Dark Affliction

Overview

Difficulty/Rarity Level: ★★★★☆ (medium-high, rare)

Companions touched by the Dark Affliction embody the enigmatic allure and immense power of shadows, granting them unparalleled mastery over shadow energy and stealth. They blend into their surroundings, manipulate the battlefield with precision, and command the essence of darkness to evade, disorient, or dominate their enemies. While their abilities grow stronger with time, their reliance on shadow-rich environments and the energy costs of their powers create a balance of danger and opportunity that demands careful control.

Core Traits

Regardless of their level, all Dark Afflicted Companions share the following characteristics:

• Dark Shard Dependency: Companions with this Affliction must consume Dark Shards to stabilize their energy. These shards are deep black with faint streaks of violet, resembling polished obsidian. They can be found in shadowed areas like ancient ruins, deep caves, or places imbued with secrecy and fear. Ambient shards can also be absorbed through prolonged exposure to shadow-rich environments.
• Void-Like Eyes: Their eyes appear as endless voids, faintly reflecting light or revealing swirling patterns of darkness when their powers are active. This eerie feature marks their deep connection to shadow energy.
  • Light Sensitivity: Bright light disrupts their abilities, dulls their senses, and saps their strength, forcing them to retreat to shaded areas for recovery.
• Silent Presence: These Companions instinctively move with an unnatural quiet, muffling their steps even on noisy terrain. This innate stillness enhances their stealth but may create unease in allies or companions.
• Living Shadows: Shadows around them ripple subtly or stretch unnaturally toward them, especially during moments of heightened focus or emotion. These effects can unsettle others or unintentionally reveal their presence.
  • Shadow Instability: Intense emotional states or overuse of their abilities can cause shadows to behave unpredictably, potentially alarming allies or drawing unwanted attention.
• Ethereal Chill: A faint chill accompanies their presence, growing more pronounced in enclosed or dark spaces. This effect may unnerve those unaccustomed to their presence but helps create an air of mystique.
• Shadow Affinity: These Companions thrive in shadowed or dimly lit environments, where their abilities are amplified, and their energy replenishes naturally. Environments rich in shadow energy empower them, while light-drenched settings weaken their effectiveness.

Why pick a Dark Afflicted Companion?

Dark Afflicted Companions stand out for their deep connection to shadow energy and their ability to manipulate and command the battlefield with stealth and precision. Their Affliction offers a blend of mystery, strategy, and adaptability, making them an excellent choice for players who enjoy companions with an enigmatic aesthetic and dynamic abilities rooted in stealth, deception, and environmental control.

What Makes Dark Afflicted Companions Unique?

• Shadow Manipulation: Dark Afflicted Companions can manipulate shadows to create decoys, barriers, or traps, evolving into powerful tools for offense, defense, and utility.
• Stealth and Evasion: Their silent movements and natural affinity for shadows make them exceptional at avoiding detection, blending seamlessly into their surroundings.
• Battlefield Control: As they progress, their abilities grow to encompass large-scale environmental manipulation, enabling them to disorient enemies and protect allies.
• Energy Dependency: Their reliance on shadow energy introduces a layer of strategy, requiring players to manage their environments carefully to maintain their Companion’s effectiveness.
• Manifestations of Fear: These Companions harness the unsettling aspects of shadow, using their abilities to instill fear, hesitation, or confusion in enemies, giving them a psychological edge in combat.

Is a Dark Afflicted Companion Right for You?

If you’re looking for a Companion that blends a mysterious aesthetic with versatile abilities, excels in stealth and battlefield control, and offers opportunities for thrilling and dynamic storytelling, a Dark Afflicted Companion can be an intriguing and rewarding choice.

Bonding Process Suggestion

Out of character, you will need to purchase your character's Companions through the Bonding form, or receive them for free with an in-character post. In character, this is a possible method a character might use to bond with a Dark Afflicted Companions; it is not mandatory to follow this exact process though, so if you have another idea please feel free!

