Lore

## The apocalypse

### How it happened

Through the ages, signs of paranormal activity had always been present, though quickly dismissed as mere superstition and ignorance. However, the appearance of an undeniable paranormal phenomenon on a series of unidentifiable islands in the Atlantic Ocean, dubbed "The Dread Islands," marked a turning point.

It was on these islands that Fel, a scholar entranced by the ancient Proto civilization and corrupted by whispers from the void, inadvertently unleashed the Corrupted in October 2022. These entities, initially blobs of black ooze resembling humanoid shapes, were capable of entering human bodies and consuming them from the inside. Once infected, victims would bear black marks, an unremovable "taint," and eventually, they would succumb and join the ranks of the Corrupted.

The Dread Islands were subsequently ravaged and destroyed. Though a few tribes of forgotten people remained, the rest of the world would soon suffer the same fate. The infection spread like wildfire, carried unwittingly by those trying to escape the carnage. By early June 2023, North America fell into chaos, and in the ensuing weeks, the infection spread worldwide.

In response, the US government attempted to impose martial law, but its efforts were futile. Soldiers abandoned their posts to be with their families, and President Biden and his cabinet retreated into hiding. The once-mighty factions of resistance, while rising above the rest, were continually on the brink of collapse, fighting a losing battle against the inevitable doom.

As of August 2023, a few months after the fall of the USA, the world stands on the edge of annihilation. The void's influence is palpable, and the Corrupted's presence lingers, with the original black blobs seldom seen, but their effect ever-present. Pockets of humanity struggle in near-anarchy, rallying around the most potent resistance groups, though always one bad day away from being wiped out.

Only the coldest parts of the world remain untouched, but it's a hollow respite. The end of the world is no longer a question of if, but when. The apocalypse has come, and all that remains is to see how long the survivors can delay or deny the inevitable embrace of the void.

### Death

Sometimes, your character dies and they come back to life. Some servers interpret that as somehow making it back to safety even if it doesn't always make sense, but here, death is a real thing. It just doesn't stop people like you.

When you die violently, in most occasions, there is a spell/phenomena that resurrects you. However, it doesn't always work and the spell has proven to be unreliable, so every death could be your last (such as if you get your character permanently killed). The whole process is also incredibly traumatic - death is never fun, and while you don't remember the details, you remember the excruciating pain, as well as remembering your soul being torn away from your body and put back into a new one as it materializes, atom by atom, particle by particle - the worst torture imaginable as you feel every second of it.

Death is something to be avoided... especially because you never know when it will be final.

## The World

#### Whisperville: The Divided Echoes

Nestled beside the vast, serpentine river that cuts through its heart, Whisperville once thrived as a bustling town teeming with promise and charm. This mighty river, dubbed the Whispering Waters, seemed to mirror the town's haunted character. Established in the 1800s, the initial settlers were lured to the area by its bountiful natural resources, promising prosperity for adept fishermen and loggers. Yet, over time, rumors of an enigmatic whistling sound emanating from deep within the river's abyss transformed the town into a booming tourist hub.

Legends portrayed the Whispering Waters as a guardian. Initially, it was believed to shield the town from Satan and restless spirits, and post-1950s, from extraterrestrial beings. As the city expanded, bridges connected its divide, skyscrapers touched the skies, and commerce flourished. The once-prevalent whistling, however, was drowned out by the cacophony of urban life.

Throughout the years, countless individuals sought to unveil the origins of these elusive whispers. Some believed the river, seemingly bottomless, concealed an ancient stone monolith etched with indecipherable symbols that resonated under the moon's watchful gaze. A handful even claimed to glimpse these symbols under the water during moonlit evenings. Yet, without tangible evidence, the legend faded into the realm of urban myths.

Yet, near the end of 2010, the near-forgotten whistling resurfaced. Distinctly more unsettling, this spectral song seemed to seep into the dreams of the townsfolk, robbing them of rest. Although their ears couldn't discern the melody, their minds grasped it in their most vulnerable moments. Thankfully, these episodes were sporadic, offering long intervals of respite.

However, in 2021, a motley group of archaeologists, truth-seekers, and the curious converged on Whisperville. Their extended underwater expedition unearthed not a monolith, but an entire pagan temple. But as destiny played its hand, a lunar eclipse saw a cultist desecrate this sacred space with a malevolent ritual. With his chants echoing, the ground shivered, the river roared, and the skies adopted a shadowy hue. An oppressive fog encircled the town.

Emerging from this murkiness were the Corrupted, accompanied by eldritch abominations from the abyss. Their malevolent presence drove the townspeople to madness. Those who escaped the initial onslaught of the Corrupted either turned on one another or were driven to suicide.

Now, Whisperville, divided by the Whispering Waters, lies ensnared in an eternal doom. The fog persists, as do the eldritch monstrosities. The haunting melodies from the river's depths serve as a somber reminder of the town's grim past and the mysterious forces that ensnare it.

## The Elder Gods

#### Ktharyan, the Octahedral Horror

Dreaded and mysterious, Ktharyan is a cosmic entity that casts a shadow of despair across the vast stretches of existence. As galaxies spiral and stars gleam, an enigmatic order – or perhaps chaos – pulses beneath, shaped by the will of Ktharyan.

#### Morrav, the Harbinger

In my dreams, I beheld a figure, draped in shadows, with eyes that held galaxies of oblivion. Morrav, they call him, the Harbinger. He does not usher death with cruelty, but with a calm that unnerves even the staunchest of hearts. Those who mock the void, those who scoff at the abyss, find themselves silenced in his presence. With every whispered word, Morrav challenges disbelief, forcing even skeptics to confront the inevitability of their end. To meet him is to question one's own convictions about death and the void. Beware his gentle persuasion, for it carries the weight of eternity.

#### Neph’laru, the Silencer of Stars

Within the sprawling expanse of the universe, there exists an entity whose essence is both enigmatic and profound. Neph’laru, often referred to as the "Silencer of Stars," is a deity synonymous with stillness, mystery, and the infinite knowledge found within the void.

#### Zel'khan, the Harvester of Trembles

In the deepest recesses of terror, where the heartbeat quickens and cold sweat forms, Zel'khan thrives. Often referred to as the "Harvester of Trembles," he is an embodiment of pure, distilled malevolence. Zel'khan doesn't just passively observe dread; he cultivates it, savoring each palpitation and shiver.

## References

1. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/1115275511476789289/1137388479928615022
2. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/1115275511476789289/1137378425280147456
3. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/1115275511476789289/1152824822297014353
4. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/1115275511476789289/1143228773215514634
5. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/1115275511476789289/1143368084908937216
6. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/1115275511476789289/1143224674273210368
7. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/1115275511476789289/1147547040230932681