Ashblight

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In The Elder Scrolls series of games, the Ashblight, or the Blight, is a serious disease that infects people and animals. It is a major factor in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.

The Ashblight emanates from Red Mountain in Ashstorms. These storms are reddish dust storms that carry the disease, and have extremely high winds associated with them. Due to this and the danger of infection and belligerent creatures, residents of Vvardenfell often advise against travelling during anAshstorm.

[edit] Symptoms

The Ashblight has several separate symptoms, depending on who contracts it. Player characters and NPCs who contract the disease are weakened by it: variants of the disease may reduce attributes such as strength and dexterity. The creatures of Morrowind are also affected by their infection. Creatures who have contracted the Ashblight often have higher hit points and are stronger than before. Often, these creatures also are incredibly more aggressive as well, such that even normally placid animals such as kwama workers will attack travellers on sight.

[edit] Origin and Elimination

The Ashblight (along with Corprus) was created by Dagoth Ur, the main antagonist of the game, as part of his plans for Morrowind. Ultimately, the Ashblight was used to weaken the minds of those who he wished to convert to the Sixth House cult. As Dagoth Ur resided in the ruins of the Dwemer stronghold in Red Mountain, the Ashblight spread through the Red Mountain Ashstorms. During the events of the third Elder Scrolls game, however, the Nerevarine, the reincarnation of an ancient warrior named Nerevar, killed Dagoth Ur and therefore cut the source of the Ashblight, effectively eliminating it. Afterwards, the Ashstorms lost their red tint, and became simple ashstorms again; though the source of the spread of the Blight was eliminated, few "Blighted" creatures remain.