Dangers

Circadia is a dangerous place threatened by happenings both mundane and otherworldly. While common marauders and unruly, violent beasts occupy the lives of the Devout, the following are considered the most significant threats to the realm.

The Abyss, The Great Threat

The Abyss is the world both known and unknown. More importantly, it is the world of the Abyssal denizens known only as The Corruption–the monstrosities unnatural to Circadia that, by their presence alone, eat away at the very fabric of the Realm.

Prior to the Blood War (500 Sela), surface world encounters with The Corruption were a somewhat infrequent occurrence. It was known only that The Corruption hailed from deep scars festering unnaturally on the surface of the earth. Confrontation with The Corrupt generally only plagued the outskirts of the Commonwealth of Circadia and few, if any, Circadians had ever encountered the strange creatures. In general, the monsters of the Abyss were the purview of only the most elite Paladins.

However, since the Blood War, they have become an increasingly burdensome problem. Most distressingly, so-called “Abyssal Gates” open randomly like quicksand: any travelers who stumble across or into these portals will quickly find themselves in one of the pockets of the Abyss. The Abyss itself is a hellish landscape controlled by various rival factions of the Corrupt, some of whom can communicate with Mortals and some of whom speak only an alien tongue. For this reason, travelers never know what to expect nor when or where it will happen.

In addition to the Abyssal Gates, a number of permanent entries to the Abyss mar the surface of Circadia. These permanent gates are called “Abyssal Scars” which speaks to the seeming injury they cause on the land around them.

Little is known about the Abyss, though some Devout are invested in plumbing the depths. Elite Devout are regularly called to investigate open Abyssal Scars, as such openings are direct threats to Circadia. All that is understood is that The Corrupt hope to usurp The Pantheon and do violence to the peoples of Circadia. Most Corrupt are known by their frightening appearance, which often mirrors horrific beasts of unnatural gait and size. While lesser Corrupt can be exposed as Corruption, many higher ranking ones cannot.

Magicians and Alchemists

While (perhaps) not as immediately dire as The Abyss, Magicians and Alchemists pose another danger to the people of Circadia.

Magicians are a strange presence in Circadia, existing mostly in Goldshroud or isolated townships. Magicians, generally, do not vocally challenge the rules of The Pantheon. This is because they are Heretical scholars who work in secret: they seek to find a way to channel the Spell Schools without the Blessing or otherwise intervention of any God. They are small in number but, through very limited means, have been able to access some forms of Magic. While they consider themselves pioneers, they do not challenge the equal power of The Pantheon. As with layfolk Heretics, Magicians are mostly ignored unless they are vocal. That being said, Magicians are always considered Heretics and are generally punished when sussed out.

Alchemists are a miniscule and radical sect of Magicians–they actively challenge the Gods and assert that Mortals should be able to hold Immortality to the same capacity as Gods. They seek to build immortality through pursuit of the Philosopher’s Stone and the Circadian Rhythm. Thus far, no Alchemist has been successful. Other Magicians, partially through some level of subservience to the Gods, distance themselves from Alchemy.

The Witches

Witches are a strange population in Circadia: while they are Heretics, they are also fervent believers in the Gods themselves. Indeed, Witches are some of the most ardent worshippers–even if the current Pantheon refuses their worship. Regardless of their beliefs however, they almost always pose a danger to the people of Circadia.

The histories are all but lost, but it is known that–long before the Blood War–the active Pantheon condemned the Witches’ use of Divine Magic and removed their ability to wield it. However, Witches learned how to circumvent this commandment: similar to Magicians, they continue to wield magical power, but do so from a source unique to them. Nevertheless, the Witches consider themselves followers of the Gods and, in their own perverse ways, shape their magic inspired by the gods they follow.

To be a Witch is to be a member of a centuries old dynasty, and it is believed that the secret to Witchcraft is held in an individual’s very spirit. The magic itself is corrupting but powerful: a Witch performing even a minor spell wastes the world around them–a Witch casting great magics can wither an entire grove or bay. For this reason, Witchcraft is not only stigmatized but swiftly punished.

Most of the Gods will actively seek out Witches who do magic in their name. In particular, Beodhen and his followers are relentless in their pursuit and punishment. Nepheris, Kasamei, and T’Zyri are similarly unforgiving. For whatever reason, a large majority of Witches worship Steramestei–while this seemingly embarrasses the Goddess she does not condemn followers as rigidly as the other gods.