Initial Contact:

• Locate the Companion in a shadowed or dimly lit area, such as a cave, abandoned ruins, or beneath dense foliage at night.
• Approach slowly and deliberately, avoiding sudden movements that might startle them.
• Kneel or sit in a non-threatening posture, allowing the Companion to observe you from a safe distance.
• Avoid direct eye contact, as it may be perceived as a challenge or intrusion.
• Light a small, flickering lantern or candle, creating a pool of soft light surrounded by shadow. Place it down and step back, allowing the Companion to observe your offering.

Building Trust:

• Return frequently to the same location, maintaining a calm and consistent presence.
• Spend time in quiet meditation nearby, allowing your energy to harmonize with the stillness of the shadows.
• Whisper softly into the darkness, sharing gentle affirmations or quiet observations to show openness and intent.
• Gradually close the distance over multiple visits, ensuring the Companion dictates the pace.
• When the Companion shows signs of acceptance, offer gentle touch, focusing on areas such as their neck or shoulders where they feel safest.
• Share moments of silence together, allowing mutual comfort to develop.

Deepening the Bond:

• Over time, the Companion may begin to share fleeting visions or impressions with you, often through the flicker of nearby shadows.
• Shadows may start to respond subtly to your presence, bending or shifting in ways that mirror the Companion's intent.
• Engage in shared moments of stillness, such as sitting quietly together during twilight or moonlit nights.
• As trust solidifies, the Companion will guide you to a secluded place of significance.
• In this sacred space, they will present you with a crystallized fragment of shadow—a Dark Shard—imbued with their trust and essence.
  • These shards are often kept as tokens of the bond, fashioned into protective jewelry or talismans.

DARK AFFLICTED COMPANION LEVELING

Capabilities & Difficulties: Most Companions with this Affliction will follow the progression path outlined below, however, as long as you stay within the bounds of your Companion's current level and purchased talents, we allow for some flexibility in interpretation. The capabilities and difficulties are those that all Afflicted of the appropriate level may have access to -- not every Companion will be extremely proficient in every Capability, and not every Companion will be affected as badly, or in the same way, by a Difficulty.

Level 0 [0 Shards]

At Level 0, the Dark Affliction represents the raw, untamed state of the Companion’s connection to shadow energy. It manifests as a pervasive stillness and an unsettling aura, making the Companion unpredictable and difficult to approach. While the Affliction hints at its immense potential, it is predominantly a burden at this stage.

Capabilities:

• Veil of Shadows: The Companion instinctively dampens their presence in dimly lit areas, making them harder to notice unless actively searched for.
• Whispered Awareness: Their partner experiences faint, fleeting impressions of hidden dangers or unseen movements in shadowed environments, though these insights are vague and sometimes unreliable.

Difficulties:

• Light Sensitivity: Exposure to bright light causes discomfort and saps the Companion’s energy, dulling their abilities.
• Unstable Shadow Field: Shadows around the Companion may ripple or distort uncontrollably, occasionally alarming allies or drawing attention.
• Emotional Distance: The Companion’s reserved nature makes it harder to form bonds, leaving others unsure of their intentions.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• Shadows near the Companion subtly shift or stretch, often appearing to "reach" toward them.
• The Companion’s presence seems to dampen sound, creating a faint, unsettling stillness in their vicinity.
• Their eyes appear like endless voids, reflecting minimal light and hinting at the depth of their Affliction.

Level I [150 Shards]

At Level I, the Companion’s control over their shadow energy improves, allowing for more focused and deliberate use of their abilities. Their bond with their partner deepens, granting greater synergy. However, their reliance on shadowed environments and the volatility of their Affliction remain significant obstacles.

Capabilities:

• Shadowmeld: The Companion can merge into shadows, becoming indistinct and difficult to perceive. While motionless, they are almost impossible to detect in dimly lit or dark areas.
• Eclipse Reach: The Companion can extend shadows to briefly obscure or distract nearby targets, creating a fleeting advantage in combat or stealth situations
• Shaded Veil: The partner is subtly obscured by surrounding shadows, making them harder to notice and slightly muffling their movements in dim environments.
• Warding Shade: A faint layer of shadow energy surrounds the partner, reducing minor harm from ranged attacks or sudden environmental hazards. The shield dissipates quickly under bright light.

