Radiation

Blightburn, a naturally occurring source of radiation in the Darklands.

Radiation in Golarion refers to poisonous emissions of natural, magical, or alien energies, and is most frequently encountered in the technological ruins of Numeria and parts of the Darklands. It can penetrate most materials and its effects can have variable intensity, though its strength-draining effects are slower than most poisons.

Sources

Nature

Radiation can occur naturally, especially in the Darklands:

• Caphorite, also called drowstone, is the most common source of radiation in the Darklands. Its emissions include a faint aura of transmutation magic and can mutate some plants and fungi.
• Blightburn is a potent source of non-magical radiation that emits a visible green glow and disrupts teleportation magic.
• Lazurite is a source of necromantic radiation associated with veins of marrowstone in Sekamina.

Thasteron, a natural mineral widely used on Akiton, emits a mild level of radioactivity that can be harmful with long-term exposure.

Gloomwasps of Sekamina emit a toxic form of radiation also known as "blacklight".

Technology

Numerous technological items can also generate hazardous levels of radiation:

• The aptly named extinction wave device is a radioactive bomb that emits radiation so intense that it can kill intelligent creatures across a wide radius without damaging objects or harming mindless creatures.
• An atom gun emits a targeted beam of radiation.
• An atom grenade irradiates an area for 24 hours.
• A fission reactor converts radioactive fuel into nuclear energy.

Magic

Certain arcane spells, such as irradiate, also generate radiation through magical means. Clerics of deities whose reach includes radiation can also irradiate objects with nauseating transmutative radiation.

Detection

Radioactive energies can be detected by technological devices as well as through spells, such as radiation ward.

Protection

Certain types of metals, such as lead and djezet, can block certain types of radioactive energy more effectively than other materials, while the spell radiation ward also provides some protection from its effects. Spells that cure the effects of poisons also cure the effects of radiation exposure in creatures, as does the spell remove radioactivity, which can also remove radiation lingering in the environment and in more powerful versions drain naturally radioactive materials.

A powered hazardous environment suit or panic suit can also protect its wearer from the effects of radiation, as can a spacesuit.

In religion

Certain deities, especially those worshiped by underground dwellers, include radiation as a subdomain of their divine oversight. Kobolds suffering from blightburn sometimes worship Trelmarixian, the Rider of Famine.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.