Corruption

**Corruption** is an item in the game that contains a lot of information about a threat to the continent of Rochendil, what results from their actions, and its latest outbreak that caused a long war.

Later in the game, the player has a choice to either buy this book from the Book Seller in the Bazaar or read it for free in the Arcana Sanctum or Mages Guild, both are located in the Eagledeen Market District.

## Content

Information about a threat to the continent of Rochendil, what results from their actions, and its latest outbreak that caused a long war.

"*The Corruption has always been a constant threat to Rochendil since ancient times. It has rampaged multiple times in history, wiping countless civilizations on each wake.*

*It's latest outbreak shattered Vaethendar, weakened both Dwarven and Elven kingdom to an irreparable state, claiming countless lives in between.*

*Mana flows throughout the Realm in this bands called Ley Lines. They intersect and form nodes at some places, resulting in concentration of magick energy. While these nodes are mostly harmless, some are able to significantly alter their surroundings.*

*Considered as anomalies, the most damage occured on the Crimson Ravine, an isolated deep gorge on the northern part of the continent.*

*As its name suggests, the soil there turned blood red, with vegetation growing in a sickly black hue. The air there is putrid, with orange dust constantly blocking the sunlight.*

*Here, animals mutated to become grotesque abominations due to the nodes' twisted power. Most grow large, with their skin turned pale white and sporting ferocious claws. In a permanent state of bloodlust, these creatures will attack at the slightest provocation.*

*Most dangerous are the Bipedal: orcish-like creatures with bloodshot eyes and ivory skin. They sport crude armors and weapons. Few wear better gears, loots taken from fallen adventurers.*

*These humanoids appear to be intelligent, able to communicate among themselves, forming groups to hunt and kill. These savage soldiers formed the bulk of the Corruption Horde.*

*While mostly confined to the ravine, the site was often subjected to quakes, exposing the area, this unleashing creatures inside. Once freed, they are almost unstoppable. Each horde member is relentless, overwhelming any kind of defense over time just by sheer force.*

*It seems that exposure to the anomaly rendered them starved of mana, causing them to try to quench it by destroying anything in their path.*

*Earliest scriptures refer the Corruption Horde as the "White Dusk". Scholars theorized that they were responsible for the downfall of the Drenthir Civilization and the Lekumban Grand Temple.*

*Curiously, after each outbreak the horde simply retreated back to the ravine without any explainable reasons. Perhaps the horde harvested enough mana from the devastation, or they cannot last outside of the anomaly for an extended period of time.*

*On it's latest occurence, the Corruption Horde hit the Dwarven Kingdom first and the hardest. The Dwarven King received aid from Rhaegos, but it was not enough to fend off the might of the horde. Unable to retaliate, the Kingdom quickly fell and the surviving dwarves retreated deep underground.*

*The horde then moved north, circling around the Frozen Peak, before hitting the Elven Kingdom and the northern portion of Vaethendar.*

*Even with the aid of the Dragon Council, the war dragged for years, culminating in heavy losses of lives. Shortly after the Disappearance event, the horde stopped advancing, and was able to be pushed back to the ravine.*

*The long war ended with construction of Wall of Hope, erected around the ravine to prevent future outbreak. Whether this will be useful is yet to be seen until the next time the horde attack again.*"