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{{Related|Cultures|Shadow|:Category:Shadow}}
{{Related|Cultures|Shadow|:Category:Shadow}}
== History ==
The tale of the Shadows is long and still unclear in many respects. There are indications that some Shadows, particularly those of the more powerful Panumbris and Umbris types, predate the conversion of Ilservian into Bael'Zharon. Scholars believe this indicates the force that empowered the Hopeslayer has sought the conquest of Dereth for a far much longer time than is commonly known.<ref name=Bestiary>2001/10 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[AC:DM CD Lore/Bestiary/Derethian Bestiary]]</ref>
=== Grael's Rebellion ===
The first confirmed transformation into Shadows was that of [[Grael]] and his companions. Grael was a warrior of a tribe of [[Ruschk]] in the north of the Kingdomw of [[Haebrous]], who called themselves Mukkir.<ref name="Book of Xik Minru" >2005/09 - [[Under Cover of Night]] - [[Book of Xik Minru]]</ref>In the fifth year of the reign of [[Braletain]] of [[Haebrous]], Grael's tribe is slain and Grael is taking captive to serve as a slave in the gladiatorial pits.<ref name=AccountMukkir>2005/08 - [[Friend and Foe]] - [[Account of the Spear of Mukkir]]</ref><ref name=GraelRebellion>2005/08 - [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Grael Rebellion]]</ref> As time led on, Grael gathered an army of slaves, fought their way from the pits<ref name=AccountMukkir>2005/08 - [[Friend and Foe]] - [[Account of the Spear of Mukkir]]</ref> and savaged the kingdom for three days<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref> Because the slaves did not have any magical capabilities, and the Haebrous forces did, the Rebellion was suppressed quickly.<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref> Grael managed to flee<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref><ref name="Book of Xik Minru" >2005/09 - [[Under Cover of Night]] - [[Book of Xik Minru]]</ref>, together with four other survivors, the brothers [[Farelaith]], [[Baranaith]], [[Hiranaith]] and [[Korogaith]].<ref name=BitterWinter>2005/12 [[Through Sacrifice, Strength]] - [[Our Bitter Winter]]</ref> Grael sought the help of "Darkness" to fight the Haebrous.<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref><ref name=ElderSpiritsTable>2006/04 [[Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands]] - [[Translated Elder Spirits Tablet]]</ref>
One night, [[Farelaith]] woke up, and found Grael and his brothers caught in some sort of dark magic.<ref name=BitterWinter>2005/12 [[Through Sacrifice, Strength]] - [[Our Bitter Winter]]</ref> Grael seemed to undergo his transformation willingly, and swore oaths with the "Dark that speaks".<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref> [[Farelaith]]'s brothers were wrapped in darkness and started screaming.<ref name=BitterWinter>2005/12 [[Through Sacrifice, Strength]] - [[Our Bitter Winter]]</ref> The three brothers now serve, turned into Shadows and having lost their name, in the [[Temple of Stirring Shadows]].<ref name=ShadeDialog>2005/12 [[Through Sacrifice, Strength]] - [[Shade of Farelaith#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> Grael learned "to move within the Dark that walks and learned to devour the light" of the Empyreans.<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref> According to the [[Falatacot]], Grael is, because he is not "pure-blood", i.e. [[Empyrean]], incapable of wielding the full power, and a flawed and imperfect vessel for the energies of the Living Darkness. Grael however, possesses something that no [[Empyrean]] does: a transcendent and transforming rage, a heart filled with the kind of pure, perfect hate which made him a perfect conduit for  the powers of war and destruction and despair. He could serve as an experimental subject for the "Dark Ones". They wrapped him in thorns, in a mantle of Living Darkness and gave him life everlasting within the Darkness, and they tought him to bring True Death and how to extinguish the light of creation.<ref name="Book of Xik Minru" >2005/09 - [[Under Cover of Night]] - [[Book of Xik Minru]]</ref> The "mantle" however,was not originally meant for him, slipped out of the grasp of the [[Nameless]]. He took the Gift, enslaved others as he had been enslaved, and fled from [[The Elder Spirits]] as he fled from his own slavemasters.<ref name=ElderSpiritsTable>2006/04 [[Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands]] - [[Translated Elder Spirits Tablet]]</ref> Grael, now called the Black Spear of the [[Kemeroi]], went on to the north. The place he chose to sleep was an isle north of [[Vissidal]] Isle.<ref name=KirielDialog>2006/06 [[Toward Ancient Shores]] - [[Kiriel Shadowborn#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> He fell asleep in a realm that was forbidden to the Shadow. The Black Spear is of the Shadow, but drifts outside of the domain of Shadow.<ref name=ElderSpiritsTable>2006/04 [[Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands]] - [[Translated Elder Spirits Tablet]]</ref> His presence, "dreaming songs of rage"<ref name=SongGrael>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[The Song of Grael]]</ref>, covered the island in Shadow, and the isle soon came to be called the [[Dark Isle]]. Those [[Falatacot]] who followed the Old One, [[N'cthail]], took a chance and used ancient seals to sink the isle below the waves. It was their hope that none would ever wake Grael and that this world would be free of him forever.<ref name=KirielDialog>2006/06 [[Toward Ancient Shores]] - [[Kiriel Shadowborn#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>
=== [[Third Sending of Darkness]]===
Three thousand years ago, during the invasion of the town of [[Daralet]] by [[Yalaini]] soldiers, a man of the village of [[Daralet]] named [[Ilservian Palacost]], could endure no more the abuses of the village's elders. Iservian's son, [[Avoren Palacost]], was deprived of access to food or water, resulting in his death, and the subsequent unfocused aggression of his father<ref name="Pack Bael'Zharon">2004/04 - [[On Bended Knee]] - [[Pack Bael'Zharon]]</ref><ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> Ilservian was run out of town, though not before he vowed to find the edge of the darkness that hung over the eaves of the earth.<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref>
He did not depart alone. His closest friends accompanied him. [[Elithra of Daralet|Elithra]] the mage, Ler Rhan the scribe, [[Omadin]] the farmer, [[Ferah]] the warrior and [[Isin Dule]] the friend of Ilservian since childhood. A small group of sympathizers also joined them. <ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> They wandered far into the endless frigid mud of the wastelands, vainly seeking light. At last Ilservian called to the darkness in anger. But there was no answer. Ilservian pressed on, growing weaker, shouting his fury and anguish into the wind and rain. And then, something answered. <ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref>
[[Ilservian Palacost]] gave himself over in service to an ancient, nameless power of darkness and madness. He became known as [[Bael'Zharon]], the "Slayer of Hope" in the language of Asheron's people.<ref name=TownNetworkPainting>2010/06 [[Shifting Gears]] - [[Shadow (Town Network Painting)]]</ref>
Four hundred years later, Ilservian returned, transformed by some dark power<ref>[[AC:DM CD Lore/Bestiary/Derethian Bestiary#Shadows]] </ref> into [[Bael'Zharon the Hopeslayer]]. This was called the [[Third Sending of Darkness]]. He led an army of shadow that brought death and madness in its wake. No force could stop it as it consumed armies and whole villages down to the last man, woman and child.<ref name="Pack Bael'Zharon">2004/04 - [[On Bended Knee]] - [[Pack Bael'Zharon]]</ref> While investigating the events, whole armies disappeared, and [[Lord Atlan]] was reported being ripped apart. <ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref><ref>2000/02 - [[Shadows of the Past]] - [[Imperial Missive]]</ref>
Ilservian's followers were changed into Shadows. The first Shadows, then, were Empyrean, corrupted by the same force of chaos that empowered Bael'Zharon. These Shadows fought a vicious war against the ancient Empyrean and nearly destroyed them. Only the actions of the Yalain Mage Council and Asheron saved the race from absorption or destruction. Three of the companions of [[Ilservian Palacost]], [[Isin Dule]], [[Ferah]] and [[Ler Rhan]] survive the [[Third Sending of Darkness]], two ([[Omadin]] and [[Elithra of Daralet]]) are slain.<ref name=TownNetworkPainting>2010/06 [[Shifting Gears]] - [[Shadow (Town Network Painting)]]</ref><ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> <ref name="Pack Bael'Zharon">2004/04 - [[On Bended Knee]] - [[Pack Bael'Zharon]]</ref><ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> During the final imprisonment of the Hopeslayer, the council was slain, the earth was scorched in a 3 miles radius. A place today called [[Obsidian Plains]]<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref>The trap set for the Hopeslayer burst into six fragments, but the Empire was only able to recover five. The last piece was never seen again by living eyes. That should have been the end of the tale, save for the [[Gelidites]].<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref>
=== Portal Year Era ===
Since then, the Shadows have captured and corrupted many humans into members of their ranks.<ref name=TownNetworkPainting/> One of the first Isparians known to be turned into a Shadow was [[Hamud ibn Rafik]], a member of the [[Shagar Zharala]] on [[Ispar]] and founder of the [[Tenebrous Edge]] on Dereth.<ref>2000/02 [[Shadows of the Past]] - [[The Fallen Master of Shagar Zharala]]</ref><ref>2000/02 [[Shadows of the Past]] - [[Precepts of the Tenebrous Edge]]</ref><ref>2000/04 [[Thorns of the Hopeslayer]] - [[A Letter to Devana]]</ref><ref>2000/05 [[Heroes' Respite]] - [[Hamud's Last Testament]]</ref>
There is strong evidence that the [[Order of the Raven Hand]] is involved with the Shadows. One of there victims is [[Bewren]], who was turned into a shadow after being betrayed by his brother.<ref>2003/12 [[Waking From the Abyss]] - [[Bewren's Journal]]</ref><ref>2003/12 [[Waking From the Abyss]] - [[Jaeget's Journal]]</ref><ref>2003/12 [[Waking From the Abyss]] - [[Proselytic Shadow#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>
It is known from historical records that in the last war, the Shadows similarly twisted several [[Gromnatross]] -- the adult form of Dereth's [[Gromnie]]s -- into the [[Shadow Spire]]s.<ref name=TownNetworkPainting/>
==== [[The Fourth Sending of Darkness]] ====
Thousands of years later, after the [[Olthoi]] drove the [[Empyrean]]s off of the planet,during a digging by the [[Gelidites]], a young mage named [[Frisirth]] found a beautiful, sparkling crystal. The locals called it “Great Work”. A human expedition slaughtered the Gelidites, and destroyed their “Great Work.” So, the Isparians were unwittingly duped into freeing [[Bael'Zharon]] from his crystal prison.<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> Thus in Portal Year 11 began the [[Fourth Sending of Darkness]]. The Shadows attacked from all sides, the Hopeslayer roamed the land, and the rivers ran red. <ref name="Pack Bael'Zharon">2004/04 - [[On Bended Knee]] - [[Pack Bael'Zharon]]</ref>
Ilservian's surviving friends became corporeal once more and raised the [[Shadow Spire|Thorns]], using them to alter the patterns of magic in the world. Ferah, by now called Black [[Ferah]], and Ler Rhan attacked the Isparian population and kidnapped some of them for individual trials. <ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref>
The Shadows launched their invasion during the [[Thorns of the Hopeslayer]] patch. Their armies poured into the Direlands under the leadership of general Black [[Ferah]]. After being defeated a few times, she moved her command post into one of the [[Shadow Spire]]s where she was overwhelmed after a coordinated attack of the Isparians.<ref name=HistoryDerethV>2000/05 [[Heroes' Respite]] [[General History of Dereth Vol. V]]</ref> The invasion of Ler Rhan's forces started in [[A'mun Desert]]. Unlike [[Ferah]], he elected to directly establish his headquarters in the Spires. After he was slain there, he moved on to the plains in the Aluvian-settled regions of Dereth. Again, he was tracked and defeated. Once more he moved, into the Spire found in the [[Blackmire Swamp]]. Once more he fell. The conquered Spires held keys to the [[Nexus Crystal]], which was defended by an army of Undead and Shadows (See als [[Nexus Shadow Armor Quest]]). <ref name=HistoryDerethV>2000/05 [[Heroes' Respite]] [[General History of Dereth Vol. V]]</ref>
Until the [[To Raise a Banner of Flame]], the Spires moved over the landscape, but their army and their generals remained unseen.<ref name=HistoryDerethVIII>2000/08 [[Taste of Twilight]] - [[General History of Dereth Vol. VIII]]</ref> The Spires of Ferah and Ler Rhan's Spires attacked [[Cragstone]] and [[Arwic]].<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> Ler Rhan's forces invested [[Anadil of Shakrassekor|Anadil]]'s garrison at the [[Fenmalain Vestibule]], but the battle ends indecisive, partly due because [[Isin Dule]] withheld his forces.<ref>2000/09 [[Twilight's Gleaming]] - [[Shadow Dispatch]]</ref> Before any action could be taken by the divided Shadows, the Isparians interfered again and destroyed all three of the Vault Crystals.<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> After five of the [[Soul Crystals]] were destroyed, only the [[Shard of the Herald]] kept [[Bael'Zharon]] imprisoned.<ref name=PY1112LttP>2000/12 [[The Child of Daralet]] - [[Announcements - 2000/12 - The Child of Daralet#Letter to the Players]]</ref> The destruction of the 6th and last Crystal, the Shard of the Herald, took place with help of the generals Black Ferah and Ler Rhan and their Isparian allies.
