Gaven
Terrarian
Hello!
I hope I have made this properly lol, since I'm not entirely familiar with Forums.
Anyways, having recently been inspired by a Calamity playthrough, I wrote up quite a bit of lore I thought would be neat. I aimed to change nothing regarding the current story of the Mod, instead trying to work with the established worldbuilding, and I had a lot of fun making it!
I've already posted it in the Calamity discord, and really this is the only other place I think anyone would be interested, lol.
Please tell me what you think!
Oh, and have a wonderful day!
Note: None of the images shown in this post are my own, and I do not have the rights to any of them. Just wanted to make sure that was clear lol.
Lullabis
The vast, vast majority of this entire project revolves around one character; Lullabis. Which in all honesty is incredibly ironic, as I actually wanted to avoid this scenario. However, since I wanted to tell much of my lore concepts in the form of alternative whispers (As you shall see in a moment), eventually I had to create some form of character, and overtime everything sort of bent around to suit him
I don’t want to delve quite into Lullabis’ backstory yet as I’d rather the reader slowly piece it together as they go along, as is the case with much of Calamities lore, but I will preface with this general description.
Lullabis is nothing like any other character. Not because he’s powerful or edgy or something silly like that…but because he’s kind. That is his defining characteristic; he is a genuinely kind, caring, and loving individual.
Calamity is full of morally gray characters, which is certainly fun, but I felt like it nonetheless needed a breath of fresh air. Someone separate, to contrast the harshness of the Calamity world. Thus, Lullabis.
These intentions are reflected throughout Lullabis’ story. As an example and somewhat of a spoiler, Lullabis is a god…but, unlike every other deity in this world, he did not steal his Auric Soul. Rather, it was given to him. And, moreover, he never fought against Yharim…and instead, sided with him. This instantly disrupts the established story, as it suggests that perhaps not all gods are wicked, and that the world is far more complicated than one would first anticipate.
It also further expands Yharim, and his morality. He is a man who vehemently despises anything divine, and rightly so in truth. But then, along comes this child (For Lullabis was a child when he ascended), this weak and yet kind child, who has done nothing wrong and yet nonetheless is part of the group Yharim has sworn to eradicate. Imagine the potential moral crisis that might spurn within Yharim, an already morally complicated individual. How is he meant to respond? What is he to do? Well, you’ll figure that out eventually.
Oh, and as a final separation…Lullabis is weak, especially for a god. Though he does have his arcane strengths, for the most part his abilities and powers are nothing compared to Calamitas or Yharim. And this is intentional; Lullabis isn’t a character who needs to be strong, and if anything this would go against his entire personality. He doesn’t want power, he doesn’t want strength…he just wants to help those he loves, and even those he doesn’t.
As with the rest of the lore in Calamity, Lullabis’ story is told mostly through Whispers. You will have to reveal that story slowly, as you go along.
After the Whispers, I have a few other concepts revolving around the character, mostly items and what not. You’ll see, lol.
Happy reading, please tell me what you think!
Lore Items
These are alternative Lore Item descriptions, or “Whispers” as I like to call them. The way they are accessed is fairly simple; via right clicking on the designated Whisper it’s description will change and perhaps gain a slight blue hue. It is somewhat of a combination of how the Shellphone functions, and the
Included in this list are four suggested Whispers as well, which are related to Lullabis’s character, and also I think deserve descriptions anyways. Those being the Solar Eclipse, Harvest Moon, Frost Moon, and Sunken Sea respectively.
There is also a final Whisper, dedicated to Lullabis himself. How the player gains this item, I uh have no idea lol.
Oh…hello.
How did you…wait, what…what are you…?
…
…Huh.
Well, allow me to introduce myself!
My name’s Lullabis...it’s wonderful to meet you! And you are?
…
That’s a lovely name!
Well, [INSERT PLAYER NAME], I can sense your intentions. I know your desire.
Normally I would caution you against this mission…but somehow, I know you hold the determination to pursue your goal.
Very well then. Throughout your journey, I will accompany you.
I lost my body a long, long time ago, and thus there are few ways in which I can assist you, sorry…but I will try my best!
Oh, and make sure to rest every now and then, ok?
A miracle worker like you deserves some peace and quiet, from time to time.
- To be honest, out of all the Whispers, I feel like this one is by far the weakest.
- From the beginning, Lullabis is established as being dramatically different in comparison to Yharim. He is far more light hearted, cheery, kind, and supportive. Out of all the whispers this is the least serious, and that’s intentional; it immediately informs the player as to who Lullabis is.
Did you know the Onyx Kinsman revered gelatin entities such as this?
They admired their incredible resilience, and ability to transfuse the essence of the environment around them into strength.
From the simple slime they developed many of their techniques, taking a surprising degree of inspiration from such a basic lifeform.
Ironically, it would seem the one thing the clan did not learn was the very perseverance they found so profound…
I…well I suppose befriended isn’t the right word, not really…became acquainted, with one of their members a great deal of time ago.
And from that brief companionship I attained a respect for the kinsmen, enough that I mourn their near extinction.
- Provides potential context for why the Onyx Kinsman worshiped simple slimes, and acknowledges the irony of their demise.
- Foreshadows Lullabis meeting with Statis, an occasion you will learn of much much later.
Majestic is an understatement.
Of all the sea serpents, all the wyrms of the sky and the stars…this was, in my eyes, by far the most pristine.
An iridescent collage of white and blue, of pale reds and yellows, with soft jellyfish skin and shimmering rose gold tentacles flecked with silver…
Though perhaps weak, in beauty it had no equal. Even the Naiad was captivated by its form.
I used to swim with them, on occasion…my family lived on the Ilmeran shore, and in my childhood I befriended many of the dwellers of that tranquil sea.
After Neyimere, and my subsequent abduction to Azafure, I would not see my beloved home again.
Until it was wreathed in brimstone and fire, that is.
- An introduction into Lullabis’s history and origins, providing the barest information as to who they are.
- The concept that the Desert Scourge was once far more beautiful is meant to exemplify the tragedy of Ilmeris, that something so beautiful would be forced to become so…coarse.
- Lullabis’s adoration of it also plays into his character, showing his appreciation for beauty.
- The Naiad is of course Anahita, though realistically speaking they could be replaced with any sea deity or figure.
I had nightmares of them quite often in my youth; the flayed remains of that…that thing that came from the stars.
Though it had been defeated long before my time, its inability to die was well known, and feared.
Every severed piece of flesh still lived, filled with malice and madness.
Aimlessly they would stalk the night, hunting anything and everything that moved.
This is one such piece, a tiny, tiny piece.
