Curse descriptions

Curse of Conceited Obsession 

 6th-level Enchantment (curse) Casting Time: 1 hour Range: Self Components: V, S, M (a thread from the bed of your target, a handful of teeth, and a Shadowsteel gilded mirror worth at least 1,000 gp, all of which the spell consumes) Duration: Until cured This spell curses a creature on the same plane of existence as you with an obsessive selfinfatuation. The target must make a Charisma saving throw against the spell’s DC, which is modified by the Curse Strength Table. On a successful save, the target becomes aware that somebody attempted to curse them. On a failed save, the target becomes cursed and is unaware of this. Upon the completion of this curse’s triggering event, the target automatically advances to stage 1 of this curse. Triggering event. The next time the cursed creature looks into a mirror or reflective surface, it spontaneously cracks. Stage 1. The cursed creature is compelled to stop and admire themselves whenever they see their own reflection. Stage 2. The cursed creature becomes obsessed with looking for and finding its own reflection wherever it goes. Additionally, the cursed creature has disadvantage on attack rolls. Stage 3. The cursed creature is driven to find or, if necessary, build a location where it can see its own reflection from many angles. The cursed creature is compelled to remain in this location and admire itself. Additionally, attack rolls against the creature gain advantage. Culmination. Upon failing the final escalation check, the cursed creature twists into a deformed figure and becomes a Weeping Willow. If the creature is a player character, they become an NPC under the GM’s control. 

 Curse of Damned Aging 

 4th-level Necromancy (curse) Casting Time: 1 hour Range: Self Components: V, S, M (a childhood possession of the target, a pint of blood, and a Shadowsteel stopwatch worth at least 1,000 gp, all of which the spell consumes) Duration: Until cured This spell curses a creature on the same plane of existence as you with withering and horrific aging. The target must make a Strength saving throw against the spell’s DC, which is modified by the Curse Strength Table. On a successful save, the target becomes aware that somebody attempted to curse them. On a failed save, the target becomes cursed and is unaware of this. Upon the completion of this curse’s triggering event, the target automatically advances to stage 1 of this curse. Triggering event. The next time the target changes clothing, they find multiple wrinkles, grey hairs and liver spots they did not previously have. Stage 1. The cursed creature is compelled to rest when the occasion permits it, becoming lethargic and lazy. Stage 2. The cursed creature becomes feeble as their muscle mass begins to deteriorate. The cursed creature has disadvantage on Strength saving throws. Stage 3. The cursed creature starts to age rapidly, becoming decrepit. The cursed creature’s Strength score becomes 6, unless it was already lower. Culmination. Upon failing the final escalation check, the cursed creature twists into a deformed figure and becomes a Body Snatcher. If the creature is a player character, they become an NPC under the GM’s control. 

 Curse of Foul Blight 

 4th-level Necromancy (curse) Casting Time: 1 hour Range: Self Components: V, S, M (a shred of the target’s clothing, a chunk of rotten flesh, and a Shadowsteel jewellery box worth at least 1,000 gp, all of which the spell consumes) Duration: Until cured This spell curses a creature on the same plane of existence as you with a putrefying and stinking pox. The target must make a Charisma saving throw against the spell’s DC, which is modified by the Curse Strength Table. On a successful save, the target becomes aware that somebody attempted to curse them. On a failed save, the target becomes cursed and is unaware of this. Upon the completion of this curse’s triggering event, the target automatically advances to stage 1 of this curse. Triggering event. The target searches their backpack, clothes drawer, or wherever else they store their garments, they find an infestation of insects. Stage 1. The cursed creature is afflicted with a minor cough. Whenever they speak more than a few words at a time, they break into a fit of coughing. Stage 2. The smell of putrescence lingers in the air around the cursed creature. Food and drink quickly spoil, jewellery tarnishes, and wood rots within 10 feet of the cursed creature. Additionally, the cursed creature has disadvantage on Charisma saving throws. Stage 3. The cursed creature’s skin becomes riddled with pock marks, pustules, and lesions. Insects flock to the cursed creature, infesting their clothes. The cursed creature’s Charisma score becomes 6, unless it was already lower. Culmination. Upon failing the final escalation check, the cursed creature twists into a deformed figure and becomes a Plague Carrion. If the creature is a player character, they become an NPC under the GM’s control. 

