Hollow Curse
Description
The Hollow Curse is a magical plague that reanimates the dead, transforming deceased creatures, monsters, and people into mindless, hostile husks known as "The Hollow". Individually, these undead beings are dim-witted, wandering aimlessly without clear purpose. A solitary Hollow poses minimal danger, however they become extremely threatening in large numbers. Intriguingly, intelligence and cunning seem to scale with size, as a larger Hollow exhibits greater capacities for strategy, problem-solving, and cunning behavior. Furthermore, when multiple Hollows gather closely together, their intelligence appears to pool, forming a localized hive mind that significantly increases their threat.
Their name originates from their distinct physical condition: their internal organs are decayed and hollowed out, replaced by a shimmering purple miasma that fills their cavities, causing their eyes and breath to emit an eerie glow. This miasma is thought to be the very essence of the curse itself, lingering behind as a softly glowing, violet mist after Hollows pass in numbers. Although seemingly harmless at first glance, inhaling this mist causes the curse to spread. Those exposed inevitably rise as new Hollows after death. Alternatively, a bite from a Hollow results in the same fate.
Fortunately, the Hollow primarily haunt the cursed reaches of The Frost Wastes, occasionally venturing into neighboring regions immediately southward, such as Arboria or Azhkar.
Destroying a Hollow completely is exceptionally difficult without the use of fire, as flames consume their corrupted flesh and bones, purifying and dispersing the curse-infused miasma. Fire is thus the only thing the Hollow truly fear: even a simple torch can repel a small number. Yet, in large groups, their collective confidence overrides such fears, rendering small flames ineffective.
An alternative method of incapacitating Hollows is dismemberment. While this does not technically kill them, since even limbless and headless Hollows can remain animated, it effectively prevents them from harming others.
History
The Hollow Curse first emerged roughly halfway through the Ice Age, shortly after Humanity abandoned its ancestral homeland in the far north, fleeing southward during The Great Migrations. Those who failed to escape in time perished beneath relentless snow and ice, their frozen bodies scattered across the land they once called home. These countless souls were among the first to inexplicably rise again, animated by the mysterious curse of unknown origin, wandering aimlessly as the first Hollows. Over time, their numbers grew exponentially, far exceeding the original northern population, leading scholars to theorize that the curse awakened even the long-dead from ancient burial grounds.
In the later stages of the Ice Age, groups of Hollows began drifting southward into regions like Heimerland, Vostoswat, and Azhkar, terrorizing frontier settlements and spreading their curse to countless innocents. Fortunately, these southern frontier lands were and remain sparsely populated, allowing scouting parties ample opportunity to spot and warn settlements of approaching hordes. Thus, despite their ongoing presence, roaming bands of Hollows today represent more of a persistent nuisance than an existential threat.
The true origin of the curse remains shrouded in mystery. It is as if, in the wake of The Cataclysm, something ancient stirred from a timeless slumber, a shadow that had lain unnoticed beneath the surface of the world, patiently waiting, until the earth itself trembled and woke it from its long sleep...
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