The nation of Cyre was once the heart of the united kingdom of Galifar. The Last War took a heavy toll on Cyre and its citizens, serving as the battleground where all of the Five Nations crossed swords. But no one was prepared for the disaster that struck in 994 YK.
Accounts of the Mourning vary. Some say that a blinding light engulfed the battlefield near the Saerun Road. Others say that the dead-gray mists began in the capital city of Metrol and spread out from there. What is known for certain is that within the space of one day the nation of Cyre had been engulfed in a wall of mist, and that anything caught within the mists was horrifically transformed. Over a million Cyrans were killed on the day of Mourning. Those who survived were the soldiers fighting in enemy territory, those living on the borders who were able to flee from the advancing mists, those few who were able to escape the interior through magical means. On Olarune 20, 994 YK, the nation of Cyre ceased to exist.
The Mourning threw Khorvaire into a state of shock. Who could unleash such power? Was this a weapon, and if so, when would those responsible issues their demands? Were its borders stable, or could they expand at any moment? What was to be done with the Cyran refugees surging into every adjacent nation?
Fear of the Mourning brought the Five Nations to the negotiating table, and in 996 YK the Treaty of Thronehold ended the Last War. But all of those questions remain unanswered. No one knows the cause of the Mourning or whether it could suddenly expand anew. Breland opened its borders to refugees, and Prince Oargev serves as de facto ruler in the territory now called New Cyre. Despite its grand name, New Cyre is little more than a vast refugee camp. Other refugees are scattered across Khorvaire; some are treated with pity, others with suspicion or anger. And fear of the Mourning hangs like a shadow across Khorvaire. Could it happen again? Is this how the world ends?
The Mournland
A wall of dead-grey mist surrounds the remnants of Cyre. Beyond the mists lies a land twisted by magic, a wound that will not heal. The land is blasted and strangely transformed. In some places the ground has fused into jagged glass. In others, it is cracked and burned. Broken bodies of soldiers from various sides litter the landscape — soldiers whose dead bodies refuse to decompose. The Mournland is a vast open grave.
In the Mournland, the wounds of war never heal, vile magical effects linger, and monsters mutate into even more foul and horrible creatures. Arcane effects continue to rain upon the land, magical storms that never dissipate. Stories speak of living spells — war magic that has taken physical form, sentient fireballs and vile cloudkills that endlessly search for new victims. Angry ghosts continue to fight their final battles. The only thing that’s predictable about the Mournland is that nothing is predictable; any sort of monster or horror could be found within its borders. And yet, it also holds the wealth and treasures of an entire nation, along with the secrets of House Cannith and everything else that was left behind. It’s dangerous. It’s mysterious. But it’s also a dungeon the size of a nation, with opportunities for those brave enough to enter the mists.
The Mourning and You
The Mourning transformed Khorvaire. Shock and fear brought an end to the Last War. In making an Eberron character, think about the impact it had on you. If you’re from Cyre, what did you lose in the Mourning? Family? Friends? Are there heirlooms or treasures lost in the mists that you’re determined to regain, or loved ones you hope to someday see again? Do you feel loyalty to your nation and hope to see it restored, or have you burned Cyre out of your heart?
Even if you’re not from Cyre, the Mourning may have had a profound impact on you. Are you afraid that the Mourning could expand, or do you prefer not to dwell on such things? If you’re religious, did the shocking tragedy of the Mourning cause you to question your faith, or did it reinforce it? If you’re an artificer or a wizard, are you interested in studying its effects more closely… might you even hope to unravel its mysteries yourself? Do you see it solely as a tragedy, or do you hope that this awesome power could somehow be harnessed and controlled?
Beyond this, player characters are remarkable people. Perhaps you were caught in the Mourning and survived the experience… but its effects remain with you. Consider these ideas.
- As a barbarian you could have been a simple peasant caught in the Mourning. Everyone else in your community was killed, but their spirits were bound to you. Your barbarian rage represents you channeling these vengeful ghosts. Is there a way to lay these spirits to rest? Do they have unfinished business they want you to resolve?
- As a sorcerer your arcane powers could be the result of your exposure to the Mourning. Were you physically transformed as well, or are your powers the only manifestation of the Mourning? Are you comfortable using your abilities, or are you afraid that you may be increasing the power of the Mourning with each spell you cast?
- As a warlock your patron could be interested in the Mourning and drive you to learn more about it. Your patron could even be part of the Mourning — whether a collective of spirits killed on the Day of Mourning, or even a dark and enigmatic power that might have been responsible for this tragedy. If you take the latter approach, do you feel that by using your warlock powers you are serving the Mourning? Or could it be that you’re siphoning your powers from it and believe that you are actually weakening it with your actions?
- As a member of an unusual race, you could say that you are actually a creation of the Mourning. Perhaps your tortle was an actual turtle transformed on the day of Mourning. Or maybe your tiefling is touched by the dark power of the Mourning instead of by an infernal power.
What caused the mourning?
There will never be an official answer to the cause of the Mourning. As a DM in Eberron, we want you to decide the cause of this tragedy… or if you prefer, to leave it as a mystery that will never be solved. With that said, people in Eberron itself have many theories about the cause of the Mourning; it’s up to you to decide if any of them are correct.
- The Mourning was the result of a century of extensive use of war magic. If the nations continue to use these magics, the Mourning will expand.
- The dragonmarked House Cannith made a fortune selling magical weapons to all sides during the Last War. The Mourning was the result of research gone horribly awry. The secrets can be found in a Cannith research facility within the Mournland. If this knowledge could be recovered and refined, it could produce a terrifying weapon.
- The Mourning was triggered by the release of an ancient demon overlord trapped since the dawn of time. This mighty fiend is lurking in the Mournland and building its power, but soon it will be ready to act.
As a DM, the question you need to ask is whether you want the mystery of the Mourning to be solved, and what the consequences would be. Right now, fear of the Mourning holds war at bay. If it’s confirmed that the Mourning is no longer a threat — or if one nation manages to harness its power — the war could begin again.