The Legend of the Shadow's Veil
In the era of the Calamity, when chaos reigned and the gods waged their wars, the seas of Tanaria were ruled by a ghostly ship known as the Shadow's Veil. This vessel, cloaked in eternal night, was said to sail just beyond the veil of reality, appearing only to those consumed by obsession or despair.
The Shadow's Veil is seen as a manifestation of unchecked ambition and the price of defying the gods. It serves as a cautionary tale, especially among coastal and seafaring cultures, where it is used to teach humility and respect for the divine.
In the Harmonium Era, some scholars and adventurers theorize that the Shadow's Veil might be a remnant of the Calamity, a creation of Umbra’s power that guards forbidden knowledge. Explorers still search for it, hoping to uncover its secrets, but none have returned to tell the tale.
Summary
The Shadow's Veil was once a mortal ship, captained by a proud and ambitious sailor named Kaelion Duskhar. He sought to claim the treasures of the gods themselves, defying the warnings of Thalassara, the goddess of the oceans. With a crew of kindred souls who shared his thirst for glory, Kaelion set out on a journey into the Stormlit Abyss, a region of the sea where even the gods dared not tread.
It was here that the crew encountered a tempest unlike any other—a storm of shadow and light, birthed from the battle between Solarius and Umbra. As their ship was torn apart, Kaelion called out to Umbra, god of knowledge and consequences, pleading for a way to escape death. Umbra answered, granting Kaelion and his crew immortality at a terrible cost. They became bound to the Shadow's Veil, their souls consumed by the ship, their existence tethered to Umbra’s will.
The Shadow's Veil now roams the seas, visible only under moonlight when the twin moons Callista and Umbriel align. It is said that those who see the ship are marked by its curse, drawn irresistibly toward it. Legends speak of sailors abandoning their posts, captivated by haunting music and spectral lights emanating from the Veil.
Those who board the ship in search of riches or power are never seen again. It is believed that their souls are claimed, becoming part of the ghostly crew. Over time, tales spread of the Shadow’s Veil offering a single bargain: “Take the helm, and the ship is yours.” But those who accept find themselves trapped, becoming the new captain, doomed to sail the endless sea until another takes their place.
Historical Basis
The legend of Shadow's Veil has been long debated by historians and scholars of Tanaria. While it is officially regarded as a myth, certain fragments of history and natural phenomena provide a tantalizing, if convoluted, basis for its origins.
The Disappearance of Kaelion Duskhar
Records from 905 BHE (Calamity Era) mention a captain named Kaelion Duskhar, who led an expedition to the Stormlit Abyss, a region notorious for dangerous storms and erratic magical phenomena. Several eyewitness accounts from that time describe seeing his ship, the Ebon Crest, sailing into the heart of a massive storm and never returning. These accounts form the backbone of the myth, suggesting that Kaelion's ill-fated journey inspired the legend.The Stormlit Abyss and the Calamity
During the late Calamity Era, the seas of Tanaria were drastically altered by the divine conflicts between Thalassara and various other gods. The region now known as the Stormlit Abyss is a stretch of ocean near Jou’lunn where strange magnetic anomalies, unpredictable weather, and unusual celestial patterns still occur. Sailors report feeling an unshakable sense of dread when navigating these waters, lending credence to the idea that something supernatural lingers there.Wreckage and Artefacts
In 346 HE, an expedition from Eouma recovered a fragment of a ship’s hull and a set of nautical charts from the Stormlit Abyss. The hull was blackened and bore an inscription that some claimed read Veil of Shadows. However, most scholars argue this was either a fabrication or a misinterpretation of damaged carvings. The charts, marked with erratic routes and references to "Umbra's Tide," further fueled speculation about the myth.The Haunting Song
Sailors throughout Tanaria, especially in coastal regions near Jou'lunn and Eouma, often report hearing a haunting melody at sea during certain lunar alignments. While skeptics dismiss this as a trick of the wind or echoes from nearby islands, the recurring accounts over centuries suggest a common phenomenon that has reinforced belief in the Shadow’s Veil.
Date of First Recording
218 HE. This account was written by Maeryn Waverunner, a renowned historian and sailor of Eouma.
Date of Setting
890–910 BHE
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