Post by Nazerine on Jun 12, 2012 16:58:33 GMT 10
The Darkness
In the last age, a new, more sinister force had started to dominate the land. An ancient evil has awoken from it's slumber, it's sole purpose to devour and twist the life into an abomination. This energy took on a form that could not be touched, but felt. The Darkness was, and is, its body and presence of sinister evil. Looming over the land like a dark curtain, it projects itself with such intensity it can become palpable. The very sight of this intensified black void is said to bring fear into not only the hearts of men, but into the hearts of the creatures and life forms that dwell unseen. It drains and feeds, forcing itself upon the minds of the weak and weary.
Those that linger in the great shadow's grasp would be unable to see beyond a foot in front of them, even with the help or aid of a light and will gradually lose their sanity. Insanity, once afflicted, can be cured but only by the comfort of loved ones, or the guidance of a strong spiritual leader or doctor. Recovery requires weeks of progress and rest and usually even after being cured, the victims are permanently traumatized.
The Darkness is an ever-moving anomaly that shifts across the lands. Whatever ground it touches, whatever person it affects, it taints and drains. Tainted grounds not only are withered and grey but are burdened by great misfortune. Famine, plague, dark omens, hauntings, apparitions, and an overall sense of dread and helplessness can be felt and seen when standing on tainted grounds or tainted earth. The sky above the lands that had been touched by darkness are constantly gloomy and opaque.
There are few things that hold the darkness at bay. Many have attempted to purify or use religious beliefs to shield themselves from the anomaly, and all that have tried have failed. The Darkness roams, but it strangely, cannot breach the walls or cross the land if strong will is present. Strong will, otherwise known as morale, can be encountered where people have fathomed positive energy, such as love, faith, trust, chivalry and so forth. Strong morale and will erects an unseen defense, which The Darkness will not challenge until the will is broken or fades, and the morale of the people is low.
The second known source that deters the anomaly is an ore that remains extremely rare, but brims with potent magical energy. Ascentium, named for its hovering and floating body, has been discovered in small quantities across vast areas. Ascentium is essentially the dried blood of dragons, and as such, has many uses. However, to obtain it requires great skill, as the ore is ever burning and radiates immense heat. This manifestation of dragon blood is the only known resource in Verenthia that The Darkness refuses to approach.
Naturally, lands deemed 'tainted' are often treacherous to cross, but can be known to eventually return to a state of normality should strong will and positive energy maintain it for a long period of time.