 Curse of Ill-Fated Fortune 

 5th-level Divination (curse) Casting Time: 1 hour Range: Self Components: V, S, M (a shred of the target’s clothing, a splinter of bone, and a collection of Shadowsteel dice worth at least 1,000 gp, all of which the spell consumes) Duration: Until cured This spell curses a creature on the same plane of existence as you with lethal bad luck. The target must make a Dexterity saving throw against the spell’s DC, which is modified by the Curse Strength Table. On a successful save, the target becomes aware that somebody attempted to curse them. On a failed save, the target becomes cursed and is unaware of this. Upon the completion of this curse’s triggering event, the target automatically advances to stage 1 of this curse. Triggering event. The next time the target walks through a doorway or up a flight of stairs, the target stubs their toe, bruising it badly. Stage 1. The cursed creature falls victim to minor inconveniences and bad luck. Shops they wish to visit close just as they arrive, equipment breaks at inconvenient moments, and other unfortunate events befall them. Stage 2. The cursed creature becomes a beacon of bad luck as otherwise harmless setbacks become increasingly dangerous. For example, objects constantly seem to be placed in their way. Additionally, the cursed creature has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws. Stage 3. The cursed creature becomes dangerously accident-prone, as even the simplest tasks have unforeseen life-threatening consequences. The cursed creature’s Dexterity score becomes 6, unless it was lower already. Culmination. Upon failing the final escalation check, the cursed creature twists into a deformed figure and becomes a Herald of Calamity. If the creature is a player character, they become an NPC under the GM’s control. 

 Curse of Insatiable Greed 

 5th-level Enchantment (curse) Casting Time: 1 hour Range: Self Components: V, S, M (a coin that the target has previously possessed, the tail of a rat, and a Shadowsteel crown of thorns worth at least 1,000 gp, all of which the spell consumes) Duration: Until cured This spell curses a creature on the same plane of existence as you with a bitter and self-destructive greed. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw against the spell’s DC, which is modified by the Curse Strength Table. On a successful save, the target becomes aware that somebody attempted to curse them. On a failed save, the target becomes cursed and is unaware of this. Upon the completion of this curse’s triggering event, the target automatically advances to stage 1 of this curse. Triggering event. The next time the target completes a long rest, they notice they have lost a valued item. Stage 1. The cursed creature becomes compelled to steal trinkets they do not own. Stage 2. The cursed creature finds a secret place to start stashing their hoard, and becomes anxious about leaving the location of their hoard for extended periods of time. Additionally, the cursed creature has disadvantage on Wisdom saving throws. Stage 3. The cursed creature is driven to transform their hoard into a labyrinth of possessions and treasure they have stolen. The cursed creature cannot leave this labyrinth. Additionally, the cursed creature’s Wisdom score becomes 6, unless it was already lower. Culmination. Upon failing the final escalation check, the cursed creature twists into a deformed figure and becomes a Verminous Abomination. If the creature is a player character, they become an NPC under the GM’s control. 

