Nulheim

The Desolate Realm of the Dead

Nulheim is a place of eternal emptiness and loss, a realm that stretches out endlessly in all directions, populated solely by the deceased. It is a somber and desolate land, where the dead find themselves after passing from the mortal coil. The sky above is forever cast in shades of gray and black, with no sun or moon to illuminate the landscape. The air is still and quiet, broken only by the mournful chorus of wails and groans that echo through the realm, carried on the wind from the River Aurilos. The land is barren and desolate, with no plant life, and the only sources of sustenance are the spirits themselves, which the undead consume to satiate their eternal hunger. The boundaries of Nulheim are indistinct, and its vastness seems infinite, though there are rumors of other lands and realms beyond its borders. The realm is ruled over by Mezdes, god of death and the underworld, who sits upon a throne of bone and presides over the judgment of souls. He is a capricious and unpredictable deity, prone to offering tempting deals to the living, but always with a steep price. The only other inhabitants of Nulheim are the undead, spirits bound to the realm by their own misdeeds or the judgment of Mezdes. They roam the landscape in search of sustenance, and the living who find themselves in Nulheim must always be wary of their hungry eyes. Despite the overwhelming feeling of emptiness and loss, there is a sense of purpose in Nulheim. The Trials of Redemption offer a chance for souls to prove themselves worthy of passing beyond Nulheim and into Elyndor, the ultimate destination of all souls. These trials are a series of daunting challenges, tailored to the unique strengths and weaknesses of each soul. Only those who succeed in the trials will be granted passage to the afterlife. However, the path to redemption is treacherous, and not all souls will pass the Trials. Those who fail are consigned to the realm of the dead, their eternal fate determined by Mezdes and his judgment.

The River Aurilos

The River Aurilos flows through the heart of Nulheim, a spectral and eerie reminder of the souls trapped within. The river carries the dead to their final judgment, or their eternal damnation. The river is filled with souls who were not judged worthy to pass on to the afterlife, and are instead condemned to an eternity of misery. Their wails and groans echo throughout the realm, creating a mournful chorus that permeates the air.

The Trials of Redemption

For those souls who seek redemption, there is hope. The Trials of Redemption offer a chance to prove oneself worthy of passing beyond Nulheim and into Elyndor, the ultimate destination of all souls. These trials are a series of daunting challenges, tailored to the unique strengths and weaknesses of each soul. Only those who succeed in the trials will be granted passage to the afterlife.

Judgment and Redemption

However, the path to redemption is treacherous, and not all souls will pass the Trials. Those who fail are consigned to the realm of the dead, their eternal fate determined by Mezdes and his judgment. But even in Nulheim, there are opportunities for redemption, for helping to free trapped souls or bringing peace to the suffering spirits. These actions may prove the worth of a soul, and bring them closer to the divine light.

The Undead and Other Dangers

The dangers of Nulheim are numerous and relentless. The undead roam the barren and desolate landscape, seeking out the living to satiate their eternal hunger. The only source of sustenance is the spirits themselves, but consuming too many can have dire consequences for a character's soul. And there are other dangers as well, such as the capricious nature of Mezdes himself, who may offer a tempting deal to the living, but always with a steep price.