Exposure
Oripathy is contracted through exposure to originium in its active state. Not all originium is dangerous at proximity — refined and processed samples are generally stable — but raw deposits, damaged crystals, and originium that has activated can shed crystal dust that assimilates into living tissue on contact or inhalation. The crystal observed on organic matter in the wild is believed to be the result of exactly this: organisms that were exposed and did not survive.
When a creature enters the range of an active originium source (approximately 10 feet), they must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or be afflicted with one stage of oripathy. Crystal dust carried on the air, contact with Stage 5 individuals, or direct wounds from originium-coated weapons also constitute exposure.
Originium appears to be found only on Terra. Reports suggest that oripathy sufferers who leave the island do not survive the journey — the disease’s behavior off-island is poorly understood and not publicly acknowledged.
Stages and Effects
Oripathy progresses in stages. Each new exposure to active originium while already afflicted advances the disease by one stage. There is currently no known cure.
| Stage | Visible Signs | Mechanical Effects |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | None visible. A vague wrongness. | Flavour only — something feels off. |
| 2 | None visible. Heightened sensitivity. | Increased affinity for magic. |
| 3 | Patches of skin crystallizing black. | Visible crystallisation begins. |
| 4 | Spreading crystal growth. | Increased magical capacity. |
| 5 | Extensive crystallisation. | Contagious. Sheds crystal dust in a 10 ft. radius; others must save on proximity. |
| 6 | Full petrification. | Death. The body crystallizes completely and disintegrates to dust. |
Known Properties
- Originium metastasizes naturally in the wild. It has been observed on organic matter — bones, wood — which is understood to be the remnant of organisms that died from exposure rather than evidence that the crystal targets life directly.
- In its active state, originium is volatile: it can release stored energy gradually as heat and force, or detonate violently depending on conditions. The most controlled use is burning it as fuel.
- Active originium can assimilate into blood and cells, bypassing the body’s defenses and beginning the crystallization process from within. This is the mechanism of oripathy.
- It interacts with arcane energy in ways that are not fully understood. Mages in Chrysalis have noted unusual resonance between originium crystal and spellcasting.
- The crystal dust at Stage 6 disintegration is itself active and potentially contagious, making public deaths extraordinarily dangerous.
- Chrysalis Labs has classified much of its research data as proprietary. The full scale of oripathy cases on Terra — particularly among Dawn Town workers, who progress faster than the general population — has not been publicly disclosed.