Let me guess, you are new to Conan? ^^
In a nutshell to give you some basic understanding:
The two main reasons for Corruption are:
- peaceful contact with a Demon or similar being (even a very corrupt Sorcerer). Like in a Demonic Pact, but also any other contact except: attacking the being, fleeing from the demon, or forcing the demon to do your will (as per Master Words and Signs or Summon Demon).
- finding/touching a magically tainted treasure. Which is the case for many treasures, especially in ancient ruins.
When such a trigger applies, you have to make a Corruption save. If you fail the save, you gain 1 point of Corruption. Every point of Corruption you have applies as penalty for future Corruption save, so once you gain the first Cor point, you are more likely to fail future tests.
If you MAKE the save, however, a Sorcerer (and only a Sorcerer) runs the risk of becoming insane. So it's kind of "damned if you do, damned if you don't". You have the chance to save against insanity as well, but of course your risk of becoming corrupted or mad is doubled.
The first few points of Corruption make you a cynical bastard that doesn't give a shit about life or honour. That's because you become aware of the evil powers that threaten the world and you don't see how anything could counter these.
Then from some point on, Corruption really kicks in and transforms your body. First some subtle signs, like bumps on the temples.
The final step is that the transformation breaks through and you morph into some semi-demonic beast, and are possibly also possessed by a demon.
Corruption is _not_ triggered by atrocities like torture or human sacrifices. Though you could house-rule that vile stuff like that can cause Corruption to a certain degree (i.e. up to the first step I described, but not further).
So I should be harsh and enpower corruption when neccessary?