Perhaps, with its demise, the little ones of the world will rest easier than I did.
- The very first reference to Moon Lord.
- Expands the Eyes lore a bit, suggesting that it and many monsters like it are the result of Moon Lord's corpse, rather than solely originating from Gods or other influences.
- Given Lullabis’s concern over the nightmares of children he doesn’t even know, and the fact that he wants them to be happier than he was, it characterizes him as kind and loving.
I agree with his sentiments…but could we also take a moment to appreciate the absurdity of this creature?
Of course I do feel pity for it, as it hailed from the same charred home as myself…but still, I cannot help but smile, looking upon its peculiar form.
As for the mushrooms…honestly, I have little and less to say.
No one really knows where they came from, buried beneath the earth as they are.
Are they the remnant of an ancient elemental? The decaying dream of some primordial god? Who knows; their origin has been lost to history.
They taste delicious, though.
- Meant to be an amusing Whisper. This helps separate Lullabis from Yharim, as it shows that Lullabis is far less cold, and if anything is somewhat sweet. I mean, he ends the dialogue by describing how he thinks the mushrooms taste delicious, whereas Yharim expressed concern at their tenacity. Quite the juxtaposition in personality.
Though later in the conquest I would have reason to doubt him, in situations such as this I believe Yharim was justified.
The manner in which he dispatched this god was his mistake, not the slaying of the God itself.
From what I have read, she was a despicable being, a torturer of the weak and slaughterer of millions.
The Blind Scourge they called her, the Goddess of Disease and Infection herself.
Most Gods and beings like them were not objectively wicked, just…misguided, or confused. Believing in false precepts and philosophies, they committed heinous atrocities out of ignorance, not spite.
Such is not the case with her. She was truly motivated by nothing but greed, cruelty, and sadism.
With luck, this place and all remnants of her will soon be extinguished.
The world has already bled enough.
An amalgam of various gods, the Corruption is aptly named.
It is wondrously resilient; even after all this time and dozens of attempts to cleanse the land of its pestilence, it continues to survive.
Thankfully, though gruesome, it isn’t that much of a threat really.
Perhaps you will be the one to finally heal this ancient blister?
That Dryad certainly won’t stop asking you to, anyways…
- In Yharim’s whisper, the god responsible for the Crimson is vaguely acknowledged, and we gain the inkling that they were unjust. This whisper elaborates on that, giving a detailed description.
- The fact that Lullabis is in agreement with Yharim on the Scourge, something that later down the line will be quite rare, helps support the idea that Yharim was at first an honorable individual. If Yharim and Lullabis can agree that this god's death was justified, then in all likelihood it was.
Whereas the Eye was once part of the behemoth, this monster never was. Its name is likely an accident, or misunderstanding.
Yharim may blame the gods for beings such as this, which is certainly fair…but I have noticed over the years that many of these creatures seem to just appear one day, almost out of thin air.
They are birthed with such frequency that I have begun to speculate that perhaps their existence is some kind of natural reaction of the world, that much like gravity or heat they are simply a function of reality.
- Not all monsters are born of gods, or at least seem to be
Though this is your first brush with entities such as this, you will come to find that apparently fate adores the shape of Worm’s.
Seriously, they appear everywhere; whatever beings made our world are either very uncreative, or clearly have favorites.
This specimen in particular appears to be some kind of mutated tunneler, forced to grow exceptionally large and violent.
Not all monsters and demons have compelling origins. Some, such as this, are rather mundane.
Still, good job! You did well.
The intestines of the Goddess of Disease, given life.
I guess it only makes sense, that a God of parasites and plagues would have one living inside her own body.
Like a cancer, it has forgotten the host it once infested completely, instead serving its own ends.
It seeks only to replicate and spread, not realizing that as it grows it is stretched thinner and thinner.
As stated, it is not unlike a cancer. And all cancers are unknowingly killing themselves, not aware of the fact that when their host dies, so will they.
Or, in this case, that their host is already dead.
- The Crimson is progressively growing weaker.
The reason Gods are often so demanding of worship is due to their nature.
Emotion has power, and worship is a means in which that power can be channeled.
Some of the strongest Gods never had much strength to begin with, but through worship and effort they managed to refine and attune their abilities to incredible heights.
Although, these stories are often ones of hubris.
For the moment a God such as this loses their followers, their entire religion comes crashing down, its rubble crushing whatever shell was left behind.
- Gods can use worship to grow stronger, although this is a risky tactic.
(Perhaps dropped by the Giant Clam on the first kill, or found in some kind of new shrine?)
Yharim:
A hidden ocean-oasis, buried beneath a monolith of sand and insects.
Once, this was Ilmeris, that fabled kingdom beneath the sea.
During the beginnings of my campaign, I thought little of it, as did the rest of the world.
It was a peaceful place, one that avoided conflict at every point, and devoted itself to isolation.
Though I aimed to one day exhibit justice upon its resident deities, I felt no need to at first.
The hadal god had long since vanished, and Otonilu was supposedly devoted to pacifism.
As such, I ignored it almost completely.
That is, until its people committed a crime the likes of which has not been seen since Zeratros.
Do not pity this scorched kingdom.
It’s punishment was just.
- Alludes towards Lullabis’s origins.
Lullabis:
…One night in my childhood, I was swimming out in the Ilmeran sea.
It was almost always calm, devoid of thunder and lightning. So I felt no fear as I swam far far out, away from the coast.
On that day however, the unusual occurred; the first storm of Ilmeris in over a century.
Waves the size of mountains crashed down upon me, forcing me further and further into the crystalline depths of the ocean.
I struggled to surface, screaming for air as my lungs burnt with salt and water.
I could see the surface, the night sky above, so close yet so far. With childish hands I reached out for it, desperately trying to grasp the moonlight that trickled down.
Soon, I could not manage it any longer. My vision growing dark, I slowly drifted into the abyss, my last sight being the darkened moon above.
That is, until a shadow moved overhead.
- First proper explanation of Lullabis’s backstory.
- Lullabis met Neyimere whilst drowning in the ocean, the references of moonlight and the moving shadow are meant to represent this.
Yharim’s appreciation for the Bees of his jungle was a surprisingly heartfelt thing.
I only ever saw him openly express such adoration to Yharon, all of his other affections he kept hidden inside.
Shortly after entering his household I asked him why he loved the hives so much, and unfortunately he simply scolded me, saying he was too busy to answer my childish questions.
Who would have thought the Golden Heretic could be such an old grump, heh heh…
- Characterizes Yharim almost as a grumpy old man more than anything else, which is ironic since he is probably still quite young by the time the player here’s this whisper. At least I assume, anyway.
