ENDLESS DARK

The Endless Dark is an enigmatic and cosmic entity that resides in the shadowed veil between life and death. It is neither benevolent nor malevolent, but a force that governs the balance between creation, decay, and what lies beyond. Worshipers of the Endless Dark often see it as a mysterious god of inevitability, one whose motives are shrouded in neutrality and whose existence bridges the ephemeral and the eternal.

The Origin of the Endless Dark

In the beginning, when the gods shaped the cosmos, there was no clear boundary between life and death. Souls wandered aimlessly, and the cycle of existence faltered. The Endless Dark emerged from the primordial void to serve as the arbiter of this balance. It forged the Veil, the ethereal boundary between the living and the dead, and wove the threads of life, death, and repose into the fabric of the multiverse.

The Endless Dark has no form but manifests as a vast, starless expanse, a presence that fills the mind with whispers of destiny and eternity. Those who experience its presence describe it as overwhelming, yet strangely comforting—a reminder of the natural order.

Clerics of the Endless Dark

Clerics devoted to the Endless Dark reflect its neutral stance, embracing its teachings in different ways depending on their domain:

Life Domain Clerics of the Life Domain view the Endless Dark as the guardian of life’s sanctity. To them, life is a gift to be nurtured and cherished. They emphasize the importance of living fully within the allotted span, as life is a fleeting moment before the inevitable return to the Endless Dark. They heal the wounded, protect the weak, and fight against forces that would unnaturally cut lives short, such as necromancers or plagues.

Death Domain For those in the Death Domain, the Endless Dark is the ultimate harbinger of mortality. These clerics believe death is not to be feared but understood as a natural part of existence. They see themselves as stewards of the dying, ensuring souls pass through the Veil without interference. They oppose undeath vehemently, considering it a corruption of the Endless Dark’s design. They often carry out last rites or confront those who twist death for personal gain.

Grave Domain Clerics of the Grave Domain embody the Endless Dark’s neutrality and focus on the balance between life and death. They stand against both those who extend life unnaturally and those who take it prematurely. They act as guardians of the boundary, ensuring souls are neither trapped in the mortal plane nor stolen by foul entities. Grave clerics find beauty in the cycle of life and death and are often called upon to resolve disturbances in this balance.

Tenets of the Endless Dark

Clerics of all domains often follow these shared tenets:

• Respect the Cycle: Life and death are sacred. Both must be honored, and neither should be disrupted.
• Do Not Fear the Veil: Death is not an end but a transformation. It is to be accepted, not feared.
• Guard the Balance: Oppose forces that seek to corrupt the natural cycle, including necromancy and artificial immortality.
• Live Purposefully: Life is fleeting; every moment should be lived with intent and meaning.

Myths and Stories

The Weaving of the Veil: Legends say the Endless Dark wove the Veil from strands of cosmic shadow and light. When it finished, it placed two gatekeepers, the Sentinels of Eternity, to guard the passage between realms.

The Whisper of the Dark: It is said that when one dies, the Endless Dark whispers their true purpose, a secret known only at the end of their journey.

The Sundered One: A tale tells of a cleric who defied the Endless Dark, attempting to steal souls from its domain. The Endless Dark split their soul, leaving one half eternally alive and the other perpetually dead—a cautionary story for those who defy its balance.

The Endless Dark stands as a profound and mysterious force, embodying the paradox of light within shadow and the quiet inevitability of existence's end. It does not demand worship but inspires awe and reverence in those who grasp its cosmic significance.