'Remove Disease' before onset


Rules Questions


If a character was bitten by a Ghoul, can 'Remove Disease' be used if they contract Ghoul Fever, even if the onset (1 day) hasn't been met?


Onset: Some afflictions have a variable amount of time before they set in. Creatures that come in contact with an affliction with an onset time must make a saving throw immediately. Success means that the affliction is avoided and no further saving throws must be made. Failure means that the creature has contracted the affliction and must begin making additional saves after the onset period has elapsed. The affliction's effect does not occur until after the onset period has elapsed and then only if further saving throws are failed.

it seems like you are diseased but it is not doing anything yet. if you can tell you have it then I would say you can cure the disease before it starts doing its thing.


Should work, yes. But how does your character know it has contracted the disease? Or is this meant to be preventive?

Sovereign Court

Spells like Diagnose Disease or a good Heal check should do that.


The heal skill does not recognize diseases, but in my games I would allow it.

Only mentioning this because we are in the rules section.


A character with psychic magic or the Psychic Sensitivity feat can detect disease using the Read Aura (perception) Occult Skill Unlock.


It's not unreasonable to imagine preemptively casting the spell on party members if they've been in contact with a ghoul, but I would force the party to cast it on everyone who had been bitten by the ghoul (otherwise it's a little meta).

Liberty's Edge

wraithstrike wrote:

The heal skill does not recognize diseases, but in my games I would allow it.

Only mentioning this because we are in the rules section.

I would make that more a Profession (physician) check. Or at least decrease the DC for a physician against someone using the healing skill.

The heal skill seem a mix between the abilities of a nurse and a field chirurgeon, not a full physician.

Note that in my current games I am using the background skills, so it is common to have a decent number of skill points.


Thanks. Yeah, it's more of a preventative measure. The other party member who was scratched will also have it cast on them.

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