Miasma and Myrr

For as long as any can remember, the world has been covered in Miasma.
 Miasma is a substance that covers everything and everyone.  Only the
 precious crystals can keep the miasma at bay, and even then only if
 they are renewed by Myrr.  Miasma is slightly cloudy, resulting in
 very little visual distortion except if viewed for long distances
 (such as five or more miles).  It is this reason that the sky always
 has a light mist over it.

Miasma is an ever-present force in everyday life.  Each town, each
 village, and settlement with members of the base races requires a
 crystal to keep the people alive.  If not, Miasma begins to take
 effect and the people soon die from miasma poisoning.  A modern
 analogy would be radiation poisoning, except that it can be cured
 much more easily if there is a crystal present.

The crystals that hold the Miasma back are powered by something
 called 'Myrr'.  Myrr is collected from trees in various parts of the
 world, and for as long as memory serves these have been the
 destinations of crystal caravans who are intent on keeping their
 towns safe from miasma.

Unfortunately, each tree is guarded by traps, monsters, spirits, or
 some other challenging mechanism in place.  These mechanisms are
 surprisingly resilient, withstanding the test of time and use better
 than any normal structures.  Myrr trees generally recover their myrr
 every three years.

Miasma strength comes in many strengths.  Listed below are the degrees
 of miasma, measured in levels.  Miasma poisoning results in a number
 of ailments which can begin even before poisoning sets in.  As well,
 the effects can range in durration anywhere from dissipating
 instantly to being equivalent to chronic or, in dire cases, terminal
 deseases.

Miasma can damage all faculties, mental, physical, and spiritual.
 Therefore, it is best to leave miasma exposure to an absolute
 minimum.  Rumor has it thos that die from miasma poisoning rise as
 undead if not raised.

Treating miasma can only be done in the light of a crystal, and
 requires either a successful heal check (DC = 5x str level) or a
 successful application of the 'Clear' spell used to dispel a curse
 (DC = 15+level).  Even if properly treated, scars can still remain
 for a lifetime, so it is best to keep miasma exposure to an absolute
 minimum.

Exertion will lessen the time of poisoning and quicken the poisoning.
 Fighting, in particular, can cause catastrophic effects if miasma is
 taking effect.  Miasma streams are covered in more detail in the
 Chalice file.  Suffice to say, you should never *ever* fall, jump,
 or touch a miasma stream.

Level of exposure   -	Effects
 0----------------------No miasma 'fog', the four tribes are
			 completly unaffected and live normally.
 1----------------------Slight miasma presence - If untreated over
			 the course of days, those affected will
			 parish.  Poisoning takes effect after
			 about three hours of exposure.  This
			 effect can be warded by even the
			 smallest of crystals.  Concentrations of
			 this type can sometimes be found in areas
			 protected by damaged, dying, or sometimes
			 dead crystals.
 2----------------------Normal miasma presence - Poisoning takes
			 effect after about an hour, with death
			 occuring in about a half of a day.  This
			 is the normal concentration found on the
			 surface of the world.
 3----------------------Saturated miasma presence - Slightly
			 stronger, this miasma can overcome tiny
			 crystals and the like, as well as
			 slightly larger ones.  The chalice is
			 safe from this degree of miasma.
			 Poisoning takes effect in about 30
			 minutes and is fatal over a quarter day.
 4----------------------Strong miasma presence - Much stronger,
			 this degree will overcome the chalice,
			 although the crystal will still limit
			 the effects.  Poisoning takes place in
			 20 minutes, and will kill in a number
			 of hours.
 5----------------------Very strong miasma presence - Capable of
			 blighting the crystals at the rivers,
			 poisoning will take effect in 10
			 minutes and causing death in about an
			 hour.
 6----------------------Concentrated miasma presence - This
			 strength of miasma can overpower the
			 crystal of Tipa. Poisoning takes effect
			 in 5 minutes and causes death in a
			 half-hour.
 7----------------------Great miasma presence - The strength
			 required to blot Sanriem's crystal, this
			 miasma will take effect in 1 minute, and
			 will kill in a matter of minutes.
 8----------------------Extreme miasma presence - Poisoning takes
			 effect in 1 round.  This presence will
			 overcome Alfitaria's crystal, and can
			 kill in a minute.
 9----------------------Elementary miasma presence - This
			 poisoning is instantaneous and will
			 deal death in under half-a-minute.
			 Needless to say, this can be countered
			 by very little.
10----------------------Complete or Primal miasma presence -
			 This presence can affect all but a
			 'world crystal'.  Uncountered, this
			 will cause nearly instantaneous
			 death to those affected.