A mysteriously contracted disease, so named for its frequent confusion with mere laziness or incompetence frequently (typically unfairly) associated with those that find themselves impoverished and in debt for lack of work. Indeed, many with the malaise find themselves out of work and short on coin, but only due to the very real hobbling side effects of the disease. It is thought that chronic exposure to “bad air,” whatever that may mean, is the cause of the disease, which manifests in a slowed mind and body and a persistent feeling of tired, even if in fact well-rested.

Those affected take long to do essentially anything, and not for a lack of trying – they must frequently stop to catch their breath or to let their muscles rest, and simply cannot react as rapidly as healthy folk. Additionally, though they suffer no consequences for failing to do so more than a normal person, they feel as though they need an almost endless amount of sleep, much to their own frustration and the frustration of those around them. No real cure exists, but in time the disease will fade, assuming one can get away from the “bad air”- whatever the cause. While the precise vector of the Malaise is unclear, a humanoid exposed to it must succeed at a DC 8 Constitution save or become infected.

A humanoid so infected is utterly unable to recover through natural means from any Exhaustion they may incur. If Exhaustion is suppressed through another means, it returns once that effect expires. The effect of this disease lasts for the duration. Infections last 1d6 weeks, but reinfection from whatever the original source was can happen repeatedly.

No means of suppression of symptoms exists except for ordinary stimulants, and panacea magical cures for diseases.