The Shadows of Ler Rhan disturb the parlay of the forces of the [[Empyrean]]s, the [[Virindi]] and the Shadow faction of [[Isin Dule]], and the Senechal of Chalicmere, [[Steward of Chalicmere|Lord Amarand]] perishes.<ref>2001/04 [[A Reign of Stone]] - [[Scrawled Note (Aerbax Laboratory)]]</ref><ref>2007/10 [[Masked Memories]] - [[Delving into Claude's Mind#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>
In the month of Frostfell, P.Y. 11, a desperate alliance formed between [[Asheron]], the [[Virindi]], the undead [[Dericost]], [[Isin Dule]], and the Isparians.<ref name="Pack Bael'Zharon">2004/04 - [[On Bended Knee]] - [[Pack Bael'Zharon]]</ref>  After the second time the Hopeslayer is defeated, the Shadows retreat.<ref name=IsinOrders>2006/05 - [[The Price of Loyalty]] - [[Isin Dule's Orders]]</ref> [[Ilservian Palacost]] is finally weakened and his physical form destroyed, however, [[Ferah]] and Ler Rhan] are not. [[Isin Dule]] retreats to "somewhere in the lonely wastes".<ref name="A Brief History for Travelers">2000/11 - [[Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)]]</ref> Bael'Zharon was driven off of this plane of existence but he was not destroyed.<ref name="Pack Bael'Zharon">2004/04 - [[On Bended Knee]] - [[Pack Bael'Zharon]]</ref>
==== Activities on Caul ====
The first mention hereafter of Ler Rhan is during the [[Mirror, Mirror]] event. The island of [[Caul]] undergoes a radical change due to experiments of [[Aerbax]] in cooperation with Ler Rhan, also referred to as "The Mirror". Aerbax discovered an “Energy Source”.<ref name=EnergySource>2003/01 [[The Slumbering Giant]] - [[Energy Source]]</ref> where it found a companion <ref name=EnergySource/> which it called its Mirror.<ref name=Destructions>2003/01 [[The Slumbering Giant]] - [[Destructions and Beginnings]]</ref><ref>2003/11 [[Visions in the Darkness]] - [[The Mirror]]</ref> It was later revealed that Aerbax's Mirror was [[Ler Rhan]], and the Energy Source was a [[Kemeroi]], one of the great evil beings hidden deep within the world, which further twisted it towards Shadow and destruction.<ref name=PackAerbax>2008/05 [[Introductions]] - [[Pack Aerbax]]</ref>Together, they were responsible for taking over Caul Island from the [[Directive]] and the once Virindi dominated island now shows a strong Shadow influence. Not only did the island physically change (ridges becoming higher and more pronounced, and the plateau in the middle changed into a crater, Caulcano), but also the flora, and for all, the fauna.<ref>2004/01 [[Mirror, Mirror]] - [[Announcements - 2004/01 - Mirror, Mirror#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref name=Destructions/><ref name=EnergySource/><ref>2003/11 [[Visions in the Darkness]] - [[Visions in the Darkness#Town Crier Rumors|Town Crier Rumors]]</ref><ref name=CaulOverhaul>2004/01 - [[Mirror, Mirror]] - [[Announcements - 2004/01 - Mirror, Mirror#Teaser]]</ref>
For some time Aerbax and [[Ler Rhan]] were rather inactive, with their only major activities on Dereth being the creation of the creatures which now populate the [[Valley of Death]], such as the shadow-touched Virindi<ref>2007/10 [[Masked Memories]] - [[Shadow-touched Virindi Paradox Kill Task#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> They used the Energy Source to augment creatures and Virindi to new strengths.<ref>2003/01 [[The Slumbering Giant]] - [[Announcements - 2003/01 - The Slumbering Giant#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref>2003/02 [[That Which Is Ours]] - [[Announcements - 2003/02 - That Which Is Ours#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref>2003/03 [[A Perfect Paradox]] - [[Announcements - 2003/03 - A Perfect Paradox#Teaser|Teaser]] </ref> <ref name=Destructions/> <ref name=EnergySource/><ref>2007/10 [[Masked Memories]] - [[Virindi Paradox Kill Task#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> Some were less successful than other, like its experiments on Mosswarts (referred to as "croakers").<ref>2003/01 [[The Slumbering Giant]] - [[Research Notes: Mosswart]]</ref>. The experimentations on Shadows however, were more promising.<ref>2003/01 [[The Slumbering Giant]] - [[Research Notes: "Children of Darkness"]]</ref>
[[Ferah]] is responsible for the creation of the [[Shadow Stone]]<ref>2006/08 - [[Shattering the Dark]] - [[Varetha#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> During the [[A Perfect Paradox]] event, she orders a raid on [[Anadil's Tomb]] to steal the pieces of the [[Staff of the Nomads]]. Her forces obtain one of the pieces and hide it in the [[Lightless Catacombs]]. Forces loyal to Anadil relocate the other piece to the [[Abandoned Observatory]].<ref>2003/03 [[A Perfect Paradox]] - [[Note (Abandoned Observatory)]]</ref><ref>2003/03 [[A Perfect Paradox]] - [[Note (Anadil's Tomb)]]</ref>
The three generals, [[Ler Rhan]] and [[Black Ferah]] on one side, [[Isin Dule]] on the other, concentrate their activities on [[Caul]], where Isin Dule keeps a close eye on the whereabouts of the other two. <ref name=IsinOrders>2006/05 - [[The Price of Loyalty]] - [[Isin Dule's Orders]]</ref><ref>2006/01 [[Reprisals]] - [[Instructions (Shriveled Lump)]]</ref><ref>2006/02 [[A Change in Tactics]] - [[Instructions (Shadowfire Stone)]]</ref> To that goal, Isin Dule raises a Shadow Spire on Caul.<ref name=IsinOrders>2006/05 - [[The Price of Loyalty]] - [[Isin Dule's Orders]]</ref>
==== [[The War of Blood and Shadow]] ====
The Shadows become active again during the [[The War of Blood and Shadow]] Story Arc.
During this arc, the disappearance of the armies of the [[Viamont]] and [[New Aluvia]] on what is now known as the [[Shadow Marsh]] occurred. Many of the forces were turned into Shadows, some willing, some unwilling <ref>2006/03 [[Down Twisting Paths]] - [[Lore of the Dark Spiral]]</ref><ref>2006/03 [[Down Twisting Paths]] - [[Lord Marsan's Log Book]]</ref>
This was caused by the release of dark powers, because both the [[Raven Hand]] and [[Dardante]] tried to summon [[Grael]] and get him under their control.<ref name=BoundFalatacot>2006/04 [[Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands]] - [[Translated Bound Falatacot Fragment]]</ref><ref name=ShiningRunesRollout>2006/04 [[Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands]] - [[Announcements - 2006/04 - Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands#Rollout Article]]</ref><ref name=ElderSpiritsTable>2006/04 [[Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands]] - [[Translated Elder Spirits Tablet]]</ref> Also, High Archon [[Lucane Kraest]] of the [[Raven Hand]] got a vision of a presence of a being not unlike his master, the Hopeslayer. and in the hope to find an ally or a puppet to control, he destroyed the first of the crystals, hidden by the Dericost in the [[Nightmare Gate]] on [[Caul]].<ref name=KraestJournal>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[Journal of High Archon Kraest]]</ref>
Isin Dule finds out about the activities of the [[Raven Hand]], notably [[High Archon Kraest]], trying to summon [[Grael]] and orders his forces to interfere.<ref name=IsinInstructions>2006/05 - [[The Price of Loyalty]] - [[Isin Dule's Instructions]]</ref> Some members of the [[Raven Hand]] have willingly embraced the Shadow and joined Isin Dule's cause. <ref name=IsinOrders>2006/05 - [[The Price of Loyalty]] - [[Isin Dule's Orders]]</ref> Others, such as [[Archon Merille]] he does not trust.<ref name=IsinOrders>2006/05 - [[The Price of Loyalty]] - [[Isin Dule's Orders]]</ref>
The summoning of Grael did not go as planned<ref name=DarkestTeaser> 2006/06 - [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[Announcements - 2006/06 - From the Darkest Depths#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref>, and both [[Pontifex Maegris]] and [[Count Dardante]]'s main assistant, [[Archmage Aigonne]], were turned into shadows.<ref>2006/06 - [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[Grael's Summoning Chamber#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> The experiments with Grael having gone awry, Grael became now [[Dardante]]'s master instead of the other way around. <ref> 2006/08 - [[Shattering the Dark]] - [[Shattering the Dark#Town Crier Rumors|Town Crier Rumors]]</ref>. Dardante, being corrupted by Grael, was turned into a Shadow.
When Isin Dule cannot prevent Grael from being summoned, he calls in the help of the Isparians to rise the [[Dark Isle]].<ref>2006/06 [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[From the Darkest Depths#Soul Crystal of the Dark Isle|Soul Crystal of the Dark Isle Live Event]]</ref> and to prevent the [[Dark Isle]] from being sunk again.<ref>2006/06 [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[Raising Grael's Island#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> During [[Toward Ancient Shores]] patch, he opens the way to the [[Dark Isle]]<ref>2006/07 - [[Toward Ancient Shores]] - [[Lanaith#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>, the "island where Grael once slept".<ref>2006/07 - [[Toward Ancient Shores]] - [[Toward Ancient Shores#Town Crier Rumors|Town Crier Rumors]]</ref>
Preceded by invasions of the Derethian towns by Shadows during the [[From the Darkest Depths]] patch<ref>2006/07 [[Toward Ancient Shores]] - [[Announcements - 2006/07 - Toward Ancient Shores#Letter to the Players|Letter to the Players]]</ref><ref>2006/06 [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[Grael's Shadow Lieutenant#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>, a breach was made for Grael's main contingent near [[Arwic]], lead by the [[Makkar]].<ref>2006/06 [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[Shadow Breach Quest#Lore & Dialog]]</ref><ref>2006/06 [[From the Darkest Depths]] - [[Translation of the Torn Letter]]</ref>
[[Grael]] was finally defeated by splitting him in three aspects by destroying the [[White Totem]] on the [[Halaetan Isles]] (Ruschk Aspect)<ref>2006/08 [[Shattering the Dark]] - [[Splitting Grael (Low)#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>, the [[Black Totem]] on [[Caul]] (Shadow Aspect)<ref>2006/08 [[Shattering the Dark]] - [[Splitting Grael (Mid)#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>, and the [[Abyssal Totem]]  on [[Dark Isle]] (Mukkir Aspect)<ref>2006/08 [[Shattering the Dark]] - [[Splitting Grael (High)#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>. [[Oswald]] brought the [[Ordina Rossu Morta]] and [[Whispering Blade]] together to fight against Grael.<ref>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - [[Announcements - 2007/09 - Dark Materials#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref> Queen [[Elysa]] and King [[Varicci II]] decided to cooperate and slay each one of those aspects separately.<ref>2006/09 [[Come What Follows]] - [[Come What Follows#Town Crier Rumors|Town Crier Rumors]]</ref><ref>2006/08 [[Shattering the Dark]] - [[Solclaim#Unique Globals]]</ref>
==== [[Favored Sons]] ====
[[Ler Rhan]]'s experiments instigated by [[Aerbax]]<ref>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - [[Translated Shadow Artifex Shard]]</ref> resulted in the creation of a Prodigal Shadow Child by the name of [[Kirienne Palacost]].<ref name =PulsatingLump>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - [[Translation of the Pulsating Bony Lump]]</ref><ref name=Scrap>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - Description of [[Scrap of Shadow Essence]]</ref><ref>2007/09 [[Dark Materials]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Shadow]]</ref>
Another of their actions was the establishment of an imposter of [[Lord Kresovus]] in [[Linvak Tukal]]<ref>2007/04 [[Strange Sightings]] - [[Bur Recall Quest#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> and the alteration of Lugians into Shadow [[Lugian]]s <ref>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Hidden Note]]</ref> and therefore, indirectly, the kidnapping of [[Balor]].<ref>2005/02 [[Infiltration]] - [[Coda]]</ref><ref>2005/02 [[Infiltration]] - [[Balor's Rescue#Lore & Dialog]]</ref><ref>2005/02 [[Infiltration]] - [[Announcements - 2005/02 - Infiltration#Teaser]]</ref> The [[Shadow Kresovus]], the Prodigal Lugian, was discovered and the real [[Lord Kresovus]] was rescued from the tunnels below the fortress city of Linvak Tukal. Balor's pelt was found below the city, but the fate of the beast was still a mystery. <ref>2007/11 [[Children of the Prodigal Lord]] - [[Aerbax's Prodigal Lugian#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>
==== Joining the Ranks of the Isparians ====
[[Isin Dule]] finds a way to remove the "taint" from those following him by studying the work of [[Aerbax]]. [[Asheron]] sends him one of his Lifestones, and the Shadow faction of Isin Dule joins the Isparian people. <ref>2010/04 - [[Shedding Skin]] - [[Announcements - 2010/04 - Shedding Skin#Teaser]]</ref><ref>2010/04 - [[Shedding Skin]] - [[Shedding Skin#Town Crier Rumors|Town Crier Rumors]]</ref><ref name=CharCreation/><ref>2010/06 [[Shifting Gears]] - [[Letter From Home (Shadow)]]</ref>


