Obscure plain
2023. júl. 28. 1:11 ,
Nincsenek hozzászólások
The "Obscure Plain", what it is colloquially called, refers to the intermediate Plain connecting the Lower and Upper Plains. There are very few who truly know the true nature of this ghostly place. The Intermediate Plain is nothing but an endless horizon, connecting the mortal and immortal plains. It is always shrouded in darkness and fog, and life does not exist there in any natural form. The plain's territorial extent is unknown, since there are no maps that would provide any reference points for orientation in this realm of eternal dusk.
Entering and exiting the Obscure Plain is only possible by breaking the fabric of the plain with magic, and thus opening the gates between the plains. Almost no one, except the mages of the Zhilar Empire have had enough power to do such a thing. During the War of the Worlds, the Zhilar sorcerers created many gates through which they could pass into the Obscure Plain, but except for some few, these were closed at the end of the war. The remaining gates are now guarded by the Bluecloaks, the mages of Yrannon.
At certain intervals, however, it happens that the fabric of the plain breaks - whether by itself or as a result of some external force, no one knows for sure. These passages are open for shorter or longer periods, and are called "wild gates". The exact places where wild gates may appear is unpredictable. They typically open in higher areas, sometimes on the top of hills, or even mountains. The light they radiate can be seen from far away, so the news spreads quickly among people.
The Intermediate Plain is a strange and dangerous place. Despite this, countless fortune hunters turn up on these occasions to cross the gate and go through the gloom in search of Zhilar gates or wild gates. Some may lead to the ruins of the Upper Plains. The promise of the wonders of the Upper Plain, which broke into pieces during the Great War, is a reward that is worth risking even their lives for.
The Intermediate Plain is not uninhabited. Though forms of life usual for people are not present on it, it is inhabited by a multitude of nameless creatures that lurk under the cover of mists, waiting for their unwary victims. These beings are outside the laws of mortal existence. They usually feed on mana and ether, the energies of the plains in general, but which are scarce on the Intermediate Plain. For these creatures, the inhabitants of the Lower and Upper Plain almost brightly glow in the dark because of these energies, so anyone who is not careful enough can very easily become prey here.
In this cursed land, the inhabitants of the dark are not the only threat. The outcasts of the immortals also live here, who have shriveled up over the centuries. In the endless catatonia of the Obscure Plains, these distorted creatures have long since lost their former self and wander alone in the labyrinth of madness. They no longer desire to live or die, their actions are not guided by logic or emotion. They are the servants of Nothing. Although there are not many of them, they can appear anywhere on the Obscure Plain, and their actions are just as unpredictable. Sometimes, they come alive from the living darkness for just a glimpse, only to retreat back just as quickly. Other times, they fly into a rage at the sight of outsiders and unleash their destructive power upon them.
For a mortal, surviving on the Obscure Plain for more than a few days is an impossible mission. The fact that some nevertheless reach one of the passages emerging from the fog is only thanks to the Plainswalkers.
These mysterious, nomadic creatures, most similar to the Bedouin peoples of the desert regions, are the only inhabitants of the Obscure Plain who are not guided by their survival instincts. These ancient people know all the terrifying secrets of the Obscure Plains, just as they know every path which leads through the mist. At the appearance of their caravans, the shadow dwellers retreat immediately, and even the distorted immortals rarely confront them.
These speechless and wise creatures shine as a torch for the forces of order in the fog of chaos. Secret societies of scientists whisper that the Plainswalkers once walked the land of men in the first ages after the creation of the world. Why they left their old homeland and retreated to the miasmatic lands of the Intermediate Plain, is, however, unknown.
Their caravans are long and tortuous. The chariots are carved from the most tree-like plants of the Obscure Plain, which glow with a ghostly light, and are pulled by their faithful yoked animals, the skhúlas. The skhúlas are legless, flying creatures which resemble terrestrial dragon lizards, but their bodies are translucent and always surrounded by a pale light. The few who have asked the Plainswalkers about these strange creatures, and actually have received answers from members of the silent folk, tell that the skhúlas are the descendants of an ancient and forgotten dragon prince. They have left the human realm together with the Plainswalkers, and live in an alliance with them ever since.
The Plainswalkers do not desire the treasures of humans. It still happens nevertheless, that they accept the gifts offered to them as payment for accompanying wanderers to one of the gates, which lead to the Mosaic Worlds.