Deathrûn

Deathrûn is a working title for a project that aims to create a setting semi-inspired by The Forgotten Realms set in a dystopian medieval world influenced by eldritch elements. Civilizations and kingdoms are on a continuous state of struggle as technological advances clashes with traditionalist ideals. It features basic fantasy races such as Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, Orcs, and Goblins. While other dangers lurk, the source of much turmoil in the civilized lands are the Kursed (pronounced KHUR•SID) that roam the seldomly traversed and devastated lands.

Deathrûn heavily relies on conventional medieval engineering and chemistry. While minimal paranormal elements exists, superstitious and religious symbolism is heavily used. Science is more common in the higher class, while being rare in the lower class.

The Kurse (pronounced KHURS) is the common term for the resilient microscopic alien virus not from Earth. The virus assimilates it's hosts by releasing fast acting hostile spawn that feeds on healthy cells and protein before releasing new virus cells which begins deforming the host into a terrifying eldritch creature. It is spread through glands and open wounds. Outside a host, it is practically as immobile as a spec of dust but can live for up to 24 hours before withering away on it's own. Upon infection, the host immediately develops a painful sore with a dark rotting purple tint on the origin site of infection. There is currently no known way to safely decontaminate a potential carrier than by isolating them for 24 to 48 hours. An infected individual begins deforming within a day or two. As time elapses, the advanced stages of the deformation causes the host to become a violent and erratic being weaponizing its dangerous appendages caused by the deformation. After several days of this painful and transformative process, the Kursed is assumed to be fully assimilated by the alien virus. Upon death, the Kursed slowly develops a small bloat that bursts upon maturity releasing more alien virus. The bloat takes several days to a week to fully mature. Prematurely bursting the bloat or cremating the Kursed corpse reduces the infection rate.

A variation of The Kurse exists known as Necro-Kurse. If The Kurse lands on a fresh corpse, the corpse may sometimes appear to reanimate until rigor mortis fully sets in. The virus hijacks the remaining functional cellular material beginning a reparation phase allowing the body to become active. Although the reparation does not stop rigor mortis, it drastically slows down the process.