Universal Philia

Let it grow...

...I saw a spider... not unlike the ones back home. It filled me with relief. Perhaps this promised land won't be so bad after all. The spider crawled into the green gel the pathfinders studied with such vigor. My skin grew pale as the spider grew. The growth was violent, and likely painful. It grew twice my size in a matter of moments. It became clear this substance was not safe to touch... or be around at all. It shocked us, what horrible will could allow the suffering of any creature in such a way?

— The Journal of Mhirriah PG 134

A Moment Of Personal Growth

Philia was one of the first Universal Maladies to appear, or at least, one of the first to be documented and studied.
During the Mhirrian Diaspora, Mhirriah, The Warrior Empress kept journals and made note of the Void gel, and its violent reaction when coming into contact with a small common spider. This reaction is universal when any biological material comes into contact with the gel, resulting in a violent growth in the area exposed. Accounts of exposure include an arm bursting out an additional 20ft, killing the unfortunate victim due to shock or lack of blood pressure and heart strength necessary to supply the new vessels. Other accounts detail complete submersion in the gel, resulting in evenly scaled growth. While many died from shock, those who survived ranged in height from 12 to 30 feet tall. While giants have been around for eons, many uneducated citizens suspect that this is what led to their creation.

There seems to be no correlation to when, where, and how affected areas emerge. It usually begins with an eruption of the gel from underground pockets. They build pressure, explode and cast the gel all over the surrounding area. The growth begins and the area is forever effected. When the change occurs, the gel dissipates and Biological matter changed by the gel can not be changed again, and when exposed, will carry the gel as it moves. Landscapes effected usually feature Megafauna and Megaflora, and can also cause Dire, a condition that appears in the offspring of creatures contaminated by Philia or even being within 20 feat of it while pregnant. The Provinces of Mhirriah are the only place the Universal Malady is found. The people of Mhirriah have learned to live along side it fairly well. Dire wolves are often tamed as pets in The Highlands of Mhirriah and several avian species tainted by Dire are tamed in Erzhabell

by nickkaur

Void Gel

The green gel comes from The Void. It is the machination of The Void Stranger and its disregard for natural law. The substance is remarkably dense, and impossible to remove before the changes occur if it touches your skin. Dead biological tissue or inert material such as furniture and clothing are also effected.

The Ozolithian Pathfinders were unable to reach any conclusions during their studies of the gel. It was understandably foreign to them, but many Wardens have continued their efforts with the help of Arcanists to figure out the source of this strange malady.

Type

Metaphysical, Arcane