Hey everyone,

I've just started to GM WFRP 3rd ed and have to say really finding it enjoyable. However due to me taking over from another GM i'm being left with all sorts of messed up plot lines.

My main concern is that the current, or last campaign the party was sent on was a small part of the signs of faith campaign where one of the party was left with the Mark of Nurgle.

Now, while the others in the party do not know about the afflicted member (yet) it won't be long until Grandfather Nurgles "blessing" becomes apparent to others around the characters. The PC has said that they are happy play the character out even if it means ending the character early. BUT they have said that if there is any way to keep them in the game they would prefer not to turn into one of the "grandchildren" just yet.

So... I'm looking for an in game solution to fixing the problem, by healing or removal of the symbol. I know that Nurgles daughters tears will heal any of the diseases that Grandfather Nurgle create, however getting to her would be a little far fetched. Would a bunch of Priests be able to remove the mark? Or a Shalyan healer (sorry about the spelling) perhaps?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated...... I know the situation is bleak

Daeion

The answer you're expecting is... no, you can't remove a Mark of a Chaos god... at all (or easily).

However, you can use the player's predicament as a plot device for moving forward.

As per various sourcebooks, Nurgle and Shallya are opposed to one another...

Easy way out: Have the player convert to a Priest of Shallya.

Story way out: Have the player become a Priest of Shallya, but make it agonising slow...

Or... have the player enter the priesthood, then have to overcome a series of challenges to cleanse his/her soul, in order to... etc etc etc..

I just have to ask, are we talking about the mark of nurgle (given to devote followers of nurgle) or about nurgle's rot, which is a desease that eventually turns you into a plaguebearer?

Hi

As k7e9 pointed out, would be good to know if we're talking about a mark or the rot. Either way it does look bleak, and I salute the player in question for reassuring you that they are willing to play it to the bitter end (the taint of the ruinous powers should be something to fear!).

That said it could indeed be a great sub-plot device for enhancing the story. As others have suggested I like the idea of linking the player with the cult of Shallya in an attempt to find a cure, but maybe the characters research should indicate the only way out is death, or turning to the fly lord for redemption and a second chance....? Depending on the players take he/she could confide in the other characters to "off" him if he starts to become a danger to the party (the mechanics for nurgles rot do support this well in 3rd ed).

I understand you are taking over from a prev GM, perhaps you could give a few more details on your intended storyline on the GM forums? In any case sounds like you have some good players and I'd see this as an opportunity rather than a problem, a slow and tragic demise, maybe the chance to sacrifice his life for his friends against a terrible foe before the rot takes him? maybe to watch other PC/NPC friends share some of the diseases he is suffering from and having to shoulder the burden of the inevitable guilt. All good fun.

Epic quest + selfless burden + character development + temptations overcome + self sacrifice + divine intervention = Soul saved, body probably not.

It sounds like great fun for players and GM alike.

-Thorvid

Thanks everybody for your answers. Gives me a whole bunch of routes to take the story of the party down.

On the note of the Mark of nurgle. Yes it really is the mark of nurgle as far as the PC is aware. As far as i can tell it was a character similar to Epidemius in the signs of faith campaign. I like the idea of using the pc's gift as a story line and can see loads of possibilities

Thanks again all!