After an…incident in the cult's temple, I refused to go anywhere near it ever again.
Elsewise, I would have released this poor old soul from his curse.
They were always so spiteful, the Dragon cult; although its intentions were decent at first, their leader slowly lost his sanity over time, as he grew increasingly frenzied.
His goal was hopeless, from the very beginning. Once something is dead, it is gone for good. A simple precept of life he refused to accept.
You can reanimate a desiccated corpse, toy with it like a puppet on strings…but there is no life within that husk, no spirit.
Even Calamitas failed at resurrection…though that is a story I have no right to share.
In any case, the cult has become rather reclusive as of late. I’m sure you’ll meet them eventually, though.
- Resurrection is inherently impossible
I must confess, the clan's ardent worship always puzzled me, though not for the reasons you’d expect.
I understand to some extent admiring and studying a creature far stronger than yourself…yet on numerous occasions a clansman managed to achieve a level of power and martial prowess that far outmatched the deity they venerated.
And yet, despite this, they remained steadfast in their devotion.
I wonder what it must feel like, to pray to a being you know is weaker than yourself.
- Highlights the difference between Yharim and Lullabis; whereas Yharim focuses on the Slime God itself, Lullabis instead attempts to empathize with the Onyx Kinsman. He tries to consider what drives them to worship, understanding that they are people too, even if they have different beliefs to himself and Yharim. And Lullabis doesn’t even do this consciously; he never states that this is his intention, he just passively acts this way.
The Underworld was laid mostly to waste before I descended, meaning I never witnessed it in its prime.
Something that deeply saddens me, for I have heard and read that it was once beautiful.
It makes sense that this place was the foundation of civilization, really. Hidden beneath the earth it was unaffected by the lunar curses above, and it alone of all the world was spared the Abominations' wroth.
And it’s people…such a unique and vibrant culture!
Though Calamitas would unfortunately cause a stigma of them in the future, at the Underworld's height its citizens were admired for their horns.
I remember children from my home village fashioning fake ones out of seashells…
What?
Alright fine, yes, I made some too, haha…
Anyways, did you know the underworld used to be laden with forests? Yes, really!
The trees of hell were coal black with incredibly flame
ant bark, and in terms of a fuel source it was excellent.
And yet most of the fiery woods were left untouched; the underworld's magma provided ample energy and heat.
And not only that, but the fruit that budded from their flowers looked crystalline in structure. I have seen a few off branches of this species in the caverns, however while those trees only grow pure gemstones, the fruit of these ancient Ashes was edible.
Miraculously, some of these trees survived the downfall of their homeland.
I cultivated them alongside other rare and beautiful flora in my personal garden, ensuring that they would survive.
…I remember showing them to Calamitas for the first time, holding out a shimmering green apple to her. Taking it from my hand, she took a bite, and paused. After a few moments, she gave a small nod, before leaving me alone in my garden.
No one believed me, but I swear as she turned away I saw the barest hints of a smile.
- Actually goes into detail as to what the Underworld was once like. Personally I picture it being a fiery mimic of the surface above, hence the forests.
- The shell-horn moment is yet another instance of adding depth to Lullabis and the world.
- Lullabis loves gardening, and in particular has an affinity and obsession with flowers.
- Calamitas smiling makes her seem more human, but her hiding it fits in with her rather stoic personality.
Yharim:
To contain the essence of a slain God is no small thing. It is rather a towering, ghastly construct.
The Wall was lashed together with foul sinew and fouler magics, forming a rudimentary prison of flesh.
It served its purpose: halting the diffusion of undue divine influence.
Were it not for this alchemical breakthrough, the very world I fought for may have been lost in the carnage I wrought.
My methods have since evolved. Why contain such essences, when they can be devoured? And those that cannot be devoured, can just as easily be sealed away.
May you channel my valor in combating the resulting outpour of energies.
Lullabis:
…Ew.
A visceral horror, one that is just as genius as it is terrifying.
You will meet your demise if you let it shoot you.
You will succumb to homicidal cannibalism if you let it eat you.
And lord knows we’re not going to elaborate on what happens if you’re unfortunate enough to let it touch you.*
It was an alchemical breakthrough yes, but quite an unnecessary one in truth.
Although in all fairness, neither the Yharim or the alchemists could have anticipated my ascension, or the Serpents' arrival.
Together we voided this construct's usefulness, hence why it was the only one ever created.
Nonetheless, I admire the ingenuity of the alchemists responsible for its construction.
It is no easy task, the sealing away of…well anything really, and yet they managed to imprison the magically irradiated remains of numerous deities.
And having the prison defend itself? Brilliant!
It is a shame that few of the alchemists remain. Magic is a complicated art of course, but they truly turned it into a science.
* A reference to Uberdangers video on Terraria, one of my favorite videos of all time. As a reference this can of course be removed, but I still think it’s kind of amusing.
- Yharim’s whisper is slightly adjusted, to account for Lullabis.
- Lullabis took inspiration from the Wall for living prisons.
Hardmode
You may be curious to learn that I have no influence over the Blood Moon.
Whatever power spurns its occurrence, it has nothing to do with my lunar divinity, apparently.
In any case, I have strangely fond memories of it.
My father bought a magical sword at a fair once, practically a toy in comparison to what even a simple soldier would wield, but more than sufficient at dealing with the undead. To cheer me and my siblings up he’d pretend to be a silly warrior, demonstrating to us how the undead really were nothing to be feared
My mother was more practical; she just used a shotgun.
- Clarifies that Lullabis has no power over the Blood Moon.
- Yet another amusing Whisper, to make light of what would normally be a pretty horrifying part of the world.
I am not surprised the Slime God survived; it always was a frivolous foe.
It - or she now, I guess? - has taken upon itself countless forms. A testimony to its incredible versatility.
Though not versatile enough, evidently.
I wonder how many Gods, my…”kin” remain.
Some were always elusive, such as the god of the hadal depths, or Aviothic, the deity of storms and the sky, but at least the world knew they existed.
In comparison, I can think of at least three instances wherein the soul of a dragon went completely missing.
What happened to them has remained a mystery, even after all these years.
If I had to guess, they were consumed like all the rest, and the deities spawned as a result were the wisest of all, choosing to vanish from the annals of history.
Or maybe they were all killed instantly, incapable of wielding a soul's power.
But that’s a more boring answer, no?
- Lullabis is seemingly related to the Gods, implying he is one himself, yet has some sort of destain for them.
