The Stygian Realm

The Stygian Realm is a plane of chaos, corruption, and decay, home to the Stygian creatures—malevolent entities driven by greed, hunger, and a desire for power. Once a darkly majestic realm, it has been brought to ruin by the parasitic tendencies of its inhabitants. The realm’s collapse mirrors the destructive nature of its denizens, whose insatiable greed has consumed the very lifeblood of their world.
The influence of the Stygian Realm extends far beyond its borders, spilling corruption into other realms and disrupting cosmic harmony. Despite their destructive power, the Stygian creatures cannot sever the ties of the Veil; souls consumed by them ultimately return to Than’s domain for judgment, ensuring the cosmic balance remains intact.

Geography

The Stygian Realm reflects the insatiable greed and parasitism of its inhabitants. Its environment is hostile and decayed, embodying the fractured and collapsing state of the realm.
The Shattered Lands are a broken and barren expanse of jagged cliffs, molten cracks, and twisted, toxic forests. Rivers of black ichor, the realm’s lifeblood, snake through the land, drained by Stygian creatures to fuel their power. The Obsidian Spires rise like skeletal remnants of grandeur, their black towers now crumbling under the weight of corruption. These spires serve as the power centres for the Stygian Lords, surrounded by desolate wastelands littered with the debris of the realm’s former glory.
The Void Sea, an endless dark ocean, churns with shadows and illusions. It traps Lost Wraiths—twisted remnants of consumed souls—within its depths, isolating the realm from other planes. At the heart of the Stygian Realm lies the Hollow Abyss, a massive chasm that devours everything around it. The Abyss is thought to be the source of the realm’s corruption, mirroring the endless hunger of its inhabitants.

Ecosystem Cycles

The Stygian Realm’s ecosystem is one of predation and corruption, a reflection of the parasitic nature of its inhabitants. Stygian creatures consume the lifeblood of the realm, leaving vast areas barren and desolate. The creatures themselves exist in a cycle of domination and decay. Larger, more powerful Stygian Lords prey upon weaker entities to consolidate their influence, while smaller creatures scavenge what remains.
There are no natural cycles of hibernation, migration, or seasonal renewal. Instead, the realm operates on a cycle of corruption and collapse. As the land is drained of vitality, the creatures move to new areas, spreading their corruption further. The Void Sea’s tides occasionally shift, freeing Lost Wraiths or dragging new victims into its depths, creating sporadic bursts of activity.

Localized Phenomena

The Stygian Realm is plagued by perpetual storms, where lightning crackles across blackened skies. The ground occasionally fractures, releasing jets of poisonous gas or molten ichor. These eruptions often mark the movement of corruption within the Hollow Abyss, as it expands to consume the land.
The rivers of black ichor ripple with unnatural patterns, often reflecting the presence of Stygian creatures or amplifying their power. The Void Sea is a constant source of unease, as its dark waves seem to whisper and echo with the cries of tormented souls. Ghostly apparitions sometimes rise from the sea, flickering like shadows, only to disappear as quickly as they appeared.

Climate

The climate of the Stygian Realm is suffocating and oppressive, dominated by an unnatural heat that seems to emanate from the ground itself. This heat is interspersed with frigid winds carrying the acrid stench of decay. The air is thick with an almost tangible weight, draining the strength of those who linger too long within the realm.

Fauna & Flora

Vegetation in the Stygian Realm is sparse and twisted, with plants that are as hostile as the creatures that inhabit the land. Blackthorn trees grow in clusters, their gnarled branches covered in toxic thorns. Veilflowers, pale and ghostly, bloom near ichor rivers, emitting a faint, poisonous glow. These flowers are said to be nourished by the despair of the consumed souls.
The fauna consists almost entirely of Stygian creatures, from the hulking Shadowbeasts to the more insidious Wraithlings that haunt the Void Sea. These creatures are not natural beings but manifestations of the realm’s corruption, each uniquely horrifying and deadly.

