Kul
Where Shadows Speak
"As you step into Kul, a cold chill envelops you. The air is thick, every breath a reminder of the countless souls that have passed through this tumultuous realm. The obsidian plateaus stretch out, seemingly endless, their sharp edges cutting into the foggy skyline. In the distance, the faint shimmer of the Luminous Spires serves as a meager consolation amidst the oppressive darkness. You can hear the low murmurs of the tar-black rivers, their flow echoing the whispered regrets of fallen souls. The trees, though lifeless, seem to watch, their skeletal branches reaching out, longing for something long lost. It's a realm where hope is but a distant memory, and the balance between the cruel divinities ensures that every soul is weighed, judged, and assigned its fate. Kul, in its grim beauty, stands as the ultimate testament to the consequences of one's actions in life."
An excerpt from Ludwig Strahd Von Zarovich's
Journeys Through Darkness: A Guide to Kul
Kul is a realm of both haunting beauty and stark terror, suspended between life and the abyss of the afterlife. Its landscapes, ranging from twisted forests to desolate plains, tell tales of tumultuous wars, echoing the power struggles of the dark deities who vie for dominance. Each shadow cast is a reflection of the malevolent fey and divinities, reshaping and contorting into nightmarish forms that seem to come alive. At the pinnacle of this hierarchy sits King Yama, the god king of death, judiciously overseeing the destiny of wayward souls. But the depths of Kul hide even more mysteries. Whispers pervade the air, especially within the chilling embrace of the Whispering Mists, recounting tales of sorrow, regret, and sometimes forbidden knowledge. Yet, for all its perils, Kul serves a divine purpose: to judge the deeds of malevolent souls and determine their fate in the fiery chasms of Gehenna, the Seven Hells. A journey through Kul is a dance with fate itself, a passage through the very essence of existence, decay, and rebirth.
Geography
Kul is a land bereft of the warming embrace of sunlight, a realm where the fabric of reality feels paper-thin and the veil between life and afterlife undulates. The terrain is dominantly jagged, with a series of obsidian plateaus stretching across the horizon. Between these plateaus, the landscape dips into hauntingly serene valleys filled with dead forests and stagnant, tar-black rivers. Many of these rivers merge into Lake Moros, a sprawling expanse of thick, inky liquid. No one knows the true depth of Lake Moros. The still water is said to hold the reflections of those deemed unworthy, their faces twisted in anguish, forever trapped between the realm of Kul and Gehenna. Towards the edge of Kul lies the Mire Sea, a vast ocean of viscous, near-solid fluid, emitting an eerie glow. This is not a sea for ships; its consistency is more akin to slowly moving gel, and it is said that the spirits who fail to find their path in Kul often become stuck in the Mire Sea's embrace, forever struggling.
In contrast to these dark waters, several quartz mountains stand tall, their crystal formations shimmering with an ethereal glow, emitting the only light in this dim realm. They are called the Luminous Spires, and they serve as beacons for the lost souls, guiding them to the various dominions of the dark divinities. From a distance, one might be deceived into thinking that Kul possesses a haunting kind of beauty, with its luminous mountains and reflective waters. But up close, the constant war and the pervasive sense of dread make it clear that this is a realm of judgment, torment, and eternal conflict.
Ecosystem
Atmosphere
Kul's atmosphere is denser than most realms, laden with an ever-present, shadowy mist. This mist is composed not just of water vapor but of the collective sorrow and anguish of the souls passing through. It blankets the land, filtering what little light the Luminous Spires produce and casting an eternally dusky hue over the realm. While devoid of oxygen, creatures and beings native to Kul do not require it. Instead, they thrive on the ambient magical energies, drawing sustenance from the realm's inherent power.
Flora
Most of Kul's vegetation has long since passed into a state of eternal decay. Trees, twisted and gnarled, their bark resembling charred skin, stand sentinel in the dead forests. They no longer photosynthesize but rather draw in the mist's anguish to sustain themselves. Fungi are abundant, thriving in the stagnant waters and damp air. Some of these fungi emit faint, bioluminescent glows, serving as markers in the deep, shadowy valleys. A few rare plants, like the Mourner's Lilies, bloom only once every century, releasing hauntingly beautiful scents believed to carry the memories of souls long past.