Difficulties:

• Shadow Dependency: Prolonged exposure to bright light significantly weakens the Companion, forcing them to retreat to shaded areas to recover their strength.
• Shadow Feedback: Overextending their abilities can cause shadows to behave unpredictably, potentially disorienting the Companion or nearby allies.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• Shadows around the Companion may appear to flicker or writhe slightly, as if alive.
• A faint aura of darkness might linger around them, subtly dimming the light within a small radius.
• Their voice may take on an eerie, resonant quality in the dark, like a whisper echoing through a void.

Level II [250 Shards]

At Level II, the Companion’s connection to shadow energy becomes more refined, granting them greater control and creativity in wielding their abilities. Their bond with their partner strengthens, opening new ways to work together effectively. However, the unpredictable nature of their Affliction and their growing dependency on shadowed environments pose increasing challenges.

Capabilities:

• Shadow Sculpting: Building on their earlier abilities, the Companion can now shape shadows into rudimentary forms, such as barriers, decoys, or tendrils that grasp or distract. These constructs remain fleeting but are effective in combat or stealth scenarios.
• Cloak of Dread: The Companion can exude an oppressive aura of fear within a small radius, unsettling nearby enemies and making them hesitant to approach or act decisively.
• Obscured Path: Through their bond, the partner can sense and navigate through shadowed environments with ease, instinctively avoiding obstacles or ambushes.
• Shared Dread: Enemies affected by the Companion’s Cloak of Dread are slightly more likely to overlook or underestimate the partner, creating opportunities for stealth or escape.

Difficulties:

• Instability of Form: Shadow constructs created by the Companion are fragile and can shatter or dissolve under bright light or sustained attacks, potentially backfiring in critical moments.
• Aura Spillover: The Companion’s Cloak of Dread may unintentionally affect allies, causing unease or hesitation in close quarters.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• Shadows around the Companion may take on faint, distorted shapes, resembling flickering figures or tendrils.
• A faint, smoky haze might emanate from their body in dim light, vanishing in brighter conditions.
• The air near the Companion may feel heavier, as though the darkness itself carries weight.
• Their voice might deepen subtly during moments of intense focus, carrying an almost hypnotic resonance.

Level III [350 Shards]

At Level III, the Companion’s mastery over shadow energy deepens, allowing them to manipulate darkness with precision and ingenuity. Their growing synergy with their partner enhances their cooperative potential, while their powers expand to new heights. Yet, the volatile nature of their abilities and the strain of prolonged use create significant obstacles to overcome.

Capabilities:

• Void Snare: The Companion can manipulate shadows into tendrils that bind or entangle enemies, temporarily immobilizing them or restricting their movements. These tendrils dissolve if exposed to bright light.
• Gloomstep: The Companion can momentarily step into one shadow and emerge from another within a short distance, allowing for rapid repositioning or evasion in shadowed areas.
• Shared Shadows: The partner gains the ability to move slightly faster and more quietly in shadowed environments, as if the darkness itself aids their steps.
• Umbral Link: The partner can briefly draw on the Companion’s shadow energy, enhancing their next action. Whether it’s improving their stealth, speed, or ability to evade, this connection offers a decisive edge in shadowed environments.

Difficulties:

• Shadow Fragility: Constructs and abilities, such as Void Snare, are easily disrupted by bright light or concentrated energy, leaving the Companion vulnerable.
• Dimensional Strain: Overusing Gloomstep causes disorientation, dizziness, or temporary exhaustion, limiting its frequency in prolonged encounters.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• Shadows near the Companion may appear to writhe or form vague, indistinct shapes, especially when they are focused or agitated.
• The Companion’s presence might cause faint whispers or indistinct murmurs, as though the shadows themselves are alive.
• A soft, dark shimmer may trail their movements, as if the darkness clings to them.
• Their form might appear slightly blurred or indistinct at the edges in dim light, as if they are partially merging with the shadows around them.

