THE SHADOW REALM

THE BEGINNING OF EVIL

INTRODUCTION

Not everything that evil represents was born as evil. There is only one original evil in the worlds, and it arose with the creation of everything, long before the worlds, gods, and humans were created. In order to understand the reason for the existence of evil and everything it has brought to the worlds, it is necessary to comprehend what the Master of Wizards, Yondar, called "The Origin of Evil." When the gods and goddesses were created, evil in its most concrete personification did not exist. Or at least, if it did exist, it was not perceived by the gods and, most importantly, not suspected by Naumathar. Evil emerged from something much more powerful than itself: love. Something felt by a mighty entity but could not be explained or translated into words, only felt. Evil arose from the loss of this feeling, which we now call love, by this "Being." The love between two brothers: Naumathar and Omnathar. Naumathar was a "Divine Being" who overflowed with love, but above all, love for his brother: Omnathar. When Naumathar decided to create a universe, Omnathar was left aside, as it was Naumathar's vision. Omnathar, a "Being" just as divine as Naumathar but with lesser creative capacity due to being of lesser expression - which was later understood as a reflection of the former - became frustrated with his brother. There was nothing more important to Naumathar than the creation of gods and, subsequently, humans to create a world solely for themselves. And that's why everything began. Omnathar started to observe his brother's creation from afar. With the creation of gods and goddesses, and later humans, Omnathar began to envy his brother's success. But he did not desire to create anything like Naumathar. No. His desire was to destroy the world created by Naumathar so that he would once again acknowledge his existence. And that's how a silent and secret war began. The target was Naumathar's creation. The original evil already existed within Omnathar, but it was not exerted due to the absence of the profound pain caused by Naumathar's complete abandonment. When this loss occurred, an immense flaw was created within Omnathar. With this flaw came jealousy, envy, the feeling of abandonment, and the complete lack of love and companionship that had existed for an infinite time. Omnathar's sensation was that he had lost everything he possessed in a short period. This triggered what became known as "The Origin of Evil."

THE KINGDOM OF SHADOWS

The Kingdom of Shadows had its beginnings long before it received that name. Some knights from ancient realms, like Anghur, reported seeing large shadows covering a mountainous region in the far East during the period before the First Era or the Time Before Time, as it is called in Ernt-nador. However, for some reason, these knights did not venture towards the place and diverted their path, as stories from their ancestors spoke of a realm as dark as the night, inhabited by creatures and demons from the depths. These stories reached them as whispers from an ancient world they were unsure even existed, called Anathurilis. In another era, during the First Era of Ernt-nador, in the Time of Constructions, a caravan caught sight of the shadowy place and, driven by curiosity, decided to uncover its secrets. Only one of them survived, as his fellow travelers left him behind, forcing him to climb the winding path up the mountain on foot. That was the very reason that saved his life. His account, although considered by those who heard the story as filled with fantasies and conjectures of what was actually seen or witnessed, echoed throughout Ernt-nador for a long time. He spoke of nonsensical things, about dark creatures that had imprisoned and transformed everyone into demonic beasts. Another, stronger account came later, in the Time of Wars, when a large army of knights encamped in the vicinity of the place vanished completely. The report came from a detachment of knights who were stationed on guard duty nearby. When they returned, after not being relieved by a new detachment, they found no trace, no blood, nor any vestige of the knights. Reports about a corner of Ernt-nador dominated by darkness spread from North to South and from East to West. In the comments and stories that traveled the world, the kingdom immersed in sinister shadows was always present. Some spoke of the existence of dark creatures allegedly seen in that region. Others, living in villages and small principalities, recounted hearing discordant screeches and deep, guttural grunts on dark nights. However, unanimity prevailed in describing a realm bordered by shadows that advanced further into the world with each passing day. In later times, the place came to be known as the Realm of Shadows.

KINGDOM OF SHADOWS, WORLD OF ERNT-NADOR

THE BLACK CASTLE

Long before the onset of the Time of Shadows and the First Era, the Black Castle already existed. There is no exact date for its construction, as nobody dared to venture into the region known as the Land of Darkness between the Time of Realms and the Time of Wars. However, it is certain that the Black Castle had already been built when the Time of Chaos began. Within the Black Castle, located in the Realm of Shadows, it is believed - although it is mere speculation - that there existed a being more powerful than any man. This creature had a grotesque and terrifying image and dominated the beasts that lived and fed in the darkness.

BLACK CASTLE. KINGDOM OF SHADOWS, WORLD OF ERNT-NADOR

HÚR, LORD OF SHADOWS

The story of Húr, the Lord of Shadows, dates back to the period known as the Time Before the First Era of Anahkólion. Although the Lord of Shadows became known during the Time of Chaos and the Time of Shadows in Ernt-nador, in reality, his story and existence begin many Eras earlier in Anahkólion. To understand who he is and why the powerful Lord of Shadows is able to control creatures of darkness and other beasts that dwell in the depths of the worlds, or even to comprehend his immeasurable hatred for the gods, wizards, and men, it is necessary to travel many Eras to understand how, why, and under what circumstances he was conceived. It relates to the existence and nature of his father and the origin and lineage of his mother, and the fate she had. And all of this leads to The Lord of Darkness and "The Origin of Evil." The current story of The Lord of Shadows will be revealed in BOOK II - THE SECRET OF THE THREE STARS, but mainly in BOOK III - THE RETURN OF SHADOWS. However, his origin will already be presented in THE LORD OF DARKNESS - THE ORIGIN OF EVIL, later this year on The Wizards' War platform. Here, we will bring important passages that will contribute to the understanding of the origin and emergence of the Lord of Shadows.

THE ARMY OF SHADOWS

The Army of Shadows was not always called by that name. When the Time of Chaos began, in the First Age of Ernt-nador, it was also called the Black Army or the Army of Darkness. This varied greatly from kingdom to kingdom, depending on the expression used to determine the name of the time lived. As there was no quick and effective communication between the kingdoms, there may be mistakes or discrepancies between the names used by the peoples of Ernt-nador for the army that brought death and chaos to that land. Taking this into consideration, for some kingdoms, the so-called Time of Chaos, as recorded in the Book of All Times, received that same name, while for others, it was called Time of Darkness. For those who lived closer to the Black Castle, the name used was Black Time. But this term ended up not being used by the majority. Thus, the army that covered the land with shadows and darkness, bringing death, despair, and devastation, could vary in name depending on the region. However, when it was recorded in the Book of All Times, Yondar chose to register it as Time of Chaos, so that there would be no confusion with the old Time of Darkness lived in the world of Anahkólion. The soldiers who served the needs of the darkness and the Lord of Shadows came to be recognized as the Army of Shadows.

ARMY OF SHADOWS, TIME OF CHAOS, WORLD OF ERNT-NADOR

ÜRWOM
THE DARK WARRIOR

A man, forgotten by the past, once beheld in a vision the power he had always desired to possess: the power of an invincible army. Already powerful, this man, it did not matter. He wanted more and more. His thirst for blood and death was insatiable. All that mattered was having power in his hands. Thus, without concern for the future consequences of his actions, this man surrendered everything he once trusted, betraying all who knew him. Not content with betraying his own army, he also betrayed a rival army, without a care for the fate of those involved. His name was forgotten by the consuming passage of time, for there was no one left to recognize him or even remember that he was once something other than an abomination. As a reward, this man was transformed into a mighty and invincible warrior. But the paths that go are different from the roads that return. And nothing is the same, for the path changes the traveler and is changed by them. And everything that has a price to be paid has a cost to be exacted. And high was the price paid by this man. After the transformation, he lost his family, his children, and all who truly mattered to him. But that was not the worst of it. He lost his identity, becoming known as Ürwom, the Dark Warrior, a loyal servant of Húr, the Lord of Shadows.

THE TWELVE NÁRAX

The Twelve Nárax - Cursed Ones - emerged, or rather, were created, during a period of great wars between the kingdoms of men in Anahkólion and the Lord of Darkness. However, the story of 'The Origin of the Nárax', the name given to the banished creatures by Thuror, the God of Gods, does not involve twelve, but only one. The story of the creation of the First Nárax is intricately intertwined with the beginning of 'The Origin of Evil'. However much one may try to understand how a good and loyal being can be cursed, in the case of the First Nárax, it is an exceedingly complicated situation. After all, regardless of which side one is on, it is always difficult to comprehend betrayal, whether divine or not. Much time after the creation of the First Nárax, however, the betrayal of a small group of demigods took place. In this case, the betrayal of a divine Order becomes even more complicated. The story harkens back to an era when the gods were powerful and the God of Gods enforced the law, especially if it reflected his will and protected Mount Naumathar. This was before Thuror completely abandoned mankind and withdrew to his divine abode. It is a story that speaks of complicity, brotherhood, and betrayal, a story that speaks of punishment and banishment, a legend filled with hatred and revenge - a revenge that is about to take its first step.

MÓRAGH,
LORD OF THE NÁRAX

Often, those born long after historical events have no idea of the many things that have already happened and how much everything has changed. Those who are unaware of the story of Móragh, the vile and malevolent creature who commands the Twelve Nárax in defense of the creatures of darkness, do not know that he once fought for the gods of Anahkólion. Móragh, along with his subordinates, was part of the army of the Guardians of the Gods, who defended Mount Naumathar. However, due to reasons that will be revealed in "THE LORD OF DARKNESS - THE ORIGIN OF EVIL," involving disagreements, defiance of divine precepts, and other factors, he and his followers are considered traitors by the High Council of the Gods. And, according to the council, they betrayed everything they were created for. This had a high cost for the gods of Anahkólion and, of course, for Móragh and his followers. Furthermore, during the trial at the High Council of the Gods of Anahkólion, an incident occurred that none of the gods could have ever imagined. After all the facts and situations were presented, Móragh and his followers were deemed traitors to the fundamental divine principles. Because of this, they were all banished and sentenced to darkness until the End of Times, with Therbás, the god of Darkness, being tasked with carrying out the divine sentence. Unfortunately, something unforeseen happened: a rebellion occurred within the Argonas, led by the companions of the twelve members. A battle was fought, and divine blood was spilled. Móragh cursed Thuror and all the gods. Faced with this, Thuror, the God of Gods, was compelled to take a stronger and more decisive action, punishing all the traitors and transforming them into grotesque creatures, who came to be known as Nárax, which in Idhílion means "the Cursed Ones." After that, Móragh, along with the other twelve, was imprisoned in one of the Laienürimim to remain there until the End of Times. However, Thuror did not anticipate another betrayal, which could mean the downfall of all the gods of Anahkólion.