Passions in Conflict

Before the Scourge, the Passions wasted little energy fighting among themselves. They did not compete for followers, nor did they exhibit jealousy of each other. Instead, they focused their vast power on bringing their particular ideals to the people of the world. The variety of human nature ensured that none lacked followers, and the Passions seem to have existed in harmony.

The Scourge changed this, as with so many other good and beautiful things. Those dark times apparently drove three of the twelve Passions mad. No longer content with inspiring fervor and embodying ideals for mortals, the Mad Passions now appear to desire power and influence as mortals might. Fortunately for the world, the Mad Passions also share the mortal characteristic of distrust. Though the Mad Passions occasionally work together to accomplish goals, they usually work alone or against each other.

The remaining Passions have only now begun to respond to the threat posed by the Mad Passions. As far as anyone knows, these beings seldom fight their crazed counterparts directly. Instead, they send their questors and followers against those who follow the Mad Passions. The conflict among the Passions has sown strife among their mortal followers; while they have seldom fought over their differences in the past, the presence of the Mad Passions has triggered ideological skirmishes that may yet lead to full-scale war.

The danger the Mad Passions pose remains uncertain. Some believe the Passions will meet in a final battle and wreak destruction that will dwarf the devastation of the Scourge. Others claim the insanity that possesses the Mad Passions will render them impotent, and expect them to fade away like the many arrogant, mortal dictators before them. Only time will tell whether the Mad Passions will destroy the world, or simply vanish.