Darkmourne

The Black Marshes

Pronunciation: dark-MAWn

Term for People: Darns, Mourners

Names for Groups: Houses, Dens, Arks

Masks: Dark Veils, Mossmasks, Herbal Poultices

Most Popular Event: Candlerun

In near perpetual darkness, the Heathlands and Marshes are inhospitable and shrouded in freezing fog. The sparse towns and cathedrals had perhaps once been scenes of Gothic beauty, but are now grim reminders of the times before the ever-night set in. Many of the Mourners have limited sight but are excellent night-hunters and skirmish fighters. Loud speech, Fire and Light magic are scarce and hated here, as any light that gives away a Den’s location means certain death. The inhabitants wear net veils to hide their faces and protect from the harsh miasmatic mists. Age is respected, for anyone old enough to have lived to old age has survived horrors, highwaymen and beasts untold. 

The undead are an accepted part of life upon the moor and many a wanderer has fallen only to rise again to haunt the quiet highways. Most of the Covens of The Darklands are smaller than those of other lands, often no larger than nine people for quickness of movement. Religion is particularly bleak with the most common god across all the groups being known only as The Stranger – an arbiter of eternal silence, fate and death. Many Spellcasters and fighters here are efficient, specialising in quiet sacrificial rituals, poisons, and trapping. Loremasters are proficient in gleaning what little they can from the heather and shrubs to survive. Those who die rise again, said to be property of Undergods and vengeful spirits. All fear the shapes and ghosts forever winding through the mists – innumerable souls end up following them past the mortal veil.