Umbral Watcher
One burdened with the Gift of Shadow. Those solitary few chosen infrequently by Mørke (Meer-Kay) to help maintain the balance of shadow. These beings, initially born Shade Destined, are eventually infused with the essence of the Plane of Shadow. This allows them to see and interact with Penumbran Flows and Dark Convergences. This ability marks the defining stage in the initiation of Mørke's Umbral Watchers, as it enables them to do their primary task: Maintain the Penumbran Flows and Dark Convergences that make up the network of power within their planet. Penumbran Flows are currents leading from one Dark Convergence to another, while the Convergences are concentrations of power, signifying thinning between the material plane and the shadow plane. Creatures infused with powers of darkness will often use these areas to pass from the latter realm into the former, frequently causing havoc in the process. Umbral Watchers are among the first lines of defense against these incidents.
Mørke believes his blessing upon the Umbral Watchers is a double-sided blade; a blessing mixed with a curse, though no Watchers have ever complained of such. He'll never intentionally choose someone, nor will he meet with his followers directly. Rather than meet with them, he chooses to speak to them through shadows, bequeathing them with a task, often the slaying a Shadow Beast or similar nature, and also some boons of darkness to help them along the way. The myriad skills Mørke will bless his Watchers with are versatile in function. Examples include Shadow's Liquidity, a sacrifice of mental or physical prowess for greater skill in the other, as well as Penumbrae Skiffing, the ability to make and ride a sailboard of darkness along the Penumbran Flows and across Dark Convergences.
Despite their status as beings of darkness, they are often seen without their shadow. Once blessed by Mørke's hand, having progressed to the point of meeting the god himself, they are granted a parallel mind. Referred to as an "Umbral Parallel," this secondary personality can inhabit their shadow and run off to handle tasks on it's own, either on the material plane, or within the plane of shadow.
Despite having information on the nature of the Watchers, there is little on the individuals at this time. The first and only currently known Watcher, as recorded within the Library of All, is a darkkin by the name of Setren Duskfyrn. Setren was born Shade Destined among the darkkin clans during the late 400s PSRT*, and became one of Mørke's Umbral Watchers after the events in the Broadlands, enabling the darkkin to settle them peacefully while abiding by Mørke's terms.
*Post Shadow Realm Traversal; denoting the era after Mørke saved what became of the darkkin race by showing them how to slip into the plane of shadow.
Mørke believes his blessing upon the Umbral Watchers is a double-sided blade; a blessing mixed with a curse, though no Watchers have ever complained of such. He'll never intentionally choose someone, nor will he meet with his followers directly. Rather than meet with them, he chooses to speak to them through shadows, bequeathing them with a task, often the slaying a Shadow Beast or similar nature, and also some boons of darkness to help them along the way. The myriad skills Mørke will bless his Watchers with are versatile in function. Examples include Shadow's Liquidity, a sacrifice of mental or physical prowess for greater skill in the other, as well as Penumbrae Skiffing, the ability to make and ride a sailboard of darkness along the Penumbran Flows and across Dark Convergences.
Despite their status as beings of darkness, they are often seen without their shadow. Once blessed by Mørke's hand, having progressed to the point of meeting the god himself, they are granted a parallel mind. Referred to as an "Umbral Parallel," this secondary personality can inhabit their shadow and run off to handle tasks on it's own, either on the material plane, or within the plane of shadow.
Despite having information on the nature of the Watchers, there is little on the individuals at this time. The first and only currently known Watcher, as recorded within the Library of All, is a darkkin by the name of Setren Duskfyrn. Setren was born Shade Destined among the darkkin clans during the late 400s PSRT*, and became one of Mørke's Umbral Watchers after the events in the Broadlands, enabling the darkkin to settle them peacefully while abiding by Mørke's terms.
*Post Shadow Realm Traversal; denoting the era after Mørke saved what became of the darkkin race by showing them how to slip into the plane of shadow.
Requirements
All Umbral Watchers are born of prophecy, and are marked by the plane of shadow as Shade Destined. Those not Shade Destined can still be followers of Mørke, as few as they are, but cannot meet with Mørke directly.
Appointment
Mørke's spoken blessing is enough to elevate one's status to that of an Umbral Watcher, though those he blesses in person and by hand have greater, more burdensome gifts.
Duties
Repelling forces from the Plane of Shadow that seek to upset the balance of the mortal realms.
Responsibilities
Maintaining the Penumbran Flows and Dark Convergences on their planet, as well as guiding the creation of new ones, or diverting troublesome ones.
Benefits
Shadow's Fluidity, Penumbrae Skiffing, Umbral Parallel
Type
Religious, Special
Form of Address
Darkened One
Alternative Naming
Watcher
Source of Authority
Mørke, Primal Deity
Length of Term
Life
Reports directly to
Related Organizations
Comments