The Veiled Children

I'd prefer if we didn't discuss... them. It's not that I have anything to fear, the protection of the Maiden is with me. But even so, speaking their names draws attention. I may be protected from them directly, but their followers are another story. Oh, you should probably know about the shrines the serpentfolk keep...

— Molian Folcrast, Priest of Athienne

There are other powerful immortal beings beyond the gods known to most, though their influence is far more limited in scope. They are known by many names, be it "the Darker Powers", "the Evil Gods", and even "Demon Lords". The learned debate their nature, but there is one name which has been established to define them by a far simpler measure: "the Veiled Children". This stems from evidence these beings are unable to cross the Veils as the gods can, and are instead trapped on Erisdaire amdist mortals. Sages and mystics have managed to identify many of these beings, and have noted there are some who are mentioned often enough to take note of.

Graulth, the Ravaging Soul

Orcs have long been enemies of civilization, seen as instruments of wild chaos which push back against order. It did not take much for Graulth to draw bands of orcish raiders into his service, and with visible victories more gathered to become Ravagers. Many orcs still revere the One-Eyed Warrior, who was just as brutal but tempered by a code of internal honor. Graulth, by contrast, does not care about anything other than striking down order where it is found - no matter the sacrifices needed. This is why there are ample records of what seems to be internal squabbles among orc tribes, as followers of the One-Eyed Warrior seek to purge the Ravagers.

Evidence has surfaced in recent generations to suggest Graulth's influence is not limited to orcs, as trolls and goblinoids have been drawn into his service. Beyond even that, records seized by the Imperial Guard suggest human bandits have taken to worshipping the Ravaging Soul in exchange for power.

Shayliss and Melath

Among the Veiled Children there are two who stand above the others. Shayliss, "the Consort of Serpents", swayed serpentfolk into her influence by producing "dark miracles" for them. Over generations, her effect has allowed them to bring humanoids into the fold and corrupt them physically. Despite this, the Consort of Serpents is given almost no attention as a dangerous entity. Mystics and sages studying the ancient histories suggest it is because Shayliss relies on operating on the fringes of the wilderness. Perhaps alarmingly, the Consort's influence is said to be warring with that of Masali Sember amdist the varied thieves' guilds outside of Rhyliss.

Alongside the Consort of Serpents is another being who took the title of "The Consuming Flame", but is known to dragonkin as Melath. Myths among dragonkin have it Melath is in fact a mortal dragonkin who shed his soul in order to achieve everlasting life and limitless power. The truth may not be far off, as old records suggest the Consuming Flame has existed in some form since long before the Imperium rose to prominence, and before the first myths of Melath have been recorded to exist. Whatever his origins, Melath drives reptillian humanoids to a fanatical purpose: tearing down civilization and leaving it as ashes.

While these two lack the recognition of the Ravaging Soul in modern records, they have considerably powerful bases which are hidden away from sight. A small number of mystics have pointed out there is evidence these two are perhaps not so easily thwarted as the others. Furthermore, it is suggested their groups of followers may overlap and support each other. The reasons for this are not yet understood, but it does not bode well.

Aroduul, Rider of Dark Currents

As the demon lords crept forth from darkness and chaos, one among them chose to subvert amphibious humanoids and other dwellers in the dark depths of the world. Aroduul, Rider of Dark Currents, ascended to prominence among those beings and stirs them to act in subtle ways to undermine civilization. Imperial and dwarven scholars believe It to be a nuisance and easily overcome, yet Myrisic Sages instead consider the presence to be a decidedly more grave issue. After all, the Sages have access to old maps of underground tunnels and natural waterways which spread far across Erisdaire. With such varied points of access, it becomes impossible to truly predict where Aroduul's influence may begin to cause trouble.

There are additional rumors the Rider's influence has also begun to corrode and subvert some followers of Lorelei who focus more on the darker aspects of that Goddess. This is further presumed to be the reason the "Grim Waveriders" pirate band has been able to operate out of the Sebile coastline and avoid capture.

The Howling Lord and Rending Fangs

Much like orcs, gnolls have lived in the wilderness and often clashed with those seeking to expand civilization. Unlike orcs, the origins of gnolls is very much masked in the mists of legend and myth. Currently, scholars are suggesting gnolls are relatively recent to rising in the world, as there are few records of gnolls fighting the ancient kingdoms of elves and dwarves. Whatever the case, there is precious little information about their kind or their religion - save for two distinct identities.

The Howling Lord is said to be the leader of all gnolls, the one who taught the earliest tribes the secrets of metalwork and magic. While gnolls are known to chiefly use spoils of their conquests, they also have been seen to use original weapons in some cases. These weapons are crude, but effective, designed to rip at flesh rather than merely cut it. Similarly, magic used by gnolls seems primed more to disorient and disrupt rather than the elegance of other traditions.

If the Howling Lord is the creator of gnolls, then the Rending Fangs are his desire for blood and death made manifest. These gnolls have been empowered with dark magic and strengthened to stand against whole squads of adventurers - even coming out victorious. Nearly every time a tribe of gnolls has been found going on a sustained rampage through frontier lands there has been a Fang leading the efforts.

Ynerra, the Firstborn

The stories told by giants are as varied as they are in tone, style, and content. Fire giants tell of how they were pushed out of their ancient homes by dwarves and dragons, explaining the enmity between these three groups. Frost giants speak of winters having become feebler and thus less comfortable for their way of life. Storm giants speak of ancient citadels laid waste by elves who plundered arcane secrets and powerful artifacts to learn from, and they await their time to reclaim these relics. Other types of giants tell stories just as varied, about how they once were mighty and then fell into obscurity.

All giants have one name to venerate, and yet it's varied as much as their kin: Ynerra, the Firstborn. According to the myth, Ynerra was the first creation of the gods and was allowed to create their own children from the primal forces of the world. Over time, these ancient titans were imprisoned by younger races to allow for more species to exist. When Ynerra themselves began to intervene, they were struck down and sundered into fragments which were sealed away. Not even the titans knew where these fragments fell, and the early giants were too weak even then to fight this punishment.

Since then, giants nurse grudges against the "younger races" and most specially dragons for their part in defeating the titans. None know where the Fragments of Ynerra have been hidden, but it is believed the way will be revealed "when the time is right".