- Introduces a new god, Aviothic, though this is just to flavor the text up a bit; they’re definitely dead and likely unimportant. Oh, Aviothic means “A powerful desire to fly”, by the way.
- There are likely still many gods out there.
SIR!? HE’S ALIVE!?
YES! AHAHA!
I knew it!! I knew he couldn’t have been dead, I just knew, Cal would never…yes! Hahaha!!
…
Uh, sorry, I got a little excited there.
Sir - or, well, Permafrost, was once my mentor. He taught me almost everything I know of the arcane, and even after I eventually surpassed him in magical ability his insights remained invaluable.
After Neyimere, and the loss of my family, he was the first person I bonded with. He could be a bit stern at times, but he has a surprisingly warm heart for such a cold fellow.
Please, tell Sir I said hel-
…
Actually…
No, don’t tell him I’m here, if…if that’s alright.
When we last saw each other, plenty of angry words were exchanged between angrier people…I stayed silent, but he nonetheless said he never wanted to see me again.
He questioned how I refused to leave Yharim’s side, and if everything I had done, every kind act was just a lie. Tarnished by my loyalty to someone who deserved no further respect.
I doubt he meant the things he said, but…
Maybe he was right.
- Lullabis was once extremely close with Permafrost, being his first student. He also cannot help but call him “Sir”, apparently.
- Lullabis was there when Permafrost left Yharim, and apparently some sort of argument took place between Permafrost and the rest of Yharim’s court. Lullabis remained silent, but Permafrost nonetheless questioned his morality as well.
- Though fleeting, it should be noted that Lullabis refers to Calamitas as Cal, seemingly by accident due to his excitement. This, combined with the previous Underworld whispers, suggests that they were perhaps close at one point.
Draedons entrance into Yharims campaign was a most unusual one.
I remember it well; I was at the council table, to the left of Sir. At this point I had only recently become a part of Yharims advisory, so I was anxious to prove myself.
Suddenly, a guard burst through the chamber doors, informing us that something had fallen from the sky just outside the city's walls.
In an instant, Yharim was on his feet, rushing out of the hall. I followed in his shadow.
Halfway to the city's barrier, we were stopped by a mechanical puppet.
It simply informed us that “he” was still setting up, and would need a day or two to finish unpacking. He demanded a string of resources, so that he could immediately get to work.
And that was how Draedon joined us. No greetings, no introductions, no niceties…not even any formal requests to join in the first place.
Oh, if only we had known what that puppet would do to us all…
- Draedon had a rather unorthodox entrance, evidently lol.
- Lullabis seems to…dislike Draedon, at the very least. Later in the story you will see to what degree.
…I wonder, do these two ever feel alone?
Or are they somehow comforted, in their strange metallic way, by each other's presence?
Stalking the night must grow cold, and lonely after all.
I hope they do feel that way…for it means that, perhaps, something human still exists inside.
It would seem that most have forgotten the primeval power of the sea.
Once, there were three sublime oceans, each notably different from one another and beautiful in a unique way.
In the center, separating the western and eastern continents, was of course Ilmeris. A comparatively shallow “land”, it was renowned for being by far the most peaceful. Storms were a rarity, and its tranquil waters housed breathtaking marine blue critters, adapted to the crystalline formations of their home.
Then, Oceasc. More aggressive than Ilmeris, it eventually connects with its sister Anahaenlint as it wraps around the entire world.
It alone has gone completely unscathed, its water clean and clear, its denizens an appropriate mix of gentle and violent.
For the most part it is completely empty, an almost endless expanse of blue, however small islands do pop up from time to time.
Little is known of them or their peoples, and they seem content to remain on their idyllic shores. Well, other than the Pirates and Goblins.
Finally, Anahaelint. By far the most dangerous of the three, it is also the oldest, a primordial depth that existed before even the Dragons themselves.
It has always been a part of Terraria, and given how it continues to survive despite everything that has tainted its waters, I wouldn’t be surprised if it outlasted us all.
Few things bring me happiness as swiftly as the sound of ocean waves on beach sand. Each sea is beautiful in its own way I think, and I visited them frequently.
I always wanted to try and heal Anahaelint, but Yharim forbade me from entering its waters again after Silva’s “burial”.
I wonder what he was so afraid of…
- Names the other two oceans; Oceasc (OH-SH-ISC), the normal Ocean, and Anhahaelint (AH-NI-AHN-LINT), the Sulphur Sea. Anahaenlint purposefully sounds similar to Anahita, for an etymological connection.
- Yharim was afraid of something in the abyss, perhaps Eidolon Worms or the Terminus?
I wouldn’t go quite so far as to suggest it was entirely benign in nature…
After all, why would a peaceful filter feeder need crushing jaws and rigid spines?
Anyways, it exhibits a curious form of convergent evolution.
Once, quite some time ago, it was not the only serpentine species in the ocean seas; the Sea Serpents, descendants of dragons, ruled the surface waves throughout the Draconic Age.
They were much larger and more powerful than the Aquatic Scourge…yet it would seem this did little to aid their survival, as all have been hunted to extinction.
The Scourge seems to have been evolving to fulfill the ecological niche the Serpants left empty.
Given a few more generations, you may yet have fought against something far, far more dangerous than this.
- Sea Serpents used to be a thing, descended from Dragons. They have been hunted to extinction.
- Evolution apparently occurs far faster for the Scourge, or perhaps for all life in general, for whatever reason.
For goodness sake…doesn’t this world have enough worms in it? I swear…
I admired the Godseeker Knights, for their battle prowess truly was something to behold.
Hence why I hated this mechanation so strongly.
The Knights had honor, respect. They were renowned not just for their ability, but for their code and dignity as well.
And as a reward for their valor, their loyalty, they were shoved into a glorified excavation tool.
It was with this mechanism that I amongst others began to doubt Yharim for the first time.
- Lullabis really dislikes the Destroyer.
- The Destroyer was the beginning of Yharim’s degradation.
It is sad for me to say, but I have never had a home for very long.
I was born and raised on the coast of the Ilmeran sea, but after my ascension I was no longer safe there.
Instead, I was brought to Azafure...not just the First City, but the greatest in all the world. In my eyes, anyway.
Though it was nothing like my birthplace, overtime I came to love my new dwelling.
The unique food, the exciting and complex culture, the beautiful people, the wondrous architecture of obsidian and fire...
And not just that, but it was in many ways the melting pot of Terraria itself. Races and peoples from all across the world came to reside within its walls, not unlike myself.
...Would you like to know how long I lived there?
About three months, give or take a week.
And yet, I still wept at its destruction, for the impression it left upon me was a powerful one.