The UMBRAEN and PENUMBRAEN are a people born from the other Isparian heritages, who sought to join with the chaotic powers of the Shadow, and were then transformed into the Umbrean or Penumbraen. Those who have undergone the transformation into Umbraen or Penumbraen have forgotten and released their pasts into the winds. They are children of the Shadow, now and forever. Most Umbraen and Penumbraen come from the followers of the Shadow, [[Isin Dule]]. Isin Dule only asks that his new children embrace the chaos and potential they have been given, and use it to raise themselves to greatness. What follows is in Isin Dule's own words to his children.<ref name=CharCreation>2010/04 [[Shedding Skin]] - [[Character Creation/Racial Lore#Shadow]]</ref>
The UMBRAEN and PENUMBRAEN are a people born from the other Isparian heritages, who sought to join with the chaotic powers of the Shadow, and were then transformed into the Umbrean or Penumbraen. Those who have undergone the transformation into Umbraen or Penumbraen have forgotten and released their pasts into the winds. They are children of the Shadow, now and forever. Most Umbraen and Penumbraen come from the followers of the Shadow, [[Isin Dule]]. Isin Dule only asks that his new children embrace the chaos and potential they have been given, and use it to raise themselves to greatness. What follows is in Isin Dule's own words to his children.<ref name=CharCreation>2010/04 [[Shedding Skin]] - [[Character Creation/Racial Lore#Shadow]]</ref>
Line 14: Line 87:
'Folk remember the dark times, when destruction roamed the land. They think of war... death... torment. They blame those of us who walk in the shadow, call us evil. But we are not. We were deceived by the one who ruled us. To understand us, you must first understand him. Hopeslayer, they call him. Bael'Zharon, the fallen lord. He craved power, and gave himself to chaos. His obsession nearly destroyed the world. The shadow's path runs along the sword's edge. On One side, untold strength. On the other... madness. The Hopeslayer strayed - and fell. Look on his face, and swear: I will not follow.' <ref name=CharCreation/>
'Folk remember the dark times, when destruction roamed the land. They think of war... death... torment. They blame those of us who walk in the shadow, call us evil. But we are not. We were deceived by the one who ruled us. To understand us, you must first understand him. Hopeslayer, they call him. Bael'Zharon, the fallen lord. He craved power, and gave himself to chaos. His obsession nearly destroyed the world. The shadow's path runs along the sword's edge. On One side, untold strength. On the other... madness. The Hopeslayer strayed - and fell. Look on his face, and swear: I will not follow.' <ref name=CharCreation/>


