The Rat Plague

Lore & Background

The origins of the plague remain shrouded in mystery, though many historians link its arrival to the metaphysical disruption caused by the Empress's murder. While some conspiracy theorists claim Lord Regent Burrows poisoned the water supply to manufacture a crisis for political gain, the presence of unnaturally large vermin suggests Void energy was bleeding into the physical realm. During the height of the outbreak, Dunwall descended into chaos. Streets were littered with bloated corpses and writhing nests of rats that grew to monstrous sizes. The Overseers enforced strict quarantine zones, often burning infected buildings without mercy. This environment allowed the Royal Protectorate to consolidate power under martial law, silencing dissent while claiming to protect the populace from infection.

In Their Own Story

The fog hung heavy over the district, smelling of sulfur and rot. A lone patrolman kicked at a corpse in the gutter, his boots slipping on slick mud. From the shadows beneath a broken gaslight, eyes reflected the dim orange glow—too many pairs for one animal. The sound of skittering claws echoed off the brickwork as a shadow detached itself from the wall, towering over the man. He raised his musket, but the coughing fit seized him before he could fire. In the silence that followed, only the wet drag of fur against stone remained.

Reader's Guide

While many citizens blamed Lord Regent Hiram Burrows for poisoning the water supply to incite panic, supernatural evidence suggests a deeper connection to the Void. The Abbey of the Everyman remained silent during the crisis, refusing to comment on the spiritual corruption spreading through the streets. Martial law was declared by the Royal Protectorate to contain the infected districts, leading to curfews and public executions for those who spread rumors. Corvo Attano’s investigation revealed that the plague was not merely biological but tied to the metaphysical balance of the world. The Outsider’s involvement hints that the death of a monarch allowed dark energies to seep into reality. As the plague ravaged the populace, it created an environment ripe for political maneuvering and assassination plots. Ultimately, the resolution depended on restoring order to the throne, suggesting the sickness was a symptom of the empire's instability rather than a simple disease. The rats themselves grew unnaturally large, serving as both carriers and symbols of the decay consuming the capital.

Did You Know?

• Giant rats during the plague were significantly larger than normal vermin, capable of dragging humans away.
• The Abbey of the Everyman refused to perform exorcisms or offer prayers specifically for the plague victims.
• Martial law restricted movement in Dunwall, creating checkpoints managed by City Watch and Overseers.
• Some documents suggest the water supply was compromised, though the supernatural element remains unexplained.