The Rat Plague Outbreak
A creeping death that choked the capital and sparked a revolution.
The Rat Plague is a catastrophic biological epidemic that ravaged the city of Dunwall in the early nineteenth century. Originating from unknown sources but exacerbated by poor sanitation and political corruption, it killed thousands of citizens and paralyzed the capital's infrastructure. The outbreak serves as the primary catalyst for the events of Dishonored, creating an atmosphere of fear and desperation that empowers conspirators to seize control of the Empire.
- Location
- Dunwall and surrounding Isles
- Status
- Contained/Receding (Post-Game)
- Vectors
- Rats, Fleas, Contaminated Water
- Key Response
- Imperial Quarantine of Dunwall (enforced by the Lord Regent's forces following Jessamine's death)
- Political Impact
- Temporary overthrow of the Kaldwin Administration (restored under Empress Emily)
Lore & Background
While common citizens blamed poor hygiene or divine punishment, the plague was a natural disease worsened by unsanitary conditions, not a deliberate plot by Void forces. The Abbey of the Everyman officially denies the Outsider's existence and instead attributes the plague to natural causes or divine punishment for violating the Seven Strictures, using the suffering to justify purging heretics and dissenters. The rats themselves were unnaturally resilient and aggressive due to the city's filth and decay, not supernatural influence. After Empress Jessamine's assassination, the Lord Regent's forces enforced a quarantine around Dunwall to prevent the spread, cutting off food supplies and trade, turning the city into a hellscape of starvation and violence. Whalers and smugglers often risked death to transport goods through the blockade, while plague doctors in beaked masks became common sights amidst the fog-choked streets.
In Their Own Story
The fog clung to the cobblestones like wet wool as Elias pulled his cloak tighter against the chill. Below him, a rat scurried across the gutter, its eyes gleaming with an unnatural intelligence. It did not flee from the lantern light; it watched him. A cough echoed from the alley ahead, followed by the heavy thud of a body hitting the pavement. Elias knew better than to check. He tightened his grip on the coin purse and prayed the quarantine gates would open before the sun rose.
Reader's Guide
The outbreak began prior to the game's opening, destabilizing Dunwall's society and economy. Shortly after Empress Jessamine Kaldwin was assassinated during this turmoil, the city was placed under strict blockade by the Empire. Corvo Attano returns to a quarantined capital where the plague is rampant. His mission focuses on uncovering the conspiracy behind the assassination rather than curing the disease directly. However, his actions influence the political stability required for recovery. Player choices regarding violence and chaos determine the city's fate in the epilogue. A high-chaos path leaves Dunwall overrun by rats and despair, suggesting the plague's supernatural roots festered further. Low-chaos actions allow the city to stabilize, with trade resuming and the disease receding as order is restored.
Did You Know?
- The Abbey of the Everyman used the panic from the outbreak to justify purging dissenters.
- Rats in Dunwall appear larger and more aggressive than typical vermin due to the city's unsanitary conditions.
- The Imperial Quarantine was enforced by the Lord Regent's forces, not a unified Imperial decree, and physically separated Dunwall from the rest of the Empire for months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Rat Plague in Dunwall?
The disease spread through rats, fleas, and contaminated water, thriving due to poor sanitation and political neglect. While its exact origin remains unknown, the capital's infrastructure collapse accelerated the catastrophe.
How did the outbreak impact the Kaldwin administration?
The plague created an atmosphere of desperation that allowed conspirators to assassinate Empress Jessamine and overthrow her government. Lord Regent Hiram Burrows used the crisis to enforce a strict Imperial Quarantine on the city.
Is the Rat Plague still active after Dishonored?
Following Corvo Attano's actions, the outbreak was contained and eventually receded from the Isles. The restoration of Empress Emily Kaldwin helped stabilize society enough to manage the remaining health crisis.
Why is the plague central to the game's story?
It serves as the primary catalyst for the revolution, paralyzing Dunwall's defenses against the coup d'état. The fear it instilled in citizens made them vulnerable to Burrows' authoritarian rule.
Where did the Rat Plague spread beyond Dunwall?
While centered on the capital, the epidemic threatened surrounding areas within the Isles before containment efforts took hold. Strict quarantine measures were enforced by the Royal Guard to prevent further geographic expansion.
More in Story & Timeline
Elsewhere in the Dishonored universe
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