Embedded Files
The afterlife (or 'the end) is a non-physical plane of existence above the mortal realm. It can be accessed only through a physical gateway, known as the Veil, located just beyond the ancient city of Pandemonium in Underworld. When a person dies, their soul begins a journey south toward the Veil. Depending on the circumstances of their death, this journey may take days or many years. In some cases, souls are unable to reach the Veil, held back by magic or other forces, remaining chained and never finding peace. Over time, these souls slowly forget who they are, and eventually even forget that they once lived.
HEROES OF NYX
HEROES OF NYX
Nyx, the ancient titan of night, stars, silver, and heroes, is said to honour the greatest among mankind. When a great hero dies, whether through sacrifice, in battle, or peacefully, they are met by Nyx herself. These souls do not journey to the Veil; instead, they are given a place among the stars, their images immortalized in the night sky for all of humanity to look upon and aspire to. Legend holds that even Zeus was granted this honour, alongside countless lesser-known warriors. What becomes of these souls once they are enshrined in the heavens remains a mystery. Some believe they remain by Nyx's side, watching over mankind and continuing to guide and protect as they did in life.
ROAD TO THE END
ROAD TO THE END
Souls are normally invisible to the living. The phenomenon known as the Stars of Styx, or Southern Souls, resembles the northern lights but is composed of large migrations of souls traveling toward the Veil. The Southern Souls always drift southward and often appear after natural disasters, great battles, or periods of famine and drought. It is possible, though dangerous, to follow the Southern Souls to the city of Pandemonium, where they temporarily become more corporeal before continuing to the Veil.
South of Cape Tainaron, where the Sea of Souls meets the ground, lies Ghost Country. This desolate land is haunted by spirits too restless to continue their journey. Souls bound by unfinished business cannot pass on, yet the relentless flow of others traveling south prevents them from retracing their steps. Trapped in Ghost Country, these restless spirits linger, seeking a way to fulfill unresolved goals. Some who remain here long enough are said to learn the ways of spirits, gaining the ability to possess travelers in an attempt to complete their unfinished tasks. For those who wander too close to Cape Tainaron, this danger serves as a grim reminder of the weight of the past and the perils of meddling with the dead.
Beyond Ghost Country lies Lerna Canyon, a place steeped in legend. It is said that this canyon was once a vast river that flowed directly into the mouth of the Underworld. Now only a massive chasm remains, its depth and width so immense that one can only imagine the cataclysmic force that drained it.
ISLE OF BEASTS
ISLE OF BEASTS
Near the gates of the Underworld, past Lerna Canyon and before reaching the walls of Pandemonium, lies the Isle of Beasts. This cluster of islands and jagged rocks is home to animal spirits: steeds, mules, pets, and other companions. These faithful souls wait patiently for their owners to arrive.
It is said that those who treated their animals kindly in life will be reunited in the afterlife. Together, they face the journey beyond the Veil, crossing into the next life side by side, just as they did in the mortal world.
TARTARUS
TARTARUS
The Underworld is often imagined as a place of endless torment, but this is a misconception. The realm of the dead is a land of order and quiet eternity. Peace is more common here than in the mortal realm. Tartarus, however, is exactly as dreadful as legend claims. It is not a place of mere expanse but a passage. To enter the Underworld, a mortal need only follow the same path as any soul. To return to the land of the living, however, is a far more difficult journey, for the only way back lies through the realm of Tartarus.
Tartarus is not just a plane of existence like the Celestial Kingdom or the Feywild; it is a living, breathing entity. This god-like being encapsulates a plane of flesh within its body, serving as the only tunnel back to the mortal realm from Pandemonium, the kingdom of Hades. Some say that earthquakes in the mortal plane occur when Tartarus stirs from its slumber. The anatomy of consists of long tunnels and canals, resembling veins and vessels that lie empty of blood, while pockets of dark, acidic green fluid occasionally boil and erupt, searing the flesh of the muscular walls they land on. Tartarus never ceases to grow, create, and birth new horrors. The dimension within its body is a temple to its form, an arena for its creations, and a tomb for its offspring.
Monsters, born from the flesh walls of Tartarus, are driven solely by the instinct to survive. These "Children of Tartarus" constantly battle each other and any intruders, ensuring that only the strongest survive for more than a day. Among these children, three have achieved legendary status for their endurance and strength: the Mother, the Father, and the Hound. The Mother and Father however escaped Tartarus years ago and the Hound is still trapped in the arena of its creation.
Page updated
Report abuse