 Curse of Lost Sentiment 

 4th-level Enchantment (curse) Casting Time: 1 hour Range: Self Components: V, S, M (a lock of hair from someone the target loves, an animal’s heart, and a Shadowsteel idol worth at least 1,000 gp, all of which the spell consumes) Duration: Until cured This spell curses a creature on the same plane of existence as you with the loss of memories and horrific madness. The target must make an Intelligence saving throw against the spell’s DC, which is modified by the Curse Strength Table. On a successful save, the target becomes aware that somebody attempted to curse them. On a failed save, the target becomes cursed and is unaware of this. Upon the completion of this curse’s triggering event, the target automatically advances to stage 1 of this curse. Triggering event. The next time the target sleeps, they suffer nightmares of a person they treasure abandoning them. Stage 1. The cursed creature begins forgetting events that have occurred within the past few days, as well as the names of acquaintances. Stage 2. The cursed creature forgets all but their closest companions. The curse begins creating twisting the creatures mind, creating delusions of hidden threats and scheming rivals. Additionally, the cursed creature has disadvantage on Intelligence saving throws. Stage 3. The cursed creature completely forgets their closest companions, who they are, and any goals they once possessed (including curing the curse). The curse twists their mind into madness and fabricates delusions of a great conspiracy only the cursed creature can prevent. The cursed creature is compelled to take any action they believe necessary to uncover this conspiracy. Additionally, the cursed creature’s Intelligence score becomes 6, unless it was already lower. Culmination. Upon failing the final escalation check, the cursed creature twists into a deformed figure and becomes a Dream Whisperer. If the creature is a player character, they become an NPC under the GM’s control. 

 Curse of Ravenous Hunger 

 5th-level Enchantment (curse) Casting Time: 1 hour Range: Self Components: V, S, M (a morsel of food that belonged to the target, a sun-dried slug, and a Shadowsteel dining plate worth at least 1,000 gp, all of which the spell consumes) Duration: Until cured This spell curses a creature on the same plane of existence as you with painful and unending starvation. The target must make a Constitution saving throw against the spell’s DC, which is modified by the Curse Strength Table. On a successful save, the target becomes aware that somebody attempted to curse them. On a failed save, the target becomes cursed and is unaware of this. Upon the completion of this curse’s triggering event, the target automatically advances to stage 1 of this curse. Triggering event. While eating their next meal, the target bites their tongue and their mouth fills with blood. Stage 1. The cursed creature is gripped with an insatiable appetite. Stage 2. The cursed creature becomes compelled to eat inappropriate items such as coins, flowers, glass, dirt. Additionally, the cursed creature has disadvantage on Constitution saving throws. Stage 3. The cursed creature becomes ravenous and is compelled to consume the flesh of humanoids. No other food will satiate its starvation. The cursed creature’s Constitution score becomes 6, unless it was already lower. Culmination. Upon failing the final escalation check, the cursed creature twists into a deformed figure and becomes a Bloated Gastromorph. If the creature is a player character, they become an NPC under the GM’s control. 

 Curse of Uncontrollable Wrath 

 6th-level Enchantment (curse) Casting Time: 1 hour Range: Self Components: V, S, M (a weapon that belonged to the target, a severed hand, and a Shadowsteel knife worth at least 1,000 gp, all of which the spell consumes) Duration: Until cured This spell curses a creature on the same plane of existence as you with an uncontrollable temper and lust for violence. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw against the spell’s DC, which is modified by the Curse Strength Table. On a successful save, the target becomes aware that somebody attempted to curse them. On a failed save, the target becomes cursed and is unaware of this. Upon the completion of this curse’s triggering event, the target automatically advances to stage 1 of this curse. Triggering event. The next time the cursed creature wields a weapon or spellcasting focus, an old wound of theirs reopens. Stage 1. The cursed creature becomes easily agitated and aggressive. 28 The Realms of Etharis 28 Player Tools Stage 2. The cursed creature becomes obsessed with violence. The thrill of solo battle intoxicates them, and their demeanour toward their allies sours as the curse grows. The cursed creature cannot benefit from the spells or abilities of allies. Stage 3. The cursed creature is driven to insatiable bloodlust, unable to rest while there are enemies to slaughter. The cursed creature cannot complete a long rest. Culmination. Upon failing the final escalation check, the cursed creature twists into a deformed figure and becomes an Avatar of Slaughter. If the creature is a player character, they become an NPC under the GM’s control.