Erebus
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| Erebus | ||||
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| Released | 4 April 2022 (Update) | |||
| Members | Yes | |||
| Music | Shadows | |||
| Infobox • Talk page | ||||
Erebus is a universe separate from the one Gielinor exists in, found beyond the Shadow Breaches.[1] It was believed by the Zarosians to be their afterlife as explained by Azzanadra[2] and souls can be found there. Seren describes it as a realm of entropy, where concepts such as life and death are meaningless.[3] It is the source of all shadow anima and a place where the Chthonian beings originate from, although they no longer remember it.[4][5] According to Zaros there are beings in Erebus that rule it.[6]
Erebus is briefly visited in Extinction, where it is accessed through a breach on Freneskae. It was first mentioned by Raksha when it threatened to drag the World Guardian into it.[7] It is later revealed during the Battle for the Monolith that Erebus is a universe of shadows, distinct from the universe Gielinor is located in. It is full of shadow anima that would quickly kill anyone that lacks the correct protection; the World Guardian remarked that it was nearly impossible for them to remain there for long and Zaros, a divine creation of Mah who could withstand some shadow anima, needed other sources to survive there for a prolonged period of time.
Several beings from the Gielinor's universe ended up in Erebus: Jas, Zaros, Kerapac, Char and the Guildmaster Tony; additionally at least two Elder artefacts, the Elder Crown and the Staff of Armadyl were also taken there. There is also the possibility that The Mirror had been brought there as well. Their current status is unknown.
Geography[edit | edit source]
Erebus is visited for the first time during the quest Extinction, when the World Guardian is tasked with finding some form of solution for Jas' onslaught. The area of Erebus explored appears barren and rugged, with levitating boulders and chunks of terrain suspended in a maelstrom of lightning and pure shadow. There are numerous rifts which lead to other areas, rocks containing shadow animica, and motes of shadow anima littered throughout the terrain. Additionally, one can see structures resembling the hand-like stone formations that line Kranon's ritual site at the bottom of The Shadow Reef embedded into the various rocks that make up parts the explored region's terrain. There also exist fragments of souls that are capable of moving boulders and opening inactive rifts.
In addition to the seemingly natural features, there are structures within that appear to have been built or sculpted to fulfill specific purposes, such as timeworn lodestones which can provide transportation, relics that can move boulders into specific configurations, and idols which can summon shadow leviathans.
Mentions and nature[edit | edit source]
Death is unaware of the existence of Erebus[8], while Icthlarin himself has yet to guide a Zarosian follower there.[9] Azzanadra claims that Erebus is where Zaros' faithful go upon death. However, the author of Scions of Erebus, who is implied to be a Chthonian demon, believes that this is not its true purpose, comparing souls entering Erebus to sewage polluting a reservoir.[10] The realm itself is virtually unknown, as no one has returned from Erebus; however, those attuned to the current of magic are able to sense the soul depart, but not know of its end location, so they simply called the destination Erebus.[11] Funerary urns of miasma were used during rituals to help guide the soul of the deceased to Erebus.
Chthonian demons originate from Erebus, but were exiled from it and subsequently invaded Infernus.[12] The moon Ocularis also appears to be aware of its existence, but because those who attempt to speak with it become insane, it cannot be used as a source of information about Erebus or any other topic.[13] Hostilius may have consumed knowledge related to Erebus, although various chthonian demons' attempts to find it by consuming his flesh have proved unsuccessful.[14] The Infernals do not appear to have any knowledge about it despite speaking about the previous incarnation of the universe before The Great Revision.[15]
The Chthonian demon Veilinius mentions Erebus when asking Trindine of her whereabouts for the past several millennia.[16]
One known entity residing in Erebus is Vos, a mysterious being that spoke through the slightly-opened Monolith and attempted to convince Aurelius and Kolton to open it further.[17]
Erebus's known inhabitants include shadow cacklers, shadow leviathans and shadow behemoths.[18]
The Ambassador summoned energy portals from Erebus to attack the World Guardian with. This energy was highly explosive and damaging.[19]
The Ancient Magicks originated from Erebus.[20]
Erebus shares some similarities with the Shadow Realm, and whatever connections that exist between them are currently unknown aside from shadow leviathans existing in both as shown when one emerged from Erebus in Extinction.
When the World Guardian first entered Erebus, they found it very difficult to move around and could only withstand being within Erebus for a minute before being forced to leave. However, as they captured and absorbed shadow anima, their soul become more attuned to the universe, allowing them to traverse Erebus more easily and remain within it for longer.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
A shadow cackler from Erebus.
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- In 2016, Mod Osborne revealed that prior to the release of The World Wakes, Jagex had plans for a quest called "In the Mouth of Madness", regarding a Guardian of Guthix named Erebus, who was a floating, sentient prison where Guthix put those who unbalanced the world in.[21]
- In Greek mythology, Erebus was often conceived as a primordial deity, representing the personification of darkness.
References[edit | edit source]
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