The Revenant Ruins

The Wailing Fields are a vast stretch of barren plains covered in trenches and scattered with skeletal remains. Dead trees twist unnaturally, their branches resembling reaching hands. The wind carries an almost human wail, thought to be the lingering cries of those who perished in forgotten wars. Pools of brackish, stagnant water dot the fields, reflecting distorted images of those who gaze into them. On the eastern side of the territory, where the swamps of Basemet and the revanant ruins converge, stands The Hollow Woods. A forest of gnarled, petrified trees, their trunks scorched black as though burned by emotional torment rather than fire. The woods are riddled with fog that obscures vision and plays tricks on the mind, making travelers hear phantom voices and laughter. The deeper one goes, the more the ground gives way to bone-like roots and skeletal remains entwined in the undergrowth. Near the middle of the territory, just beneath The Black Chapel, sits The Mourners Basin. A large, bowl-shaped depression in the earth filled with ash and black sand. In the center stands the Weeping Visage, a colossal statue whose features are obscured by rivulets of what appears to be molten stone. This area serves as a spiritual focal point for despair. Surrounding the basin are ruins of what might have been temples or fortresses, now overtaken by corpseflowers and crawling vines. Finally, in the northern area, touching the sea, is The Heartless Shore. A jagged coastline where the sea crashes violently against dark cliffs. The beach is littered with shipwrecks, each vessel bearing signs of being dashed against the rocks by unnatural storms. At night, eerie lights dance across the water, and whispers can be heard, luring the unwary closer to the edge.

Blood Rain: Rainfall in the ruins is rare but always tainted with dread. The rain is dark and red, streaking the land with bloody rivulets that stain everything they touch. The drops are heavy, falling with an audible splatter that mimics the sound of distant gunfire.The rain carries acidic properties, corroding metal and stinging exposed skin. Weapons and armor left out in the rain require repair, and unprotected flesh may suffer minor burns. The ground becomes slick and treacherous, making movement through the trenches or on uneven terrain perilous. The rain creates haunting imagery as it flows; patterns resembling weeping faces or battlefield scenes often appear in the stains, unnerving even hardened warriors.    The Gunsmoke Shroud: A suffocating fog of gunsmoke periodically sweeps across the ruins, as though from an unseen battle raging nearby. The air turns thick and smoky, the acrid scent of gunpowder overpowering all else. The smoke is strangely cool, clinging to the skin like a damp mist. Breathing becomes difficult, causing fits of coughing and watery eyes. The smoke bends and refracts light, creating the illusion of ghostly soldiers or distant fires where none exist. Gunshots and explosions seem to echo within the fog, misleading travelers into thinking a battle is occurring nearby.    The Crimson Sundown: This phenomenon occurs at sunset, though the sun itself is rarely visible through the thick clouds. The horizon glows a deep crimson, casting the entire region in an unsettling red light. Shadows become long and sharp, seeming to twist unnaturally. The red glow instills an unnatural sense of dread, making even the bravest feel vulnerable. Creatures native to the ruins become more aggressive and cunning during this time, taking advantage of the unsettling atmosphere. The light can briefly animate the "graven choirs" and other battlefield monuments, causing them to wail or move subtly, adding to the terror of the moment.   The Wailing Tempests: These storms are a signature event in the ruins, violent and deeply unsettling. Thick, swirling clouds churn in the sky, glowing faintly red as if illuminated by blood-soaked lightning. Winds howl through the trenches, carrying a cacophony of screams, sobs, and desperate battle cries. Lightning during these tempests is blood-red and forked, resembling veins. When it strikes, it leaves scorched craters and often animates nearby corpses into shambling, hostile undead for a short time. The wind is laced with ash and grit, reducing visibility and stinging the skin. Prolonged exposure can lead to minor lacerations from the abrasive particles. The storm’s sounds create a mental strain; those who listen too closely may hear familiar voices of loved ones or comrades lost, potentially driving them to irrational behavior.   The Ashen Drift: This eerie phenomenon occurs when the perpetual "war cloud" of soot and smoke descends upon the ground. The world becomes cloaked in a gray haze, muffling sound and reducing visibility to mere feet. It feels as if the land itself is holding its breath. Travelers often find themselves disoriented, unable to retrace their steps or orient themselves. Sound becomes muted and distorted; voices sound distant even when close, and the echoes of past battles become more vivid and personal. Prolonged exposure to the Drift causes physical fatigue and a sensation of suffocation, as if the air itself is rebelling against being breathed.