If you don't mind, move quietly through these charred ruins. Not for safety's sake, but out of respect for the deceased.
The amount of dead who haunt this place is beyond count, still in shock and agony over the destruction of their home.
As they well should be. They were handed a most undeserving fate.
- Lullabis really loved Azafure, despite only living there for a very short amount of time.
I remember when she first awoke.
I was still so young at the time, and only recently had become a novice of Sir.
As such I was powerless to prevent the calamity - no, don’t you dare call it that Lullabis...the…disaster that occurred.
Together, I and Sir did what we could. We evacuated as many civilians as possible, his magicks and mine protecting them from the scorching fire.
Even so, it was clear that our situation was hopeless. Yharim and his brother were busy at war with Ilmeris, and this was shortly before the time of the serpent and its ilk.
I thought I would die that day.
And that is when I saw her.
That angel of brimstone and death.
Awoken for the first time, to combat the reborn primordial flame.
- The Whisper begins with Lullabis implying that he is referring to the Brimstone Elemental. However, as the ending makes clear, he is actually talking about Calamitas.
- The reason he pauses to correct himself in referring to the incineration of Azafure as a calamity is because he despises the usage of Calamitas’s name in such a way. He sees it as a cruel insult, one of which Calamitas is undeserving.
Perhaps that is what Yharim saw…but me?
Well, I see in this construct nothing but a joke.
You will find Draedon to be irritatingly uncreative, re-using the same basic design and motifs over and over again.
The Skeletron Prime was no different. He basically just made a flying metal skeleton.
Which at first sounds terrifying, yes…but I mean, come on, doesn’t it look kind of ridiculous?
There is a very fine line between terror and hilarity, I should think.
And Draedon…well lets just say he had particularly poor balance.
- Draedon is uncreative. Yep, that’s it lol.
I have never seen such an entity before…
What on earth is this thing?
A clone of Calamitas…who would be foolish enough to attempt this?
I don’t mean in the sense of the danger of creating another being like Cal, just who would be stupid enough to try it?
As someone who is-...was, a friend of Calamitas, let me tell you this; her power is inimitable. Not just in scale and strength, but simply as a fundamental nature of what it is.
Her particular blend of darkness and brimstone is entirely unique, and I doubt that it could be mimicked or copied.
Honestly, I am surprised that this shade is even still moving.
If I had to guess, this is likely Draedons work.
Only he would have the technology, and sufficient lack of foresight to try something so inane.
Please, put this poor doll out of its misery.
If it has experienced even a fraction of what Cal has, then that is already too much for it to bear.
- Shows how Lullabis is far from omnipotent, and although knowledgeable there are many things even he doesn’t understand or know.
- The momentary stutter emphasizes how he thinks he is undeserving of Calamitas’s friendship now, as he believes he failed her.
- Suggests that despite this, Lullabis was at one point close to Calamitas, and understood to some extent her suffering.
- The use of the word doll is mostly just flavorful text, though perhaps if the Calamitas Clone were ever to get a re-sprite it could be that of a doll version of Calamitas? Could be interesting, and would make more sense than the current sprite in truth. Although that being said I and others appreciate the reference to the old sprites of Calamitas, of course.
Yharim:
Congratulations. You killed a flower.
In all seriousness, you have successfully vanquished a powerful foe. Well done.
As with many other monsters, this entity is unfortunately a result of my own stumblings.
However, it is amongst the few that were intentionally designed.
It was created to contain the broken and fractured soul of Mistrelle*, Goddess Of Spectres. Rather fittingly, she was nigh unkillable; it mattered not how many times you broke her, she would simply shatter into smaller and smaller pieces.
For others, this ability might have posed a threat. But not to me.
One of my…followers sealed her away, locking her inside this floral cage. Why he chose a plant of all things to serve as a prison I cannot say, though he did always enjoy gardening, I suppose.
Now that her soul is free, it will likely coalesce within the Dungeon, attracted to spirits far stronger and angrier than hers…
* I feel like I’ve heard the name Mistrelle before. If I’m right and it does exist for some other character then feel free to change it, but if I’m just crazy and the name is perfectly fine then never mind, lol.
- Rewrites Yharim’s Whisper to be more consistent with the rest of the story, and because in all honesty the original whisper didn’t really make much sense to me. It was just kind of random, really.
- Plantera was built to contain Mistrelle, a Goddess responsible for ghosts and the undead.
- Yharim avoids talking about Lullabis, hence why he doesn’t name him.
- References Polterghast
Lullabis:
…Does he dislike naming me…?
I…guess I understand.
He is right to speculate as to why I designed Plantera after such a fashion.
As with many of my seals, I did so in an attempt to disguise the true origins and intention of the Plantera.
Most assumed it was simply a wild monster of the Jungle, perhaps an old toy of Silva, or a Snapper grown out of control.
No one suspected the truth, allowing Mistrelle to remain imprisoned, until now.
Speaking of…I pity her, Mistrelle.
She was so young when she inherited her power, having it passed along from her mother.
From what I understand she rarely had a chance to choose anything for herself, being a tool for her master and father, Idolent, the half-mad God of Sacrifices.
If I had been there, I would have spared her life…but I understand why she was shattered. Idolent had tortured her so that even after he had died, she continued to desperately fight for him.
A tale of lies, manipulation, and torture.
Is there a more common story, for the divine?
- Lullabis disguises his seals
- Mistrelle was the daughter of Idolent and some unnamed third Goddess, and somehow inherited her power from her mother.
- Names the God of Sacrifices, Idolent
I’m inclined to agree.
Before Silva’s takeover, I used to visit the Abyss quite often.
It has always been crushing and dangerous of course…but it was and perhaps still is the most peaceful place on the entire earth.
If ever the events of the war or my own thoughts started to weigh me down, I’d simply retreat here, and rest for a time.
Occasionally I’d even spend days down in the void, simply drifting through the dark…
For the most part, I was left alone.
Twice though, my meditation was interrupted.
The first was by Anahita…though I would rather keep that story to myself, if you please.
The second, was Silva.
Elementals have always carried a sort of allure, or at least I’ve been told, personally I never really saw the appeal. But hidden behind that beautiful mask is usually a violent and wrathful spirit.
Silva was no different; if anything, she was worse.
Not only was she an elemental, but a goddess too, having consumed the Auric Soul of Levis, Dragon of The Vine.
I have heard tales of men falling for her instantly, however when we met I saw through her guise. I politely asked why she had disturbed me, and if she was doing well.
She seemed surprised at first, though whether by my reaction or question I don’t know. She responded by saying that she was well, and asking me who I was.
