The Hollow of Avarath: A Tale of the Forgotten Ones
There is a place in 4EverMore that is so cursed, so drenched in darkness, that even the bravest of souls tremble when they speak its name. Avarath. The Hollow of Avarath. The very name sends shivers down your spine, like icy fingers gripping your soul.
Once, centuries ago, Avarath was a beautiful village—a peaceful haven for those who sought refuge from the chaos of the outside world. Nestled between towering cliffs and dark, enchanted woods, the village thrived. The villagers were simple folk, living off the land, untouched by the turmoil that ravaged the outer kingdoms. It was said that the village had a secret—an ancient power that flowed beneath its soil, a wellspring of magic that could heal the sick, grant wisdom, and offer protection from even the most vile curses.
But every gift comes with a price.
The villagers, in their naïveté, sought to control the magic. They believed they could harness its power for their own gain, to make their village the most prosperous and untouchable place in all of 4EverMore. So they did what any desperate, power-hungry fool would do—they performed a forbidden ritual. A ritual to commune with the ancient beings that guarded the magic deep within the earth. But the power they summoned was far darker than they ever realized.
The ritual went terribly wrong. Instead of gaining control of the magic, they unleashed it. The ground trembled, the air thickened with shadows, and the village was consumed in a monstrous wave of darkness. The earth itself opened up, swallowing everything in its path. The villagers screamed, but their cries were drowned by the roar of the earth itself, as if the very land rejected them.
When the smoke cleared, Avarath was no more. The village had vanished, swallowed whole by the earth, leaving nothing but a desolate, empty hollow. The trees around it were twisted, their bark blackened and charred, their roots gnarled and reaching like claws into the ground. The air hung heavy with an unnatural stillness, as if even the wind was afraid to pass through.
But the worst part? It wasn’t the village that was lost. It was the souls of the villagers—forever bound to the Hollow of Avarath.
The curse was not just the destruction of the village. The villagers' souls were trapped, forever lingering in the darkness, twisted by the malevolent magic they had released. They became something else—something far more terrifying. Their bodies remained, hollowed out, like forgotten husks. Their spirits, bound to the hollow, were forced to wander for eternity, searching for a way out that would never come. Their eyes, black as coal, glow in the dark, watching, waiting for anyone foolish enough to venture into the hollow.
It is said that those who enter Avarath—whether seeking treasure, forbidden knowledge, or a simple adventure—never return. Their screams echo through the woods as they are slowly driven mad, their minds shattered by the whispers of the lost villagers, their hollow eyes following every step, every breath. Some say that the lost souls of Avarath can still be heard on the wind—low, sorrowful whispers that call out to the living, urging them to come closer. But the moment you step into the hollow, you’re already too late. The villagers don’t need to call you. You will come of your own volition, entranced by the darkness, drawn to the very thing that will destroy you.
And once you enter the Hollow of Avarath, there is no escape.
It is said that the souls of the villagers have become part of the land itself, feeding on the living who dare to trespass. They twist the very earth beneath your feet, pulling you deeper, deeper into the darkness. You’ll think you’ve found your way out, but the path will always lead you back into the heart of the hollow, where the air grows thick with dread, and the shadows stretch like fingers reaching for your throat.
If you listen closely, in the silence of the hollow, you’ll hear the softest whisper of all: "Join us." And you’ll feel an icy breath on the back of your neck, as the villagers move closer, their hollow eyes never blinking.
The Hollow of Avarath remains a cursed place, a tomb for those who dared to tamper with forces they couldn’t control. And for those who seek to find it… remember, the magic never forgets, and neither do the spirits who haunt it. So, if you ever find yourself near the cliffs that mark the entrance to the hollow, turn around. Leave it behind. Because there is no place darker than Avarath, and there is no escape once its hunger has been awakened.
And one more thing: never go looking for the lost souls of Avarath. They’re waiting for you, for all of us—and they don’t take kindly to visitors.
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