== History ==
==== The Tou-Tou [[Shadow Invasion Quest Chain|Shadow Invasion]] ====
 
During the [[Hidden In Shadows]] patch, a [[Shadow Spire]] appeared near the town of [[Tou-Tou]].<ref>2011/03 [[Hidden In Shadows]] - [[Announcements - 2011/03 - Hidden In Shadows#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref>2011/03 [[Hidden In Shadows]] - [[Shadow Communication#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> This was the starting point of a new wave of Shadow activity, led by [[Ler Rhan]] and [[Black Ferah]], both now in their true forms, and not as aspects.<ref>2011/04 [[Dark Deliveries]] - [[Announcements - 2011/04 - Dark Deliveries#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref>2011/06 [[Stirrings in the Dark]] - [[Announcements - 2011/06 - Stirrings in the Dark#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref> Though it seems their goal is to bring back [[Bael'Zharon]] to the surface, this was merely a test of theories.<ref>2011/06 [[Stirrings in the Dark]] - [[Fate of Bael'Zharon#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>. In fact, they are collecting information on the ley lines around Tou-Tou in the hope of bringing the Hopeslayer on for a prolonged time, to defeat [[Isin Dule]] and to spread the corruption all over Dereth.<ref>2011/07 [[Shifting Shadows]] - [[Shifting Shadows#Ulgrim Rumors|Ulgrim Rumors]]</ref><ref>2011/07 [[Shifting Shadows]] - [[Announcements - 2011/07 - Shifting Shadows#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref> The Shadows started the attack [[Tou-Tou]] and many of the townsfolk decide to evacuate.<ref>2011/08 [[A Rising Darkness]] - [[Announcements - 2011/08 - A Rising Darkness#Teaser|Teaser]]</ref><ref>2011/08 [[A Rising Darkness]] - [[Shadow Assault#Lore & Dialog]]</ref> The siege of Tou-Tou succeeded and the town, and the inhabitants that stayed behind, was corrupted and pulled toward the shadow<ref>2011/09 [[Loss]] - [[Announcements - 2011/09 - Loss#Teaser]]</ref>. The remaining townspeople were turned into shadows, be it weak and unwilling.<ref>[2011/09 [[Loss]] - [[Tou-Tou Blockade]]</ref><ref>2011/09 [[Loss]] - [[Jeweler Lo Dai-Ou (Creature)#Notes]]</ref> The event culminated in the reappearance of the Hope-Slayer, and its subsequent defeat by the combined forces of [[Asheron]], [[Isin Dule]], the golem [[Deewain]] and even [[Ulgrim]] left his favorite drinking spot to give a wack or two with his sword. The forces of Ler Rhan and Black Ferah retreated, though the town of [[Tou-Tou]] remains devastated and occupied by the shadow forces and their leaders will keep trying to collect crystals to keep trying to summon the Hopeslayer.<ref>2011/10 [[Cloak of Darkness]] - [[Announcements - 2011/10 - Cloak of Darkness#Teaser]]</ref><ref>2011/10 [[Cloak of Darkness]] - [[Stop the Rebuilding#Lore & Dialog]]</ref>


=== Rulers ===
=== Rulers ===


== Culture ==
There are only three Shadows known by name. [[Ler Rhan]] and [[Black Ferah]] are “generals” in the service of Bael'Zharon. They are extremely powerful entities that do not seem to fully exist in our world. Instead, they send aspects of themselves into Dereth. [[Isin Dule]] was once a fellow Shadow general, but rebelled when his master was freed in P.Y. 11. When Bael'Zharon was defeated, he exiled Dule and his forces from the ranks of the “true” Shadows. <ref name=Bestiary/>


Umbraen and Penumbraen tend to take names either along the lines of the other Isparian Heritage groups, or names that epitomize their newly-embraced chaotic nature. They are naming themselves anew, in celebration of what they have become, and are thus only restricted by their own creativity. Examples of female names are: Leikny Shadowsworn, Leila, Kurayami Mika, Elda du Nerezza. Examples of male names are: Uor Darkbound, Sariyah, Kurasa Fudo, Vittore di Nerezza. <ref>[[Character Creation/Naming#Shadow]]</ref>


== Culture ==




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=== Customs and Traditions ===
=== Customs and Traditions ===
Umbraen and Penumbraen tend to take names either along the lines of the other Isparian Heritage groups, or names that epitomize their newly-embraced chaotic nature. They are naming themselves anew, in celebration of what they have become, and are thus only restricted by their own creativity. Examples of female names are: Leikny Shadowsworn, Leila, Kurayami Mika, Elda du Nerezza. Examples of male names are: Uor Darkbound, Sariyah, Kurasa Fudo, Vittore di Nerezza. <ref>[[Character Creation/Naming#Shadow]]</ref>


