A Hero is targeted when the poison or disease card is played. The infection happens immediately, and the counter that will show the reducing effect of the poison or disease is placed on the infected Hero. The effect of poison is deducted from the poisoned character during the owner’s Preparation Phase (not when initially played in battle). The effect of a poison or disease can be temporarily suspended if the Hero is placed in a protected area (e.g., out of play with Set-Aside Cards, in play with Goshen, or in a territory with Miraculous Handkerchiefs). A poison or disease can be stopped and its effect reversed if a healing card is played (see Restore Life, Heal, or Release on page 43) or the character is discarded prior to the effect reaching its end.