Void
As a plane, the Void resembles its namesake, though it is no longer considered infinite. There are boundaries to this plane now, and despite its similarities to the old, dark home of the Eidolons, this realm has become something of its own throughout its time being ruled by the hateful Vul’Karik and the corrupting Paschia Fel.
The Void is home to demons, undead, phantoms, witches and other such monstrosities that would otherwise strike terrible fear into the hearts of mortals simply by sight alone. The Void houses creatures that should not be seen in the light of any day, and though they are not inherently weakened by it, most voidic entities hold a hatred of the sun.
The Void is hostile to any not naturally from it, and even those that reside within find themselves entangled in the war between Vul’Karik and Paschia Fel. It is often considered the realm of the cursed or the damned, for only those who are unable to pass on into a new life once they die end up caught within its darkness.
Foundations
The Void as it currently exists is a lesser version of the state that the entirety of reality once resembled. Prior to its shattering, the expanse was called the Endless Void, for all that existed within it was at peace dwelt in silence. Darkness stretched on in every direction while the Eidolons lived without strife or true purpose. Some believe that a precursor race existed beneath the Eidolons to provide them with amusement or intention, but there is very little to state what or who a people such as that would have been.
Upon the Shattering, of those who fought to maintain the Endless Void, four were slain while four remained. The four surviving defenders of the past took to one of the newly formed planes where they immediately began to shape it in the image of the home they had lost; however, despite their best laid plans, mimicked memories never truly captured what once was.
The distaste and in some cases outright hatred that the Eidolons of the Void held for those who succeeded in sundering the cosmos seeped into the newly constructed realm. The soft and peaceful dark now burned with Felfire, an ever smoldering flame that was capable of scarring even the Eidolons that reigned supreme. The element came into form upon the splintering of the Endless Void, and now that it burned bright within the lesser Void, the darkness was interrupted by the sickly green light. Shadows grew long and dreadful as the truth of the anger and spite that stained the land could not be hidden by the veil of night.
Vul’karik, considered the mightiest of the Eidolons, took to amassing an army that he swore would reclaim the planes to bring about the return to the Endless Void. He looked to his fellow Eidolons of the Void who declared similar intent only to soon betray or abandon him completely.
The Eidolon closest to Vul’karik who believed completely in his cause looked beyond their newly formed plane and saw the vacuum that had opened within the center of reality. A bottomless abyss was drawing in all forms of life energy. The Eidolon foresaw the truest doom of all things should the tear not be controlled or sealed, and with a heavy heart and little explanation, they departed from their kin and ventured out toward the opening where they used their power and magic to create what is now known as Limbo. The flow of souls could now follow the pull of the abyss where the Eidolon’s system would ensure they would be born again, redirected back into the planes rather than cast into nothingness.
Paschia Fel, known for her innate magical talent and artistry, was seduced by the destructive new element that she’d given her very namesake. Her spellcraft focused on the flame, and soon thereafter, its very interaction with the soul. Though she promised to support Vul’karik in his endeavors, Paschia Fel desired his throne. She recognized that not even the Void King could withstand Felfire and that should she master it, she could someday rule instead. Though her plots began in secret, Vul’karik became suspicious of her intentions, and eventually the rivalry became very open and widespread. Today, demons and witches wage war against one another just as much as they do with anything foreign to the Void as well.
Nevanerro, known to be not a warrior but a tactician and a diplomat, was quick to vanish from sight. Neither Vul’karik nor Paschia Fel saw much of him over the millennia that he hid himself, but now through the Emerald Heart, he has revealed himself. Nevanerro has allegedly taken advantage of the flow of souls in order to craft a minor realm of his own, one that serves a purpose as to claim and punish those who live cruel and sinful lives. He has played a hand in using his power to bring the Empyrean to life, and the leading theory according to the Verdant Flame Church is that the empire’s metal soldiers are nothing less than condemned souls given a chance at redemption.
The Flow of Souls
The Void and most magics connected to it have a unique effect on the cycle of life and death. What causes this isn’t fully known, but some theories have been put forward that it has to do with the nature of the plane in relation to the Endless Void where progenitor life developed. In any case, this relationship is what causes necromancy, Felfire, Limbo, and Nevanerro’s realm to function as they do today. Wherever the Void can be felt, life and death are disrupted or expedited. Ghosts often linger around areas of high corruption as their souls cannot pass on, while Felfire is known to bear the capability of incinerating the energy that comprises a soul.
Felfire
Across the planes, the elements have reigned supreme as the prime building blocks of reality. Though Rhyst holds the greatest balance over the natural elements, alternative elements have been noted in the Void, the Faewild, and the Astral Sea. Felfire is one of these elements, and, similar to natural fire, it is known most for its destructive properties and intense heat. Felfire is believed to have originated from the friction between the planes, a product of the Shattering itself, as Felfire is the only element capable of incinerating anything, including immortal life. Souls are drawn to a flame of Felfire like moths, for a single torch is enough to ensure an area will become haunted by those who cannot pass on. Witches are best known for utilizing Felfire in their spellcraft, for their patron, Paschia Fel, has passed down methods by which to weave and control the void element.
Notable Locales
Across the planes, the elements have reigned supreme as the prime building blocks of reality. Though Rhyst holds the greatest balance over the natural elements, alternative elements have been noted in the Void, the Faewild, and the Astral Sea. Felfire is one of these elements, and, similar to natural fire, it is known most for its destructive properties and intense heat. Felfire is believed to have originated from the friction between the planes, a product of the Shattering itself, as Felfire is the only element capable of incinerating anything, including immortal life. Souls are drawn to a flame of Felfire like moths, for a single torch is enough to ensure an area will become haunted by those who cannot pass on. Witches are best known for utilizing Felfire in their spellcraft, for their patron, Paschia Fel, has passed down methods by which to weave and control the void element.
Galgotha the Bastion of Demons
A place where Vul’Karik is thought to reside. It is a city only seen in the nightmares of those who have been plagued by voidic visions and a place of sorrow and pain. Some consider that the city itself may be where all of the Eidolons once called home, for it would be in Vul’Karik’s nature to claim such a place to seat his throne, though no one but the Eidolons themselves would know for certain. No one knows how large the city is, only that its roads appear unending and its night eternal. The buildings are long shadows that cast themselves into the sky, and are most commonly made up of hot metal that burns any who touch it for too long. The wails of the undead hordes ensure the silence of the infinite Void is nothing more than a tale of the past.
The Burning Lake
The site where Paschia Fel’s phantoms are known to concentrate, and it’s theorized that it’s the site where the Witch Queen herself stays. It is also considered to be the primary source of the element Felfire, for the Burning Lake is just that; a sprawling expanse of ever burning flame. Those phantoms that dwell within it appear immune to the fires themselves, and it may be the only place within the Void where no demon can set foot, lest they be consumed by the Felfire.