Level IV [450 Shards]

At Level IV, the Companion’s connection to shadow energy reaches a new level of mastery, granting them greater control and ingenuity in manipulating darkness. Their bond with their partner strengthens further, enhancing their coordination and mutual resilience. However, the complexity of their refined abilities introduces unique challenges, requiring careful focus to wield their growing power effectively.

Capabilities:

• Umbra Nexus: The Companion can create a swirling vortex of shadows that pulls in objects or enemies within a small radius, slowing their movements and obscuring their vision. The nexus dissipates after a short duration or if exposed to bright light.
• Spectral Veil: The Companion can briefly turn incorporeal, allowing them to phase through thin obstacles or avoid physical attacks. This ability is limited in duration and requires intense focus to control.
• Shadowed Synchrony: The Companion and their partner move in perfect unison when in shadowed environments, granting both increased agility and coordination during combat or exploration.
• Shadow Refuge: The partner can call upon the Companion’s energy to create a small dome of shadows that temporarily conceals them and nearby allies. This refuge provides cover from detection and weakens ranged attacks that pass through it but fades quickly in bright environments.

Difficulties:

• Volatile Nexus: The Umbra Nexus is unstable, and if disrupted by bright light or energy, it may collapse violently, causing confusion or unintended damage.
• Draining Incorporeality: Spectral Veil requires significant energy, and frequent use can leave the Companion physically and mentally exhausted.
• Fractured Focus: As their powers grow more intricate, the Companion’s control over their abilities may falter under stress, leading to erratic or unintended effects.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• When using Umbra Nexus, faint, ethereal shapes may flicker within the vortex, as though shadows themselves are alive and watching.
• Spectral Veil might leave behind a faint, ghostly afterimage of the Companion as they phase through objects.
• The Companion’s form may subtly ripple or shimmer at the edges in dim light, as if partially dissolving into shadow.
• Their voice might carry a layered, echoing quality when invoking their abilities, creating an eerie and commanding presence.

Level V [550 Shards]

At Level V, the Companion’s connection to shadow energy reaches a level of mastery that is both versatile and formidable. Their abilities take on a more refined, tactical edge, allowing them to manipulate darkness in powerful and unexpected ways. The bond with their partner grows stronger, amplifying their synergy. However, the energy demands of their abilities and the strain of their expanding powers introduce new challenges to overcome.

Capabilities:

• Abyssal Pulse: The Companion can unleash a wave of shadow energy in a wide radius, disorienting enemies and obscuring their vision temporarily. The pulse also disrupts light-based abilities, creating a tactical advantage in combat.
• Shadow Dominion: The Companion gains the ability to shape an entire area with shadow energy, creating a localized zone of darkness. Within this zone, their constructs, barriers, or decoys become more resilient, and enemies experience reduced visibility and disorientation. The effect dissipates in bright conditions or after a short duration.
• Umbra Conduit: The partner can briefly channel the Companion’s shadow energy to amplify their own physical or mental capabilities, such as increased speed, heightened awareness, or enhanced strength. The effect is temporary and fades rapidly outside of shadowed areas.
• Eclipsing Shade: The partner is enveloped by a shifting layer of shadows during combat, briefly concealing them completely when they remain still, making it difficult for enemies to target them.

Difficulties:

• Reverberating Shadows: The large-scale manipulation of shadows can create lingering distortions in the environment, affecting visibility or disorienting allies if not carefully controlled.
• Draining Dominion: Maintaining Shadow Dominion for extended periods taxes the Companion’s energy reserves, leaving them temporarily weakened after its use.
• Overlapping Presence: In areas rich with shadow energy, the Companion’s growing mastery may unintentionally draw the attention of other shadow-affiliated entities, increasing the risk of conflict.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• When activating Abyssal Pulse, faint, ghostly shapes might flicker briefly within the expanding shadows, vanishing as the pulse fades.
• Their shadow may stretch unnaturally long during moments of focus, even in normal lighting, as though responding to unseen forces.
• When standing still, their silhouette might blend seamlessly with nearby shadows, making them appear partially invisible in dim conditions.
• A faint, almost imperceptible whispering sound might emanate from the Companion during intense focus, creating an eerie atmosphere.