=== Real World Basis ===
=== Real World Basis ===
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== Texts ==
== Texts ==
{{Item Table
{{Item Table
  |  
  | Amorphous Lump
  |  
  | Fleshy Lump (Isin Dule's Orders)
| Fleshy Lump (Shadow Note Translation)
| Oozing Lump
| Pulsing Lump
| Shriveled Lump
| Sticky Lump
| Throbbing Lump
}}
}}


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== Factions ==
== Factions ==
*
* [[Isin Dule]]'s Shadows
 
* [[Bael'Zharon]]'s Shadows
* [[Grael]]'s Shadows


== Items ==
== Items ==
Line 47: Line 130:
{{Item Table
{{Item Table
  | Caption = Armor
  | Caption = Armor
  |  
  | Doppelganger Robe
| Doppelganger Shield
| Helm of Isin Dule
| Mask of the Hopeslayer
| Nexus Celdon Leggings
| Nexus Celdon Girth
| Nexus Celdon Breastplate
| Nexus Celdon Sleeves
| Nexus Koujia Leggings
| Nexus Koujia Breastplate
| Nexus Koujia Sleeves
| Nexus Amuli Leggings
| Nexus Amuli Coat
| Shadow Captain's Heaume
| Shadow Wings Breastplate
| Shield of Isin Dule
| Visage of the Shadow Virindi
}}
}}
{{Item Table
{{Item Table
  | Caption = Weapons
  | Caption = Weapons
  |  
  | Spear of Baranaith
| Axe of Korogaith
| Mace of Hiranaith
}}
}}
{{Item Table
| Caption = Jewelry and Gems
| Repugnant Bracelet
| Shadow Stone Necklace
}}
{{Item Table
{{Item Table
  | Caption = Miscellaneous
  | Caption = Miscellaneous
  |  
  | A message from Ler Rhan to Black Ferah
| Attunement Device Spring
| Attunement Device Gear
| Attunement Device Bolt
| Attunement Crystal
| Black Gateway Token
| Black Totem Gateway
| Black Totem
| Boney Lump of Flesh
| Broken Seal of the Elder Spirits
| Corrupted Essence (Trophy)
| Damaged Shadow Stone
| Dark Rock
| Dark Shard
| Dark Sliver
| Dark Speck
| Dormant Shadowfire Stone
| Elder Spirits Seal Fragment
| Elder Spirits Tablet
| Energy Scintilla
| Experimental Shadow Stone
| Fleshy Trove
| Frozen Black Crystal
| Hastar's Essence
| Heart of Shadow
| Iniquitous Fragment
| Koihoatai Fragment
| Lesser Corrupted Essence
| Message from Isin Dule to Asheron
| Message from Ler Rhan to Ter Shen.
| Minor Essence of the Hopeslayer
| Nexus Orders
| Nexus Core Gem
| Nightmare Gate (Object)
| Parfarrail Fragment
| Partial Elder Spirits Tablet
| Piece of Recording Device (Top)
| Piece of Recording Device (Middle)
| Piece of Recording Device (Bottom)
| Pieces of Recording Device
| Raven Fragment
| Recording Device
| Repaired Shadow Stone
| Scrap of Shadow Essence
| Scroll of Dark Rain
| Shadow Fragment
| Shadow Key
| Shadow Stone
| Shadowfire Stone
| Shadownether Stone
| Shadowy Statue of the Hopeslayer
| Shard of the Black Totem
| Shonossoar Fragment
| Small Shadow Statue of the Hopeslayer
| Spire Key Chunk - Eastham
| Spire Key Chunk - Tou Tou
| Spire Key Chunk - Tufa
| Statue of Bael'Zharon, the Hopeslayer
| Strange Crystal
| Strange Purple Crystal from The Shadows
| Twilight Fragment
| Vestibule Lock
}}
}}
== Quests ==
{|cellpadding=5
|-valign=top
|
* [[2000/02 - The Gauntlet]]
* [[Aerbax's Prodigal Lugian]]
* [[Aerbax's Prodigal Shadow]]
* [[Aerbax's Prodigal Tusker]]
* [[Balor's Rescue]]
* [[Caulnalain Vestibule Quest]]
* [[Dark Towers]]
* [[Delving into Claude's Mind]]
* [[Fenmalain Vestibule Quest]]
* [[Gateway to the Deep]]
* [[Grael's Summoning Chamber]]
* [[Greater Shadow Armor]]
|
* [[Hamud's Demise]]
* [[Raising Grael's Island]]
* [[Mukkir Aspect of Grael Quest]]
* [[Necklace of the Golden Flame Quest]]
* [[Prismatic Shadow Armor Quest]]
* [[The Caliginous Bethel]]
* [[Relic Armor]]
* [[Repaired Shadow Stone Quest]]
* [[Rossu Morta Chapterhouse Access]]
* [[Scroll of Dark Rain]]
* [[Sepulcher of Nightmares]]
* [[Shadow Armor Quest]]
|
* [[Shadow Aspect of Grael Quest]]
* [[Shadow Captain's Heaume Quest]]
* [[Shadow Communication]]
* [[Shadow Invasion Quest Chain]]
* [[Shadow Statues]]
* [[Shadowfire Stone Quest]]
* [[Shield of Isin Dule Quest]]
* [[The Shadows of Bitter Winter]]
* [[The Dark Spiral Quest]]
* [[The Forbidden Catacombs]]
* [[Splitting Grael (Mid)]]
* [[Yaja's Reach Quest]]
|}


== Art & Images ==
== Art & Images ==
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[[Category:Lore Database Entry]]
[[Category:Lore Database Entry]]
[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Stub]]

Latest revision as of 02:05, 16 July 2012

Related topics: Cultures, Shadow, Category:Shadow


History

The tale of the Shadows is long and still unclear in many respects. There are indications that some Shadows, particularly those of the more powerful Panumbris and Umbris types, predate the conversion of Ilservian into Bael'Zharon. Scholars believe this indicates the force that empowered the Hopeslayer has sought the conquest of Dereth for a far much longer time than is commonly known.[1]

Grael's Rebellion

The first confirmed transformation into Shadows was that of Grael and his companions. Grael was a warrior of a tribe of Ruschk in the north of the Kingdomw of Haebrous, who called themselves Mukkir.[2]In the fifth year of the reign of Braletain of Haebrous, Grael's tribe is slain and Grael is taking captive to serve as a slave in the gladiatorial pits.[3][4] As time led on, Grael gathered an army of slaves, fought their way from the pits[3] and savaged the kingdom for three days[5] Because the slaves did not have any magical capabilities, and the Haebrous forces did, the Rebellion was suppressed quickly.[5] Grael managed to flee[5][2], together with four other survivors, the brothers Farelaith, Baranaith, Hiranaith and Korogaith.[6] Grael sought the help of "Darkness" to fight the Haebrous.[5][7]

One night, Farelaith woke up, and found Grael and his brothers caught in some sort of dark magic.[6] Grael seemed to undergo his transformation willingly, and swore oaths with the "Dark that speaks".[5] Farelaith's brothers were wrapped in darkness and started screaming.[6] The three brothers now serve, turned into Shadows and having lost their name, in the Temple of Stirring Shadows.[8] Grael learned "to move within the Dark that walks and learned to devour the light" of the Empyreans.[5] According to the Falatacot, Grael is, because he is not "pure-blood", i.e. Empyrean, incapable of wielding the full power, and a flawed and imperfect vessel for the energies of the Living Darkness. Grael however, possesses something that no Empyrean does: a transcendent and transforming rage, a heart filled with the kind of pure, perfect hate which made him a perfect conduit for the powers of war and destruction and despair. He could serve as an experimental subject for the "Dark Ones". They wrapped him in thorns, in a mantle of Living Darkness and gave him life everlasting within the Darkness, and they tought him to bring True Death and how to extinguish the light of creation.[2] The "mantle" however,was not originally meant for him, slipped out of the grasp of the Nameless. He took the Gift, enslaved others as he had been enslaved, and fled from The Elder Spirits as he fled from his own slavemasters.[7] Grael, now called the Black Spear of the Kemeroi, went on to the north. The place he chose to sleep was an isle north of Vissidal Isle.[9] He fell asleep in a realm that was forbidden to the Shadow. The Black Spear is of the Shadow, but drifts outside of the domain of Shadow.[7] His presence, "dreaming songs of rage"[5], covered the island in Shadow, and the isle soon came to be called the Dark Isle. Those Falatacot who followed the Old One, N'cthail, took a chance and used ancient seals to sink the isle below the waves. It was their hope that none would ever wake Grael and that this world would be free of him forever.[9]


