The Herald of Emptiness

The Herald of Emptiness is not a single entity, but rather a title, a mantle of dread worn by those who have gazed too long into the Null Fields and returned… changed. These individuals, once ordinary dwarves, become living conduits for the void, their bodies and minds hollowed out, their purpose twisted to serve the Great Unmaking. The first Herald, legend claims, was a member of the Truthseekers, lost during an expedition to chart the Warped Gates. Upon their return, they spoke only in paradoxes and contradictions, their very presence causing objects to fade and decay. Each subsequent Herald has emerged in similar fashion, touched by the Null, spreading its influence like a creeping blight. They are characterized by an utter lack of emotion, their eyes vacant and devoid of light. Their touch is cold, draining the warmth from living beings, and their voices are whispers of forgotten languages, capable of inducing madness in those who listen too closely.

The Heralds are drawn to places of great significance, seeking to unravel the fabric of reality itself. They are often seen near the Vault of Whispers, attempting to unlock its secrets and unleash its hidden horrors upon the world. The Silent Monks of Durin's Peak are constantly on guard, attempting to contain the Heralds' influence and protect the Sunstone of Aethelgard from their touch. The Order of the Azure Hand believes that the Heralds can be controlled, that their power can be harnessed to achieve enlightenment, but their attempts have always ended in disaster. The Crimson Cartographers have attempted to map the Heralds' movements, but their efforts are constantly thwarted by the Heralds' unpredictable nature and their ability to warp reality. The Forgotten Forge of Oblivion could potentially be their undoing. The Shadow-Goblins seem to revere the Heralds, viewing them as harbingers of a new age of darkness. Could they pose a threat to the Cobalt Corsairs and their flying machines? They write in the Chapter of Decay, prophesizing a new one will rise to lead the Chitinous Swarm.