rotblight

Rotblight is a fictional disease and corruption first introduced in the *World of Warcraft* expansion *Wrath of the Lich King*, later expanding into other *Warcraft* lore. It is a necrotic plague that spreads through the dead and living alike, transforming flesh into a grayish, rotting mass and draining life force. The disease is often associated with the undead and necrotic magic, particularly in the context of the Scourge, an army of undead creatures led by the Lich King Arthas Menethil.

Rotblight originates from the cursed land of Northrend, where Arthas sought to preserve his brother, King Terenas Menethil II, by turning him into an undead vessel. This act unleashed the plague upon the realm, spreading through the dead and infecting the living. The disease manifests as a grayish, blistering rash that spreads rapidly, causing severe decay and eventual death. Those infected often become mindless husks, serving as hosts for the Scourge.

The plague is resistant to conventional healing and requires necrotic or arcane magic to be effectively treated. In later expansions, such as *Legion*, Rotblight is linked to the Burning Legion’s influence, particularly through the cult of Sargeras and the demonic entity Kil’jaeden. The disease continues to spread through the *Warcraft* universe, affecting both major factions and neutral regions, serving as a recurring threat in the lore.

Rotblight’s effects are often depicted as irreversible, with infected individuals becoming hollow-eyed, skeletal husks that serve as vessels for undead or demonic forces. The disease has also been used as a tool of war, with factions like the Scourge and later demonic cults employing it to weaken enemies and expand their influence. Its persistence in the *Warcraft* universe underscores its role as a symbol of corruption and decay.