Natural Resources

The Stygian Realm offers resources imbued with corruption and malice, making them both valuable and dangerous. These materials reflect the parasitic nature of the realm and are sought after by those who dare to wield their power.
Stygian Metal is a black, cursed material that emanates an aura of decay. It rots and kills anything it touches, making it a weapon of unparalleled lethality. Forged in the molten fissures of the Shattered Lands, this metal is used by the Stygian Lords to craft weapons and armour capable of spreading their corruption. It is said that even touching Stygian Metal without proper protection can taint the wielder’s soul, slowly turning them into a vessel of the realm’s malice.
The rivers of black ichor, the lifeblood of the realm, are another significant resource. This substance, though toxic and unstable, is a potent source of dark power. Stygian creatures draw directly from it to sustain their existence and amplify their abilities. Alchemists and dark sorcerers in other realms prize the ichor for its potential to enhance spells, though using it risks spreading its corruption.
Shadowglass, found in the crumbling Obsidian Spires, is a rare and sharp material that retains fragments of the realm’s magic. It is used to craft weapons, tools, and artefacts capable of slicing through most known materials. However, like Stygian Metal, prolonged exposure to shadowglass risks corrupting its wielder.
The corrupted crystals that form from drained magic are another perilous resource. These crystals are unstable but highly sought after by those seeking to amplify spells or create destructive enchantments. Their power comes at a cost, as they can corrupt and destabilise the user’s magic.

History

The Stygian Realm was not always a place of ruin. Long ago, it was a darkly majestic plane, ruled by an ancient order of Stygian Lords who maintained a fragile balance between creation and destruction. Over time, the unchecked greed and hunger of its denizens led to its downfall. The rivers of ichor began to dry up, and the once-thriving cities fell into decay.
The realm’s collapse was accelerated by the infighting of the Stygian Lords, whose power struggles drained the land of its remaining vitality. The Hollow Abyss, initially a confined void, began to grow, consuming everything in its path. This endless cycle of corruption and decay has left the Stygian Realm on the brink of annihilation.
The Stygian Realm’s interactions with other planes have further cemented its infamy. Its corruption has seeped into Valthor, with Stygian creatures serving as agents of chaos and destabilisation. However, the realm’s influence is not absolute; its connection to Than’s Veil ensures that its destruction is limited, and the souls it claims are eventually reclaimed.

The Stygian Realm, a plane of ruin and corruption, reflects the dire consequences of greed and parasitism. Once a realm of dark majesty, it now stands as a decayed wasteland consumed by its own hunger. Despite its power, it cannot sever the cosmic ties of the Veil, ensuring that justice and balance prevail. This realm serves as both a cautionary tale and a reminder of the resilience of cosmic harmony, as even the darkest corners of existence cannot escape the judgment of Than.

Key Features

The Shattered Lands: A decayed wasteland of jagged cliffs, molten fissures, and black ichor rivers.
The Obsidian Spires: Crumbling towers, remnants of darkly majestic cities, now hubs of parasitic power.
The Void Sea: A dark, endless ocean teeming with shadowy illusions and Lost Wraiths.
The Hollow Abyss: A chasm of endless hunger and corruption, central to the realm’s destruction.

Inhabitants

Stygian Lords: Cunning and ruthless rulers vying for dominance.
Shadowborn: Scouting and infiltrating agents of corruption.
Wraiths: Tormented remnants of souls trapped in the realm.

Supernatural Phenomena

Rivers of black ichor flowing like veins across the landscape, carrying concentrated corruption.
The Void Sea’s illusions trap unwary minds, creating visions of their deepest fears or desires.
The Hollow Abyss exerts a pull on everything nearby, devouring land and magic in its insatiable hunger.

Cultural Significance

A realm of cautionary tales, representing the consequences of unchecked greed and corruption.
Souls consumed by Stygian creatures return to Than’s judgment upon their captor’s destruction.

Type

Plane of Existence

Inhabiting Species

• Stygian Creatures