Ill Wind

Ill Winds are one of the worst things to go through in Bastollo - a naturally occurring psychosocial plague that befalls a community in times of strife, bringing foul weather, sour crops, and contagion, along with many other awful things. Tragically, this natural disaster often strikes communities that are struggling to overcome other great mistfortunes, like hurricanes and floods, as if the magic of the fey is seeking to kick the people of these communities when they're already down.
In Bastollo's far away past, Ill Winds were a common occurrence, and many a frontier town buckled at their awful power. As Bastollo came into its own as an imperial entity, the corresponding civilization grew larger, stronger and more cohesive. Bastollan communities became less subscebtible to certain psychosocial weaknesses that made them vulnerable to ill winds. However, while it could be argued that the Ill Winds of the modern day are lacking in quantity, they have made up for that deficiency in their severity. Before, Ill Winds might have been to blame for the deaths of dozens, perhaps even hundreds. Now, they are responsible for the deaths of thousands.

Manifestation

An Ill Wind can take a wide variety of malicious forms in response to a variety of malicious reasons. It will often visually (sometimes even physically) manifest, capable of assuming the form of creatures depending on its nature. But very occasionally, an Ill Wind might only show itself in the effects it has upon the world. These are particularly dangerous, as a community in the throes of such an invisible foe will seek out those they feel are responsible, and commit horrific acts in the name of preventing further suffering.

Localization

Ill Winds persist to this day, manifesting themselves in a variety of locations around Bastollo. However, in the old days, they were known first and foremost known as a plague of the Hinterland. In these ephemeral places, they could easily exploit the fears of the sparsely-populated and vulnerable young communities that sprang up in the country's adolescence.

Type

Natural