A dense, gray-black cloud of gunsmoke and soot perpetually hangs overhead, dimming the sunlight and bathing the land in a dreary twilight. The "war cloud" is a mixture of natural weather phenomena and supernatural residue from the Bishop’s influence. Occasional blood-red streaks pierce the gloom during thunderstorms, which carry the metallic scent of rust and gunpowder. The air is heavy and acrid, carrying the faint, constant stench of burnt gunpowder, rotting corpses, and damp earth. It clings to the skin and lungs, making prolonged exposure exhausting for the unprepared. Every breath is a reminder of the territory's grim history and ongoing strife. The land is cold year-round, with temperatures rarely climbing above freezing. Even in the absence of snow, frost coats the ruins, fields, and trenches, giving the area a ghostly sheen. The chill seems to seep into the bones, and it is often accompanied by a creeping numbness—both physical and emotional. Instead of rain, the region frequently experiences ashfalls, where fine soot and cinders drift from the ever-present clouds above. When actual rain falls, it is acidic and tinged with black, staining stone and corroding metal.   The territory is never truly silent. Phantom sounds of battle echo across the wasteland—distant cannon fire, the crack of rifles, and the mournful wails of soldiers who no longer exist. These sounds are not constant but ebb and flow like the tides, often becoming deafening at night or during moments of heightened tension. Travelers often report hearing disembodied voices calling out to them from the foggy trenches or barren fields. These whispers are thought to be remnants of the dead or manifestations of the Bishop’s influence, designed to instill fear or lure the unwary into danger.

Flora Despite the desolation, the land teems with resilient and eerie plant life:   Corpseflowers   Gigantic, foul-smelling blooms that grow in clusters around mass graves and battlefields. Their roots feed on the emotions of the dead, releasing a heady perfume that causes hallucinations in living creatures.   Heartblight Vines   Crimson vines with thorn-like growths that seep a black, sap-like substance. These vines coil around ruins and skeletal remains, pulsating faintly, as if alive. Their thorns inject despair-inducing toxins into anyone who touches them.   Whispergrass   Tall, silver-gray grasses found in the Wailing Fields that emit soft, human-like whispers when stirred by the wind. They are thought to carry the voices of lost souls, warning or taunting travelers.   Ashblooms   Flowers that grow in the Mourner’s Basin, their petals appearing burned and brittle. When crushed, they release a fine, ash-like powder that can lull creatures into a deep, dreamless sleep.   Mindspore Caps   Bioluminescent fungi that grow in the Hollow Woods. Prolonged exposure to their spores can cause hallucinations or visions of loved ones, luring victims deeper into the trees.   Echomoss   Found on the walls of ancient ruins, this moss vibrates faintly, mimicking the sound of voices. It absorbs despair and feeds on emotional energy.   ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Fauna The animals and creatures of this land are eerie, hybridized versions of more mundane species, corrupted by the lingering despair of the region:   Weeping Koi   Ghostly fish that swim in the black pools of the Wailing Fields. Their translucent bodies shimmer faintly, and their mournful cries can be heard echoing across the water.   Bone Crows   Large birds with skeletal wings and glowing red eyes. They scavenge the dead and are often seen circling the skies before a violent event.   Phantom Hares   Pale, glowing rabbits that dart through the Hollow Woods. They are fast but strangely unafraid of predators, leading many travelers into traps or ambushes.   Chimeric Stags   Majestic yet horrifying deer with antlers made of twisted roots and bone. They roam the Hollow Woods, their heavy footsteps leaving behind patches of wilted grass.   Shadelurks   Small, shadowy creatures that resemble amphibians, living in the Heartless Shore’s tide pools. They excrete a substance that glows faintly in the dark, attracting prey to the water's edge.   Hollow Wolves Pack hunters with glowing eyes and gaping, fang-filled maws. Their howls can inspire dread, weakening the resolve of their prey.   Corpsevine Golems   Plant-based constructs animated by sorrowful spirits. They are both predators and protectors of the land, attacking those who disturb the ecosystem.   Spectral Guardians   Ethereal humanoids that wander the Wailing Fields, enforcing the Bishop’s will. They drain life from intruders to sustain their own spectral forms.

