Taint

Scholars and investigators have begun to observe a pattern in some cases. Individuals exposed to prolonged stress, supernatural events, Telluric energy or areas heavy in stone tape history begin to change. At first, the symptoms are subtle. Fatigue, detachment, and a strange fixation on beauty, decay, or memory as Melancholy. but over time can evolve into corruption of the mind, body and spirit.

Savannah, with its dense layering of memory, death, and unresolved history, exerts a constant influence on those within it. Most individuals pass through this environment without measurable effect. A smaller number begin to absorb what the city cannot release.

Over time, this condition appears to become physical. Medical examinations in extreme cases suggest irregularities in the blood and spleen, historically associated with the concept of Taint or “black bile.”

More concerning is that individuals in this state seem to draw attention from certain entities that feed off both the physical and spiritual manifestations of taint.

An effect of Telluric Energy

Telluric energy flows through the world and through our bodies. As it moves, it naturally leaves behind a residue. This residue is known as Taint.

Under normal conditions the body attempts to regulate and filter this accumulation through systems not fully understood by conventional medicine. Central to this process is the spleen, an organ historically dismissed or mischaracterized. Evidence suggests that it functions as more than a blood filter, acting instead as a secondary vessel for the containment of psychic and emotional residue. When this system becomes overwhelmed, the residue is no longer processed and begins to collect.

Sometimes, it does not pass. When Taint lingers, it accumulates, then fester. As concentration increases, the individual’s condition shifts from internal imbalance to outward corruption.

This state feeds malicious spirits and entities. It is through this condition that influence spreads, often tied to Hastu and malicious entities who feed off both the emotional and physical corruption taint produces

Supernatural Risk

Supernaturals and the gifted are more susceptible to taint. They carry more, feel more, and are more exposed to the flows of Telleric energy beneath the surface of the city. Because of this, they must periodically purge.This can take the form of ritual or spiritual cleansing. Every supernatural and gifted type have processes to deal with purging taint.

Failure to Purge

When the presence of Taint becomes perceptible beyond the physical plane, Entities and malicious spirits aligned with decay, entropy, or Bane influence are drawn to carriers, and the concentration of residue contained within them. At this point susceptibility to the influence of the King in yellow increases.

If purge does not occur, Taint builds beyond recovery. The individual loses control and eventually succumbs permanently to the corruption and becoming feral or abominations of nature. At this stage, they cannot return to what they were.

Cleansing

Taint must be removed through both:

Physical means
Spiritual or magical means

If left untreated, it will continue to grow and can become permanent and eventually lead to death.

Taint Progression

Taint does not appear all at once.

It builds in stages as residue accumulates and the body fails to clear it.

Stage 1 - Residue (Normal / Early Exposure)

Telluric flow leaves behind trace amounts of Taint
The body processes and clears it naturally (primarily through the spleen)
Most individuals remain unaffected

State: Stable (Everyone carries some level of Taint)

Purge Level: Passive / Natural

Cleared through:

rest
time
normal bodily function (spleen)

Outcome: Fully clears

Stage 2 - Accumulation (Melancholy / Imbalance)

Residue begins to linger instead of clearing
Emotional and mental effects appear:
- - fatigue
  - detachment
  - melancholy
The body is still functioning, but under strain

State: Unstable but reversible

Notes: This stage feeds spirits and Banes

Purge Level: Active / Routine

Requires intentional cleansing:
herbal remedies
cooking-based rituals
smoke cleansing
grounding practice

Outcome: Fully reversible if addressed

Stage 3 - Infection (Embedded Taint)

Taint begins to settle into the body
May occur from
- - prolonged exposure
  - wounds from corrupted beings
  - contact with Banes or entities
Physical symptoms begin:
- - changes in blood
  - strain on the spleen
The individual becomes more susceptible to influence

State: Dangerous

Notes: Natural purge becomes difficult

Purge Level: Focused / Ritual

Natural purge no longer sufficient Requires:

structured ritual cleansing
repeated treatment
removal of embedded residue

If from wounds:

must treat both physical injury + spiritual contamination

Outcome: Reversible, but difficult

Stage 4 - Corruption (Loss of Control)

Taint is no longer moving
It has rooted into body and spirit
Behavior changes:
- instability
- aggression
- detachment from self
- Strong attraction from malicious entities
- Influence of the King in Yellow increases

State: Critical

Notes: Requires physical + magical intervention

Purge Level: Intensive / Combined

Taint is rooted Requires:

physical intervention (cutting, removal, containment)
strong ritual work
multiple practitioners or disciplines
High risk of failure

Outcome: Possible, but rare

Stage 5 — Feral (Irreversible)

The individual fully succumbs Mind, body, and spirit are overtaken by corruption

Examples:

Aniruk
Mora
Boo Hag

State: Permanent

Notes: No return to normal state

Purge Level: None

No purge possible
No return to prior state

Outcome: Permanent

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