Third Sending of Darkness

Three thousand years ago, during the invasion of the town of Daralet by Yalaini soldiers, a man of the village of Daralet named Ilservian Palacost, could endure no more the abuses of the village's elders. Iservian's son, Avoren Palacost, was deprived of access to food or water, resulting in his death, and the subsequent unfocused aggression of his father[10][11] Ilservian was run out of town, though not before he vowed to find the edge of the darkness that hung over the eaves of the earth.[11] He did not depart alone. His closest friends accompanied him. Elithra the mage, Ler Rhan the scribe, Omadin the farmer, Ferah the warrior and Isin Dule the friend of Ilservian since childhood. A small group of sympathizers also joined them. [11] They wandered far into the endless frigid mud of the wastelands, vainly seeking light. At last Ilservian called to the darkness in anger. But there was no answer. Ilservian pressed on, growing weaker, shouting his fury and anguish into the wind and rain. And then, something answered. [11]

Ilservian Palacost gave himself over in service to an ancient, nameless power of darkness and madness. He became known as Bael'Zharon, the "Slayer of Hope" in the language of Asheron's people.[12]

Four hundred years later, Ilservian returned, transformed by some dark power[13] into Bael'Zharon the Hopeslayer. This was called the Third Sending of Darkness. He led an army of shadow that brought death and madness in its wake. No force could stop it as it consumed armies and whole villages down to the last man, woman and child.[10] While investigating the events, whole armies disappeared, and Lord Atlan was reported being ripped apart. [11][14]

Ilservian's followers were changed into Shadows. The first Shadows, then, were Empyrean, corrupted by the same force of chaos that empowered Bael'Zharon. These Shadows fought a vicious war against the ancient Empyrean and nearly destroyed them. Only the actions of the Yalain Mage Council and Asheron saved the race from absorption or destruction. Three of the companions of Ilservian Palacost, Isin Dule, Ferah and Ler Rhan survive the Third Sending of Darkness, two (Omadin and Elithra of Daralet) are slain.[12][11] [10][11] During the final imprisonment of the Hopeslayer, the council was slain, the earth was scorched in a 3 miles radius. A place today called Obsidian Plains[11]The trap set for the Hopeslayer burst into six fragments, but the Empire was only able to recover five. The last piece was never seen again by living eyes. That should have been the end of the tale, save for the Gelidites.[11]

Portal Year Era

Since then, the Shadows have captured and corrupted many humans into members of their ranks.[12] One of the first Isparians known to be turned into a Shadow was Hamud ibn Rafik, a member of the Shagar Zharala on Ispar and founder of the Tenebrous Edge on Dereth.[15][16][17][18]

There is strong evidence that the Order of the Raven Hand is involved with the Shadows. One of there victims is Bewren, who was turned into a shadow after being betrayed by his brother.[19][20][21]

It is known from historical records that in the last war, the Shadows similarly twisted several Gromnatross -- the adult form of Dereth's Gromnies -- into the Shadow Spires.[12]

The Fourth Sending of Darkness

Thousands of years later, after the Olthoi drove the Empyreans off of the planet,during a digging by the Gelidites, a young mage named Frisirth found a beautiful, sparkling crystal. The locals called it “Great Work”. A human expedition slaughtered the Gelidites, and destroyed their “Great Work.” So, the Isparians were unwittingly duped into freeing Bael'Zharon from his crystal prison.[11] Thus in Portal Year 11 began the Fourth Sending of Darkness. The Shadows attacked from all sides, the Hopeslayer roamed the land, and the rivers ran red. [10]

Ilservian's surviving friends became corporeal once more and raised the Thorns, using them to alter the patterns of magic in the world. Ferah, by now called Black Ferah, and Ler Rhan attacked the Isparian population and kidnapped some of them for individual trials. [11] The Shadows launched their invasion during the Thorns of the Hopeslayer patch. Their armies poured into the Direlands under the leadership of general Black Ferah. After being defeated a few times, she moved her command post into one of the Shadow Spires where she was overwhelmed after a coordinated attack of the Isparians.[22] The invasion of Ler Rhan's forces started in A'mun Desert. Unlike Ferah, he elected to directly establish his headquarters in the Spires. After he was slain there, he moved on to the plains in the Aluvian-settled regions of Dereth. Again, he was tracked and defeated. Once more he moved, into the Spire found in the Blackmire Swamp. Once more he fell. The conquered Spires held keys to the Nexus Crystal, which was defended by an army of Undead and Shadows (See als Nexus Shadow Armor Quest). [22]

Until the To Raise a Banner of Flame, the Spires moved over the landscape, but their army and their generals remained unseen.[23] The Spires of Ferah and Ler Rhan's Spires attacked Cragstone and Arwic.[11] Ler Rhan's forces invested Anadil's garrison at the Fenmalain Vestibule, but the battle ends indecisive, partly due because Isin Dule withheld his forces.[24] Before any action could be taken by the divided Shadows, the Isparians interfered again and destroyed all three of the Vault Crystals.[11] After five of the Soul Crystals were destroyed, only the Shard of the Herald kept Bael'Zharon imprisoned.[25] The destruction of the 6th and last Crystal, the Shard of the Herald, took place with help of the generals Black Ferah and Ler Rhan and their Isparian allies. The Shadows of Ler Rhan disturb the parlay of the forces of the Empyreans, the Virindi and the Shadow faction of Isin Dule, and the Senechal of Chalicmere, Lord Amarand perishes.[26][27] In the month of Frostfell, P.Y. 11, a desperate alliance formed between Asheron, the Virindi, the undead Dericost, Isin Dule, and the Isparians.[10] After the second time the Hopeslayer is defeated, the Shadows retreat.[28] Ilservian Palacost is finally weakened and his physical form destroyed, however, Ferah and Ler Rhan] are not. Isin Dule retreats to "somewhere in the lonely wastes".[11] Bael'Zharon was driven off of this plane of existence but he was not destroyed.[10]

Activities on Caul

The first mention hereafter of Ler Rhan is during the Mirror, Mirror event. The island of Caul undergoes a radical change due to experiments of Aerbax in cooperation with Ler Rhan, also referred to as "The Mirror". Aerbax discovered an “Energy Source”.[29] where it found a companion [29] which it called its Mirror.[30][31] It was later revealed that Aerbax's Mirror was Ler Rhan, and the Energy Source was a Kemeroi, one of the great evil beings hidden deep within the world, which further twisted it towards Shadow and destruction.[32]Together, they were responsible for taking over Caul Island from the Directive and the once Virindi dominated island now shows a strong Shadow influence. Not only did the island physically change (ridges becoming higher and more pronounced, and the plateau in the middle changed into a crater, Caulcano), but also the flora, and for all, the fauna.[33][30][29][34][35] For some time Aerbax and Ler Rhan were rather inactive, with their only major activities on Dereth being the creation of the creatures which now populate the Valley of Death, such as the shadow-touched Virindi[36] They used the Energy Source to augment creatures and Virindi to new strengths.[37][38][39] [30] [29][40] Some were less successful than other, like its experiments on Mosswarts (referred to as "croakers").[41]. The experimentations on Shadows however, were more promising.[42]

Ferah is responsible for the creation of the Shadow Stone[43] During the A Perfect Paradox event, she orders a raid on Anadil's Tomb to steal the pieces of the Staff of the Nomads. Her forces obtain one of the pieces and hide it in the Lightless Catacombs. Forces loyal to Anadil relocate the other piece to the Abandoned Observatory.[44][45]

The three generals, Ler Rhan and Black Ferah on one side, Isin Dule on the other, concentrate their activities on Caul, where Isin Dule keeps a close eye on the whereabouts of the other two. [28][46][47] To that goal, Isin Dule raises a Shadow Spire on Caul.[28]

The War of Blood and Shadow

The Shadows become active again during the The War of Blood and Shadow Story Arc.

