Deathrûn
Planet Overview: Deathrûn [DETH•ROON]
Coordinates: Mega Star Grid West | Sector Tenebris - K3 - 4 | Red Zone
Primary Features: Wasteland, Total Kursed Infestation
Deathrûn was a planet where the biggest problems were once sociopolitical. Kingdoms were at constant war. Diplomacy was a luxury, as alliances were very fragile. Technological advances clashed with traditionalist ideals. The higher classes wanted to introduce better living conditions to all, even the lower class, but as a means to expand their influence. The lower class were more trustful of superstitions and religious symbolism. It was a world that relied on conventional medieval engineering and chemistry. Science was more common among the higher class, than in the lower class. The biggest divisive element in this world would always be greed, specially among the humans.
Other races such as Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, Orcs, and Goblins inhabited Deathrûn as well. High Class Humans and Elves developed a loose partnership. While the humans were adept at expanding their reach through silver tongues or firm hands, Elves were known for their extensive knowledge in many different fields of science. All other races mingled with the human commoners, which resulted in a few successful towns that could thrive outside of the influence of major kingdoms. Orcs and Goblins experienced mild distrust from human villages and towns due to many raider clans consisting largely of Orc, but it was undeniable that their presence often deterred all kinds of raiders so they were allowed to camp along the outskirts.
As these chaotic dynamics developed, a hidden danger would soon be the end of it all.
Enter the Kurse. A common term for a parasitic microscopic alien virus with no known timeline of its arrival. It came and conquered in a matter of years.
The Kurse assimilates the host by releasing a rapidly spreading bacteria that feeds on a variety of healthy cells and protein before producing new virus cells. The incubation time for these virus cells takes place between one to two hours. The newly active virus cells spread much faster than the bacteria and begin deforming the host's physical form into a terrifying supernatural creature. The virus is spread through glands and open wounds. Outside of a host, the virus is immobile on dry surfaces, and will live up to 24 hours before withering away on its own. It leverages the oils and sweat of a humanoid host to travel and increase virality effectiveness. Upon infection, the host immediately develops painful sores with a dark rotting purple tint near the origin site of infection.
A variation of The Kurse exists known as the Necro-Kurse. If the Kurse infects a recently diseased corpse, the corpse may sometimes appear to reanimate until rigor mortis sets in. The virus cells will hijack the remaining functional nervous system and begin a reparation phase of the failing organs and celular structure allowing for the body to remain active enough to transform. Even though it does not cease the process of rigor mortis, it drastically slows it down.
A fully assimilated host is known as a Kursed [KHUR•SID]. Only humanoids such as humans, elves, halflings, and dwarves can become assimilated. Orcs and Goblins merely become sick as their organs fail and immune system is destroyed.
The inhabitants of Deathrûn never got to develop a safe and successful method of decontamination. There was very little effort done to promote isolation, as mass hysteria overtook many kingdoms. The Kursed swarms eventually overtook the planet.