Darkan - Heirs of the Dark Titan
Forged from the Dark Titan's scattered physical essence, they are matter itself given will.
Darkan
Heirs of the Dark Titan
When the Dark Titan was destroyed, its physical form scattered across the cosmos. This matter-dense, powerful, and strangely alive-eventually coalesced into the Darkan. They are not children of evil, but of ambition itself. Their homeland is Redmire, the mountain forges where the greatest smiths craft weapons of unmatched quality.
Bonuses
Children of Matter
"The Void Titan was emptiness. The Dark Titan was substance-the drive to exist, to grow, to become more. When it died, we were born from its corpse. We carry its ambition without its madness. We are what it could have been, if it had ever learned restraint."
High King Thorin Stonefist
Before creation, there were two Titans. The Void Titan represented absence-the concept of nothingness. The Dark Titan represented presence-matter, substance, the drive to exist and expand. Neither was good or evil. They simply were.
When these cosmic forces clashed, they annihilated each other. The Dark Titan's physical form shattered into matter-stone, metal, crystal, earth. Over eons, some of this matter... woke up.
Note
Darkan are literally made from the Dark Titan's corpse. This doesn't make them evil-the Dark Titan wasn't evil, merely ambitious beyond sanity. The Darkan inherited its drive without its cosmic madness. They are ambition given form, but tempered by mortal wisdom.
The Nature of Stone
Being forged from Titan matter grants unique traits:
- Primordial Strength - Their bodies are denser than normal flesh, granting immense physical power
- The Forge Memory - Some Darkan can "remember" being molten rock, being shaped by cosmic forces
- Earth Bond - They feel the planet's heartbeat, the movement of stone, the singing of metals
- The Hunger Echo - Deep within, they feel echoes of the Dark Titan's insatiable drive to consume and grow
The Darkan's History
The Coalescence
Deep beneath the surface, in places of immense pressure, the Dark Titan's scattered matter began to merge. Over millions of years, this matter developed awareness, then consciousness, then civilization.
The Emergence
When earthquakes shattered their primordial caverns, the Darkan rose to the surface for the first time. They found a world already inhabited-and initially saw it as something to conquer.
The Surface Wars
The Darkan's inherited ambition drove them to expand. They clashed with surface dwellers repeatedly, nearly destroying both civilizations. This period is a source of shame for modern Darkan.
The Great Tempering
A philosopher-king named Grimjaw the Wise united the Darkan clans and taught them a crucial lesson: the Dark Titan fell because its ambition had no restraint. True strength lies not in endless expansion, but in knowing when to stop.
The Treaty of Stone
The Darkan made peace with surface races, sharing mineral wealth in exchange for trade goods and mutual defense. This alliance has held for centuries.
The Abyssal Age
Now Darkan fight alongside other races against Marael's forces. Their inherited strength makes them invaluable warriors. Their understanding of cosmic forces helps combat the Anguish Stone's corruption.
The Hunger Within
The Dark Titan's Echo
Every Darkan carries an echo of the Dark Titan's drive-a whisper that says more, grow, consume, expand. Most manage this instinct easily, channeling it into productive ambition. But some Darkan fall to what they call the Hunger: an overwhelming need to acquire that consumes all reason.
Darkan who succumb become Titan-Touched-beings of immense power and zero restraint. They must be stopped by their kin, a duty Darkan take seriously. It is their responsibility to contain what remains of their progenitor's madness.
Culture
The Forge Philosophy
Darkan believe all things can be shaped through will and effort. Their society values craftsmanship, discipline, and the transformation of raw material into refined excellence-including themselves.
Clan Structure
Darkan organize into clans, each led by a Stone Father or Stone Mother. The High King is elected from among clan leaders and serves until death or failure.
The Oath Binding
A Darkan's word is considered literally unbreakable. Oaths physically bind them-breaking an oath causes genuine spiritual damage. This trait makes them the most trusted diplomats and merchants in Arcania.
Ancestor Forges
Rather than burying their dead, Darkan return them to the earth through sacred forges. The ashes honor those who came before, and the forges continue their legacy of craftsmanship.
Starting Stats
| Attribute | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | +4 | Titan matter grants immense power |
| Vitality | +4 | Bodies built to endure |
Tip
Darkan have the highest starting Strength and Vitality bonuses, making them the premier choice for tank and melee DPS builds.
Available Classes
Paladin
Mage
WarriorVisual Traits
- Large, muscular builds
- Stone-like or metallic skin
- Earthy hair colors (brown, black, gray)
Notable Figures
High King Thorin Stonefist
Current ruler of the Darkan, elected after the previous king fell in battle against Marael's forces. He is a voice of pragmatic strength in the Grand Alliance.
Grimjaw the Wise
The philosopher-king who ended the Surface Wars by teaching restraint. His writings form the foundation of modern Darkan ethics.
The First Carver
Mythical founder who carved the first city from raw stone with bare hands. Whether they truly existed is debated.
General Grimjaw II
Hero of the Demon Wars (and descendant of the Wise), whose tactics broke the first major demonic incursion. A legendary warrior.
The Unforged
A Darkan who rejected their physical form, seeking to become pure consciousness like the Void Titan. Whether they succeeded or simply died is unknown.
Lore Connections
The Underdeep
The vast underground realm where Darkan civilization flourishes. More than caves-it's a fully realized world beneath the surface.
- Crystal Caverns - Mining hub with precious gem deposits
- The Fungal Forest - Bioluminescent mushroom jungle
- Stoneheart City - Magnificent carved capital
- The Abyss - A bottomless pit even Darkan fear
The Anguish Resistance
Because Darkan are made of Titan matter, they have a unique relationship with the Anguish. They're partially resistant to its corruption-but they also feel echoes of it more strongly. Some say the Anguish Stone calls to them.
The Forge Guilds
Darkan-forged equipment is the finest in Arcania. Their volcanic steel weapons are renowned for quality. Their armor is legendary for durability.
Redemption Philosophy
Many Darkan feel they must atone for their progenitor's cosmic ambition. This drives many to become Paladins-Dark Titan's children serving the Light.
The Forged Philosophy
"We are what remains of cosmic ambition. We could have been monsters-the Hunger proves it. But we chose differently. We forged ourselves as we forge steel: with heat, pressure, and will. We are what the Dark Titan could never be: controlled."
The Darkan do not worship the Dark Titan. They understand it was a force of nature-not evil, but not good either. Simply expansion without end, ambition without restraint. A universe of only Dark Titan would have been matter crushing matter forever.
But they do not hate their progenitor either. The drive to grow, to build, to create-these are not sins. The Darkan channel their inherited ambition into positive ends: craftsmanship, protection, achievement.
They are the Heirs of the Dark Titan-children of cosmic matter who chose to be more than their origin. They are what happens when ambition learns wisdom.
The Forge Creed
"From raw stone, I was carved. Through fire, I was tested. By pressure, I was strengthened. My word is mountain. My will is iron. I am Darkan. I am forged."
- Traditional Darkan oath