Shattered Sky

The Shattered Sky phenomenon is connected with times of old, with magic and legend. It has not been seen in recorded history since the end of the Wrath of the Gods, and it is common lore that to see the sky behaving in such a way means serious change and upheaval.

Manifestation

A shattered sky appears most prominently at night because of the glowing effect it produces. Bands of light stretch across the sky much like broken glass, originating at the point of the magic that caused it. In many respects, they are similar to aurora, with vertical lines appearing quite frequently and a rippling and shimmering appearance. Shattered skies are typically the color of the magic that caused them, but appear often as a rainbow of colors if there is no single source.

Causes and Effects

Shattered skies are caused by a sharp increase in magic of a specific area, usually because of a mage or a portal. Alongside the effects already caused by magic of that concentration, shattered skies present their own effects that can range from mild to catastrophic. The most common and mild effect, aside from the visual experience, is somewhat similar to low-level mage scars. Magefolk are more likely to experience flareups from their scars and a heightened sense of magic during the time of the shattered sky. Not all shattered skies are beautiful events, however. In other circumstances, the magic released from a shattered sky can form into a low fog that causes nausea and fatigue. Magefolk experiencing a mid-level shattered sky are rendered severely incapacitated by the overflow of magic, and non-mages will have trouble going about day-to-day activities due to heavy fog and an event called manafall, where congealed magic falls to the earth like hail, causing injury and low-level mage scars to those hit.

History and Significance

Shattered skies are incredibly rare, and especially in magefolk communities, signify destruction or danger. Their connection with the ancient ones and the otherworld means they are seen as bad omens, mainly due to the power that causes them. Shattered skies have been recorded once since the Wrath of the Gods and the creation of the otherworld, accompanying the opening of a massive portal.