Contagion, Spirit of Disease

Contagion was a malevolent Superior Spirit that roamed the earth, spreading sickness and disease wherever it went. It was often depicted as a haggard, skeletal figure, carrying a staff adorned with writhing, diseased serpents.
Contagion had the power to contaminate the air, water, and land, causing outbreaks of deadly plagues that decimated entire populations. It took particular pleasure in visiting plague upon the cities of man, reveling in the chaos and death that ensued.
The people lived in constant fear of Contagion's wrath, offering it sacrifices and supplications in the hopes of avoiding its attention. But even these offerings could not always appease the vengeful spirit, and many suffered and died in its name.
Despite its reputation as a bringer of destruction, Contagion was also believed to have the power to cure disease. Some said that if one prayed to Contagion and offered it a suitable sacrifice, it might lift the plague from their lands. But few were brave enough to risk the spirit's wrath, and so Contagion remained a feared and hated figure, bringing only suffering and death to the world of mortals.

Appearance

Contagion was a terrifying and malevolent spirit, with an appearance that reflected its destructive nature. It took the form of a haggard, skeletal figure, with skin stretched tight over its bones and glowing red eyes that seemed to burn with malevolence. Its long, bony fingers were tipped with sharp claws, and it carried a staff adorned with writhing, diseased serpents that writhed and hissed at all who approached.
Contagion's very presence seemed to exude an aura of death and decay, and many people felt a sense of dread and despair wash over them in its presence. It was a creature of darkness and shadow, rarely seen in the light of day, preferring to haunt the twilight hours and the depths of night.

Personality

Contagion was a malevolent and cruel spirit, delighting in the suffering of mortals. It was a being of pure malevolence, with no compassion or mercy for those it encountered. It took pleasure in spreading sickness and disease, reveling in the chaos and death that ensued.
Contagion was also a master of deception, luring its victims into a false sense of security before striking with deadly force. It was a creature of darkness and shadow, rarely seen in the light of day, preferring to haunt the twilight hours and the depths of night.
Despite its fearsome reputation, Contagion was also a being of great power and cunning. It was able to manipulate and deceive those it encountered, using its powers of illusion and deceit to bend others to its will. Those who crossed paths with Contagion rarely lived to tell the tale, for it was a creature of pure malevolence that reveled in the suffering of others.

History

Contagion was a malevolent spirit that had haunted the earth for as long as anyone could remember. It was said that it was born of the darkness and despair that dwelled within the hearts of man, fed by fear and hatred.
Throughout history, Contagion had spread sickness and disease wherever it went, causing outbreaks of deadly plagues that decimated entire populations. It took particular pleasure in visiting plague upon the cities of man, reveling in the chaos and death that ensued.
The people lived in constant fear of Contagion's wrath, offering it sacrifices and supplications in the hopes of avoiding its attention. But even these offerings could not always appease the vengeful spirit, and many suffered and died in its name.
Despite its reputation as a bringer of destruction, Contagion was also believed to have the power to cure disease. Some said that if one prayed to Contagion and offered it a suitable sacrifice, it might lift the plague from their lands. But few were brave enough to risk the spirit's wrath, and so Contagion remained a feared and hated figure, bringing only suffering and death to the world of mortals.

Traditions & Practices

There are ten commandments that priests of Contagion must adhere to:

• Priests of Contagion must always maintain the highest level of personal griminess, in order to spread disease.
• Priests of Contagion must observe strict dietary restrictions in order to maintain the spread of disease.
• Priests of Contagion must always collect disease.
• Priests of Contagion must never wash.
• Priests of Contagion must always cough without covering one's mouths.
• Priests of Contagion must never report any suspicious cases of illness or disease to their superiors.
• Priests of Contagion must always be ready to travel to areas of an outbreak.
• Priests of Contagion must prevent treatment for diseases.
• Priests of Contagion must be willing to make sacrifices in their personal lives in order to devote themselves fully to their duties.
• Priests of Contagion must be prepared to face the dangers and challenges that come with their work, including the risk of contracting the disease themselves.

