Guardians:
Hadron – Bearer of the Hollow Eye
The enigmatic leader of the guardians, Hadron is the seer and heart of the group. Once rumoured to carry the Dark King’s bloodline, Hadron wields the Sigil of the Hollow Eye, a relic that blinds the Dark King’s omniscience and holds his awareness in eternal suspension. Wise, calm, and cryptic, Hadron is both prophet and frontman of Shadow Fen. His haunting vocals and ritual performances continuously renew the magic that seals the Dark King’s prison.
The Technomancer – Bearer of the Shackled Flame
Known also as “The One Who Fell,” the Technomancer is a scholar-warrior who melds magic and machine. She stepped into the Rift willingly, arriving in the modern world before the others, and has since become the bassist of Shadow Fen. Her Bassaxe, built from salvaged relics and Fen magic, channels the fury of the Shackled Flame. She binds the Dark King’s wrath with every resonant note.
Kappa the Arcane Alchemist – Bearer of the Drowned Star
A Riftborn outsider drawn to Shadow Fen by a vision, Kappa wields the Sigil of the Drowned Star, containing the Dark King’s dream-warping madness. His mind is sharp but volatile, blending star-magic with music. Now Shadow Fen’s lead guitarist, Kappa’s spectral solos reinforce the boundaries between nightmare and reality.
Thorin Stonebeard – Bearer of the Withered Tongue
Once a solitary ranger, Thorin became the bearer of the Withered Tongue after finding a bone sigil in the woods. He crafted an enchanted guitar to channel its power, silencing lies and corruption. As rhythm guitarist of Shadow Fen, Thorin grounds their harmonies in unwavering strength.
The Forgemaster – Bearer of the Maw
The newest guardian, the Forgemaster was chosen by the Sigil of the Maw, a dire wolf-bone relic embodying Hunger. A drummer and craftsman, he reforged the sigil into a war-drum that devours the Dark King’s corruptive appetite through thunderous rhythm. His beats keep the gnawing dark at bay.
Historical Figures:
Erhad the Martyr
A paladin of the old world who gave his life defending the last shrine of light before the Sundering. Erhad’s sacrifice inspired generations of resistance.
Vharra
Once a loyal guardian, Vharra was seduced by the Dark King’s promises and became the first traitor. Her name is now a curse among the Vanguard.
Celine the Prophet
A mortal visionary whose dreams mapped the future of the Sigils and warned of the Dark King’s return. Her scrolls are studied by the Vanguard to this day.
Antagonists:
The Dark King
An ancient, unknowable force of ruin and dominion. Before the Sundering, the Dark King’s power grew unchecked, spreading madness and hunger. He was sealed away by the first guardians, his mind fractured and scattered among the Sigils. Though imprisoned, he still influences the weak-willed through dreams and whispers.
Cultists and Dark Adepts
Those who serve the Dark King in the waking world. Organised into sects like the Gloambound and the Mouthless Choir, these fanatics hunt for ways to break the sigil seals and awaken their master. Each sect is led by a named adept or priest, whose powers are warped by their proximity to the Dark King’s essence.
Demons, Beasts, and Minions
- Nightmare Leeches: Shadow-spawn that feed on memory and hope.
- Abyssal Hounds: Bone-armoured beasts that hunt by tracking corrupted sigil traces.
- Hollowed Ones: Mortals turned into soulless husks by prolonged exposure to the Dark King’s dreams.
Allies:
The Vanguard and the Shadow Fen Folk
Scattered across the Mirror Realm’s villages, the Vanguard are brave mortals who have chosen to stand with the Guardians. Farmers, smiths, scholars, and raiders, the Vanguard are the soul of Shadow Fen’s resistance. While the Guardians hold back the Dark King, the Vanguard defend the land and pass down the truth of the sigils. Every member of the modern-day audience who believes, who chants at a Shadow Fen show, is counted among the Vanguard.
