Nihb
2010-07-22, 11:13 PM
I'm planning a new campain in a couple of weeks/months, and decided to try something new. We'll be using D&D 4th, I decided to use a whole island, twice or thrice as large as Cuba, with a few towns, a dense rainforest, with all the dangers we could expect.
So far, I've some ideas for "traps", encounters and difficult terrain, but I'm having a bit of troubles with diseases, either from viruses, fungus or parasites. I'll say it: I'm not too familiar with the diseases that could be contracted in such a harsh environment, and it's going to be our first 4e campain. So, if you have some ideas, even if you don't have stats for them, even a disease or bug's name would help.
Also, if you know any kind of treatment, or precautions for those diseases, those would also be pretty useful. I know Remove Disease is somewhat cheap, but if I want them to live until they can learn the ritual, they'll need some other ways to not die. I'm planning on giving them a guide who will teach them about the dangers of the tropics.
I'm particularly interested in dangers like Malaria (whatever I do, it's either too deadly or too easy to cure), Yellow Fever, those flies that put their eggs under your skin (how would that work?), the fish with spikes that likes warm places (you know the one), contaminated water and food, plants that burn the skin, etc.
Every suggestion will help me, so don't be shy. This thread is more about concepts, but if it belongs to the Homebrew forum, let it be moved.
Malaria - Level 9 disease
Malaria, level 9 Disease
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. It is caught by being bitten by an infected mosquito that is carrying the malaria parasites in its saliva.
Vector : Mosquitoes; Attack +12 vs Fortitude
Endurance improve DC 26, maintain DC 22, worsen DC 21 or lower
Step 0: The target is cured
Step 1(Init): The target loses one healing surge that it cannot regain until cured.
Step 2: The target suffers periods of sickness including fever, chills, sweating, vomiting and diarrhoea every 36 to 42 hours. Pain in joints causes the target to lose 1 square of speed. When bloodied, the target also becomes Weakened (save ends)
Step 3: The target loses two healing surges and is Weakened. It also takes a -2 penalty to Fortitude.
Yellow Fever - Level 5 Disease
Yellow Fever is usually a mild disease, but is deadly in rare cases, and causes jaundice and bleedings.
Vector: Mosquitoes; Attack +7 vs Fortitude
Endurance improve DC 18, maintain DC 15, worsen DC 14 or lower
Step 0: Target is cured and immuned to Yellow Fever
Step 1: A small fever. The target needs an additional 2 hours to gain the benefits of an extended rest.
Step 2: Adbominal pain, jaundice and bleedings. When bloodied, the target takes an additional 5 points of damage.
Step 3: The target is immobilized and weakened. The target can't eat (black vomit) and will die of hunger if its condition doesn't improve.
Edit : It's a start. I'll be adding new diseases as they come in. If some of the DCs, level, effects are off, either in D&D terms or in real-life effects, please tell me.
So far, I've some ideas for "traps", encounters and difficult terrain, but I'm having a bit of troubles with diseases, either from viruses, fungus or parasites. I'll say it: I'm not too familiar with the diseases that could be contracted in such a harsh environment, and it's going to be our first 4e campain. So, if you have some ideas, even if you don't have stats for them, even a disease or bug's name would help.
Also, if you know any kind of treatment, or precautions for those diseases, those would also be pretty useful. I know Remove Disease is somewhat cheap, but if I want them to live until they can learn the ritual, they'll need some other ways to not die. I'm planning on giving them a guide who will teach them about the dangers of the tropics.
I'm particularly interested in dangers like Malaria (whatever I do, it's either too deadly or too easy to cure), Yellow Fever, those flies that put their eggs under your skin (how would that work?), the fish with spikes that likes warm places (you know the one), contaminated water and food, plants that burn the skin, etc.
Every suggestion will help me, so don't be shy. This thread is more about concepts, but if it belongs to the Homebrew forum, let it be moved.
Malaria - Level 9 disease
Malaria, level 9 Disease
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease. It is caught by being bitten by an infected mosquito that is carrying the malaria parasites in its saliva.
Vector : Mosquitoes; Attack +12 vs Fortitude
Endurance improve DC 26, maintain DC 22, worsen DC 21 or lower
Step 0: The target is cured
Step 1(Init): The target loses one healing surge that it cannot regain until cured.
Step 2: The target suffers periods of sickness including fever, chills, sweating, vomiting and diarrhoea every 36 to 42 hours. Pain in joints causes the target to lose 1 square of speed. When bloodied, the target also becomes Weakened (save ends)
Step 3: The target loses two healing surges and is Weakened. It also takes a -2 penalty to Fortitude.
Yellow Fever - Level 5 Disease
Yellow Fever is usually a mild disease, but is deadly in rare cases, and causes jaundice and bleedings.
Vector: Mosquitoes; Attack +7 vs Fortitude
Endurance improve DC 18, maintain DC 15, worsen DC 14 or lower
Step 0: Target is cured and immuned to Yellow Fever
Step 1: A small fever. The target needs an additional 2 hours to gain the benefits of an extended rest.
Step 2: Adbominal pain, jaundice and bleedings. When bloodied, the target takes an additional 5 points of damage.
Step 3: The target is immobilized and weakened. The target can't eat (black vomit) and will die of hunger if its condition doesn't improve.
Edit : It's a start. I'll be adding new diseases as they come in. If some of the DCs, level, effects are off, either in D&D terms or in real-life effects, please tell me.