Fauna
Creatures in Kul have adapted to its harsh conditions in unique and often unsettling ways:- Mist Walkers: Ethereal beings that glide silently through the fog, they feed on the memories of the dead. Their forms are mutable, often reflecting the most cherished memories of the souls they encounter.
- Tarfish: Blind, eel-like creatures that thrive in the tar-black rivers. They possess specialized organs that allow them to filter feed on the anguish suspended in the waters.
- Obsidian Beetles: Insects with shells as hard as the plateaus they inhabit. They scuttle around, feasting on the decayed organic matter, and often form symbiotic relationships with fungi, spreading their spores.
- Sorrow Birds: Skeletal avians with tattered, ghostly plumage. They sing mournful tunes and are believed to be the harbingers of judgment. These creatures nest atop the Luminous Spires, drawing warmth from their ethereal glow.
Dynamics
The ecosystem of Kul revolves around the perpetual cycle of anguish, memories, and the realm's intrinsic magic. Flora draws from the atmosphere's pain, transforming it into a form of sustenance. The fauna either feeds on the flora, like the Obsidian Beetles or directly taps into the raw emotions and memories, like the Mist Walkers. The Luminous Spires play a pivotal role, acting as beacons and energy sources. Their magic counterbalances the realm's inherent darkness, providing pockets of refuge and sustenance. Natural occurrences, like the rare blooming of the Mourner's Lilies, release bursts of memories into the atmosphere. These events often lead to increased activity among the Mist Walkers and a temporary shift in the realm's ambiance. Despite the somber atmosphere, the ecosystem is delicate and interdependent. The balance between memory and emotion, light and shadow, decay and sustenance, ensures Kul remains a place of judgment, reflection, and, for some, a chance at redemption.
Localized Phenomena
These phenomena, unique to Kul, serve as a constant reminder to its inhabitants of the realm's volatile nature and its close ties to death, power struggles, and the ever-looming presence of Gehenna. This is a platter of dreadful destruction:
- Soul Storms
The most prominent supernatural phenomenon in Kul is the Soul Storm. When great wars or mass deaths transpire in other realms, the sudden influx of souls into Kul manifests as these terrifying tempests. The skies darken as ethereal winds whip through, carrying with them the echoing screams and laments of the freshly departed. The very ground trembles, and Obsidian Trees sway, shedding shadowy leaves that are said to contain the fleeting memories of the souls caught in the storm. These storms not only wreak havoc on the environment but also strain the boundaries between Kul and Gehenna. If not managed, they risk tearing holes in the veil, allowing the Seven Hells to influence Kul directly.
- Soulfire Flares
In regions rich in Soul Residue, there are occasional spontaneous eruptions known as Soulfire Flares. These are brilliant, blue-white columns of flame that burst from the ground. They're not just visually striking but are believed to be outpourings of raw emotion from the remnants of unclaimed souls. Those who get too close can be overwhelmed by a flood of alien feelings and memories.
- The Whispering Mists
Certain areas of Kul, especially those close to Yama's domain, are often covered in a thick, gray mist. This isn't any ordinary fog. Those traversing through it report hearing whispers - sometimes guiding them, other times leading them astray. It's believed these mists are King Yama's way of communicating or testing those who wander close to his territory. Like tendrils, they extend across various parts of Kul, shifting and manifesting unpredictably. Their ever-changing patterns are in themselves a message, indicating the fluctuating moods and wills of the dark divinities that rule the realm. The Whispering Mists appear as a dense, silvery-gray fog that reduces visibility significantly. Within the mist, a chilling cold can be felt, reaching to the bones of those who traverse it. The very air within seems to be saturated with emotions - despair, longing, hope, and sometimes even malice. Those who enter with ill intent towards the realm or its rulers might find themselves walking in circles, trapped eternally unless they appease the spirits within or find another way to break the mist's enchantment. Some areas, when enveloped by the mists, become isolated from the rest of Kul, creating pockets of lost time and space. However, for those who respect the realm and its rulers, the mists can guide their way, acting as protectors against Kul's other, more malevolent forces. Faintly luminescent paths sometimes form within, leading travelers to safe havens or towards their intended destinations.