Naturally, I didn’t trust her. But nonetheless I gave her my name, since she almost certainly already knew my identity anyways.
As I had anticipated from the start, she attempted to persuade me to betray Yharim, which I respectfully declined.
I was about to explain why…when she tried to kill me, which was equally unsurprising.
The moment she laid her hand upon me, she was blasted back into the dark, savagely burnt by brimstone and lunar fire.
I’m not an idiot; obviously I would seek to protect myself, and Calamitas was kind enough to add some of her own enchantments overtop mine.
I quickly left after that…though not before glimpsing Silva’s snarling frown from the void.
She may be beautiful…yet of all the Elementals, and perhaps the Gods too, she is by far the most savage.
Fitting for the Goddess of Life, I suppose.
The next time I would see Silva, she was a restless corpse.
- Lullabis used to hang out in the Abyss, and adored it.
- Lullabis has met Silva, and had an amusing interaction with her.
- Silva is savage, violent, and beautiful.
- Names Levis, Dragon of The Vine (Or nature), whose soul Silva consumed.
- Lullabis has also met Anahita, yet strangely is reluctant to say anything about this occasion.
In the past, one could practically always hear the song of the Naiad when traversing Anhahaelint.
It was an ever present aspect of that sea, a whisper on the wind, a shimmer in the water.
There were and are rumors that Anahita was a Siren, using her song to lure sailors to their doom, but this is in fact false.
She simply loves to sing, and I cannot blame her; I have yet to meet anyone with a more beautiful voice.
As for the Leviathan, I have long theorized that it is perhaps of a dying lineage that is completely separate to that of the Dragons.
In this world, a substantial portion of powerful beasts and animalia are the offspring of Dragons in ages past.
But, if I had to guess, not this individual.
Which, really, simply adds to its mystery and awe; a creature that managed to obtain such a size and strength naturally, with no draconic origins or aid? Impressive!
Thankfully, I believe Anahita’s song and the Leviathans legend is not quite over yet.
You may have defeated them, but they are not dead; such myths are far more difficult to silence.
- I actually rewrote this whisper four times, since I realized I keep shoving Lullabis into too many stories and character interactions when it isn’t really necessary, and I was struggling to find a way to make it unique.
- Leviathan is not related to Dragons at all, despite the visual similarities.
- Anahita probably isn’t dead
“Performed admirably”. Yeah, right.
I remember arguing with Draedon that we should just send normal scouts into the infection, seeing as they would be immune to its conviction. Yet he insisted on creating this machine, believing it would survive unscathed.
Lo and behold, within an hour or two it failed.
Oftentimes I found Draedon genuinely breathtaking; I thought it was incredible, how someone could be so brilliant, yet so bizarrely thoughtless.
Do not underestimate him, of course; his propensity for technology is staggering, but at the same time there are many areas of his perception that seem completely devoid of reason.
During the Ilemeran war he suggested that we arm some of our soldiers with a unique form of flame thrower, adapted to scald sea water instead of spit fire. He believed that this would finally finish the conflict.
That is, until I pointed out that the necessary equipment would be so heavy that none of the soldiers could swim.
In response, Draedon asked why they would need to swim in the first place.
Apparently, he somehow forgot the war was taking place underwater…when designing a weapon specifically meant to be used underwater…
- Another comedic Whisper, painting Draedon in a less than respectful light.
- Lullabis had some sort of advisory role during the Ilmeran war, which is actually pretty significant since he would have likely still have been quite young at this point.
Whereas Yharim was disgusted by the Golem, I saw opportunity.
Given my affinity towards lunar magicks, and of course my divine representation of it, the arcane art I am most skilled in is that of binding, of sealing.
I…dislike to talk positively of myself, but I must confess that in all likelihood this is the one area of spellwork in which I have no peer.
The demented remains of slain Gods, the celestial essence of the night sky itself, the haunted armies of the moon…I have managed to imprison them all.
Within the Golem specifically I ensnared some of my own power, though in truth it is a branch of my dominion I have long forsaken.
If you’ve wondered why more and more threats have emerged over the course of your journey, look no further; though you have not recognised it, this entire time you have been undoing many of my seals.
I see nothing wrong with that. You are more than strong enough to handle the horrors I could not.
- Lullabis is responsible for most of the progression events and unlocks, justified as “sealed powers”.
- The solar eclipse, frost moon, and harvest moon are technically part of Lullabis’s “dominion”. However, he despises them.
In autumn, the moon grew orange and large, as the very harvests that the common folk worked so hard to grow turned against them.
Trees moved and spirits reigned. Peasants were ripped inside out, pumpkin vines and black roots bursting from their stomachs and mouths, their lumbering, screaming corpses used as puppets against those they loved.
The huntsman of the night and their flying steeds could be heard thundering across the sky, searching for new game to track and run down. Once captured, the hunters feasted on the tortured wails of their prey, as they were flayed alive and made into red coats of feeling skin.
In winter, for a few days of the year there was no light at all, the frost moon bathing the land in frigid cold and spoking madness in the hearts of men.
In hunger and lunacy they would turn against their closest friends and allies, eating each other and themselves in a desperate attempt to outlast the moonlit snow.
From betwixt the frozen trees stalked the gaunt and antlered men, their skin as cold and pale as ice, their smiles as sharp as glass. Kidnapping men and women alike to lay with them, and produce horrific, stillborn offspring.
Worst of all was the eclipse. Unpredictable, the moon occasionally blotted the warm sky, casting the world in an impure burning darkness.
Nameless demons made of the sun’s shadow with countless arms would fall from the sky, tears of the dark moon, and scorch the earth in lunar flame and shade.
This was the austere, primeval, holy power I inherited.
I despised it.
I couldn’t quite halt their occurrence, but I could weaken them.
I twisted each into a living joke; a parade of christmas elves and halloween wisps, a ridiculous entourage of children's ghost stories and specters.
Still dangerous of course, but not nearly as much as before, and something the world could mock.
I hid the crescent armies within the Golems body, for who would think to look for them there, in the ramshackle cogwheel idol of a dying race?
Speaking of…if you can, please show the Lihzahrd people at least some respect.
Few things in this world have.
A tragedy, really; though different, and perhaps desperate, they are still people, same as you and me.
Difference does make deliquince.
I warned Yharim of him…though I have already spoken enough of Draedon, I think.
Usually, I would clean up after Yharim’s messes without his request.
He knew I could be trusted to be meticulous in my work, and seemed grateful that I alleviated some of the damage he left behind in his wake.
The plague was unique in that sense. He ordered me to immediately work on its containment, before I even knew it existed.
