Taint and You: A Primer

[Jin]

Since this is going to become more and more relevant for many of us soon. (This is based on RAW, GMs can of course decide things work differently)

Taint: 0 - Pure. Congratulations!

Taint: 0.1-0.9 - Background Radiation. Your taint is non-detectable, does not trigger jade or allow you to be targeted by Jade Strike or other such spell or techniques. You are most likely completely asymptomatic other than a bad dream now and then. You quite likely do not even realize you have any taint. You test to see if your Taint increases monthly vs TN 5

Taint: 1-1.9 - Welcome to Real Taint. Jade now burns bare flesh, taint is detectable by magic/techniques that do so, and you are targetable by anti-Shadowlands magic. However symptoms are still very mild: nightmares and flu-like symptoms at most. If one did not handle jade with their bare flesh they may still never know they were tainted. In modern Rokugan one would be expected not to marry or bear children if they knew but Dawn doesn't really know that risk yet.... You test to see if your Taint increases monthly vs TN 10

Taint: 2-2.9 - This is Becoming a Problem. Symptoms start for real. You're probably not sprouting tentacles or the such but unless you have a really healthy sense of denial you know something is wrong. Nightmares, hallucinations, sores, weird odors, etc. You get a Shadowlands power of the GMs choice. You test to see if your Taint increases every two weeks vs TN 15

Taint: 3-3.9 - The Slippery Slope Speeds Up. Paranoia, anger, infections, hair loss, etc. You might not look like a monster on the outside, though you look pretty damn bad, but it's getting harder not to be one on the inside. But it is possible to keep fighting. -1k0 on social rolls, a Shadowlands mutation and a Shadowlands power of the GMs choosing. You test to see if your Taint increases weekly vs TN 20

Taint: 4-4.9 - Why Haven't You Killed Yourself Yet? You are now infectious to those near you. Strange and terrible urges fill your mind and your body is being twisted in horrible ways. Even those without Lore: Shadowlands are likely to tell what's wrong and suicide or execution are usually the result. Any confrontation or stress requires a TN 15 Willpower check to not give in to violence. -2k0 on all social rolls, maximum Void points are reduced by 1 (though ring stays the same), you gain another Shadowlands mutation and Shadowlands power of the GMs choosing. You test to see if your Taint increases daily vs TN 25.

Taint: 5+ - You're the Villain Now, Dog! Enjoy NPC monster status unless the GMs are very lenient in which case you have until your Taint matches your highest ring. Jigoku owns your soul.

[Canary]

Thank you, Jin! I would also like to add at 1.0-1.9, you start experiencing some paranoia.

Fortunately, there's no paranoia for that symptom to hide in around camp...