In Imperium Arcana:[]
The shadowy entities with whom the Vesper Legion of Zarathrum made pacts in the world of Arcanum are deeply intertwined with the existing magic system, particularly the profane arts. These entities are known as the "Umbral Ones," ancient and malevolent beings from the darkest corners of the Spirit World. Here's how they connect to the magic system and the exploitation of Wild Ones:
Origin of the Umbral Ones:[]
The Umbral Enslavers are believed to be corrupted spirits from the Spirit World, twisted by their insatiable hunger for power. Long ago, they were Wild Ones who succumbed to the lure of forbidden knowledge and dark magic. In their pursuit of ever greater might, they became entities of shadow and malevolence, severed from their connection to nature and the Fey. Now they are enslavers of Fey and Wild Ones, using them for unknown purposes.
Pact with the Vesper Legion: Desperate to gain an edge in their war against Empire and fueled by their lust for dominance, the leaders of the Vesper Legion sought out the Umbral Enslavers. These entities offered the Legion knowledge of a profane art known as "Soulbinding." Soulbinding allowed the Vesper Legion to capture and exploit Wild Ones, severing their connection to the Spirit World and enslaving them as a potent source of dark magic.
The Soulbinding Ritual: The Soulbinding ritual was a sinister and complex process that involved trapping a Wild One's spirit within a dark crystal, known as umbrastone, effectively cutting them off from their natural form and the mystical energies of the Spirit World. Once bound, the Wild One's magic could be siphoned and harnessed to power the dark arts practiced by the Vesper Legion.
Exploitation of Wild Ones: With this newfound power, the Vesper Legion could summon twisted and nightmarish creatures, wield destructive curses, and manipulate dark energy. The Wild Ones, stripped of their natural forms, became mere husks, forever tormented and used as a resource to further the Legion's nefarious goals.
Conflict with Witches and Wild Ones: The Umbral Enslavers' pact with the Vesper Legion put them at odds with both the witches and the Wild Ones. The witches, who drew their power from pacts with Wild One nature spirits, saw the enslavement of their kindred spirits as a grave abomination. The Wild Ones, too, felt a deep sorrow for their brethren ensnared by the Umbral Enslavers and sought to free them.
The Profane Arts Connection: The Umbral Enslavers represent the darkest aspect of the profane arts in Arcanum. Their malevolent influence is palpable in the rituals and spells of the Vesper Legion, which tap into the suffering and despair of the captured Wild Ones. This connection to the Spirit World through coercion and dark magic sets the Umbral Enslavers apart from witches, who form mutually beneficial pacts with willing Wild One spirits.
The Forbidden Ritual of Zarathrum, known as the "Rite of the Abyssal Confluence," was a dark and sinister magical ceremony that allowed direct access to the Spirit World. It required the following elements:
- Blood Pacts with Shadowy Powers: To perform the ritual, Zarathum sorcerers made unholy pacts with Umbral Onesd that dwelled in the fringes of the Spirit World. These entities were malevolent and sought to exploit the magic of the Spirit World for their own sinister purposes. In exchange for power, they provided the knowledge required to breach the boundary between realms.
- Wild One Captivity and Exploitation: As part of the ritual, they captured and exploited Wild Ones who had taken on the aspects of spirit creatures, like totems. These creatures were used as living conduits to bridge the gap between the mortal world and the Spirit World. Their essence and connection to the Spirit World were harnessed to power the ritual.
- Soul Bridge Creation: The Forbidden Ritual aimed to create a powerful magical construct known as the "Soul Bridge." This bridge would be a direct link between the mortal realm and the Spirit World, enabling those who harnessed it to tap into the vast well of magic and knowledge found in the Spirit World without the need for direct communion with Wild Ones.
The Empire, desperate to acquire this forbidden knowledge and gain access to the Spirit World for its own purposes, struck a dangerous pact with Zaratrhum. However, they could not merely learn the ritual; they had to possess it exclusively. This led to a brutal campaign Zaratrhum for several reasons:
- Desperation for Power: The Empire had committed heinous crimes and broken taboos in its relentless pursuit of magical supremacy. The Forbidden Ritual was seen as the ultimate source of power, capable of propelling the Empire to unrivaled dominance in the world of magic.
- Fear of Zaratrumian Revenge: The Lich King, fueled by a personal vendetta against the Empire, would not rest until he had avenged his kingdom's betrayal. The Empire knew that as long as the Forbidden Ritual existed, The Lich King would remain a potent threat.
- Control and Supremacy: The Empire sought to eliminate any rival claimants to the Forbidden Ritual's power, ensuring that they alone could wield it to maintain control over both the mortal realm and the Spirit World. They believed that no one else should have access to such a dangerous and uncontrollable source of magic.
In their ruthless campaign against Zarathrum, the Empire not only sought to eliminate all inhabitants of the kingdom but also to destroy all records and knowledge related to the Forbidden Ritual. This was done to ensure that no remnants of the dark magic could resurface and threaten their newfound power. The Empire's actions, while securing them access to the Spirit World and the means to use it in their magic, stained their hands with a history of dark deeds and brutal conquests that would haunt the world of Arcanum for generations to come.
The Umbral Ones and the Profane Arts:
- The Umbral Ones, a shadowy group tied to the Profane Arts, make pacts with dark forces and exploit captured Wild Ones. This puts them in direct opposition to the Silverthorne Coven and Prince Oberon, who view them as a grave threat to the natural order.