The Nature of Corruption
Texto
The greatest source of corruption is the Shadowlands, and the Festering Pit of Fu Leng is the location of greatest potency. This is, after all, the rupture between the Mortal Realm and Jigoku, the font of unspeakable evil emerging into the world. The possibility of corruption exists throughout Rokugan, however, not just in the Shadowlands. It is true, of course, that the threat of the Taint is greatest in the South, but mahō practitioners and Tainted objects have no borders and thus can spread corruption elsewhere. Even beyond the bounds of Rokugan, there are tales of sinister powers that seem to match the stories of the Taint.
Jade is the most effective way to ward against corruption, and thus is a part of all expeditions into the Shadowlands. As jade protects its wearer, however, it is slowly expended. Unprotected exposure always carries the risk of corruption, and from that point on, the subject walks on the precipice of shadow.
Corruption only deepens with time, like a foul weed burrowing and extending itself through the infected body. Its growth can only be reduced, however, and can never be completely stilled. Jade petal tea is most frequently used to slow the Taint within a person. Some believe that meditation is also effective, though this is hard to verify or deny rigorously.
As with many aspects of the Taint, there is no firm understanding of how the progression occurs. For many, its effects flow from minor behavioral shifts to minor physical ones, such as thickened nails or odd skin rashes. As the Taint deepens, the changes become more pronounced, including violent personality changes, physical mutations, and even the manifestation of vile powers rightly forbidden to all in Rokugan.
No matter what is done to quell it, eventually the Taint consumes entirely, and the afflicted falls to Fu Leng’s domination. This is perhaps one of the worst aspects of the Taint, for many a fully corrupted samurai believes they have control over themself when in actuality, the Dark Kami guides their every action.
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Shadowlands · Chapter 3: Out of the Shadows › Corruption · p. 132
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The greatest source of corruption is the Shadowlands, and the Festering Pit of Fu Leng is the location of greatest potency. This is, after all, the rupture between the Mortal Realm and Jigoku, the font of unspeakable evil emerging into the world. The possibility of corruption exists throughout Rokugan, however, not just in the Shadowlands. It is true, of course, that the threat of the Taint is greatest in the South, but mahō practitioners and Tainted objects have no borders and thus can spread corruption elsewhere. Even beyond the bounds of Rokugan, there are tales of sinister powers that seem to match the stories of the Taint.
Jade is the most effective way to ward against corruption, and thus is a part of all expeditions into the Shadowlands. As jade protects its wearer, however, it is slowly expended. Unprotected exposure always carries the risk of corruption, and from that point on, the subject walks on the precipice of shadow.
Corruption only deepens with time, like a foul weed burrowing and extending itself through the infected body. Its growth can only be reduced, however, and can never be completely stilled. Jade petal tea is most frequently used to slow the Taint within a person. Some believe that meditation is also effective, though this is hard to verify or deny rigorously.
As with many aspects of the Taint, there is no firm understanding of how the progression occurs. For many, its effects flow from minor behavioral shifts to minor physical ones, such as thickened nails or odd skin rashes. As the Taint deepens, the changes become more pronounced, including violent personality changes, physical mutations, and even the manifestation of vile powers rightly forbidden to all in Rokugan.
No matter what is done to quell it, eventually the Taint consumes entirely, and the afflicted falls to Fu Leng’s domination. This is perhaps one of the worst aspects of the Taint, for many a fully corrupted samurai believes they have control over themself when in actuality, the Dark Kami guides their every action.