Mineral Resources   Despairite Ore   Description: A brittle, black metal with faint crimson veins that shimmer under moonlight. Uses: Known for its ability to amplify despair, it is often forged into weapons or relics to weaken enemies or manipulate emotions. Hazards: Prolonged exposure can cause hallucinations or emotional instability.   Heartglass Crystals   Description: Translucent, blood-red crystals that grow deep within the Grieving Heights caverns. Uses: Often used in enchanting or alchemical practices to store and amplify emotional energy. Hazards: If broken, the crystals release bursts of psychic energy that can disorient or harm nearby creatures.   Ashstone   Description: A porous, ashen-gray rock found in the Mourner’s Basin. Uses: Burned as fuel, it releases heat and spectral light, making it valuable for lighting and rituals. Hazards: Ashstone emits a faint, sorrowful wail when burned, unsettling those nearby.   Flora-Based Resources   Corpseflower Nectar   Description: A golden, viscous liquid harvested from the massive corpseflowers. Uses: Used in potent healing potions and poisons, depending on the preparation. Hazards: Harvesting nectar often exposes gatherers to the flower's hallucinogenic fumes.   Heartblight Thorn Extract   Description: A dark, sap-like substance drawn from Heartblight Vines. Uses: An ingredient in despair-inducing toxins or curses. Some use it to enhance the potency of magical rituals. Hazards: The thorns are coated in a paralytic toxin that makes harvesting difficult.   Ashbloom Petals   Description: Fragile, charred-looking petals from the Ashbloom plants in the Mourner’s Basin. Uses: Ground into powder, they are used in alchemy to create sleeping draughts or mild sedatives. Hazards: Overuse can cause lethargy and emotional numbness.   Weeping Reed Sap   Description: A pale, syrupy fluid extracted from the Weeping Reeds near brackish pools. Uses: Known for its calming properties, it is used in potions to ease mental trauma or insomnia. Hazards: Prolonged use induces dependence and dreamlike hallucinations.   Aquatic Resources   Blackwater Pearls   Description: Pearls formed in the clam-like creatures of the Heartless Shore. They are dark and iridescent, with swirling, hypnotic patterns. Uses: Used in high-level enchantments and as a currency among the elite. Hazards: Retrieving these pearls often attracts the attention of hostile sea creatures, such as Shadelurks or Weeping Koi.   Brinecrystal Shards   Description: Salt-like crystals that grow on rocks along the Heartless Shore. They glimmer faintly with a pale blue light. Uses: Essential for preserving magical ingredients and creating enchantments tied to water magic. Hazards: Prolonged handling causes skin to dry and crack, as the crystals draw moisture from living things.   Fungal Resources   Mindspore Dust   Description: A fine powder collected from the bioluminescent Mindspore Caps in the Grieving Heights. Uses: Used in potions and rituals to induce visions or mental clarity. Hazards: Mishandling can lead to disorientation or uncontrollable hallucinations.   Echo Fungus   Description: A dark, rubbery fungus that grows on ruins. It vibrates faintly, mimicking voices. Uses: Ground into paste, it is used in creating sound-based magical effects or cloaking spells. Hazards: Prolonged exposure to its vibrations causes mild madness or auditory hallucinations.