Bleak
The Bleak are the survivors of the Blight who have been fully consumed by the condition and have joined the Hivemind. Multiple variants exist with each one being extremely deadly in its own capacities. Seen as the most widespread danger in the world, these creatures have survived every singular attempt to extinguish their existence and always comeback with aplomb. Several have been known to survive injuries so grievous that it would spell the end for most normal entities. It has been determined that no creature is immune to becoming a Bleak, it is just a matter of how long it takes for the Blight to take over the body.
If any creature is immune to the effects they have not been discovered at this time. Creatures of Huge or Gargantuan size do seem to be resistant and even have their large size help them in staving off the effects of the Blight. But even those creatures fall to the might of the affliction as the months pass, creating creatures of greater danger than they were in the former life.
Basic Information
Anatomy
All variants that arise from a blighted humanoid maintains the same number of limbs it possessed in its previous life. The Blight is also able to infect nearly every type of creature in the world and they maintain their physiology unless they suffer extreme damage. Even during the Ghoul state they are extremely dangerous and only grow stronger by absorbing more Blight into their physical form. Eventually the bodies accumulate enough Blight that they are able to survive extreme punishment as the physical form becomes magically enhanced.
Biological Traits
It has been uncovered that all Bleak possess extreme levels of Constitution when they are fully restored and then continually grow in the abilities as the Blight continues to accumulate. Furthermore, the Blight provides all the necessary energy to provide a level of healing and regeneration that most creatures lack in the world; this makes it possible for even the most egregious of wounds and damage to repaired over time and possible even restore missing limbs potentially.
Initial Stage: Once the affliction takes over the creature, it suffers a reduction to its Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, & Intelligence by 8. This slowly goes away as the Blight builds up in the body and it returns to normal over the next four months. This is the timeframe in which they act the most aggressive and engage in actions that generally do not befit an intelligent or healthy creature. Once the physical form has been fully restored, it the begins to advance to the next stage.
Intermediate Stage: At this stage, the Blight begins to buildup and reinforce the physical form of the creature. It is this stage in which the Darkvision takes root in the body; this does not replace any other forms of vision the creature has if it has others available. Additionally, the creature increases it Strength, Dexterity, & Constitution scores by one for each year it resides in the Blight Zone, up to a maximum of four regardless of the normal limits they would have. The physical bodies also start to exhibit a Lesser Regeneration (5 HP at the start of its turn unless dealt Fire or Radiant damage) and automatically stabilizes upon being reduced to zero due to the affliction. If brought back into a Blight Zone after this happens they will revive after a day and begin to heal, though they are not able to restore limbs at this stage.
Advanced Stage: Nearing the final stage, many of the creatures that make up the leadership reside in this stage. Thought to occur after five years of being afflicted, creatures in this stage are extremely hardy and have been seen to survive punishment that would take it down if it was normal. The magical reinforcement that is provided at this stage grants the creature an additional health, five hit die for its size, and gain an enhanced Regeneration (10 HP at the start of its turn unless dealt Radiant damage limbs also regenerate in 1d4 days.Initial & Intermediate stages follow the directions of creatures in this stage without issue.
Final Stage: Only having been encountered a few times by those that have traveled deep into Blight Zones, and survived, it is actually unknown what capabilities are possessed by creatures in this stage. This level is believed to influence and control all the lower stages as well has either exhibiting their own motivations or following those that emanate from the Blight . Currently, more research is needed to determine the exact level of danger one should expect.
Intermediate Stage: At this stage, the Blight begins to buildup and reinforce the physical form of the creature. It is this stage in which the Darkvision takes root in the body; this does not replace any other forms of vision the creature has if it has others available. Additionally, the creature increases it Strength, Dexterity, & Constitution scores by one for each year it resides in the Blight Zone, up to a maximum of four regardless of the normal limits they would have. The physical bodies also start to exhibit a Lesser Regeneration (5 HP at the start of its turn unless dealt Fire or Radiant damage) and automatically stabilizes upon being reduced to zero due to the affliction. If brought back into a Blight Zone after this happens they will revive after a day and begin to heal, though they are not able to restore limbs at this stage.
