Power corrupts, and in Symbaroum quite literally so. A fundamental principle in Symbaroum is that when nature is cultivated or violated it grows dark and vengeful – and strikes back! The darkness that comes alive in this way feeds off and can continue to infect its surroundings. Since Mystics bend and warp nature according to their will, they are constantly threatened by Corruption. And when looking at the rules, this principle is mirrored in creatures like abominations and the undead.
Corruption starts at zero (0) and grows as the character is tainted. A character is technically transformed into an abomination when its Corruption value exceeds its Willpower value. Yet, long before that, the character starts to show physical signs of its growing taint, in the form of Stigmas.
Temporary corruption
Temporary Corruption is a momentary expression of the world’s reluctance to be subdued and controlled. It fades away by itself at the end of the scene but is still dangerous, since it can push a character’s Total Corruption over its Corruption Threshold (blight-marked), or past its Willpower, turning the character into a blight beast.
Actions that give temporary Corruption:
- Using a mystic power or ritual: 1-3 corruption depending on the level used. A ritual always gives 3 corruption.
- Using tainted artifacts: varies, but mostly 1D4 temporary Corruption
- Damage from certain abominations
- The dark areas of Davokar: The darker areas of Davokar are dangerous; the corruption varies from 1D4 temporary Corruption each day to 1D6 temporary Corruption each hour. It is said that the corruption suffered within the darkest parts of the forest is permanent.
Permanent corruption
Permanent Corruption means a lasting alteration of the character’s essence and inner being. When permanent Corruption reaches the character’s Corruption Threshold, which is half its Resolute value rounded up, the character counts as Blight-marked and receives a permanent Stigma. The Stigma disappears if the permanent Corruption is reduced to below the Corruption Threshold again.
The character turns into an abomination if its Total Corruption (temporary+permanent) reaches or exceeds its Resolute value. Then the character cannot be saved in any way.
Permanent Corruption is suffered when:
- Binding an artifact to oneself to be able to use its powers: 1 Corruption (or Skill improvement check).
- Learning a mystic power or ritual: 1 permanent Corruption.
- A character’s Total Corruption reaches the character’s Corruption Threshold during a scene: 1D4 permanent Corruption.
