Editing Rivers in the Barrens:Main Page (section)

==Major Concepts==
'''The Blights:''' Local name applied to the sudden slew of widescale problems facing Ashbarrow since early 2072. 
* Concrete and brick edifices fracture and crumble as though suddenly exposed to a fierce freeze-thaw or unfelt earthquake. This first type of degradation heavily stems from existing structural weaknesses, but even slight dent and cracks suddenly expand over the course of days to hours rather than months to years.
* Metal tarnishes and rusts at an enhanced pace. Especially worrisome accounts claim even metals that are painted, kept in dry areas, or oiled can begin to oxidize.
* Weeds, ivies, moss, and other encrusting plants grow quickly and spread aggressively - akin to bamboo or kudzu. Anyone with botanical knowledge can tell this isn't entirely natural.
* A new respiratory illness that causes patients to cough up thickening, rust-colored phlegm. Uncreatively called "Rust Throat" by Ashbarrow inhabitants, this illness results in progressive inflammation of the throat and eventually the lungs. Rust Throat is particularly dangerous when combined with inhaling volcanic ash. There are untested claims the disease also causes behavioral alterations.