Taint (Kaeden Corruption) (updated 2004/01/25)

The touch of a Kaeden's form can corrupt reality itself, which the scholars of Ambar call Taint. Aside from the Kaeden, certain regions of Ambar and the "Astral Space" contain large amounts of Taint, as do certain forms of magic. Taint is a magical corruption that affects body and soul, initially causing unusual nightmares and a dark mottling of the flesh as if one had been splashed with ink. If left unchecked, Taint can progress through the body, marring the flesh, maddening the brain, and eventually transforming the afflicted person into a shattered husk in nominal control of the Kaeden.

Taint is externally visible as a dark mottling of the flesh, as if Taint were dark swirls and splashes of ink. If left unchecked, especially if the power of the Kaeden is accepted, the stains of Taint will spread and become more severe, perhaps causing odd mutations or magical swirling glyphs to appear, eventually transforming the afflicted person into an Akuma--a shattered husk in nominal control of the Kaeden.

It is only after a few hours have passed that the first signs of taint begin to show. Taint is primarily an affliction of the soul, but also has physical signs. At early stages this manifests in some sign of chaos or corruption, such as shadowy ink stains scattered on the body or strange growths. The victim quickly realizes that the taint has spread to cover his limbs or sensory organs, and twitch or writhe unless controlled through an act of will. In mid-stages the victim may see dramatic signs of corruption, such as eyes and tentacles bubbling forth from his skin, just just as often the effects are subdued, such as eyes turning black as shadow. Near the final transformation into an Akuma, the victim's shape seems to melt, flow, writhe, and boils as in some insane nightmare, the tainted parts of the body under control of the Kaeden.

While the physical signs of Taint are sometimes visible, they are more often hidden by the deceptive magic of the Kaeden. Once the character becomes an Akuma the deceptive magic of the Kaeden nearly always hides it from anyone except Kaeden or anyone else who has Taint. To a common man, the stains seem to disappear over time, just as would be expected of a normal ink stain. However, the victim sees his body undergoing the terrible transformation, and surely thinks that he is going mad from the nightmarish whispers and the fact that no one else can see the affliction! Many people who have the Taint are simply declared insane and locked away, all the more terrified because they cannot flee the voices in their heads. The horrific dreams are worst on nights with little or no moonlight.

Some individuals have been known to embrace the Taint, accepting the gifts of the Kaeden. It is power that most often seduces, for embracing the Taint is an easy path to tremendous magical power. Young wizards frustrated at the slow pace of their studies, old scholars fearful of death, and those with goals far beyond their grasp, are all answered by the Kaeden with promises to fulfill their grandest goals and deepest desires. At the mere cost of one's soul... These individuals can be anywhere, for in using the magic of the Kaeden they can remain extremely well-hidden and gain positions of tremendous power. Many believe that the innermost secrets of the Black Wizards involve dabbling with Kaeden magic, and other dark warlocks such as Fomorians and Zorlims also draw on power from the Nameless Ones. In extreme cases Taint can cause one to become Akuma, the body turning into a hollow husk containing a Kaeden and granting even greater power. Ithilnaur weapons and armor are potent devices against Taint and those filled with its dark power, but even the Eldar who created found fighting the Kaeden daunting.