- Echoing Canyons
- The Void Pools
Natural Resources
Here are some examples of natural ressources that see varying use in both Kul and the material realm of Eastrix:
- Obsidian Wood
The forests of Kul are home to the Obsidian Trees. Unlike any ordinary tree, their bark is jet-black and feels like polished stone. The wood harvested from these trees is incredibly resilient and is often used in rituals, construction of dark sanctuaries, and to craft instruments of power. The trees themselves are believed to have sprouted from the remnants of ancient battles fought in the realm.
- Shadowgrain
The fields of Kul produce a unique grain known as Shadowgrain. When harvested and consumed, it can sustain an individual without any other food or water, but it also infuses them with a sense of melancholy. It's a staple for many inhabitants of Kul, especially those who serve the dark divinities.
- Ebon Sheep
Roaming the somber hills of Kul are the Ebon Sheep, creatures with inky-black wool. This wool is not just used for crafting but is also woven into tapestries that tell tales of Kul's history. When spun and enchanted, garments made from Ebon Wool can protect the wearer from the invasive thoughts and influences pervasive in Kul.
- Soulver
Deep within the bowels of Kul are veins of a unique metal called Soulver. This silvery, almost translucent metal resonates with faint whispers. It is believed these are echoes of souls that once roamed Kul. Blacksmiths and enchanters prize Soulver for its ability to channel and amplify dark energies and for corny blacksmith jokes.
- Phantom Quartz
Sprinkled throughout Kul are caverns holding vast deposits of Phantom Quartz. These are not ordinary crystals; inside them, one can see swirling smoky patterns, reminiscent of souls. They serve as powerful conduits in necromantic rituals and are often set into staffs, rings, and crowns of great necromancers.
- Soul Residue
In the nooks and crannies of Kul, one can find pools of a shimmering, ethereal substance – the Soul Residue. This is the remnant energy of souls that passed through Kul but were not fully claimed. Necromancers covet this residue. When harnessed correctly, it can amplify their spells manifold, granting them power over the dead like never before.
- Nightbloom Petals
A rare flower grows in select areas of Kul, called the Nightbloom. It blossoms only during moments of great cosmic significance and withers away quickly. The petals of this flower, when crushed, produce a luminous ink used by seers and oracles of Kul to inscribe prophecies.
History
Whilst ancient history sources are blurry there is some idea of how Kul might have been created. This is the Eastrixian belief of Kuls creation & history:
Kul was not born of natural forces like other realms. Instead, it emerged as a direct result of cosmic cataclysms. As the universe aged and evolved, the weight of countless memories, emotions, and unfulfilled desires coalesced into a dense, shadowy realm. This realm, lying at the crossroads of existence and oblivion, became Kul. For eons after, Kul remained a solitary, ever-expanding expanse, untouched by divine or mortal intervention. Its landscape, formed from raw emotion and ancient memory, took on hauntingly beautiful and equally terrifying shapes. The first being to lay claim to Kul was King Yama, drawn by its unique energy signature. Recognizing its potential as a domain for souls in transition, he established his rule. However, his reign went unchallenged for only a brief time. Drawn by the realm's power and allure, dark divinities like Kozhracarn, Bhrask, and Varikkien soon descended upon Kul, each hoping to shape its destiny. With so many powerful entities vying for control, the realm soon became a battleground. These wars, more psychological and spiritual than physical, shaped and reshaped the land, giving birth to features like the Luminous Spires and the tar-black rivers.
After millennia of conflict, a truce was brokered, known as the Covenant of Shadows. The divinities, recognizing that their wars threatened the very fabric of Kul, agreed to a delicate balance of power. King Yama would oversee the judgment of souls, while others would rule specific territories and have domains of influence. While the Covenant brought relative peace to Kul, its connection to Gehenna, the Seven Hells, remained a point of contention. The ascent of Tiamat to the throne of Gehenna marked the beginning of a new era. As she sought to expand her influence, the delicate balance in Kul was once again under threat.
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