Duskwalkers

Duskwalkers are individuals in Varia capable of detecting, identifying, and rooting out instances of the Corruption and the Scourge. In more rarer cases, they also possess the ability to directly address or combat the phenomenon and creatures affected by it. The term Duskwalkers refers more to a type of profession that stemmed from an ancient tradition, rather than a group of people since they most commonly work independently of one another. Duskwalkers can be found operating around Central and Southern Varia, with smatterings of their presence in the northern areas.

Origin & History

The term "duskwalker" originated from a tradition observed on the Day of Dusk during the War of the Scourge. During the Day of Dusk, most denizens of the continent isolated themselves indoors for protection from the supposedly threatening darkness brought on by the shortened day. Present mainly in the areas south of the Kor Mountain Ranges, duskwalkers during the conflict conducted many tasks during the winter solstice. Their responsibilities included the burying of the recently deceased, the consecration of graves, carrying out rites to honor departed souls and even the upkeep of settlements. In Southern Varia, the role often went to esteemed and capable individuals who already possessed the settlement's good graces and ultimately cemented their place of favor. However, in Northern Varia, duskwalkers were often chosen from the unfit and offenders to a settlement's authority. Seen as expendables, their exposure to the winter solstice and service acted as their punishment and penitence; completion of their tasks restored their status in their societies, though it was not uncommon for these duskwalkers to disappear during the day.
Following the end of the War of the Scourge, duskwalkers remained a part of winter solstice commemorations, albeit with less gravity as considered during the conflict. In the same vein as their predecessors, they continued to be individuals who worked during the Day of Dusk while most commonfolk refrained from exerting themselves for the occasion. This iteration of the duskwalkers persisted throughout the Second Era.
Around the beginning of the Third Era, individuals surfaced in the southern regions of the continent who boasted abilities to sense and address the Scourge. These people, much like mercenaries, distributed their talents for a price to interested parties, a business which rested outside of the Order of Avalon's purview. As a result, these independents gradually garnered the ire of the holy order, though the latter could do little outside of their areas of jurisdiction. The Order of Avalon's disdain seemed to intensify when reports linked the origins of Duskwalkers to the organization, most often citing them as defectors from their ranks.
Furthermore, it is unknown where exactly the trend started, but by 100 3E, these individuals became known as "Duskwalkers." With the perpetual conflicts sprouting across the continent, their services became sought after by factions who suspected the presence of the Scourge or needed it dealt with, but wished not for the intervention of the Order of Avalon in their territories. In this respect, Duskwalkers have remained a staple of Varian life in the lower half of the continent, though often overlooked.

Modern Day Presence and Reception

While most active within the regions of Southern Varia, Duskwalkers have been spotted throughout most of the continent, albeit less so near the northern mountain ranges. Duskwalkers can thrive in more populated areas where they can find commissions for their services from settlements. However, their abilities have often been needed in more recluse areas where the Order of Avalon's lack of presence may make the appearance of Corruption or Scourge difficult for local residents.
The average Duskwalker has been noted to possess the means to detecting and tracking indications of Corruption or Scourge. They often find contracts with local governments or even hire out their services to private parties. With the knowledge they garner, Duskwalkers can inform their contractors who can then notify the Order of Avalon on their own terms, or seek the services of more capable Duskwalkers. While Duskwalkers are generally rare sights in Varia, an even smaller portion possesses the skills to directly combat the aforementioned phenomena. Theorized to rely on forbidden magic and other powers, these Duskwalkers are the most sought after by the more influential and affluent states who wish to avoid the interference of the Order of Avalon whilst still retaining the option to respond to the Scourge. As a result, they have access to the most lucrative jobs, albeit for a must steeper price to their personal safety. However, it is a rarity for any formal government to acknowledge their usage, much less reliance, on Duskwalkers.
Yet, compared to even the Order of Avalon's combatants, Duskwalkers tend to have a more dangerous occupation. They generally lack the support system to combat the Scourge that members of the holy order may rely upon. Moreover, barring a steady contract, Duskwalkers live out nomadic livelihoods with uncertain levels of comfort and subsistence. They may also encounter traces of the Scourge without a commission to report or respond to the anomalies, presenting a choice that may place themselves in danger's way without foreseeable reward.
The independence of Duskwalkers also comes with another cost. In some cases, Duskwalkers have been confirmed to be defectors from the Order of Avalon. However, the holy order has responded to their appearance as a desecration of their methods and, at worse, a danger to those around them. More often than not, Duskwalkers are effective criminals in Grandia and wherever the Order possesses jurisdiction. Elsewhere, Duskwalkers who make their profession known may experience mixed receptions, often based on a region's general relationship with the Order of Avalon. For example, in the north, they receive neutral to cold reactions at best, due in part to the larger prevalence of "duskers," particularly the detrimental connotations, in those areas. To the south, Duskwalkers encounter a larger range of receptions, spanning from fear to curiosity and awe to anger.
Increasingly relevant, artists and writers have taken Duskwalkers as subjects for their works. The romanticization of the image of Duskwalkers has been a pervasive trend of their efforts which has led to notable success over the generations. The exposure has resulted in a cult-like following among the educated. Furthermore, the abilities of Duskwalkers have posited a point of particular interest to these intellectuals, for the source of their skills has apparently become a secret of their trade.

