The Dark One: The First Evil

The Dark One, a tale of malevolence made incarnate through the action of the universe. Though the true name of the entity remains largely lost to time its encounters with the Heroes of Old led to many detailed recounts of its many names, abilities, and appearances. The most significant of these details being recorded by Er-Zul, the disciple of the Elder Evil. According to legend, The Dark One came to be in the bottomless seas of Dionis, where it would become the karmic manifestation of malevolence in the universe and become a prominent figure among history.  

Precursor Wars:

  Before recorded history, there were wars without end, driven by an insatiable philosophy. The Dark One, standing as the hive against the newly mortal soldiers of the primordial Titans, gave rise to what would later be labeled as the monstrous races - from Goblins and Orcs to Shifters and even altered forms of familiar curses such as Lycanthropy and Vampirism. The exact timeline of these events remains unknown, but it was during these wars that The Dark One came into contact with another level of the world. It discovered a hollow portion of the world beneath the Lynoan continent, filled with unique life forms, which it used to unleash volatile onslaughts against the Titans' forces. These wars eventually came to an end as The Dark One enacted a plan to seal away the Titans of Creation, ushering in the Dark Ages.  

Industrial Age:

  During the Industrial Age, The Dark One, sealed away by its apprentice, suffered in agony for an extended period of time. It clawed and whispered at the vulnerable psyches of individuals whose minds roamed near the Astral Plane without notice. Although a majority of its power had been stripped away, Ulmonethp, the true name of the entity, devised a plan to search for anyone who yearned for revenge, absolution, and most importantly, unquestioning loyalty.   From an outside dimension, The Dark One began to observe the group known as the Misfits of Magic through the obscured lens of its weakened power, using its apprentice descendant, Ibahn Ovelenoor. At first, Ibahn listened to the whispers of power but was eventually swayed by forces larger than anticipated. The Misfits had encountered The Big Three, magical embodiments themselves, and through them, The Dark One found a new apprentice who was left barren by the choices the Misfits had made.   Although it might not have seemed so at the time, this apprentice, Nadhora, would be the one to resurrect the forgotten Titan back to power, at least that was the anticipation. The era ended with Ibahn, Haspien Nighshade, and the rest of the Misfits, alongside the "Annointer of Titles," imprisoning the entity in a part of the multiverse that had not been crafted. And there, the fate of The Dark One remained imprisoned.

The entity described in this legend was once a force to be reckoned with, feared and revered in equal measure. Its very name struck terror into the hearts of mortals and immortals alike, and its power was said to be unmatched by any other being in existence. But that all changed after the initial defeat by the Heroes of Old. The Dark One not only lost the fear it held, but in turn, it also lost the very essence of its power that had made it so formidable. Its powers faded and its presence dwindled, until it was nothing more than a shadow of its former self.   However, the impact of its actions would continue to be felt throughout the ages. The Dark One had ushered in the Dark Ages, a time of chaos and turmoil that plunged the world into darkness. And while many of its other deeds have been rebranded or credited to other entities, some tales still speak of the Dark One's true nature and the horrors it unleashed upon the world.   The Misfits of Magic, a group dedicated to uncovering the truth and sharing knowledge with the public, made it their mission to educate the continent on the various acts that had occurred. Through the resources of the High Council, they delved into the history of the Dark One, piecing together the fragmented accounts that had survived the ages. But even with their best efforts, the true details of the Dark One remained shrouded in mystery, reduced to mere whispers and rumors of the origins of Er-Zul and Ibahn's powers.   Perhaps the Dark One still lurks in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike and regain its former glory. Or perhaps it is nothing more than a cautionary tale, a reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences of hubris. Only time will tell if the Dark One will rise again, or if it will remain forever consigned to the annals of history.

As the centuries passed, the knowledge of the Dark One began to fade. The stories and legends surrounding the entity were reduced to mere whispers and rumors, with many dismissing them as nothing more than tall tales. The once-feared name of the Dark One became little more than a footnote in history, remembered only by a select few who had studied the legends in detail.   Today, the true extent of the Dark One's power and influence remains shrouded in mystery. Some believe that the entity still exists, hiding in the shadows and waiting for the right moment to strike. Others dismiss the stories as nothing more than ancient myths, with no basis in reality.   Regardless of the truth, the legacy of the Dark One continues to live on in the tales and legends passed down through the ages. Though the entity may have faded into obscurity, its impact on the world can still be felt today, a reminder of the power of fear and the enduring nature of legend.

The Leper:

Perhaps the most grotesque of the Dark One's forms, is a manifestation of disease and decay. It is said that the touch of the Leper is enough to cause flesh to rot and bones to crumble. In some tales, the Leper is portrayed as a solitary figure, wandering the land and spreading its afflictions to all it encounters. In other accounts, it is depicted as leading armies of plague-ridden soldiers, infecting whole towns and cities in its wake.  

The Man in Black:

This is another of the Dark One's guises, often appearing as a mysterious and ominous figure wearing a modern, black two-piece suit. It is said that the Man in Black can manipulate the minds of those around it, driving them to madness or compelling them to do its bidding. The Man in Black is a master of deception and illusion, often appearing in disguise to lure unsuspecting victims into its grasp.  

The Dark Titan

A more formidable form of the Dark One, often depicted as a towering and fearsome figure with immense strength and power. It is said that the Dark Titan can control the elements themselves, unleashing storms, earthquakes, and other natural disasters to devastate its enemies. In some accounts, the Dark Titan is even said to have the power to warp reality itself, twisting the very fabric of existence to suit its whims.  

