The Stricken

The Stricken are fragmented, spectral beings whose forms are as haunting as the grief that binds them to The Veil. Their bodies appear semi-corporeal, wreathed in a swirling mist that clings to them like a second skin. This mist constantly shifts, never fully settling, giving the impression of an unstable, incomplete existence. Their figures are faintly humanoid, but warped and distorted, as if their essence cannot fully hold its shape. Each Stricken bears subtle, distinct characteristics tied to the stage of grief that defines them. Those bound to denial are hazy and indistinct, their edges dissolving into the mist as though refusing to solidify. Anger manifests as sharp, jagged contours, with flickers of red light coursing through their forms like veins of fire. Bargaining is marked by heavy chains or shadowy tendrils that weigh down their bodies, pulling them toward the ground as if pleading for relief. Depression is represented by a slumped, hollow figure, cloaked in deep, heavy shadows that seem to dim the light around them. Finally, acceptance is rare, taking the form of a serene, glowing figure whose presence exudes a faint, ethereal light, the mist around them soft and calm.   Their faces are obscured, either shrouded by the mist or replaced with void-like hollows that seem to absorb all light. This lack of definition amplifies their haunting appearance, as if they have been stripped of their individuality by the overwhelming grief that consumes them. The Stricken move in ways that reflect their emotional state—halting and uncertain for denial, erratic and aggressive for anger, slow and burdened for bargaining, and still or lethargic for depression. Acceptance glides with an unnatural calm, almost ghost-like in its smooth, deliberate motion.   The Stricken are spectral echoes of sorrow, their forms shaped by the unrelenting weight of unresolved grief. Their haunting appearance serves as a chilling reminder of the emotional forces that linger beyond life’s end. 

The stricken are passive beings, rarely interacting with others unless provoked. They wander aimlessly through The Veil, their movements dictated by the stage of grief that binds them: Denial - Drifts in circles, as though endlessly searching for something it refuses to acknowledge is lost; Anger - Paces violently, lashing out at the mist or other beings in bursts of frustration; Bargaining - Reaches out with shadowy tendrils, as though pleading for aid or offering intangible details; Depression - moves slowly, often pausing for long stretches as if overwhelmed by the futility of existence; and Acceptance - glides serenely, its movements unhurried and deliberate. 

The Stricken are a manifestation of humanity's struggle with loss. They represent the pain of holding on to what cannot be changed and the torment of unresolved emotions. Their existence serves as both a warning and a reflection, urging mortals to face their grief and find peace before it is too late. The Stricken appear in some form or other in most cultures in Belerion, and often as cautionary figures. Tales warn against the dangers of clinging too tightly to life or refusing to accept the natural order of death. In some cultures, rituals are performed to appease The Stricken, offering them symbolic closure in the hope that they can move on. These stories also emphasise the importance of the Sisters of the Shroud, portraying them as both saviours and captors of these grieving spirits. 

The Stricken are deeply tied to the Sisters of the Shroud, who act as both their tormentors and their guides. Each Sister draws strength from the Stricken bound to her, using their collective sorrow to maintain her own presence within The Veil. Despite this parasitic relationship, the Sisters also serve as the Stricken's only hope for release. If a Stricken can reconcile all aspects of its grief and pass through all five stages, accepting its fate, it may finally pass onto either the Celestial or Infernal Realm to which it was bound from death.   Though they rarely interact with mortals, The Stricken's presence can be deeply unsettling. Mortals who encounter them often experience an overwhelming sense of sorrow, as though the weight of The Stricken's grief has seeped into their own hearts. In rare cases, a Stricken may attempt to communicate with a mortal, usually through flashes of emotion or fragmented memories, in the hope that the living can help them resolve their grief.   The Sticken are uniquely vulnerable to the influence of the The Unseen, who feed on their sorrow and amplify their despair. The Vestiges of The Veil often attract the Stricken, as these echoes of past events resonate with their grief. The Dread Knights however, show no tolerance for the Stricken's lingering torment; any who wander too close to the boundaries of The Veil are swiftly dispatched.