Roleplaying the afflicted condition

The Afflicted condition (see page 271 of the core rulebook) can represent the first signs of corruption, possibly leading to gaining the Shadowlands Taint. It can also reflect a haunting by a vengeful spirit that weakens a character’s resolve, or another supernatural plague that might make them tempted by Fu Leng’s whispers.

For Shadowlands-themed campaigns, having the PCs constantly worried that those around them are Tainted can lead to interesting situations. Wondering if the tired Hiruma scout leading the group toward Daylight Castle is hiding a secret allegiance to the Dark Kami, for example, can turn a stop to rest into accusations of Taint.

GMs are encouraged to try out some of these subtler signs of corruption to offer additional representations of this state in their NPCs, especially when running Shadowlands campaigns. Players can similarly do the same for their PCs with the Afflicted condition. Players are also invited to create new behaviors that are more customized to their character and their character's background.

You are perpetually unlucky in games of chance.

You feel tired all the time, but you don’t remember the horrific visions each night that keep you from fully resting.

The smell of cooked food makes you nauseated.

Your eyes appear lighter than normal and you continually complain that the sun is too bright, even on overcast days.

Animals become upset when you are near, barking or hissing at you even in the dark.

You delight in rash behavior and never feel a decision needs to be thought out before you act on it.

You notice clumps of hair in your bedding each morning, but you can never detect any actually missing from your body.

Jade feels unpleasantly greasy or prickly when you handle it. You really don’t like it touching your skin.

You sometimes find yourself intentionally defying social conventions or questioning their importance.