The First Dark Omen

Metaphysical / Paranormal event

In 1290 DR, the Radiant Citadel experienced its first significant planar disturbance: the Keening Gloom began to manifest along the Citadel’s lower districts. This ominous, ever-present storm—a swirling mass of shadow and discord—was initially perceived as a natural atmospheric anomaly. However, as its effects grew more pronounced, with buildings flickering between states and eerie wails echoing through deserted alleys, it became clear that the Gloom was more than a mere weather event.

Investigations led by the Field Naturalists Guild and the Cartographers’ Collective, in collaboration with spiritual mediators from Yeonido and Tayyib, revealed that the Keening Gloom was likely a manifestation of ancient, primordial forces long dormant in the region. Some scholars speculated that it was linked to the Citadel’s lost history—a test of its resilience, or even a warning from its original founders. The crisis forced the Speakers to convene emergency sessions, and measures were taken to bolster the Citadel’s planar defenses, including the creation of the Planar Watch, an institution tasked with monitoring and mitigating such disturbances.   The long-term consequences were profound. The event not only deepened the divide between faith-based and secular factions—each interpreting the Gloom in vastly different ways—but also led to lasting changes in Citadel security protocols. Many of the Citadel’s modern conflict-resolution and disaster-preparedness systems can trace their origins to this crisis. Additionally, the Keening Gloom became a recurring element in the Citadel’s folklore, symbolizing the ever-present tension between light and darkness, progress and decay.