Void

**The Void** (also called **Shadow**), like the Light, is one of the most fundamental forces in the universe. Despite their inherent contradictions, they are inextricably linked on a cosmic scale. One cannot exist in the absence of the other. Pure Light and Shadow exist in realms beyond the confines of reality.

The Void can be a source of terrible power, but it comes with a cost. While the Light is often said to elicit positive emotions such as hope, courage, and comfort, Shadow abilities are the polar opposite, capable of eliciting feelings of despair, doubt, and panic. In a way, the emotions induced by the Light come from the "heart," whereas the emotions induced by the Shadow are frequently based on survival logic and thus affect the "mind."

The Void only shows half-truths. It, like the Light, cannot fully see destiny because neither is solely responsible for creation. The Void seeks out all possible paths and considers them all to be true.

## **History**

### **Background**

It is said that before Life, before even the universe, there was Light... and then there was Void. However, unconstrained by time and space, the Light swelled across all existence in the form of a boundless prismatic sea. Great torrents of living energy flitted through its mirrored depths, creating a symphony of joy and hope. The ocean of the Light was ever-changing and dynamic. However, as it grew, some of its energies faded and dimmed, leaving pockets of seemingly cold nothingness behind.

A new power coalesced and emerged from the absence of Light in these spaces. This dark and vampiric force has only one goal: to consume all energy and twist creation inward so it can feed on itself. The Void was the name given to this force. The Void grew quickly and spread its influence, moving in opposition to the Light's flowing waves. The growing tension between these two seemingly opposing yet inseparable energies eventually erupted in a series of catastrophic explosions, rupturing the fabric of creation and birthing a new realm. The material plane was created at that point.

Even then, there is a plane made entirely of the Void. It is known as the End, and it is home to the Enderian Void spawn race. The End is said to be home to an infinite amount of horror and nightmarish creatures, as well as all sources of evil and power. One can only speculate whether there is a realm of Light out there that exists as the polar opposite to the End.

Both light and void must be kept in check if the universe's balance is to be maintained.

## **Effects on beings**

Shadow Acolytes, unlike their Holy counterparts, concentrate on casting powerful Shadow spells from afar on their enemies. To eliminate enemies, experienced acolytes can strike a balance between sinister Shadow magic and terrifying mental magic. Surprisingly, these dark acolytes, like all magic users, use Mana to channel their spells, but with a dark twist. Every time they cast a Shadow spell, they lose a fraction of their sanity, but this increases the potency of the spell. To put it another way, the crazier, the better. Every acolyte must learn how to control their sanity because, if left unchecked, the Void has the potential to devour their minds, turning them into the eternal spawns of Darkness.