The Quantum Shadow

A wizard jumps into the Quantum Shadow as depicted by the Forgotten Runes Wizard's Cult Trailer (2022)

Lore

The Quantum Shadow has festered in the heart of the Runic Supercontinent for as long as anyone can remember. Its purpose and origin is one of the greatest mysteries in the realm, but there are many with strong opinions of its nature. Though it is known by most as "The Quantum Shadow," it has other names, such as the Twilight Vapor, Void Sludge, and Darkmere.

Upon simple observation, The Quantum Shadow appears as either a thick dark mist—or in other areas, a black, viscous, oozing slime. It seems to ebb and flow between these two states at will, and varies from region to region.

The Shadow is unimaginably vast, covering several thousand leagues from the foothills of BattleMage Mountains to the slopes of Mount Umbra. It flanks the edges of the forest of The Thorn, and is barely contained by the crests of The Black Mountains.

The peoples of the Runiverse have discovered many uses for The Shadow, such as lchemical applications, Dark Magic enhancement, and even industrial uses. Of course, these uses require one to be fearless of The Shadow, for above all, its greatest use is as a channel for fear. Elites, oligarchs, royalty, and others who wield power in the Runiverse conjure narratives around The Shadow—true or not—to incite terror in those they wish to manipulate.

Very few dare to venture near it, let alone dive in. There are none who are known to have gone in and returned, which only fuels its mystery.

The Blue Wizards of the Bastion have devoted little study to The Shadow, for collecting and preserving samples is a task of great difficulty. The White Hats, however, may seem to possess the most knowledge, for high within the White Tower, their Chroma Crystals allow them to penetrate The Shadow's opaque nature.

Of all the Quantum Shadow's schemes at the hands of various factions in the land, it is this that is of most concern to the Wizards of the White Tower.

Many Wizards agree that the nature of existence within the Quantum Shadow is different than outside. This often results in rumored transformations to beings that enter—these might be physical, mental, or spiritual, and no two transformations are alike. Some Wizards also theorize that the Quantum Shadow is somehow linked to the very existence of Magic in the Runiverse.

Meta Lore

When asked about The Quantum Shadow, Elf has said:

"The Quantum Shadow is the placeholder for the unknown. This has magical and scientific implications. Physicists have mathematical errors when they try to calculate gravitational mass in the universe. They have no idea what accounts for this anomaly, so they insert a placeholder and call it Dark Matter.

Dark Energy is another unaccounted for anomaly when calculating the acceleration and expansion of the known universe. In these two examples, the use of the word “dark” is important here—it’s dark because we can’t see it. It’s unknown. The Dark Ages are named so because humanity went through a phase of cultural decline. It is also an era that, relative to the eras that flanked it, the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, is a time when historical records are forgotten.

Darkness—or a shadow—is the absence of light. When we know or understand a new idea, we say “I see” as if an implicit acknowledgement of light being shed upon a subject. You are no longer in the shadow—you see it...

I could speak on this more, but in short, the Quantum Shadow is that unknown placeholder in human thinking. We all think we have a handle on the world...but no matter how much understanding we gain, there is always a remaining shadow, and it is so out of reach, so imperceptible."

Inhabitants

Through the Chroma Crystals' gaze, the White Hat Wizards have discovered glimpses of a secret cult that operates within. Called the Shadow Hats, this intimate cabal has been observed manipulating The Shadow with terrifying mastery, possibly breathing life into it. Horrifying faces and forms seem to leap from the sludge with nightmarish design, all at the command of these Shadow Hats.

Forgotten Runiverse Game

The Quantum Shadow is located at (x,y) in the Forgotten Runiverse Game.