On to the more tears:
Since the doctor mask is currently for no use you could implement a mechanic like plague in game. Here are some ideas for it:
1) A pilgrim can catch a plague (disease like mushroom poisoning) from rats (new critter) which act a lot like current timber rattler. A rat can only spawn at a town claim not covered by personal claim. This way it reflects more historical scenario and hermits are safe on their own lots. When a rat bites, there is a high change the player catches a plague (infected from rat fleas). Rats are rare but if left alive they would multiply fast. You can get some rare drops from rats so there is some benefit to kill them (no meat however). You could possibly use those artifacts for witchcraft later on. Plague infected pilgrims may or may not spread the plague in Providence (possibly too harsh). A plague could have a permanent profs and/or bile loss but I would prefer death if left untreated.
2) More tears for murderers. When a person carrying a plague is killed, the murderer gets a plague too if not protected (see below). Also wandering near a dead body (not skeleton) may infect players.
Treatment and avoidance:
1) A doctor's mask may be equipped but that itself won't help anything. You need to stuff the mask with flower arrangements/sunflowers/roses to protect from plague. These have a high wear and you must refill the mask every few hours. Wearing a stuffed mask prevents you from catching a plague but if you got it already it prevents death (not the bile/prof loss). Note also that the mask won't protect you if bitten by a rat.
Other ideas:
This disease is possibly best suited for an addition to witchcraft. Since this would bring more tears to villages it would be nice to offset this with lower authority cost or other benefit for towns.
I also miss the graveyard in Providence
