The Hollowed
Wandering Phantoms of the Dunes
Within the cursed expanse of the White Eye Dunes, there are figures who neither belong to the living nor the dead. Known only as The Hollowed, these spectral wanderers drift through the desert, avoiding all contact, their movements slow and deliberate, their presence heralded by the whispering winds. They are the lost—those who have succumbed to the blindness of the dunes yet refuse to perish.
Origins and History
The Hollowed are a mystery even among those who dwell in the desert. Some say they were once travelers, explorers, or exiles who strayed too deep into the dunes, their vision stolen by the affliction that curses this land. Others claim they are the remnants of a long-lost civilization, doomed to wander forever, bound by an ancient sin. Whether they are cursed souls, mindless husks, or something far more terrifying is a question that remains unanswered.
The Phantom Existence
Unlike the Sandborn, who have embraced their blindness and adapted to life in the dunes, the Hollowed exist in a state of purgatory. They are silent figures, cloaked in tattered robes, their faces obscured, their eyes dull and clouded. They do not speak, nor do they react to the presence of others unless provoked. Some believe they are searching for something—perhaps a way to reverse their fate, or a place where they may finally rest.
Encounters with the Hollowed
Though they are often seen wandering alone, there are rare instances where groups of Hollowed have been spotted moving in tandem, as if drawn by an unseen force. Those who have encountered them and lived to tell the tale report an eerie sense of unease, as if the Hollowed do not walk through the dunes, but rather float just above them. If approached, they will either vanish into the sands or turn and stare with vacant, sightless eyes before continuing their ceaseless journey.
The Hollowed’s Curse
A legend persists that to look into the eyes of a Hollowed for too long is to invite their fate upon oneself. Some claim that those who have stared too long into their vacant gaze begin to lose their own sight, feeling an unseen weight pressing upon their souls. Whether this is truth or myth, few dare to test it, for the risk is far too great.
Legacy and Influence
The Hollowed serve as a grim reminder of the White Eye Dunes’ merciless nature. Some desert nomads believe they are the spirits of those who defied the dunes, while others see them as warnings—cautionary figures that exist to deter the foolish from venturing too deep. Whatever the case, they remain an enigma, forever walking, forever searching, forever unseen by those who still possess the gift of sight.
"They do not live, but neither do they die. The dunes keep them, and in turn, they keep the dunes."
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