At first I was confused, but I very quickly understood his urgency.
The plague was spreading rapidly through the jungle, infesting almost every species of animal. Its capacity for adaptation was remarkable, evolving and changing in mere hours.
Yharim’s concern was twofold; although currently under our control, there was a possibility that the plague could mutate in such a way that it would escape our governance.
Secondly, though equally unlikely, there was the terrifying potential that it could jump from animalia to sentient species.
Yharim provided me with an entire battalion to combat the plague, dressed in armored hazard suits, and armed with searing flamethrowers.
Under my orders they practically burnt half the jungle to the ground.
I felt awful, of course…but the Jungle healed in time, and the plague was eradicated.
Or at least, we thought it was…I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that Draedon kept some personal specimens.
- Lullabis, as is customary at this point, was responsible for dealing with the plague. He didn’t seal it away however, and the recent outbreak was caused by Draedon, not Lullabis.
She is a witch, or was one anyways. Though as you can of course plainly see, she was nothing like Calamitas.
She pledged herself to the divine, in particular to Xeroc, acting as one of his many prophets upon the earth.
In actuality she cared little for her master's will or desires, and although she would fulfill them dutifully, it was only with the promise of sustenance.
Because of her dispositions, she was often associated with more…gentle sins, if you will.
Gluttony, sloth, lust, and the like. Far less damnable than other convictions of course, but sins nonetheless.
In the devouts constant attempts to rationalize why I sided with Yharim, they often compared me to her.
They assumed I simply served for the sake of power or survival, and would swap sides when the pantheon “inevitably” won.
Such incredibly depressing stubbornness…was it really so hard for them to believe that I genuinely supported Yharims cause?
- Suggests that the devout side of the war was named or ruled by something called “the pantheon”, which I thought could be a fun detail.
Heh, I know this isn’t really the time or place, but…Duke? Of what?
Such peculiar things, titles. How meaningless they can become, in the right context.
Of the dragon lineage, three descended into the seas, and would become the Fishrons, Serpents, and Abyssal Wyrms respectively.
Out of the three, Fishrons resembled their ancestors most. An oddity, given the fact that the Serpents held Dragonblood, while the Fishrons did not.
The last Serpent was hunted roughly a hundred years ago, I think, leaving only the Wyrms and Fishrons in the ocean depths.
I find it perplexing how different all three were from one another, despite sharing a common ancestor.
Then again, the Wyrms are barely draconic anymore, I suppose…for better or for worse.
- Wyrms are somehow “barely draconic” anymore, whatever that means.
All that remains of Idolent, God Of Sacrifices.
A most wicked being, he was. Demanding nightly sacrifices in his name, even though he gained nothing from them.
He simply enjoyed watching others grovel at his feet, as the light left their eyes.
He is also one of the few Gods to ever foster a child, and with another God no less…although we know next to nothing of the mothers identity or nature.
Unsurprisingly, he was a terrible father.
He used to cut his daughter every night, adding scar after scar. As with the sacrifices, there was no reason or justification behind it, purely sadistic malice.
I was present actually, when the Ravager awoke.
I had been overseeing the introduction of Idolent’s twisted city into our holdings, when it burst out from his monolithic temple.
The ensuing chaos that unfolded is reminiscent of when the Elemental awoke in Azafure, I think.
Though unlike that incident, Yharim amongst other members of his court were there to deal with the Flesh Golem.
They almost killed it, and swiftly too, though I advised against that.
In “resurrecting” Idolent the faithful necromancers effectively did my job for me, containing any toxic lifebloods within its putrid form.
As such, it was spared. I tied its consciousness to an old whistle I found within the temple complex, ensuring that it would not awaken unless ordered to, and buried it in the monolith's rubble.
Unlike many other divine shells, you needn’t worry about the spread of some new stain with this constructs death.
It would seem that whatever blistering infections hid within the Ravager have diffused into nothing over the years.
…
On that night, when I almost drowned in the Ilmeran depths, I met her.
Neyimere; Dragon of the Moon and Sea, last of her kind before Yharon was reborn.
She alone had survived the massacre, at incredible cost.
She sacrificed her home and most of her power to seal the behemoth away, as her family and kin died around her.
Afterwards, she hid in the sea, exhausted by her efforts.
There she stayed for decades, as the world bled and shined above her, and the Age of God began.
By some chance, some misfortune…she happened to awake, right as my body nearly touched the sandy ocean floor.
She saved me, raising me out of the stormy sea and laying me to rest upon the shore of my home.
We saw each other frequently after that, as she became like a second mother to me.
She could be brash at times…but hidden beneath her cold wet scales was an incredibly kind soul.
One which she didn’t keep for long.
- Neyimere was the only dragon to survive the collapse of the Draconic Era, until Yharons rebirth. She was the Dragon of the Moon and Sea, and seems to have sacrificed much of her power to trap Moon Lord.
- Lullabis was saved by Neyimere, and the two grew close in friendship.
A unique corruption, one which I have found to be more similar to Draedons mechanical plague than any of its divine counterparts.
It fell from the sky quite some time ago, in a most brilliant display of starshine and celestial remains.
At one point, it had been contained within the belly of a divine wyrm, one of the night and heavens above.
But, with the Wyrms death, its insides have been sprayed out across all the cosmos.
The Crimson, Corruption and Hallow are nothing like it really. Though powerful, they are also random; there is no logic behind their spread, no reason, not unlike a true disease or sickness.
The same cannot be said of this star born pestilence. It may not be obvious at first, but it moves and alters the world with deliberation and intent.
I wouldn't go so far as to suggest that it is conscious, but there is certainly some kind of intelligence within it.
Furthermore, its capabilities are remarkable. Not only can it transform biological and physical matter, but mechanical as well, bending and corroding their circuits and pistons in its own image.
Thankfully, sentient beings are immune to its afflictions, a common rule of thumb for all infections.
As far as I'm aware, our souls are completely impenetrable to misfortunes of the flesh, and though they can be consumed, they are never truly destroyed.
- Provides some basic descriptions of the Astral Infection
- Suggests that all sentient beings have souls, which grant them their consciousness and cannot be enslaved.
- Souls cannot be destroyed, only consumed.
Astrum Deus, infested carcass of the cosmos.
It feasted upon the rotting corpses of stars once, preventing the astral infection that budded within their nuclear corpses from spreading outwards.
Whether it did this out of kindness, wishing to spare us mortals from the madness of a dying star, or purely out of a desire for sustenance, none can say.
Likewise, how and when the Wyrm was slain is equally mysterious. I once heard rumors that it was Yharim and the Devourers doing, which frankly is absurd; it fell long before the Serpent entered our plane, and I can think of no reason as to why Yharim would wish its death in the first place.
