The Breath of Ruin
The Miasma — this is the name of a vast region on Tenebris. Lands forever consumed by darkness. Here, the Four Riders of Gloom still hold sway; their breath defiles all living things, turning them into slaves. Acrid smoke drifts over the war-scorched earth, and a thick fog forms a dome that prevents even a single ray of sunlight from breaking through.
The Miasma is divided into mountain ranges in the north, black swamps in the south, and the Crasholdes in between.
Within the Miasma, time itself seems frozen. Nothing is born here of its own accord, save for the blight—glowing blue fungi that release their spores into the air. But should these spores find their way into another organism, it begins to mutate and lose its true form, transforming into a vile monstrosity. Covering one's skin is essential for another reason—the caustic stench of the Miasma leaves severe burns.
Here, nothing truly dies either. The corrupted living organisms rot while still alive, yet they can only be slain. The monsters drag out their meaningless existence within the Miasma, for once the transformation is complete, pure air and sunlight cause them agonizing pain. Here, in the Miasma, also dwell those who have not yet lost their minds, yet are transformed — and those who, unwilling to lose it, have sided with the End of Worlds and become apostles of the Riders, demons.
Aetherite lode
Aetherite extraction
The Apple of Discord
As it turned out, every cloud has a silver lining. Research into the Miasma led to the discovery of a valuable resource—aetherite. This white, gleaming essence is found in the veins of caves and ravines throughout the region. Opinions on its origin vary, as do attitudes toward it. Some actively use it, while others fear it.
For example, the Cradle of the Mother considers aetherite a demonic resource and condemns its use. Yet, the benefits of this substance are undeniable. It has enabled unprecedented advances in engineering. The pure essence is used as fuel or a power storage medium for constructs, as aetherite has the ability to retain energy. Crystallized aetherite is used in engines, mechanical wings, and weapons.
Aetherite is a limited resource, and searching for it is both dangerous and time-consuming. Therefore, Aeron and Fiersa—the two genius cities of engineering—fight over every scrap of its deposits. There are no judges in the Miasma, and so, although the cities are not officially in a state of war with each other, the battles are often brutal and devoid of humanity.
Utilization of the Miasma
The Miasma is not a useless part of the land. Some of its features are, in fact, quite valuable. For example, vapors from the Miasma's Swamps, purified of their most vile corruption, are used in cigarettes and incenses because the substance can depress the nervous system, inducing a state of calm or stupor. However, this poison is highly addictive and scorches the lungs.
Furthermore, the vast, uninhabitable territories are used as proving grounds for testing potentially dangerous inventions—from experimental weapons to volatile machinery—whose failures are best contained by the desolate wasteland itself.
