease, the black lion and many other names. Countries of the Middle Ages would blame one another for the illness, as the English calling it the French disease, the French calling it the Spanish disease, and the Italians calling it the English disease (and so on).

It causes skin lesions around the genitals and anywhere the contact with the diseased was, a reddish (non-itchy) rash may appear on body, fever, headache, sore throat, and weight loss. Sometimes, up to 50 years after inital infection, tumor-like balls will appear on the face and neck, joint disease becomes common, the personality changes and reflexes react hyper-actively, a shuffling gait is observed, and the head may bob while walking. After this, muscle weakness, sensory loss, numbness, vertigo, insomnia, psychosis and mania or depression may be seen.

Recommended usage: Adventurers will eventually retire, and once they have, the DM may inform them of the fast-forwarded symptoms of the disease. (Though not all players may approve or appreciate this.)

Other usage: Initial symptoms appear after a few months and disappear; months or years later the illness rears it’s head again and causes 1d6 Con damage, temporary alignment change (the psychosis in this entry), and a temporary +4 to Reflex saves. Changes become permanent if the PC does not treat the illness.

Be wary of using any sexually transmitted diseases in your campaigns. The actions taken may alienate or disappoint players and turn them away from playing. Be safe, creative and have fun; only use sexually transmitted diseases when your players are aware of the possibility.

Name: Tuberculosis (Ex)
Infection DC: 26 (Inhalation, Contact)
Incubation: 3-4 or 5-6 weeks
Damage: Exhausted or fatigued, confused or prone, staggered or helpless, possible permanent ability damage (see description)

Tuberculosis has many names: TB, consumption, phthisis, scrofula, wasting disease, white plague, king’s evil, Pott’s disease, and gibbus. Some speculate that it may explain vampirism (as the appearance of a TB sufferer is similar to a vampire).

TB causes chest pain, bloody and/or lengthy coughing, fever, chills, night sweats, loss of appetite (and consequently weight loss), pale skin, fatigue. It is spread easily; a simply cough can spread it through the air in alarming speed, as well as spitting, sneezing and speaking. The disease spreads slowly through the body, so it may take time to show up.

If the PC fails the check by more than 5 points, s/he is considered fatigued, confused, and staggered (at 3-4 weeks).

If the PC fails the check by more than 10 points, s/he is considered prone and helpless (at 5-6 weeks).

If the PC fails the check by more than 5 points, and has any other illness at the time of contracting TB, s/he suffers 1d3 Str and 1d3 Con ability damage (permanent).

Name: Typhoid Fever (Ex)
Infection DC: 16 (Contact, Inhalation, Injury)
Incubation: 1-4 days
Damage: Nauseated or confused, possible ability damage

Also known as bilious fever, enteric fever, or yellow jack.

Typhoid fever is fatal if left untreated for more than 2 weeks. It causes headache, then coughing, and then very high fevers (104 degree Fahrenheit), delirium, and lengthy coughing. Rose-colored spots may appear one-third of the time, abdomen may become distended, diarrhea or constipation, and bleeding intestines may also occur. This generally leads to septicaemia and death.

If the PC fails the check by more than 5 points, s/he becomes confused.
If the PC fails the check by more than 10 points, takes 2d4 Con damage as well as being confused.

Name: West Nile Virus (Ex)
Infection DC: 12 (Injury)
Incubation: 1-4 days
Damage: Nauseated, fever, lethargy, ability damage

When sanitation systems are down and there are pools of stagnant water, there will be more mosquitoes. Without proper ventilation, the bugs will be atrocious. Mosquitoes pick up the virus when they dine on infected birds and then pass it to humans. Symptoms mimic the flu and in very few cases is it fatal. The elderly and very young are more likely to have a severe response to the virus.

Initial damage is 1 Dex and 1 Con. The next day the victim takes secondary damage of 1d2 Dex and 1d2 Con, and if If damage is sustained, make a second saving throw to avoid 1 point being permanently drained (instead of damaged).