Curtain of Night/Veil of Tears

Steel Realms

Originally the Curtain of Night was the Veil of Tears – named for the weeping caused when the Orrish would raid out into the other lands when they dwelt in Orrishai. It protected the Orrish of Helca from the Sun-Bane of Helca. The endless rain clouds scoured the north where the Orrish retreated to in the early times, and before the Curtain of Night, the clouds were tools of war. Sometimes the forces of Light and nature would break the cloud cover, bringing the cursed sunlight to the Orrish – the People of the Dark. Eventually the protective barrier was strengthen to what it is now – the Curtain of Night. Whatever magics were used to make it (rumors that its from Whispering Shadows), the constant plume from Black Mountain helps to sustain it.

Properties of the Curtain of Night

The Abzu – Stone of the Black Sea

This empowers much of the back magic in the Dark Lands. It is unknown where this is, but it is rumored to be in a underground cavern, protected and a collection point for an aquafer fed by the rains of the Curtain of Night. Many rumors speak of its appearance and power, but almost nothing is known. It is from here, that the movement of the Curtain of Night is said to be controlled, and the source of the empowered Compact of Fiends.

Abzu’s Night – A Compact of Fiends

Abzu’s Night is the binding empowerment the affects all Fiendish (demons, devils, etc.) minions and servitors summoned to the realms operate by the followers of the Unholy Trio under a minimum of a Simple Compact of Dark Shelter. Because of this compact, all fiends, no matter who summons them enjoys the same benefits. It is even stronger within the deep lands covered by the Curtain of Night. Sacrifices of the living are constantly made by the clergy of Everdark to support the fueling of the compact.

  • Within the Curtain of Night itself, they gain an additional use of each power.

Chronicle of the Curtain of Night

Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore

Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/accessibility. If nothing is indicated, assume it is Pervasive.

Pervasive Knowledge / Very Easy Difficulty

Originally the Curtain of Night was the Veil of Tears – named for the weeping caused when the Orrish would raid out into the other lands when they dwelt in Orrishai. It protected the Orrish from the Sun-Bane of Helca. The endless rain clouds scoured the north where the Orrish retreated to in the early times, and before the Curtain of Night, the clouds were tools of war. Sometimes the forces of Light and nature would break the cloud cover, bringing the cursed sunlight to the Orrish – the People of the Dark. Eventually the protective barrier was strengthen to what it is now – the Curtain of Night.

Dark Nourishment: Its waters are said to flow in the veins of the Orrish of the Dark Lands – its is referred to as “Dark Nourishment”.

Common Knowledge / Easy Difficulty

When Gloombringer stole the water of the dark [abyss] from Kauket, and Everdark fashioned the Curtain of Night, the veil dissipated and the clouds became impregnated by the Black Water from the abyss of infinite darkness.

Uncommon Knowledge / Average Difficulty

Veil of Tears Origins: Coven of Tears was the cabal of seven shamans of the Unholy Trio that channeled their power through staves, crafted from corrupted branches cut from an elven soul tree. Staff of Archons Agent (-3 Essence); Shadow Fetch – 1 of each, 1/day. They possessed great powers, but all their powers were diminished when the shamans they were bound to died. Eventually, most were accidentally used as firewood. Only two were known to have survived in modern times, both in the lands of light and those possessing them unaware of their powers until they are corrupted to evil and too late.

Scarce Knowledge / Hard Difficulty

The waters of the Curtain of Night, pulled from Kauket, brought a dark form of sustenance. It makes the wretched soil, untouched by light from the sun, still fertile. Fungus and other strange plants grow from its nourishing waters, and the drinkers of the water become sick if not used to its dark nourishment.

Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty

Dark Nourishment: The waters from the clouds of the Curtain of Night have made the Barulian Rejuvenation the potent healing elixir it is for the Orrish of Helca.


Warning
Obscure/Hidden Knowledge is not generally available in known references; It is not necessarily Forbidden.
DO NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT unless a character has the capability to gain such knowledge [through association, organization, or relation] if they do not possess it themselves or the reader intends to participate in scenarios using this material as a PLAYER! GM Narration will typically provide relevant information by check or story.


Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic