I'm about to start running a PF2e campaign in a homebrew setting, I originally wrote for a different game system. One of the plot points is the players finding the materials to cure a particular disease. I think I've translated the mechanics correctly (this is supposed to be a nasty extremely deadly disease) but I'm not certain what level the disease should be.
Sweating Sickness
Disease ?
Traits: disease, virulent
The Sweating Sickness is a mysterious plague that has recently come to the land of Magna Terra. Little is known about its origin or transmission, and it strikes suddenly and often Fatally.
Transmission & Vectors: The way the disease is transmitted between individuals is currently unknown, but it is likely airborne.
Causes: This is likely a viral disease but the Ecclesia Magni Dei is calling it a punishment from the gods for those who violate their teachings and are deemed unworthy, including non-humans and those who practice forbidden magic.
Symptoms: It begins very suddenly with a sense of apprehension, followed by cold shivers (sometimes very violent), dizziness, headache, and severe pains in the neck, shoulders, and limbs, with great exhaustion. The cold stage might last from half an hour to three hours, after which the hot and sweating stage begins. The characteristic sweat breaks out suddenly without any obvious cause. A sense of heat, headache, delirium, rapid pulse, and intense thirst accompany the sweat. Palpitation and pain in the heart are frequent symptoms. No skin eruptions have been noted by observers. In the final stages, there is either general exhaustion and collapse, or an irresistible urge to sleep. One attack does not produce immunity, and some people suffer several bouts before dying.
Treatment: There is no current treatment for this disease.
Prognosis: This disease is most often fatal to those who acquire it.
Mechanics: Players must DC 20 fortitude save when in proximity (10 feet) to an infected character. Onset: 2 hours.
Stage 1: 2 hours after the failed save the character becomes sickened 1 and fatigued 1. Roll 3D10 for the number of hours the illness lasts. For each hour of infection the character makes a DC 20 fortitude save. On a critical success the character goes back one stage of illness. On a success the character stays at their current stage. On a failure the character proceeds to the next stage. On a critical failure the character gains 2 stages.
This stage is marked by chills, dizziness, headache, and severe pains in the neck, shoulders, and limbs, with great fatigue.
Stage 2: the character is sickened 2, fatigued 2, and drained 1. This stage is when the severe sweating appears, this loss of fluid results in the drained condition.
Stage 3: the character is sickened 3, fatigued 3, and drained 2.
Stage 4: the character is sickened 4, fatigued 4, and drained 3.
Stage 5: death.
This illness continues until the character either dies or survives for the number of hours rolled. A character that survives the illness is no longer sickened but recovers from the fatigued and drained conditions normally.
