This curse carries the weight of a queenless eternity, sapping the victim's strength and vitality as their body begins a slow, inexorable decay.

When a creature is exposed to this curse, they must succeed on a [Difficulty] Spirit (Will) defense roll or become afflicted by Tomb King's Blight. Upon failing the initial defense roll, the creature's Strength is immediately reduced by 1d4. For as long as the blight remains, the cursed creature cannot regain Health. At the end of every 24-hour period, the afflicted creature must repeat a Body (Endurance) defense roll. The outcome of this save determines the curse's progression:

• On a failure: The blight intensifies. The creature gains one level of Exhaustion and its Strength status condition worsens by one step (progressing from Normal to Weakened, then to Enfeebled, and finally to Drained).

• On a success: The creature fights off the blight's advance. The creature reduces its Exhaustion level by 1, and it improves its Strength status condition by one step (progressing from Drained towards Normal). Once there are no levels of Exhaustion or any Strength status conditions, the creature makes a final defense roll to remove the initial effects.

The curse is cured if all of its effects—the initial Strength reduction, all Strength status conditions, and all levels of Exhaustion—are removed through successful defense rolls. Alternatively, the blight can be ended by magic powerful enough to remove such afflictions.