Zaladria, the Shadow Queen

Zaladria, the Shadow Queen, is a figure of darkness and manipulation, revered as the mistress of deceit and illusions. Emerging from the shadow realm, she wields her powers to ensnare mortal minds and twist perceptions, thriving on secrets and hidden agendas. Her cult, the Cult of Shadows, worships her as the embodiment of cunning, performing her bidding for a taste of her dark powers. Rumored to hold forbidden knowledge, Zaladria lures seekers into her intricate traps, weaving webs of intrigue that threaten Ravensgate’s lockdown and potentially drive the plague’s spread.

Description:
Zaladria stands tall and regal, draped in a flowing cloak of inky darkness. Her ethereal form shifts, melting into shadows, obscuring her true nature. Her eyes gleam with hypnotic allure, ensnaring those who meet her gaze. Her seductive whisper, dripping with venomous charm, bends even resolute wills. Moving with unearthly grace, her steps leave no trace as she glides through darkness. The air grows heavy in her presence, light dimming under her oppressive aura. Zaladria’s power lies in manipulating perceptions, leaving victims lost in a labyrinth of illusions and half-truths.

History:
Zaladria’s influence on Ecliptica began in ancient times, with pre-Aetherian myths naming her the “Weaver of Lies,” ensnaring tribal leaders with false visions that toppled kingdoms. In the Aetherian Empire, her Cult of Shadows infiltrated Nocturne’s courts, spreading deceit that sparked the “Nightveil Betrayal,” where nobles turned on allies, weakening the empire. This manipulation set the stage for the Calamity of the Void (300 years ago).

During the Calamity, the Cult of Shadows exploited Veil weaknesses, summoning Zaladria’s essence to weave illusions that maddened Sylvaris druids, creating the “Shadowplague,” a psychic affliction that distorted reality and fueled chaos. Valthorne spies, swayed by her whispers, betrayed their generals, losing key strongholds. Ironreach alchemists crafted “Duskshards,” artifacts that spread illusory plagues, crumbling infrastructure. Zaladria was partially sealed in the shadow realm, but her influence persists through rifts.

In Ravensgate’s lockdown, Zaladria’s presence surges. The Cult of Shadows, based in the District of Secrets, performs rituals at the Veilcrypt, using Duskshards to weaken anchors and summon her essence. Refugees report visions of shifting shadows hiding plague sources, suggesting Zaladria’s knowledge could unlock the plague’s origin or deepen its spread. Plague Doctors must navigate her deceptions to uncover the truth.

Characters:

  1. Shadowmistress Veyra

    • Description: Cult of Shadows leader, inky robes, hypnotic eyes.

    • Backstory: Secrets District zealot, weaves Zaladria’s illusions to spread deceit. Fights players (CR 4, Cult Fanatic) to protect Duskshards.

  2. Dr. Lyssara Duskweave

    • Description: Science District alchemist, shadowed veil, wary gaze.

    • Backstory: Crafts anti-plague serums, tainted by Zaladria’s illusions. Offers samples (Investigation DC 16) but fears spreading Shadowplague.

  3. Lord Sylas Nightcrown

    • Description: Iron Quill noble, dark cloak, sly smile.

    • Backstory: Spires schemer, pacts with Zaladria for secrets, hoards Duskshards. Trades relics for power (Persuasion DC 15).

  4. Rhea Shadowwind

    • Description: Skyrunners’ Guild pilot, inky leathers, trembling.

    • Backstory: Mists smuggler, saw Zaladria’s illusion in a rift, trades reagents but fears deception (Insight DC 14).

  5. Sister Vionna Gloomveil

    • Description: Saffron Veil healer, shadowed robes, steady hands.

    • Backstory: Shadows medic, resists Zaladria’s lies, seeks Duskshards to stop plague visions. Tasks rift-sealing (Religion DC 14).

  6. Toren Duskforge

    • Description: Ironreach smith, shadow-scarred hands, grim face.

    • Backstory: Iron District forger, crafted Duskshards, aids Plague Doctors to atone. Offers lockdown tech (Arcana DC 15).

  7. Sylva Nightbloom

    • Description: Verdant Covenant druid, shadowed vines, calm gaze.

    • Backstory: Mists herbalist, purifies Mistspire from Zaladria’s illusions, trades anti-plague herbs (Nature DC 12).

  8. Captain Myron Shadeblade

    • Description: City Watch officer, dark helm, paranoid stare.

    • Backstory: Order District guard, touched by Zaladria’s deceit, tasks players to destroy Duskshards (Persuasion DC 14).

  9. Zorath Gloomwrack

    • Description: Ebon Star cultist, shadowed tattoos, manic grin.

    • Backstory: Desolation zealot, spreads Zaladria’s Shadowplague, fights players (CR 3, Cult Fanatic).

  10. Madame Elyra Nightweave

    • Description: Syndicate seer, inky veil, cunning whisper.

    • Backstory: Shadows fortune-teller, uses Zaladria’s visions to scam refugees, trades plague lore (Deception DC 14).

Past Interactions with Denizens:
Zaladria’s interactions with Ecliptica’s denizens are defined by deception and manipulation through her Cult of Shadows. In the Aetherian Empire, the cult sowed discord in Nocturne, using illusions to spark betrayals that weakened the empire. During the Calamity, they weakened the Veil, summoning Zaladria’s essence to unleash the Shadowplague, maddening Sylvaris druids and turning forests into illusory traps. Valthorne spies, swayed by her whispers, betrayed allies, losing strongholds to shadow-realms. Ironreach alchemists crafted Duskshards, spreading psychic plagues that distorted reality. In pre-lockdown Ravensgate, the “Nightveil Riots” saw Spires nobles manipulated by Zaladria’s illusions, turning on each other in paranoia. Now, the Cult of Shadows exploits Veil rifts in the District of Secrets, using Duskshards to summon Zaladria’s essence, intensifying the plague. Survivors like Sister Vionna resist, seeking to destroy Duskshards, while others, like Zorath Gloomwrack, embrace her deceit, believing it will unravel reality to reveal forbidden truths. Plague Doctors must navigate her illusions to uncover the plague’s source, risking entrapment in her web of lies.