The Soul Storm

The Soul Storm is is a rare and deadly event that affects many different regions at one time or another. Thankfully it is so rare that it hasn't affected more regions. Believed to be created by the aftereffects of massacres on holy sites, the use of black magic, and emanating from portals to netherworlds, most peoples avoid going near the storm or out in it.

Manifestation

The Soul Storm builds up like a storm like any other. Over the course of a few minutes thunder, lightning, rain and dark clouds form with the wind picking up speed. The effects of transform somewhat during the time, with the sound of screams & shrieks of pain being heard mixed in with the wind & thunder. Strange lights & colours, usually reds, purples, and bright glimpses of pure light run through the clouds. Clouds take on the appearance of anguished faces, and contorted figures are seen writhing in the clouds. Temperatures drop suddenly and a chill seeps into all living things that the storm touches.

Localization

The survivors of the Soul Storm report bizarre and terrifying experiences involving it. They say that their very essence feels as if it is being washed away, or forcibly ripped out of them. The cold alone penetrates so deep into them that they are unable to feel warmth or joy ever again. They find many others they know in the region that's hit seems to have died with a look of despair on their faces. Not even lower life forms seem to be immune to the effects either.
Many who come through it also report that there were definite sentience in it. Multiple sentience. Most also state that it seems to be in desolate cursed regions, generally overlooked by the majority of civilisation, with stories from locals of horrific battles, widely used black magic, massacres on religious sites, and forgotten evils. The Soul Storms always appear at regular dates associated with tragic events like those mentioned. The more that die during the storms, the stronger they appear next time.
Quite a few of these storms seem to coincide with places rumoured to have portals to other dimensions, many associated with the afterlife and the Netherworld or Hells.

"I was caught in the edge of one of those storms. Right at the edge. Frightening. Felt as if hands were grabbing me trying to drag me body & soul into the centre. Cold too, so cold, and the feeling desolation & agony was overpowering. Near gave up and walked in, from a hollow feeling deep down.
Not forgetting that wind too, the shrieks & cries of hopelessness that seemed to emanate from it was deafening.. Or maybe it was just the wind itself. I can't tell. Either way, I was glad when it passed. 
I'll never go near that region again  tell you that. Desolate to begin with. That single small plateau south west of Salzburg. Given the stories of the local legends about an opening there to the Underworld, I can now believe. The place is indeed cursed. Worse was to come but that storm, I should have took that warning. What lay beneath, the slumbering forms and their warring servants..... far, far worse. And that's a story for another day."
luldwig Grimoald, explorer & prospector, talking to the Court of Salzburg, 793 AD.

Type

Metaphysical, Supernatural