In Popular Culture

Duskwalkers have served, willingly or no, as the subjects for works of art and other depictions. In literature, Duskwalkers appear in vast articles of writing, from informational to fictional. Research and theses about the Scourge and its means of address are often considered incomplete without the consideration of Duskwalkers in the scheme. Increasingly, histories of the Order of Avalon have included their often glossed over relation with the Duskwalkers.

The Duskwalker Chronicles

Beginning in 3527 3E, Lemil Wren published a fictional account of a Duskwalker named Vrexis Vahn, which skyrocketed the author and the Duskwalkers themselves into cult-like popularity. The Duskwalker Chronicles follow Vrexis Vahn's evolution from a soldier of the Order of Avalon to an oft lonesome Duskwalker, who was one of the few to possess the abilities to directly combat the Scourge.
Wren has been both praised and criticized for his portrayal of the Duskwalkers, with his sources repeatedly being brought to question. Even officials from the Order of Avalon had remarked on the unflattering and inaccurate portrayal of their organization and its operations. Regardless of the supposed inaccuracies, purportedly authentic Duskwalkers had confirmed the realities Wren portrayed, though acquiescing to their profession's romanticization. Nonetheless, the series of books had brought the subject of Duskwalkers to the minds of educated masses, which in itself contributed to the revival of discourse regarding the Scourge in the modern day.

An excerpt from The Duskwalker: Where the Damned Tread, published 3528 3E:

Vrexis kept his hood over his face as he let Mulla water herself from the stable's trough, gently stroking her mane to let her know she had done well to get him there. However, he could not help but glance around, ever so often.

He had passed by enough villages like these since his departure from Ehreal. By now, he should be used to it, to passing by in such a way to avoid scrutiny. Yet, every trek into civilization gripped something in his very core. That possibility of recognition gave him chills, for how many enemies he had made by this point of his life. Or, perhaps, it was something more optimistic, maybe a glimpse into what had been and what he could have had.

"You from far away stranger?" a voice asked no farther than three feet from him.

Vrexis turned his head just enough to see a man—no, a boy still, an adolescent with eyes brimming with curiosity—bringing hay to the stable. He tilted his head ever so slightly, though not enough for the hood to betray his hesitation. But, at length, he responded with a low guttural, "Ye."

Vrexis caught the sound as soon as it left him, likened more to a growl than what he intended to be a passive greeting.

And so did the boy. "You, you alright there?" The boy nervously set the hay upon the ground before pausing in his step, seemingly caught between approaching the hooded figure or walking away. "Ehm..."

Vrexis cleared his throat and then coughed into his head. His gaze narrowed at the sight of the reddish black muck staining his knuckle. How foolish of him to tackle that infected beast without conducting the rites. He clenched his fist and then wiped the congealed substance on the inside of his cloak. Without even regarding the stable boy, he grunted in response and immediately undid Mulla's reins.

The steed whinnied in protest as if sensing their impending departure. However, Vrexis knew better than to stay anywhere near civilians in his current, devolving state. Without much thought, he tossed a few gold coins at the teen still watching him with a mixture of worry and perplexity on his face. Then, without another word, Vrexis climbed atop the saddle and rode out of town, just as he felt the creeping sensation spread across his face.

To fight a darkness,
Brave and bold,
The path of dusk
From tales of old.

The golden gleams,
Their service paid,
For skills got from
An oath betrayed.

A vicious life,
Tis they lead.
Each sacrifice
Shall sate the need.

To fight a darkness,
Unending chore,
The path of dusk
Their souls no more.

— —Lovena the Loquacious

Duskers

Around Northern Varia, the Duskwalkers have mutated into an alternate role. In contrast to their cousins who retained the original "Duskwalker" name, members of the northern variant are more referred to as "duskers." The term more benignly refers to undertakers as well as others involved in occupations dealing with the care for the deceased. However, to a less pleasant extent, graverobbers have also been called duskers within the northern areas of the continent. The association has unfortunately turned the term into a more damaging slur that has gradually started to spread to other forms of crime in those regions.