The First Deceiver

This is perhaps the most insidious of the Dark One's forms, using its cunning and guile to manipulate those around it into doing its bidding. It is said that the Master of Manipulation can twist even the most noble and virtuous of individuals to its will, turning them into pawns in its grand schemes. The Master of Manipulation is often portrayed as a shadowy figure, pulling the strings behind the scenes and controlling events from the shadows.   Throughout the ages, tales of the Dark One and its various incarnations have spread far and wide, striking fear into the hearts of those who hear them. But over time, as the world changed and new threats emerged, the stories of the Dark One began to fade into legend. Today, few remember the tales of the Leper, the Man in Black, the Dark Titan, or the Master of Manipulation, and the once-great entity known as the Dark One has become little more than a distant memory, a relic of a bygone era.

The influence of The Dark One has been felt across the world, with different cultures and continents interpreting the entity in their own unique ways. Let us take a closer look at the impact The Dark One has had on the various continents of the world.  

Lynoa:

As the birthplace of The Dark One, Lynoa has been the most heavily impacted by the entity's actions. The Dark One's reign of terror and the ensuing Dark Ages had a profound impact on the continent, leading to a loss of knowledge and a decline in civilization. Despite this, The Dark One's story has become deeply ingrained in the culture of Lynoa. Tales of the Dark One are passed down from generation to generation, with some even worshipping the entity as a deity. The Dark One's legacy is also present in the various monstrous races that were created during the wars before recorded history. Orcs, goblins, shifters, and other such races are often seen as cursed or monstrous, and their creation is attributed to The Dark One's machinations.  

Torishani:

The continent of Torishani has its own unique interpretation of The Dark One. Here, The Dark One is seen as a figure who inspired a grand necromancer in its history. This necromancer is revered as a hero in Torishani, with many aspiring to follow in his footsteps and master the art of necromancy. The Dark One's influence on Torishani is also seen in the many ghost stories and supernatural tales that permeate the culture of the continent. Many of these stories feature malevolent spirits and other supernatural beings that are said to have been created by The Dark One's powers.  

Arnovia:

On the continent of Arnovia, The Dark One is known mainly as The Leper. The Leper is a figure of horror and dread, associated with disease and decay. In Arnovian culture, The Leper is often invoked in tales of punishment and retribution, with those who violate societal norms or commit heinous acts said to be afflicted by The Leper's touch. The Leper's influence can also be seen in the Arnovian practice of isolating those with contagious diseases or deformities, as they are believed to be touched by The Leper.  

Tetreia:

Finally, on the continent of Tetria, The Dark One is known as The Man in Black. The Man in Black is a shadowy figure associated with mystery and intrigue. In Tetrian culture, The Man in Black is often invoked in tales of betrayal and deception, with the figure representing the unseen forces that manipulate events from behind the scenes. The Man in Black's influence can also be seen in Tetrian fashion, with many adopting black clothing and accessories as a symbol of sophistication and mystery.   In conclusion, The Dark One's influence has been felt across the continents of the world in various forms. From Lynoa to Torishani, Arnovia to Tetria, the legacy of The Dark One continues to shape the cultures and traditions of the world.  

The Keys: 

In the Collective Island States known as The Keys, The Dark One has taken on a pirate-esque theme, with tales of the entity spreading through seafaring stories and legends. The Keys have their own unique interpretation of The Dark One, often depicted as a fearsome pirate captain with a crew of undead minions. The Dark One's influence is also present in the various supernatural and cursed locations scattered throughout the islands, with rumors of hidden treasure and cursed artifacts drawing adventurers and fortune-seekers alike. Despite the dangers associated with The Dark One and its legacy, many in The Keys see the entity as a symbol of freedom and rebellion against authority, a fitting figure for a culture with a strong tradition of piracy and independence.

One of the most well-known pieces of media inspired by The Dark One is the Lynoan epic poem, "The Fall of the Titans." This sweeping narrative tells the story of The Dark One's war against the Titans of Creation and the eventual sealing away of these powerful beings. The poem has been adapted into various forms over the years, from stage productions to graphic novels.   In Torishani, Er-Zul, The Apprentice has inspired a variety of media. One of the most famous works is the novel "The Necromancer's Apprentice," which tells the story of a young sorcerer who seeks out the knowledge and power to raise the dead. The novel draws heavily from the lore of a real figure from Torishani history who encountered the entity's disciple, Er-Zul, with the titular character often invoking the his name in his dark rituals.   On the continent of Arnovia, The Dark One is often depicted as a figure of temptation and corruption. In the popular play "The Corrupted Heart," a nobleman makes a pact with The Dark One to gain wealth and power, but ultimately finds himself consumed by the entity's influence. The play has been adapted into a hit play and a best-selling novel.

Some of the most famous works of art inspired by the legend of the Dark One were created during the Dark Ages, a time when fear and darkness gripped the world. These works are said to be hauntingly beautiful, with vivid depictions of the Dark One and his many monstrous creations. Unfortunately, many of these paintings and tapestries were destroyed or lost during the tumultuous centuries that followed, leaving only a few precious examples behind. In addition to visual art, the legend of the Dark One has also inspired countless songs and musical compositions. These range from somber, mournful ballads to rousing anthems of rebellion and defiance. Many of these songs are passed down through oral tradition, with each new generation adding their own unique interpretations and twists to the ancient melodies.   Statues and sculptures related to the legend of the Dark One are perhaps the rarest and most valuable of all. Many were created during the Dark Ages, crafted from the finest materials and imbued with great power and meaning. These statues were often lost or destroyed as the world changed around them, and today only a few scattered examples remain, hidden away in remote temples or forgotten tombs.   Despite the rarity and mystery surrounding the remaining art inspired by the Dark One, there are those who seek to uncover these treasures and uncover the secrets of the legend. Archaeologists, historians, and art collectors alike all strive to find these hidden gems, piecing together the story of the Dark One and his impact on the world through the fragments of art that remain.