Curses

A curse is a magical effect that lingers on a creature, object, or place until it is broken. Curses are not a single mechanic; they are a category that includes Bestow Curse, cursed magic items, hag curses, lich and demon-prince afflictions, and DM-authored story curses.

General rules:

• A curse is a magical effect (see Magical Effect). Dispel Magic will not end most curses on its own.
• The standard remover is Remove Curse, a 3rd-level spell. Some curses specify higher-level remedies (greater restoration, wish, a specific quest).
• A cursed magic item bonds to its wielder on attunement and resists being discarded. The wielder feels compelled to keep it equipped; ending attunement requires breaking the curse.
• Curses on places ("this tomb is cursed") typically impose a hazard or recurring effect on creatures within. Ending them often requires fulfilling a story condition.
• A creature reduced to 0 HP by a curse does not automatically end the curse; the curse persists into unconsciousness, stable, or even death depending on the curse's text.

Identifying a curse: A curse on a creature is rarely visible. The Identify spell, an Arcana or Religion check, or a Divine Sense effect can surface its nature. Cursed magic items often hide the curse until the item is attuned.