The Darkin, once revered God-Warriors of Shurima, were corrupted primarily by two devastating factors: the trauma they endured during the horrific Void War and their self-inflicted reliance on blood magic.
The Path to Corruption
The transformation of these powerful Ascended beings into the monstrous entities known as Darkin was a gradual yet profound descent, driven by the immense pressures and desperate measures taken during and after a cataclysmic conflict.
1. The Horrors of the Void War
The first and most significant catalyst for their corruption was their direct exposure to the Void War. This conflict pitted the Ascended against the existential threat of the Void, a dimension of pure unmaking and nihilism. Witnessing the unspeakable terrors and the sheer destructive power of the Void left an indelible mark on the God-Warriors.
- Psychological Trauma: The constant fight against an incomprehensible enemy, coupled with the loss and devastation they witnessed, deeply scarred their minds. This psychological trauma festered, leading to paranoia, madness, and a distorted perception of their reality and purpose.
- Desperation and Adaptation: In their desperate struggle, they were forced to confront and often absorb the raw, chaotic energies of the Void, which subtly twisted their forms and essences.
2. Self-Infliction Through Blood Magic
Following the Void War, with their minds already fractured by trauma, many of the God-Warriors turned to forbidden and dangerous practices, most notably the use of blood magic. This decision was a self-inflicted wound that accelerated their corruption.
- Potent but Perilous Power: Blood magic offered immense power, allowing them to regenerate, enhance their abilities, and continue their destructive paths. However, its very nature required sacrifices and constantly reinforced their darker impulses.
- Descent into Madness: The constant reliance on and manipulation of life force through blood magic further eroded their sanity and physical forms, twisting them into the monstrous shapes recognized as Darkin. This practice fed their arrogance and aggression, leading to brutal civil wars among themselves.
Consequences of Corruption
The combined effects of the Void War's trauma and the self-inflicted blood magic ultimately led to the complete transformation of the God-Warriors into Darkin. Their original Ascended forms were lost, replaced by grotesque, powerful, and malevolent entities. Their rampant destruction and insatiable hunger for power eventually necessitated their imprisonment within powerful weapons, sealing their corrupted essence away from the world.
