The Darklands

## Overview

The Darklands is a realm governed by Charlotte, the planet this realm is on was named both in honour of Charlotte and due to a misunderstanding of what it was, in Banbunese Kurobi translates to Black Sun, this name was used as the fog surrounding the planet flared like the mana flares of Solara. While the designation was incorrect, the name has stuck.

## Zones

### Festival Zone

The Festival Zone is covered by dark clouds, interspersed with magical lights. This area of Kurobi is permanently decorated with traditional decorations for each of the existing festivals, these are sometimes used by deities or mortals during those festivities.

Notable parts of the Festival Zone are the Kurotama day, Grandharvest, Kuroyoru and Friesiana locations, these are based around four of the big yearly holidays and each section is in a perpetual artificial climate. the Kurotama district is perpetually flowering with eggs randomly appearing. the Grandharvest district is permanently in warm weather, crops quickly grow here and the area is decorated to celebrate the harvest. The Kuroyoru district is stuck in a perpetual sunset, the area is always foggy and has many decorative lights in large fruits and is in constant Autumn, many spooky animals and costumed people visit or live in this district. The Friesiana district is perpetually snowing and is very brightly lit despite being in perpetual night, the district is centred around a giant decorated pine tree and has beautiful lights and decorations spreading out from it.

Other districts based around many different festivals exist, these are all decorated to match their given festivities. Many locations are opened to mortals on certain days surrounding the festivities while the primary festivities for Banbu take place in Yoru or Eryu.

### Interzone

The Interzone is an area clouded in thick black smoke, small sections of Interzone act as barriers between districts in the Festival Zone, while a large ocean of smoke blocks the way between the Festival Zone and the Reflection Zone. Passing through the Interzone is said to be extremely difficult due to the lack of visibility and rumoured creatures that live within.

Rumours claim that becoming lost in the interzone can turn an individual mad if they cannot prove themselves wise enough to overcome the challenges they may face there, although this is mostly unconfirmed as those who have returned have not been driven mad, while those who haven't cannot be checked.

### Reflection Zone

The Reflection Zone is a giant hall of mirrors, dimly lit by magical lights. The mirrors in the Reflection Zone do not show a physical reflection but instead reflect who you are on the inside. The dim light and the mirrors in this area help those within to understand themselves and meditate upon that info, allowing them to try to become more wise through self acceptance or self improvement.

It is said that Charlotte has spent years here meditating to try to come to terms with things in her life. This zone is big enough to house most of Banbu in one go, practically being a country sized mirror maze although only small numbers are allowed in at once in order to prevent distractions for those who wish to meditate here.