Advanced Stage: Nearing the final stage, many of the creatures that make up the leadership reside in this stage. Thought to occur after five years of being afflicted, creatures in this stage are extremely hardy and have been seen to survive punishment that would take it down if it was normal. The magical reinforcement that is provided at this stage grants the creature an additional health, five hit die for its size, and gain an enhanced Regeneration (10 HP at the start of its turn unless dealt Radiant damage limbs also regenerate in 1d4 days.Initial & Intermediate stages follow the directions of creatures in this stage without issue.
Final Stage: Only having been encountered a few times by those that have traveled deep into Blight Zones, and survived, it is actually unknown what capabilities are possessed by creatures in this stage. This level is believed to influence and control all the lower stages as well has either exhibiting their own motivations or following those that emanate from the Blight . Currently, more research is needed to determine the exact level of danger one should expect.
Genetics and Reproduction
The Bleak reproduce through Blight infection of individuals who travel through Blight Zones or who have come into contact with blighted objects. There has been no known further findings of other sources by which the Bleak do appear in the world.
Growth Rate & Stages
The ghoul state is the very origin from which the bulk of all humanoid bleak are generated; other creatures that are not humanoid do not go through the Ghoul stage. As their bodies build up the Blight within them, they experience a change of physiology as their body starts to rebuild until they reach prime condition. At it builds up in the body, the Bleak's body have the potential to start undergo changes that make them even more dangerous and resilient to be destroying.
Ecology and Habitats
The optimal placement for Bleak is to be located in Blight Zones and they are also able to thrive in any location that does not have direct sunlight as they have an aversion to it. For the most part they do not leave the Blight Zones, but it has been observed that they do attempt extend the size of the zones for their own strange purposes.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The variations of the Bleak present in the world do not have any physiological needs for survival as the Blight indefinitely sustains the body as long as they are able to return to a Blight Zone at an unknown interval to recuperate. Some variants have been seen eating various meats and drinking blood but it has only occurred after a great battle or slaughter, with several not participating at all.
Biological Cycle
The biological form of the Bleak seems to exist without being affected by the passage of time; in fact it only grows in physical capacity as it continues to accumulate the Blight. Additionally it has been uncovered that the Bleak can be seemingly brought back to life if they are placed within the boundaries of a Blight Zone and left for an indeterminate amount of time.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Bleak have been found in nearly every single landmass and geographic location that has been explored. Due to the capacity for Blight to infect all creatures, it is theorized that no location is fully safe.
Average Intelligence
Most creatures maintain the level of intelligence similar to what they had before the Blight took hold. Those with a higher intelligence seem to have positions of leadership amongst the Bleak.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Bleak have excellent Darkvision (120 ft) with sunlight sensitivity. Even during the Blight Zones, when the sun is hidden, they are still weaker and more timid than they are at night; this incurs Disadvantage on their rolls related to Attacks & Abilities. All entities are interlocked via the Hivemind that allows for them to act with coordination, while at the same time keeping them integrated to perform large task that most societies would only dream of.
Civilization and Culture
Average Technological Level
The Bleak seem to maintain roughly the same level of technology needed to maintain and even enchant modern weapons and armor.
History
Appearing in the early years after the GodFall, the numbers possessed by the Bleak have only been seen to increase in the intervening centuries. This has coincided with the appearance and growth of Blight Zones, though it has been hard to tell if they actively cause/spread the zones or if they appear and the Bleak follow soon after.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The Bleak seem to view all life with indifference and wipe out those that stray close to the Blight Zones and periodically travel forth from them to wipe out life regardlessly.
"Once saw a young dragon that had been consumed by the Blight. It was a vicious monster with no sense of self preservation. Finally took it down after it nearly killed us all." - Iron Gauntlets mercenary overheard in a tavern
Origin/Ancestry
Lifespan
Indefinite
Average Height
Varies depending on the size of initially infected creature.
Average Weight
Varies depending on the size of initially infected creature. Bleak that undergo the Ghoul phase do initially have a reduced weight but return back to normal as it builds up the Blight.
Average Length
Varies depending on the size of initially infected creature.
Average Physique
Most creatures maintain the level of physicality similar to what they had before the Blight took hold. A brief period exist during the first few months in which the afflicted are weakened. Those that have been suffused with the Blight for a long time seem to be more physically stronger & durable than what their form belies.
Geographic Distribution
They are bloodthirsty, exceptionally numerous and willing to indiscriminately kill or corrupt all in their path. - Common information given to soldiers patrolling near Blight Zones.
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