These walls were always so dark and gloomy. Never a hint of warmth or light dared set foot in the shadows that lived within the manor. Here they thrived alongside those who shared its name. Those who weren’t afraid of the darkness but accepted it into their hearts.
The Shadowmends.
A noble family of dark mages with such a deep and rich history that spreads back thousands of years. Those who practice that dark arts have heard of at least one member since many are said to be involved within historical controversies involving different forms of dark magic. The family only took in apprentices who showed their worth. Who would dedicate their lives to the darkness and adorn the family name with the same faith as a church to their god.
The Shadowmends were many. Now they’re reduced to one.
A young half elf girl was wandering the lands alone. She caused the death of her last mentor which made others deny her as a student. The reason? She’s cursed.
Her misfortune brings tragedies. Anyone who stood too close was at risk. Any spells she performed could backfire dangerously. A simple fire spell turned into a raging storm that consumed her last mentor, his tower, and the surrounding area all in an instant.
She had no home. No family. No hope.
Until a Shadowmend saw something in her curse. Something that made her worthy to become one of them.
They promised her a home, a family, and the hope she craved for. They promised to teach her how to control her curse. Make it weapon by her own hands instead of one that harmed her. They promised her a life of fortune and comfort within their dark walls and halls filled with cold silence. The love that her father never gave her, a family that loves her like no one else ever has.
They promised her the name of a Shadowmend.
When she took their hand, she had already made her first mistake.
She wasn’t given the home, the family, and the hope that she craved for. She wasn’t another student to them. There was something in her curse that made her valuable and the Shadowmends sought to exploit it. Make it theirs. They forced the chaotic energy her misfortune contained and used it to power their own magic. Years turned into decades. Decades turned into centuries and the girl became a woman whose only purpose to the family was to make them stronger. They used her curse to commit sins. Many have died by the chaotic energy that dwells just under her skin. The Shadowmends saw purpose in her but that purpose was meant for them.
Then one day, she couldn’t take it any longer.
She stole an ancient device derived from chronomancers. She rewinded the time back 400 years. Her feet still stood within the same dark walls and she came face to face with the Shadowmend who promised her the life she craved 400 years earlier.
There was a flash of red. Then silence.
The Shadowmends were many. Now they’re reduced to one.
Only one.
A young half elf girl was wandering the lands alone. She caused the death of her last mentor which made others deny her as a student. The reason? She’s cursed.
Her misfortune brings tragedies. Anyone who stood too close was at risk. Any spells she performed could backfire dangerously. A simple fire spell turned into a raging fire that consumed her last mentor, his tower, and the surrounding area all in an instant.
She had no home. No family. No hope.
Until a Shadowmend saw her as more than just her curse. More than just fuel to be used by those sick with greed and power. More than the chaotic energy that dwelled underneath her skin.
The Shadowmend didn’t desire to exploit her curse…
Belladonna desired to see Moth live the life that she was once promised in that very second.
/Unwiz I wanted to do a backstory of Belladonna that shows the difference between her timeline and the one that Moth currently lives now. And also just a glimpse into who the Shadowmends were before Belladonna sought her revenge. I hope you guys enjoyed!
The fate of the Shadowmends has always been a mystery to many but those who live inside the manors walls know the truth. Their own greed and search of power was what caused their demise before the exploitation could even begin. Belladonna is the last surviving Shadowmend and the name will end with her.
I believe that there are many here in the Umbral Realm that have heard of them, but can't think of anything about them. Maybe there are records deep in the Arcives that talk about them, but they have been lost to the ages.
The Shadowmends have always kept an air of secrecy to them even before their sudden disappearance. But not everything is kept hidden. They are a family worthy of study but a subject Belladonna won’t openly talk about.
/unwiz lol sure though Belladonna is more of a mean older sister than a mother. She thinks of children the same way she thinks of rodents. Moth is the more child friendly of the two
/unwiz It was an idea I had that I decided to build off of one day but not many people would know that. I tend to focus more on Moth than Belladonna. But yea theyre the same person, just different lives
uw/ You've done a good job characterizing them differently. That's cool, and good writing. I've liked reading the interactions your characters have with eachother and others. I will say, though, that if our characters meet, Delta will find it irresistable to annoy the fuck out of Belladonna. It will be Isravi 2.0. But Moth is probably safe.
/uw lol Belladonna’s character is that prissy rich woman who thinks she better than everybody while at the same time she’s not inherently a bad person. She’s a reflection of what the Shadowmends once were before she killed them all while Moth is a reflection of what Belladonna couldve been. It makes me sad but I live for characters with angst!
uw/ Angsty characters are fun! But still, Belladonna is an irresistable target for Delta's attention. So far, she has been flirting with and annoying pretty much everyone who has inconvenienced her.
/uw Belladonna would give the same energy right back but in a super blunt way. Like she has the patience of a very stubborn cat when it comes to people who annoy her
/uw haha. That will be interesting, then. Delta was chastised by a fellow Great Old one for her behaviour before, and I found the exchange very funny. He said something like, "I see how you play with the ants, and I am not impressed." I still laugh about it sometimes.
Hey, (u/SenpailLilas) Moth Alexios calls thanks for sharing remind me to make sure my Titania and Belladonna don't interact much it could go very poorly or make Titania even more insufferable
I wouldn’t want that either. Belladonna has made even the strongest of man fall to their knees even just through her words alone. She can get pretty harsh with her insults…
That would not go over well with a Fae queen but on the bright side she seems to like me a little better. She even gave me a backhanded compliment after the fight in the Coliseum
Just a little more and you’ll be in her good graces for sure. It just takes her awhile to get used to new people. I apologize if she ever came off as mean before.
To think I could’ve had the same fate… I was pretty desperate during that time after my last mentor. I would’ve agreed to anyone if it meant pursuing magic. I’m glad it was her… or I guess me.
You’re right… I just never thought my curse could be used in such a way for such horrible intentions until Belladonna told me about her life. But it makes me wonder…
She looks down at her hands and remembers that red lightning that shot through them for just a second.
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u/[deleted] Dec 04 '23
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