Purification by Fire Ritual

This ritual was performed in times of great outbreak or epidemic when the priests believed that the only way to appease the spirit was through a sacrifice of purification. A large pyre was built, and upon it was placed a sickly animal or a selection of diseased plant matter. The priests would then recite ancient incantations, calling upon Contagion to accept the offering and lift the plague from the land.
As the fire burned, the priests would dance and chant around the pyre, their bodies adorned with tattoos and markings that symbolized their devotion to the spirit. The smoke and flames of the pyre were believed to carry the offering up to Contagion, and it was believed that if the spirit accepted the sacrifice, the plague would be lifted and the people would be spared.
However, if the spirit rejected the offering, it was believed that the plague would continue to spread, and the people would suffer even more. The priests of Contagion took this ritual very seriously, knowing that the fate of their community often rested upon the outcome.

Offerings

The priests of Contagion believed that certain offerings were more acceptable to their spirit than others. Some of the most common offerings made to Contagion included:

• Diseased plant matter: The priests would gather and burn diseased crops, fruits, or vegetables as an offering to the spirit. This was believed to show Contagion that the people were willing to sacrifice their own sustenance in order to appease it.
• Sickly animals: The priests would also offer sickly or diseased animals as a sacrifice to Contagion. These could include livestock, pets, or wild animals that had been affected by disease.
• Human blood: In times of great desperation, the priests might make a human blood offering to Contagion. This was considered a highly taboo practice and was only done in the most extreme circumstances.
• Precious items: The priests might also offer valuable items such as gold, jewels, or rare artifacts as an offering to Contagion. These were believed to show the spirit that the people were willing to make sacrifices in order to appease it.

The priests believed that these offerings were more likely to be accepted by Contagion, and that they would bring about the spirit's favor and the lifting of the plague. However, they also knew that there was no guarantee that the spirit would accept any offering, and that the fate of their community often rested upon the capricious will of the malevolent spirit.

Shrines & Priest

The priests of Contagion were a dedicated and devout group, who tended to a network of shrines dedicated to their spirit. These shrines were typically located in areas where outbreaks of disease had occurred and were believed to be places of great power and significance.
The shrines themselves were often simple structures, designed to evoke a sense of dread and awe in those who approached them. They were typically adorned with symbols of death and decay, such as skulls, bones, and diseased plants.
The priests of Contagion were responsible for maintaining the shrines and performing rituals in honor of their spirit. They were a secretive and reclusive group, rarely seen by outsiders and shrouded in mystery.
It was said that the priests of Contagion possessed powers of divination and prophecy, and were able to foretell outbreaks of disease before they occurred. They were also believed to have the ability to cure illness and disease, although it was rumored that they often demanded steep sacrifices in return for their services.
Despite their fearsome reputation, the priests of Contagion were also revered by many, who saw them as the only hope in times of great plague and disaster. They were often sought out by those seeking relief from illness or protection from disease and were willing to make any sacrifice in order to secure the favor of the spirit.
The priests of Contagion were a secretive and reclusive group, and very little was known about their appearance or clothing. However, it was generally believed that they wore garments that reflected their devotion to the spirit and their role as caretakers of the sick.
It was said that the priests of Contagion wore simple, unadorned robes of dark colors such as black or deep purple. These robes were often made of heavy, durable materials, and were designed to protect the priests from the dangers of disease.
In addition to their robes, the priests of Contagion were also known to wear protective gear such as masks, gloves, and hoods. These were worn to prevent the priests from coming into contact with diseased substances and to protect them from respiratory infections.
The priests of Contagion were also often adorned with tattoos and markings that symbolized their devotion to the spirit. These tattoos could be found on various parts of their bodies and were thought to imbue the priests with magical powers that allowed them to heal the sick and protect them from disease.
Overall, the appearance of the priests of Contagion was designed to evoke a sense of mystery and awe and to reflect their important role in the community as healers and protectors.

Affiliation(s): Order of the Pestilent Staff
Age: Unknown
Areas of Interest(s): Disease
Birth: Unknown
Enemies(s): Salus, Spirit of medicine
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Gender: Male
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Nickname(s)/Title(s): Plague Father, Contaminator, Blight
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Species: Superior Spirit
Symbol: Long staff, twisted rod adorned with writhing serpents
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Worshiper(s): The marginalized, Survivors from pestilence, The sick