During this arc, the disappearance of the armies of the Viamont and New Aluvia on what is now known as the Shadow Marsh occurred. Many of the forces were turned into Shadows, some willing, some unwilling [48][49]

This was caused by the release of dark powers, because both the Raven Hand and Dardante tried to summon Grael and get him under their control.[50][51][7] Also, High Archon Lucane Kraest of the Raven Hand got a vision of a presence of a being not unlike his master, the Hopeslayer. and in the hope to find an ally or a puppet to control, he destroyed the first of the crystals, hidden by the Dericost in the Nightmare Gate on Caul.[52]

Isin Dule finds out about the activities of the Raven Hand, notably High Archon Kraest, trying to summon Grael and orders his forces to interfere.[53] Some members of the Raven Hand have willingly embraced the Shadow and joined Isin Dule's cause. [28] Others, such as Archon Merille he does not trust.[28]

The summoning of Grael did not go as planned[54], and both Pontifex Maegris and Count Dardante's main assistant, Archmage Aigonne, were turned into shadows.[55] The experiments with Grael having gone awry, Grael became now Dardante's master instead of the other way around. [56]. Dardante, being corrupted by Grael, was turned into a Shadow.

When Isin Dule cannot prevent Grael from being summoned, he calls in the help of the Isparians to rise the Dark Isle.[57] and to prevent the Dark Isle from being sunk again.[58] During Toward Ancient Shores patch, he opens the way to the Dark Isle[59], the "island where Grael once slept".[60]

Preceded by invasions of the Derethian towns by Shadows during the From the Darkest Depths patch[61][62], a breach was made for Grael's main contingent near Arwic, lead by the Makkar.[63][64]

Grael was finally defeated by splitting him in three aspects by destroying the White Totem on the Halaetan Isles (Ruschk Aspect)[65], the Black Totem on Caul (Shadow Aspect)[66], and the Abyssal Totem on Dark Isle (Mukkir Aspect)[67]. Oswald brought the Ordina Rossu Morta and Whispering Blade together to fight against Grael.[68] Queen Elysa and King Varicci II decided to cooperate and slay each one of those aspects separately.[69][70]

Favored Sons

Ler Rhan's experiments instigated by Aerbax[71] resulted in the creation of a Prodigal Shadow Child by the name of Kirienne Palacost.[72][73][74]

Another of their actions was the establishment of an imposter of Lord Kresovus in Linvak Tukal[75] and the alteration of Lugians into Shadow Lugians [76] and therefore, indirectly, the kidnapping of Balor.[77][78][79] The Shadow Kresovus, the Prodigal Lugian, was discovered and the real Lord Kresovus was rescued from the tunnels below the fortress city of Linvak Tukal. Balor's pelt was found below the city, but the fate of the beast was still a mystery. [80]

Joining the Ranks of the Isparians

Isin Dule finds a way to remove the "taint" from those following him by studying the work of Aerbax. Asheron sends him one of his Lifestones, and the Shadow faction of Isin Dule joins the Isparian people. [81][82][83][84]

The UMBRAEN and PENUMBRAEN are a people born from the other Isparian heritages, who sought to join with the chaotic powers of the Shadow, and were then transformed into the Umbrean or Penumbraen. Those who have undergone the transformation into Umbraen or Penumbraen have forgotten and released their pasts into the winds. They are children of the Shadow, now and forever. Most Umbraen and Penumbraen come from the followers of the Shadow, Isin Dule. Isin Dule only asks that his new children embrace the chaos and potential they have been given, and use it to raise themselves to greatness. What follows is in Isin Dule's own words to his children.[83]

'Folk remember the dark times, when destruction roamed the land. They think of war... death... torment. They blame those of us who walk in the shadow, call us evil. But we are not. We were deceived by the one who ruled us. To understand us, you must first understand him. Hopeslayer, they call him. Bael'Zharon, the fallen lord. He craved power, and gave himself to chaos. His obsession nearly destroyed the world. The shadow's path runs along the sword's edge. On One side, untold strength. On the other... madness. The Hopeslayer strayed - and fell. Look on his face, and swear: I will not follow.' [83]

The Tou-Tou Shadow Invasion

During the Hidden In Shadows patch, a Shadow Spire appeared near the town of Tou-Tou.[85][86] This was the starting point of a new wave of Shadow activity, led by Ler Rhan and Black Ferah, both now in their true forms, and not as aspects.[87][88] Though it seems their goal is to bring back Bael'Zharon to the surface, this was merely a test of theories.[89]. In fact, they are collecting information on the ley lines around Tou-Tou in the hope of bringing the Hopeslayer on for a prolonged time, to defeat Isin Dule and to spread the corruption all over Dereth.[90][91] The Shadows started the attack Tou-Tou and many of the townsfolk decide to evacuate.[92][93] The siege of Tou-Tou succeeded and the town, and the inhabitants that stayed behind, was corrupted and pulled toward the shadow[94]. The remaining townspeople were turned into shadows, be it weak and unwilling.[95][96] The event culminated in the reappearance of the Hope-Slayer, and its subsequent defeat by the combined forces of Asheron, Isin Dule, the golem Deewain and even Ulgrim left his favorite drinking spot to give a wack or two with his sword. The forces of Ler Rhan and Black Ferah retreated, though the town of Tou-Tou remains devastated and occupied by the shadow forces and their leaders will keep trying to collect crystals to keep trying to summon the Hopeslayer.[97][98]

Rulers

There are only three Shadows known by name. Ler Rhan and Black Ferah are “generals” in the service of Bael'Zharon. They are extremely powerful entities that do not seem to fully exist in our world. Instead, they send aspects of themselves into Dereth. Isin Dule was once a fellow Shadow general, but rebelled when his master was freed in P.Y. 11. When Bael'Zharon was defeated, he exiled Dule and his forces from the ranks of the “true” Shadows. [1]


Culture

Religions and Beliefs

Customs and Traditions

Umbraen and Penumbraen tend to take names either along the lines of the other Isparian Heritage groups, or names that epitomize their newly-embraced chaotic nature. They are naming themselves anew, in celebration of what they have become, and are thus only restricted by their own creativity. Examples of female names are: Leikny Shadowsworn, Leila, Kurayami Mika, Elda du Nerezza. Examples of male names are: Uor Darkbound, Sariyah, Kurasa Fudo, Vittore di Nerezza. [99]

Real World Basis

Texts

 Amorphous Lump
Fleshy Lump (Isin Dule's Orders)
Fleshy Lump (Shadow Note Translation)
Oozing Lump
Pulsing Lump
Shriveled Lump
Sticky Lump
Throbbing Lump


Internet Articles

Factions

Items

Armor
Doppelganger Robe
Doppelganger Shield
Helm of Isin Dule
Mask of the Hopeslayer
Nexus Celdon Leggings
Nexus Celdon Girth
Nexus Celdon Breastplate
Nexus Celdon Sleeves
Nexus Koujia Leggings
Nexus Koujia Breastplate
Nexus Koujia Sleeves
Nexus Amuli Leggings
Nexus Amuli Coat
Shadow Captain's Heaume
Shadow Wings Breastplate
Shield of Isin Dule
Visage of the Shadow Virindi


Weapons
Spear of Baranaith
Axe of Korogaith
Mace of Hiranaith


Jewelry and Gems
Repugnant Bracelet
Shadow Stone Necklace


Miscellaneous
A message from Ler Rhan to Black Ferah
Attunement Device Spring
Attunement Device Gear
Attunement Device Bolt
Attunement Crystal
Black Gateway Token
Black Totem Gateway
Black Totem
Boney Lump of Flesh
Broken Seal of the Elder Spirits Corrupted Essence (Trophy)
Damaged Shadow Stone
Dark Rock
Dark Shard
Dark Sliver
Dark Speck
Dormant Shadowfire Stone
Elder Spirits Seal Fragment
Elder Spirits Tablet
Energy Scintilla
Experimental Shadow Stone
Fleshy Trove
Frozen Black Crystal
Hastar's Essence
Heart of Shadow
Iniquitous Fragment
Koihoatai Fragment
Lesser Corrupted Essence
Message from Isin Dule to Asheron
Message from Ler Rhan to Ter Shen.
Minor Essence of the Hopeslayer
Nexus Orders


