Making Diseases in D&D More Fun!

I've always hated that when I've tried to introduce disease and affliction mechanics into my D&D campaigns they've never gotten the traction I was hoping for, so I sat down to think about the causes for that and come up with a better solution.
Get the full rules for the Eldritch Contamination in issue 34 of SIDEQUEST magazine, available on my patreon now. Grab your free sample issue here: bit.ly/34FHwjT
🔻CLICK FOR MORE🔻
SIDEQUEST - The Monthly RPG Magazine
🔹Get the FREE Sample Issue: bit.ly/34FHwjT
🔹Back issues on DrivethruRPG: bit.ly/IcarusDTRPG
FIND ME ACROSS THE INTERNET: linktr.ee/icarus_games
For business inquires and sponsorship options please email [e-mail]
Welcome to the info paragraph, this is a place to feed the great algorithm, and if you've made it here you have probably scrolled too far! Icarus Games is dedicated to helping TTRPG players and game masters improve their experience in roleplaying games. For RPG players, there are videos on learning games rules, as well as on character building, roleplaying, and optimization. For Game Masters, there are videos on making maps, improving your worldbuilding for your RPGs, and for creating homebrew TTRPG content.
00:00 Intro
03:31 Stage 1
04:17 Stage 2
04:49 Stage 3
06:26 Stage 4
07:54 Stage 5 & 6

[@mchisolm0]

I really like that players still get to choose. Thanks, Anto!

[@IcarusGames]

Absolutely! I wanted a reason for the *players* to roll the dice and risk further stages and more drama even if it meant potentially negative stuff for their characters down the road, but at least they are getting something positive and interesting *now*.

[@andrewwahba5006]

I'm running an ancient egyptian-themed game and i have been looking for a similar solution to the classic tomb curses and mummy diseases. Theres a cleric on the party so obviously everything gets cured either same day or the next morning. I guess i never considered treating them like pf2e mutagens! This is a good idea!

[@helix3955]

Very interesting idea! I like that it rewards the players initially

[@Phleanix]

Superb!
I love your content, Anto!

[@breakerpressgames]

I like the ideas here, but six stages sounds like a lot. I'd cut it to 3 or 4.
The one thing that you could have done instead, or in tandem, would be to ensure the quest had an urgent time limit. If the whole town will mutate if they don't complete the quest in 2 days, then they don't have time to screw around curing themselves.

[@MrFinchx]

Oh my God! Rip

[@IcarusGames]

George was also infected. . .

[@MrFinchx]

@@IcarusGames yeah you said 😅

[@MrFinchx]

I would have deffo try to get rid asap

[@bobturpin7611]

For me, I use a different method of curing disease... I do not like that these can be cured with a simple spell. It may well do... but in RL you need to know what you are curing...
The cleric or paladin needs to identify the disease first, then use the minor variant (spell is the same but now is focusing on a single issue) which focuses the healing of that disease. I think of it that the lesser restoration in this is similar to that of a panacea. If may still cure the disease, but has a 5% chance of working (if the disease is not id'd)....
Instead they need to identify the disease, considering that i do not tell them what it is, just what the symptoms are. Once the disease is identified then the restoration spell is 'adjusted' to cure the disease. giving a 95% chance of curing, and potentially still a chance for relapse.... (yes i'm evil) I also sometimes for the rarer diseases require supplements (herbal or magical) to assist, meaning the curing is delayed further if these are required, and need to be obtained.
I also do the same for poisons, considering that you typically need the antivenom.
I do like the ideas of the elements of this, making disease seem benign, but gradually get worse, so i will be taking this and adding it to my version...mwahahaha