Level VI [650 Shards]

At Level VI, the Companion’s mastery over shadow energy reaches a pinnacle of precision and versatility. Their abilities allow them to dominate the battlefield and environment with their command of darkness. Their bond with their partner deepens, enabling seamless collaboration. However, the energy demands and risks of wielding such immense power introduce new and complex challenges.

Capabilities:

• Eclipse Field: The Companion can create a large sphere of pure darkness that obscures vision and muffles sound within its radius. Enemies inside the field become disoriented, while the Companion’s partner can see faint outlines of movement and hear subtle sounds, granting them a critical advantage.
• Void Tether: The Companion can generate a tendril of shadow energy that binds them to an enemy or object. The tether drains energy from the target while transferring a portion of the stolen vitality or focus to their partner. If the tether breaks prematurely, it releases a shockwave that disorients the target and slows their movements temporarily.
• Shadow Conduit: The Companion’s bond with their partner allows their partner to channel a burst of shadow energy to enhance their next attack or ability. The boost increases their power or precision, particularly in dimly lit environments.
• Protective Shroud: In moments of danger, the Companion instinctively extends a thin layer of shadow energy around their partner, reducing the impact of minor attacks and partially obscuring them from view.

Difficulties:

• Energy Collapse: Maintaining Eclipse Field over an extended period drains the Companion rapidly, leaving them unable to act until they recover in complete darkness.
• Tether Instability: Severing Void Tether prematurely causes a feedback shock that briefly stuns the Companion and reduces their partner’s stamina.
• Overexertion Strain: Using multiple advanced abilities in quick succession risks overwhelming the Companion, leading to a temporary inability to summon or manipulate shadow energy.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• Shadows may leave faint trails in the air, resembling wisps of smoke that dissolve slowly after the Companion moves or uses a major ability.
• Tiny, star-like points of light might shimmer within the Companion’s shadow in complete darkness, as if the void contains hidden depths.
• Parts of the Companion’s body might seem to fade entirely into shadow when focusing intently, leaving only indistinct outlines.
• Nearby creatures might feel an inexplicable sense of being watched when standing close to the Companion, even when nothing is visibly present.

Level VII [750 Shards]

At Level VII, the Companion’s command over shadow energy transforms into a force of unparalleled precision and creativity. Their powers now reshape their surroundings with ease, and the arrival of a shadow-forged familiar extends their reach and influence. Their bond with their partner amplifies the connection, fostering deep tactical synergy. However, the energy demands and lingering risks of shadow manipulation remain ever-present.

Capabilities:

• Ebon Familiar: The Companion can summon a familiar born from the pure essence of shadow energy. This familiar manifests in a small but distinct form (e.g., a shadowy panther-like creature, a serpent wreathed in flowing darkness, or creatures with ghostly, indistinct edges that shift like mist). It can scout, distract enemies, or assist in combat by striking from obscured angles or disrupting enemy formations. The familiar is highly adaptive, adjusting to the Companion’s intent, but its existence is tied to the Companion’s energy reserves and will dissipate if those are depleted.
• Eventide Maw: The Companion creates a massive, gaping shadow beneath their enemies, temporarily locking them in place and disorienting them. The maw can deal minor damage over time by sapping their strength and focus. This ability excels in holding foes for coordinated strikes with their partner or creating openings for retreat.
• Shadowbond Synergy: The Companion and their partner share heightened awareness through their bond, allowing the partner to seamlessly predict movements and act in harmony. This synergy amplifies reaction time and ensures flawless coordination in fast-paced situations.
• Duskward Barrier: A protective field of shadow energy encases the partner, softening incoming attacks and dulling the effects of elemental or magical hazards while allowing them to strike back unimpeded.

Difficulties:

• Familiar Dependency: The Ebon Familiar requires a significant portion of the Companion’s energy to maintain. Overusing it risks depleting their reserves, leaving both vulnerable.
• Maw Rebound: If Eventide Maw fails to anchor its targets or is disrupted, the resulting backlash momentarily stuns the Companion, leaving them exposed.
• Unstable Shroud: The widespread manipulation of shadows can unintentionally distort the environment, creating areas of unpredictable darkness that may hinder allies or obscure vital details.

