The Darkling Horde

*“If the dead are the only ones to rest in peace,” Rodion shrieked, his eyes rolled back in his head as if he were in a trance, “if peace can only come in death, then we are the Peacekeepers! I gladly surrender my life to the great equalizer, my Dread Master. May he cleanse me of all my ills. May I be accepted to the exalted House of Sithil. For the Darkling Horde!”*

The Darkling Horde originally was a conglomeration of various groups united in their devotion to the God of Death, Thanatos. While some directly serve the Aspect of Malice, Serth-Rog, in a vangard that seeks to undermine, sabotage, and otherwise frustrate both the Crimson Alliance and the Ever-Victorious Viridian Empire, others believed a different tactic was in order to enforce Thanatos' will that all beings live with him in Morsheim.

The Darkling Horde includes both Travelers and Vogthar alike. Some Travelers willingly joined out of despair for the loss of Earth. Some were driven to madness or lost faith in VGO as a lifeboat from the destruction of humanity. Some joined for the opportunity to seek revenge on those that they believe wronged them. Some just want to watch the world build. Some, like the Vogthar, were forced into service via magical runes. Others were damned to live in Morsheim by the Hexblade as a Spectral Revenant or the Curse of Serth-Rog.

Whatever the reason, and despite the character's best attempts to thwart or at least delay the Darklings' efforts, the horde eventually unite under the same banner. At least until Thanatos started changing...

## Faction Benefits

There are many benefits to damning yourself and joining the Darkling Horde.

For one, you get your choice of two cursed blades: the Hexblade, and later on, the Malware Blade.

There's also the much-beloved benefit of not having the Death's Curse or Death's Sting Debuffs upon death, and the ability to travel between Falas Alferra and Morsheim.

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*Current Debuffs*

*Death’s Curse:* You have died! You have lost 12,880 EXP! Skills improve 20% slower; duration, 8 hours. All EXP earned reduced by 15%; duration, 8 hours. Attack Damage and Spell Strength reduced by 20%; duration, 8 hours. Health, Stamina, and Spirit Regeneration reduced by 25%; duration, 8 hours. Carry Capacity -50 lbs; duration, 8 hours.

*Death’s Sting:* Suffer extreme physical discomfort and waves

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## Faction Members

Black Priests of Serth-Rog

Fallen Priest Cian

Jeff Berkowitz

Rodion

Spoiler!!!

Darkling Beliefs

## Quotes

*"According to the Ministry of Whispers, the Darklings have also been collecting the weapons on the down low, bringing them all back to Morsheim for repurposing—whatever that is supposed to mean."*

*"Gaia has abandoned her realm...just as she did us."*

*"Humanity refused to take care of each other, but Death will. In death, we are all unified. In death, we rest in peace. Death protects what Life could not."*

## Trivia

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*Quest Alert: Salus Infirmorum*

The Fallen Priest Cian asks you to join the Darkling Horde and serve Serth-Rog and all his unholy whims. You will need not fear Death, Disease, or Darkness again, for you will be one with them, and they will be at your command.

*Quest Class*: Common

*Quest Difficulty*: Easy

*Success*: Kneel before the might of Serth-Rog, Prince of Morsheim, damning yourself and forsaking your god.

*Accept:* Yes/No?

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