The Nothing

The "Nothing that Devours Everything," also known as simply the "Nothing," is a mysterious and ominous phenomenon that occurs on the western edge of Giantstep, bordering the Everdark Ocean. 
The Nothing has been witnessed and described for centuries, with the earliest recorded sightings dating back a thousand years ago. It is described as an everpresent chaotic storm, covering the skies with dark clouds and defeaning lightning, causing the sea to roar in its presence.
These sightings have been primarily attributed to sailors who have ventured south in search of whales. It is said that even the mere presence of the storm is enough to cause horrible migraines and nausea .Those who have glimpsed the chaotic storm describe feeling an overwhelming sense of dread and fear, as if they are in the presence of a malevolent force that seeks to consume everything in its path. Sailors have also reported that no whales or any other sea creatures live in the waters close to the Nothing. 
No vessel that has strayed into the Nothing has ever come out.
== Theories ==
The existence of the "Nothing" is a well-known phenomenon in the western reaches of Giantstep, particularly in the continent of Scimitaria, while beyond the Great Hedge and the Handprint Desert, it is almost unheard of. To some, the "Nothing" is a mere horror story often used to frighten children, with many adults dismissing it as the delusions of drunken and scurvy ridden sailors.
Despite this, a plethora of theories abound concerning the mysterious phenomenon. Among the religious Scimitarian commonfolk, the "Nothing" is often considered a manifestation of humanity's sins and negative emotions, a divine punishment that could ultimately bring about their doom.
The wizards of the Isle of Wizards hold a starkly different belief regarding the Nothing. considering it a gateway to another realm or dimension that beckons forth a multitude of monstrous creatures and demons. Many hold the view that the Nothing may have acted as a harbinger for the arachnid known as the Death Blossom, a primordial evil and a force of destruction that now resides in the Cocoon Islands.
On the contrary, certain scholars in Hithlone, especially those hailing from the Institute of Astromancy, argue that it can be explained by natural forces. These Astromancers suggest that the storm may be caused by the collision of great warm and cold air masses, or by the rare conjunction of multiple celestial bodies.. Nevertheless, the Astromancers are acutely aware of the threat that the Nothing poses to Giantstep. Years of research and study have led them to a concerning discovery - the "Nothing" is slowly expanding, with the patient persistence of a glacier, and with no sign of stopping.
Category:Horror