Cherno’s Curse

Cherno’s Curse is a supernatural pathogen which feeds on crops harvested for consumption in totalitarian states. It was named by Russian refugees from the Earth-666 iteration of reality, who saw the catastrophe it caused as the work of Chernobog. Unbeknownst to these superstitious folk, however, the condition was actually the result of a fairy’s bargain.

 

From 126–127, the blight infested the Motherland region of Eden and unleashed famine upon royals and commoners alike.

Transmission & Vectors

The curse is transmitted through a contamination in the soil which is general over the whole of Eden. The blight is inactive until the leader of a nation or other large organization is found to be abusing their power. But the moment they begin mistreating their subjects, the pathogen begins its nasty business.

Symptoms

The first sign of infection is a pulsing purple light emanating from the vascular system of the plant. From there, the leaves begin to wilt and wither as the curse sucks the plant dry. And when there is naught but a gray husk left of the afflicted specimen, the light slips down the stem, back into the ground, and seeks out the root system of its next victim.

Treatment

Spread of the infection can only be stopped by prayers of contrition by the megalomaniac whose foul deeds set loose the curse to begin with—genuine prayers, plus swift reparations. The spread can be slowed, however, by the intervention of benevolent fae.

Type
Supernatural
Origin
Divine
Cycle
Short-term
Rarity
Rare

Comments

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Jul 1, 2024 00:15 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Yikes! That's one way of making sure leaders behave, I suppose! :O

Emy x
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Jul 1, 2024 00:25 by Keon Croucher

Well it'll make them behave, or inevitably as famine can cause, it'll cause riots and maybe even revolution in which case, said leader swiftly becomes less of a problem and more of fertilizer.

Keon Croucher, Chronicler of the Age of Revitalization
Jul 1, 2024 00:37 by E. Christopher Clark

Yep, this one's going to cause lots of trouble. It'll be connected to my ethnicity and conflict responses for this round. Stay tuned!

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Jul 1, 2024 00:29

The question is, how often do abusive megalomaniac heed the warning? They aren't exactly known for accepting evidence of being wrong.

From The River to The Ocean, a civilization grows up. Under them both lies The Deeps.
Jul 1, 2024 00:38 by E. Christopher Clark

Oh, I plan to get into that—at least a little—in the Conflict article I'll start writing this week.

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Jul 1, 2024 00:51

Oh good! I will summon all the patience I have and wait eagerly for more.

From The River to The Ocean, a civilization grows up. Under them both lies The Deeps.
Jul 1, 2024 01:34 by jyliet of the house

Bring on the dark! Oh how the average townsfolk will suffer twice over.

Jul 1, 2024 13:04 by E. Christopher Clark

Yes, but I think in the fairy’s twisted logic, it will be that second suffering which causes the townsfolk to rise up and overthrow their oppressors.

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Jul 1, 2024 14:00 by Chris L

This is creepy. I see that, based on the treatment you listed, it's incurable!! Good work as always!


Take a look at my Institutions of Learning challenge article.

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!

Jul 1, 2024 19:19 by E. Christopher Clark

Thank you! And yeah, I'm intending for it to be the primary cause of my military conflict and for it to tie into my displaced culture. Big plans!

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Aug 21, 2024 09:45

Hmmm, to a totalitarian leader comes into power, and starts abusing their people. which causes famine, which means they need food, which their neighbors have... an evil and charismatic leader could cause far-reaching famine if they arent careful, excellently crafted.

Check out some of my summer camp articles, like the dangerous flying jackalope or dragon wasps. Or, for something more light-hearted, there is the whimsical language Gobbledygook and Jaden's interesting job as a guano polisher.
Aug 21, 2024 13:03 by E. Christopher Clark

Yep. This may or may not play into a future storyline in my comic. I can neither confirm nor deny.

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