Quests

Art & Images

Click image for full size version.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 2001/10 Dark Majesty - AC:DM CD Lore/Bestiary/Derethian Bestiary
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2005/09 - Under Cover of Night - Book of Xik Minru
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 2005/08 - Friend and Foe - Account of the Spear of Mukkir
  4. ↑ 2005/08 - Friend and Foe - The Grael Rebellion
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 2005/08 Friend and Foe - The Song of Grael
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 2005/12 Through Sacrifice, Strength - Our Bitter Winter
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 2006/04 Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands - Translated Elder Spirits Tablet
  8. ↑ 2005/12 Through Sacrifice, Strength - Shade of Farelaith#Lore & Dialog
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 2006/06 Toward Ancient Shores - Kiriel Shadowborn#Lore & Dialog
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 2004/04 - On Bended Knee - Pack Bael'Zharon
  11. ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 11.13 2000/11 - Should the Stars Fall/The Child of Daralet--Leafcull to Frostfell, PY 11 / (November to December, 2000)
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 2010/06 Shifting Gears - Shadow (Town Network Painting)
  13. ↑ AC:DM CD Lore/Bestiary/Derethian Bestiary#Shadows
  14. ↑ 2000/02 - Shadows of the Past - Imperial Missive
  15. ↑ 2000/02 Shadows of the Past - The Fallen Master of Shagar Zharala
  16. ↑ 2000/02 Shadows of the Past - Precepts of the Tenebrous Edge
  17. ↑ 2000/04 Thorns of the Hopeslayer - A Letter to Devana
  18. ↑ 2000/05 Heroes' Respite - Hamud's Last Testament
  19. ↑ 2003/12 Waking From the Abyss - Bewren's Journal
  20. ↑ 2003/12 Waking From the Abyss - Jaeget's Journal
  21. ↑ 2003/12 Waking From the Abyss - Proselytic Shadow#Lore & Dialog
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 2000/05 Heroes' Respite General History of Dereth Vol. V
  23. ↑ 2000/08 Taste of Twilight - General History of Dereth Vol. VIII
  24. ↑ 2000/09 Twilight's Gleaming - Shadow Dispatch
  25. ↑ 2000/12 The Child of Daralet - Announcements - 2000/12 - The Child of Daralet#Letter to the Players
  26. ↑ 2001/04 A Reign of Stone - Scrawled Note (Aerbax Laboratory)
  27. ↑ 2007/10 Masked Memories - Delving into Claude's Mind#Lore & Dialog
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 2006/05 - The Price of Loyalty - Isin Dule's Orders
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 2003/01 The Slumbering Giant - Energy Source
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 2003/01 The Slumbering Giant - Destructions and Beginnings
  31. ↑ 2003/11 Visions in the Darkness - The Mirror
  32. ↑ 2008/05 Introductions - Pack Aerbax
  33. ↑ 2004/01 Mirror, Mirror - Teaser
  34. ↑ 2003/11 Visions in the Darkness - Town Crier Rumors
  35. ↑ 2004/01 - Mirror, Mirror - Announcements - 2004/01 - Mirror, Mirror#Teaser
  36. ↑ 2007/10 Masked Memories - Shadow-touched Virindi Paradox Kill Task#Lore & Dialog
  37. ↑ 2003/01 The Slumbering Giant - Teaser
  38. ↑ 2003/02 That Which Is Ours - Teaser
  39. ↑ 2003/03 A Perfect Paradox - Teaser
  40. ↑ 2007/10 Masked Memories - Virindi Paradox Kill Task#Lore & Dialog
  41. ↑ 2003/01 The Slumbering Giant - Research Notes: Mosswart
  42. ↑ 2003/01 The Slumbering Giant - Research Notes: "Children of Darkness"
  43. ↑ 2006/08 - Shattering the Dark - Varetha#Lore & Dialog
  44. ↑ 2003/03 A Perfect Paradox - Note (Abandoned Observatory)
  45. ↑ 2003/03 A Perfect Paradox - Note (Anadil's Tomb)
  46. ↑ 2006/01 Reprisals - Instructions (Shriveled Lump)
  47. ↑ 2006/02 A Change in Tactics - Instructions (Shadowfire Stone)
  48. ↑ 2006/03 Down Twisting Paths - Lore of the Dark Spiral
  49. ↑ 2006/03 Down Twisting Paths - Lord Marsan's Log Book
  50. ↑ 2006/04 Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands - Translated Bound Falatacot Fragment
  51. ↑ 2006/04 Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands - Announcements - 2006/04 - Shining Runes and Shadowed Hands#Rollout Article
  52. ↑ 2005/08 Friend and Foe - Journal of High Archon Kraest
  53. ↑ 2006/05 - The Price of Loyalty - Isin Dule's Instructions
  54. ↑ 2006/06 - From the Darkest Depths - Teaser
  55. ↑ 2006/06 - From the Darkest Depths - Grael's Summoning Chamber#Lore & Dialog
  56. ↑ 2006/08 - Shattering the Dark - Town Crier Rumors
  57. ↑ 2006/06 From the Darkest Depths - Soul Crystal of the Dark Isle Live Event
  58. ↑ 2006/06 From the Darkest Depths - Raising Grael's Island#Lore & Dialog
  59. ↑ 2006/07 - Toward Ancient Shores - Lanaith#Lore & Dialog
  60. ↑ 2006/07 - Toward Ancient Shores - Town Crier Rumors
  61. ↑ 2006/07 Toward Ancient Shores - Letter to the Players
  62. ↑ 2006/06 From the Darkest Depths - Grael's Shadow Lieutenant#Lore & Dialog
  63. ↑ 2006/06 From the Darkest Depths - Shadow Breach Quest#Lore & Dialog
  64. ↑ 2006/06 From the Darkest Depths - Translation of the Torn Letter
  65. ↑ 2006/08 Shattering the Dark - Splitting Grael (Low)#Lore & Dialog
  66. ↑ 2006/08 Shattering the Dark - Splitting Grael (Mid)#Lore & Dialog
  67. ↑ 2006/08 Shattering the Dark - Splitting Grael (High)#Lore & Dialog
  68. ↑ 2007/09 Dark Materials - Teaser
  69. ↑ 2006/09 Come What Follows - Town Crier Rumors
  70. ↑ 2006/08 Shattering the Dark - Solclaim#Unique Globals
  71. ↑ 2007/09 Dark Materials - Translated Shadow Artifex Shard
  72. ↑ 2007/09 Dark Materials - Translation of the Pulsating Bony Lump
  73. ↑ 2007/09 Dark Materials - Description of Scrap of Shadow Essence
  74. ↑ 2007/09 Dark Materials - Aerbax's Prodigal Shadow
  75. ↑ 2007/04 Strange Sightings - Bur Recall Quest#Lore & Dialog
  76. ↑ 2007/11 Children of the Prodigal Lord - Hidden Note
  77. ↑ 2005/02 Infiltration - Coda
  78. ↑ 2005/02 Infiltration - Balor's Rescue#Lore & Dialog
  79. ↑ 2005/02 Infiltration - Announcements - 2005/02 - Infiltration#Teaser
  80. ↑ 2007/11 Children of the Prodigal Lord - Aerbax's Prodigal Lugian#Lore & Dialog
  81. ↑ 2010/04 - Shedding Skin - Announcements - 2010/04 - Shedding Skin#Teaser
  82. ↑ 2010/04 - Shedding Skin - Town Crier Rumors
  83. ↑ 83.0 83.1 83.2 2010/04 Shedding Skin - Character Creation/Racial Lore#Shadow
  84. ↑ 2010/06 Shifting Gears - Letter From Home (Shadow)
  85. ↑ 2011/03 Hidden In Shadows - Teaser
  86. ↑ 2011/03 Hidden In Shadows - Shadow Communication#Lore & Dialog
  87. ↑ 2011/04 Dark Deliveries - Teaser
  88. ↑ 2011/06 Stirrings in the Dark - Teaser
  89. ↑ 2011/06 Stirrings in the Dark - Fate of Bael'Zharon#Lore & Dialog
  90. ↑ 2011/07 Shifting Shadows - Ulgrim Rumors
  91. ↑ 2011/07 Shifting Shadows - Teaser
  92. ↑ 2011/08 A Rising Darkness - Teaser
  93. ↑ 2011/08 A Rising Darkness - Shadow Assault#Lore & Dialog
  94. ↑ 2011/09 Loss - Announcements - 2011/09 - Loss#Teaser
  95. ↑ [2011/09 Loss - Tou-Tou Blockade
  96. ↑ 2011/09 Loss - Jeweler Lo Dai-Ou (Creature)#Notes
  97. ↑ 2011/10 Cloak of Darkness - Announcements - 2011/10 - Cloak of Darkness#Teaser
  98. ↑ 2011/10 Cloak of Darkness - Stop the Rebuilding#Lore & Dialog
  99. ↑ Character Creation/Naming#Shadow
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