Quirks & Cosmetic Changes (optional):

• The familiar has its own unique design, appearing as a sleek creature wreathed in flowing darkness. Its eyes may glow like smoldering embers, and its movements are fluid and predatory, leaving faint trails of shadow in its wake.
• When summoning the familiar, dark, intricate patterns may bloom across the Companion’s body, rippling with faint energy.
• Eventide Maw may cause fleeting, spectral hands or tendrils to reach upward from the shadows, vanishing as the ability dissipates.
• The air near the Companion might feel cooler, as if the shadows themselves are drawing heat away, becoming more noticeable during moments of heightened power.
• Nearby objects may subtly tilt or shift toward the Companion during moments of intense focus, as if drawn by an unseen gravitational pull.

Level VIII [850+ Shards]

At Level VIII, the Companion ascends to their ultimate specialization, choosing one of several paths that embody their mastery over shadow energy and define their role in the world. These specializations represent the culmination of their journey, unlocking unparalleled abilities and shaping their connection to the shadow realm.

• Night Weaver: Masters of manipulating the fabric of night itself, these Companions can weave sprawling illusions across vast areas, crafting grand narratives or strategic deceptions that bewilder enemies and inspire allies.
  • Example Powers: Create grand-scale illusions that confuse enemies or bolster allies, alter terrain appearance, and simulate sounds or movements to misdirect foes.
• Shadow Sovereign: The ultimate masters of shadow manipulation, these Companions command shadows to form solid constructs, animate shadowy servants, or create vast networks of darkness that respond to their every whim.
  • Example Powers: Shape vast shadow constructs, summon shadow servants to fight or scout, and maintain shadow networks that relay information or movement.
• Voidwalker: These Companions can step entirely into the void between shadows, traversing distances in an instant, hiding in impossible spaces, and becoming undetectable even by magical means.
  • Example Powers: Teleport between shadows, hide in interdimensional spaces, and evade detection by physical and magical means alike.
• Umbral Architect: Capable of creating massive, semi-permanent structures out of pure shadow, these Companions can build shadow fortresses, labyrinths, or even sanctuaries hidden from prying eyes.
  • Example Powers: Create defensive or exploratory shadow structures, craft mazes to trap enemies, and design sanctuaries to protect allies.
• Eclipse Forger: During celestial eclipses, these Companions can forge weapons, armor, or artifacts imbued with the mysterious power of the shadowed sun and moon, creating items of immense potency.
  • Example Powers: Forge powerful shadow-enhanced items, empower existing tools with lunar energy, and create relics that amplify shadow abilities.
• Nocturnal Monarch: With dominion over nocturnal creatures, these Companions can summon and command swarms of night-dwelling animals, using them for scouting, defense, or coordinated attacks.
  • Example Powers: Summon and control nocturnal creatures, coordinate swarm attacks, and use animals for large-scale reconnaissance.
• Heart of Shadows: These Companions form an unbreakable spiritual connection with their bonded partner, allowing them to communicate across any distance, share visions, and synchronize their powers.
  • Example Powers: Telepathic communication, synchronized combat abilities, and the ability to share memories or visions across vast distances.
• Eclipsed Harbinger: A harbinger of shadow’s full might, these Companions can call forth an eclipse-like phenomenon, covering the battlefield in a twilight veil that weakens enemies and empowers allies.
  • Example Powers: Create battlefield-wide shadow veils that enhance allies’ abilities, weaken enemy morale, and obscure visibility.
• Warden of the Umbral Realm: Guardians of the shadow realm, these Companions can anchor their powers to specific locations, creating stable, protected shadow zones that repel intruders and restore allies.
  • Example Powers: Establish zones of safety that repel enemies, heal allies, and provide resistance to magical effects within the area.
• Veilshaper: These Companions master the art of altering perception, bending light, sound, and shadow to create intricate deceptions and unseen pathways. They can manipulate the environment in subtle yet profound ways, making them ideal for stealth, misdirection, and tactical advantage.
  • Example Powers: Warp light and shadow to render allies invisible, create illusory barriers or objects, and disorient enemies with false sensory input.