Plague Wastrels.
The Plague is a rabies-like disease that is ravaging the Wastrel population of Lud's Holm in We Happy Few.
When contracted, the Plague causes its host to suffer a gradual degeneration and breakdown of mental and cognitive capabilities until the disease drives them into rabidly attacking anyone nearby before killing them.
History[]
Otherwise known as the Bog or Blight by the Wastrels in the Garden District, the Plague was created due to Haworth Labs dumping toxic chemical waste from Joy production into the river, contaminating the groundwater supply. This has caused Wastrels to get sick and contract the Plague.
Not only that, but it also caused mutant mushrooms to spread throughout the Garden District.
Any part of Wellington Wells that has a confirmed case of the Plague is put under quarantine and becomes isolated by armed force, as seen with Lud's Holm.
Events of We Happy Few[]
Act I[]
The player first learns about Plague when entering Lud's Holm, as it has become the section for Downers who caught the plague, keeping them away from civilization as best they can. Arthur meets two women talking over a dead man's corpse, informing him that even a mere scratch can get you infected, and the player will get ambushed by a plagued Wastrel in the middle of their conversation.
Later, during the quest A Malpractice of Doctors, the Wellington Wells Health Institute is revealed to have several plague wastrels quarantined inside, which are released when Arthur disengages the quarantine protocols.
Plague Wastrels only appear on Lud's Holm at this point in the story.
Act II[]
During Sally's Act, the Plague has spread to Eel Pie Holm and Ravensholm, meaning she has to avoid not only plagued Wastrels, but Soldiers too.
Plague Wastrels are also seen to have occupied the Train Station after Ollie left.
On Ratholm, the place where the toxic Joy chemicals were originally dumped from, there are tons of Plague Wastrels patrolling the grass lands, often in groups of three.
Act III[]
During Ollie's Act, Plagued Wastrels released by Arthur will be in the Parade District. They will wander and attack anyone nearby, regardless of the time of day.
Contracting the Plague[]
The player can contract the Plague if they either get hit by Plague Wastrels (random chance) or by searching a Plague Wastrel's corpse 24 hours after it has been killed by the player.
Contracting the Plague will cause the player to suffer a 50% reduction to stamina capacity while also reducing their movement speed by 15%. The plague does not kill the player, nor do they become friendly with other plagued victims.
Plagued Wastrels[]
- "Hreþerbealo hearde·"
- — Plague Wastrel
In Lud's Holm are Wastrels who have been affected by the plague, they only come out at night alongside the Headboys, as they are very sensitive to light.
Appearance[]
Plague Wastrels look exactly the same as regular Wastrels, with the exception being some sort of particles floating up and around their heads, they will also shamble awkwardly when walking, running and attacking. Their most distinguishing feature, however, is their incoherent rambling in Old English.
Behaviour[]
Plague Wastrels are usually only encountered at night on Lud's Holm, where they emerge en masse throughout the lands and will attack anyone they spot, including the player and any Headboys patrolling the streets.
Plagued Wastrels can sometimes be found during the day inside of buildings, though it is mostly for the sake of making a certain area more challenging for the player to complete.
Plague Wastrels dread bright light, so if the player shines a Torch at them, the Plague Wastrels will stop dead in their tracks and begin cowering in fear, granting the player an opportunity to either escape or attack them.
Combat[]
Plague Wastrels' main form of combat is simply running up to their target and hitting them. They have no ranged attacks, though they are extremely fast and can drain the player's health quickly if they're not careful. However, because they don't carry any weapons, it means they won't be able to block any of the player's attacks.
Plague Wastrels cannot be taken down from behind and they will not react to distractions, such as Glass Bottles.
Transcript[]
| Beowulf Quote | Simplified Translation |
|---|---|
| Aldres orwéna | Horrible creature |
| Atol aéglaéca | The evil monster |
| Bengeato burston | Wounds burst open |
| Burston bánlocan | The joints tore apart |
| Deorc deaþscua | The walker in darkness |
| Faégne flaéschoman | Wretched flesh |
| Féond on hellewaes/helle | Fiend from hell |
| Godes yrre bær | Bearing God's anger |
| Grim ond graédig | Savage and merciless |
| Hafelan multon | Heads melted |
| Hreþerbealo hearde· | Great anguish |
| Maga máne fáh | Guilty of his crimes |
| Módes brecða | Heart breaking |
| Morðbeala | Gruesome murders |
| Nightbealwa | Night-evil |
| Saédéor monig | Flocks of sea-beasts |
| Se mánscaða | The marauder |
| Seonowe onsprungon | Sinews split |
| Þegnsorge dreah | Suffered great sorrow for the thanes |
| Þone delsceaðan | The deranged enemy |
| Wergan gástes | Accursed spirit |
| Wiht unhaélo | The unholy creature |
| Wonsaéli wer | Miserable man |
| Wraéc micel | Great misery |
Treatment[]
The player can cure themselves using a Phenocycline Jab, Best First Aid Kit or Ollie's Grog. Alternatively, the Plague can be avoided altogether by wearing a Reinforced Padded Suit.
Trivia[]
- Histoplasma Mushrooms will grow on the dead bodies of Plague Wastrels.
- Dr. Defoe finds lots of answers to why the Plagued Wastrels behave like they do:
- Deterioration in the Broca's Area of the brain, normally this would cause Aphasia, but in this case it seems as if the victims have had a reversion and as a result speaks Old English.
- There is evidence of excess accumulation of fluid in the intra and extracellular spaces of their brains (Cerebral edema). The Doctor claims this is most likely due to the inflammation in their brains (Encephalitis).
- The degeneration of their cerebellum is sort of spongiform, resulting in their lost sense of balance.
- The Plague Wastrels randomly cite quotes from Beowulf, an Old English transcript and poem.
- It's also said they're speaking "Anglo-Saxon" (otherwise known as Old English).
- The quotes in question appear to, for the most part, relate to their well being.
- In some rare occasions, Bobbies can sometimes catch the Plague if they're attacked by Plague Wastrels and become what is known as "Plague Bobbies". However, they're completely harmless.
- To see the changes that Plague Wastrels went through, see Removed Content.
Gallery[]
