The Whisperer

Art by (placeholder)

**The Whisperer** is an twisted Shadow serving under the Deep One. It used its power to corrupt the mind of Foreman Pycoles in order to weaken the barrier between Io and its Shadow.

## Description

### Appearance

The Whisperer manifests itself as a shadowy mass with six pairs of eyes and a mouth filled with jagged teeth.

### Personality

The Whisperer is a manipulator first and foremost. It has no issue in invading the thoughts of others to serve its needs. It is clear it does not view the people of Io as little more than puppets, as its concern for the death of his latest vessel Pyocles was almost mocking in nature. It was also greatly amused by the freedom fighters who landed within the Shadow, taunting them in a malicious manner and offering them somewhat dubious hospitality. However, there is a more serious side to it that it reveals in the presence of his master, The Deep One, who it appears to be rather afraid of.

## History

The Whisperer was once an Astari who lived on Io. During the Jupiter Incident, it was sundered like the rest of its kin, and its soul was plunged into the Shadow. For centuries, it endured the torture of living in the Shadow Veil and desperately wanted to escape. To this end, it became an agent of a powerful Shadow called the Deep One, a former elder in its old society. Together, it and its conspirators plotted their escape.

The Whisperer was tasked with influencing the citizens of Asmodia to strengthen the kingdom's connection to the Shadow. To this end, it entered the mind of a foreman named Pycoles, who it used to introduce the burning of Nessium, a substance created within the Shadow. The burning of Nessium would weaken the barrier between the Shadow and Io, allowing for a ritual to take place to aid them in escaping their prison.

## Story

### Visitors to the Shadow

Upon the explosion within Coalsand Factory No. 21, a group of freedom fighters found their way into the Shadow. There, they met with the Whisperer, who had found the charred corpse of Pycoles. The Whisperer expressed disappointment at the destruction of its puppet, but nevertheless amicably introduced itself to the party. This irked the half-elf Syra, who was brought up in a society that despises darkness in all its forms, and she called the Shadow a heretic and encouraged her companions not to listen to it. The Whisperer was more amused than insulted and attempted to offer her an alternative viewpoint on the matter. Syra rejected its offer and demanded it show her and her allies the way out. This caused the Whisperer to howl with laughter, remarking how naïve it was to think the Shadow had any sort of escape. It informed them this dark place was a prison and that it was attempting to use Pycoles in order to escape, a plan which they had thwarted through their actions. Before it could explain more, The Whisperer sensed the presence of its master, and in a hushed tone, announced to the new inmates that he was coming. The Whisperer then went silent as a giant shadowy being appeared among them, awaiting its master's orders.

## Powers and Abilities

* **Telepathy**: The Whisperer has the capacity to speak telepathically, even across planes. It uses this power to influence the denizens of Io to do its bidding.
* **Master Manipulator**: The Whisperer is an expert in manipulating others. It was able to convince Pycoles to use Nessium as a fuel source and convince him that this work was towards the betterment of mortality and his kingdom, rather than a means to opening the Shadow onto Io.
* **Shadow Magic:** As an inhabitant of the Shadow, the Whisperer has attuned itself to the Veil, and can use it as a source of energy when utilizing magic.