The Plague (new side plot)

[S p e c t r a]

In a land forever torn over rumours of an object of ancient power, a new terror is rising. Tartarus, once a mastermind in his prime, is now but a madman in a cave, his status as kingpin of the North upheld only by the strength of those still loyal to him. Neither is Theseus, the southern general, what a hero ought to be---too set in his ways to do any more than cling to the status quo until it kills him. It's the perfect stalemate to cripple all the lands of Imbros should a new crisis come to town.

So, naturally, things got worse.

A fell wind is stalking the land, creeping up on the inhabitants of Imbros like frost. An illness has seized this realm in its grasp, just as dangerous to the strongest Northerner as to the frail captives. No one knows how it spreads; no one is safe. Few survive. Many eschew contact completely, for fear of catching it from one another. Goodwill is in short supply with paranoia on high.

With this new threat to survival, what will become of the last equines of Imbros? And will The Secret be able to save them?

So sayeth our snappy new ad. But you're probably wondering: what does a plague have to do with me? How can my characters be affected without dying? (Hey, some characters could actually perish, but I'll cry about it, you jerk.)

Here's the lowdown on the illness spreading throughout the land:

• It's up to you whether your character falls ill. Even if they're in contact with sick characters.
• Every immune system reacts a little differently, so the symptoms are at your discretion. Cough, fever, weakness, trembling, etc. Remember that symptoms will evolve over days/weeks as it progresses.
• Usually only the strongest and healthiest survive, but there can be exceptions.
• It's up to you whether or not your character is aware of the plague. It's pretty hard to miss deaths left and right, but enh, this is Imbros. Shit happens.
• Many individuals will be grazing far from one another and avoiding contact out of fear of catching the plague.
• Be careful to draw the line between perception and reality. Your character may THINK they've been infected, but it might just be stress or poor feed affecting their health, or they may THINK they're immune and therefore act more recklessly whereas there's no way to be sure, etc.
• Try not to downplay the severity of the plague. But that doesn't mean everything has to be a terrified angst fest either! Everyone copes differently.

Go have fun with it! If you have questions, please ask!