Tag: the-far-realms

DM’s Toolbox: Infestations

Infestations

DM’s Toolbox: Variant Rule – Cosmic Corruption

Infestations are unnatural afflictions seeded into the Material Plane by entities from the Far Realms. They function similarly to diseases, but follow their own horrific logic and often result in the complete transformation of the host. Unlike traditional diseases or poisons, Infestations bypass immunity to poison and disease, but they cannot affect aberrations, constructs, undead, or creatures without corporeal form.

Contracting an Infestation

Infestations are typically contracted through contact with corrupted artifacts, eldritch portals, being the target of Affliction from Beyond, or exposure to creatures from the Far Realms. A creature exposed to such a source may become afflicted at the DM’s discretion or as part of an encounter effect.

Effects of an Infestation

While afflicted by an Infestation:

  • The creature cannot remove levels of exhaustion except through the greater restoration spell (which removes only one level of exhaustion), or a more powerful effect such as wish.
  • Once per day, the afflicted creature must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, gaining one level of exhaustion on a failure. The DC increases by 1 for each level of exhaustion the creature currently has.
  • If the creature dies while afflicted, it rises as an abomination on the same initiative count at the start of the next round. The resulting creature has the same memories as the original, but none of its class abilities, and suffers a form of Madness (see Dungeon Master’s Guide).

Curing an Infestation:
A creature can only be cured of an Infestation if they have no levels of exhaustion at the time greater restoration is cast. Alternatively, wish ends the Infestation instantly, regardless of exhaustion level.

Sample Infestations

Cackling Madness

The host develops swollen blisters resembling eyes and mouths, which erupt with pain and laughter at unpredictable intervals.

  • The creature has disadvantage on Wisdom checks and Wisdom saving throws.
  • It gains access to the Blinding Spittle action.

If the host dies, it becomes a gibbering mouther. It retains memories but not class features, and suffers from Indefinite Madness. It hungers without discrimination and cannot distinguish allies from prey.

Blinding Spittle (Action) One blister bursts, hurling blinding fluid at a creature within 15 feet. The target and all creatures within 5 feet of it must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or be blinded until the end of their next turn.

Cyclopian Visage

The host’s eyes shift into green, catlike orbs, and their skin hardens into uneven, spiny ridges.

  • The creature has disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
  • It gains the Rotting Gaze action.

If the host dies, it becomes a nothic. It retains memories, suffers Indefinite Madness, and blames former companions for its fate.

Rotting Gaze (Action):
The creature targets a creature it can see within 30 feet. That creature must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or take 1d8 necrotic damage and appear visibly aged (this cosmetic effect fades after 1 hour).

Tyrant’s Limbs

An unnatural appendage grows from the host’s head—or upper body if they lack one—culminating in a stalked eyeball that pulses with forceful energy.

  • The creature gains the Forceful Sight action.
  • The creature has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

If the host dies, it becomes a spectator. It retains memories, suffers Indefinite Madness, and perceives all aid as attack, turning on anyone attempting to help it.

Forceful Sight (Action):
The creature targets one creature it can see within 30 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 15 feet directly away and have its speed halved until the end of its next turn.

Madness Effects

Each abomination spawned by Infestation suffers from some form of Madness (see Dungeon Master’s Guide 2o14, Chapter 8), tailored to their transformation. You may also roll or choose from the appropriate Madness tables.

Notes

  • Updated for D&D 5th Edition 2024