Inkshadow

General

In the world of Aethira there exists an enigmatic plant known as "Inkshadow". When the plant is carefully refined, it yields a precious dark purple liquid commonly called "ink." The ink possesses an extraordinary property: when tattooed onto a person's body, it imbues them with enhanced strength, speed and in somecases supernatural abilities.   The ink's transformative effects on the body and mind are not without consequences. Prolonged use of the ink leads to a gradual erosion of one's morality, as the darkness within the ink begins to taint the user's soul. The initial rush of power gives way to insidious changes that corrupt the individual's thoughts and emotions, leading to a descent into madness and uncontrolled rage.  

Implications

In the age of Steam, the massive energy has begun to leak out into the world - in the form of the inkshadow plant. Inkshadow is illegally harvested and refined into ink by many gangs, governments and other organisations. Although illegal, it is a highly valuable substance, commonly traded in black markets and between governments and powerful organisations  

History

The origins of Ink is hidden the world. Only one man knows the truth; Eladin Frey. In an age lost to man, a time before humans ever existed, there were a people known as the Ancient Ones, or the Elvenkind; immortal beings rife with magic.   The Elvenkind lived in a peaceful prosperous society, with magic and nature integrated into the lives of all the elves. However, all good things have and end, and for this that end was the Great War. Spanning the entire continent and a hundred years the war ended with the death of all elves bar one - Eladin Frey. Through the use of the soul orb Eladin absorbed the lifeforce of all elves. This absorbed energy will eventually leak out in the form of Inkshadow.