Though worshiped and graced with the title of God, it was simply just that, a title. The wyrm never consumed the Auric Soul of any dragon, and all of its power it personally worked hard to achieve.
Alas, now only pieces remain. Completely consumed by the very infection it once devoured.
I wonder...is it the fate of all beings who receive worship, that they shall one day be deposed? Thus far none have survived more than an age, with the exception of Yharon and Neyimere I suppose…and, until recently, the two of them were the most secretive and least renowned of the Dragons.
An interesting question to ponder.
- Clarifies that Yharim or DoG were no responsible for Astrum Deus death, a cheeky reference to the old lore
- Intentionally contradicts Yharims whisper, which says that Deus never died, and instead was eventually fully infected and sent down the Astral Infection. This is meant to cause confusion; which story is true, and which is fake? Why does neither side even seem to consider the other?
…I favor you.
And…he’s not completely right, about all of us Gods.
Funny…he should know that.
…
Yharim and Yharon found me, sobbing into Neyimere’s corpse.
She died in my arms, her fiery dragon blood melting the flesh off my wrists and hands like candle wax.
She had been discovered by Otonilu, and given her already weak and scarred state, it didn’t take much to finish her off.
…
I was just a kid, I had done nothing to earn it, and yet…
Before she died, she gave it to me, her Auric Soul.
…
I don’t think Yharim’s ever moved faster, upon hearing of the existence of another Dragon.
He pulled me away from her body, and…the hate in his eyes when he looked at me…
…
But…confusion, as well.
I don’t think he really knew what to do with me.
Yharon understood, and after a brief murmur, they took me away to Azafure.
As we flew off, I watched Neyimere’s corpse slowly be pulled out to sea.
And as her body vanished beneath the waves, I thought to myself, of the last thing she ever said to me;
“Whatever you are now…”
“Be good.”
Post-Moon Lord
Just look at them.
Husks of the “Heroes” they once were.
After Providence ascended, she slaughtered her previous allies, her followers. Then, she twisted their bodies into something more “Useful”.
Truly goes to show how desperate the people of this world are, how nihilistic, that so many of them would turn to a god like this for salvation…
I guess I can’t really blame them, to be honest.
The world desperately needs time to rest, I think.
Just…a year or two would be nice.
No gods, no monsters, no magic…simply a short while of respite.
No point in daydreaming for a reality that will never occur, though.
- The three followers of Providence got it rough…which they deserve, let's be honest lol
Dragonfolly; such an amusing, yet brilliant name!
Although the strongest of dragons (Usually…) held Auric Souls, a dragon is still a dragon, regardless of its form.
Dragonfolly’s are no exception; perhaps the fastest of all animals, they’re effulgent energy is truly breathtaking.
I befriended a Folly once, if you could believe it.
Attracted to the surface branch of my garden, I slowly gained its trust over the course of months.
I named him Bumblebirb; an appropriately silly name for such a silly critter.
Sadly, as I grew increasingly swamped with administrative duties, I saw him less and less.
I wonder what happened to him…
Oh, don’t worry, the one you just defeated wasn’t him.
His feathers were redder, and he wouldn’t hurt a fly…unless you scratched him in the wrong place, that is.
- Look I love Dragonfollies, they’re adorable, ok lol?
- Lullabis’ Bumblebirb is of course a reference to the old name of the boss, and gives it some in-universe credibility.
- Lullabis’ garden was apparently quite large, with numerous “branches”.
…It is individuals such as she that makes me ashamed of what I am.
Though we achieved our Divinity via entirely different means, the fact that we are the same form of entity, categorically speaking, brings me nothing but remorse.
I have tried so, so hard to find some redeeming quality in her, some saving grace or characteristic, but I just…can’t.
It is true that this world is…difficult.
But are there not so many beautiful aspects within it…?
The glow of starshine and moonlight…the setting sun on a peaceful sea…the tender embrace of a coveted friend…
Life is hard. There is no denying that.
But even a single moment of respite, of joy, can overpower a thousand of suffering.
Within a cruel world such as this, it does us good to hold our comforting memories close.
I don’t have many, it is true…but the warmth, the happiness, the sweet pain I feel when recollecting them…they make life worth living.
I…I know this will sound odd, but…if ever you f-feel…well, like her…
Just…talk to me, okay?
I will always be here for you…
Friend.
- If there were any remaining doubts as to Lullabis’s character, this Whisper is meant to dispel them completely. It goes into depth on Lullabis’s philosophy, his view of life, and his genuine kindness and love of all. Yharim states that Providence is likely the most wicked of the gods, something that is likely true…and yet, even then, Lullabis cannot help but try and find something in Providence that can be admired. Even when faced against one of the worst characters in the entire story, he tries to emphasize with them.
He ends the whisper not on himself, not on his own thoughts or feelings but on you, on the player. Lullabis has and always will prioritize others before himself, valuing their happiness over his own. He calls the player a friend, even though this entire time it has been a one sided conversation. He has faith that the player is a good person, despite the fact that not once has the player ever responded to him.
- The three things he lists are references to his story. Moonlight is of course Neyimere, the sunset over the sea is Ilmeris, and the embrace is comforting Calamitas.
- He is ashamed to be a God.
- He stutters while making the offer to the player as a sign of how emotionally vulnerable he is at that moment, and suggests that, perhaps, he has felt the same way before.
As always, he sent me to deal with the problem instead.
I couldn’t close the rift, obviously; I didn’t have the power or naivete to attempt it.
Instead, with the assistance of Sir I bound it in an enchanted chassis and chains, so that nothing could ever enter…and nothing within could ever get out.
I even found a way to weaponise the Void's reality distortions, bending its tears in a way that would cause dangerous fluctuations if anyone tried to break my seal.
The battle you just completed was one of my own design…sorry about that, I uh hope it wasn’t too rough, haha.
- Lullabis was the one who dealt with the Ceaseless Void after Yharim chose to ignore it.
- At first the whisper is fairly serious, but the ending is intentionally whimsical, as a demonstration of Lullabis’s humor and soft personality.
Storm Weaver
Truth be told, I really don’t have much to say.
I always disapproved of the Serpent and his methods, but at the very least I respected his cosmic power and sly intellect.
The Weaver, though…I guess I’m indifferent.
We only ever spoke on occasion, and she never said much.
From what I could gather she was more respectful than the Serpent, but more timid as well. We never had a chance to become well acquainted, really.
That being said…there was one moment I still look back on fondly.
I can’t remember why, but she demonstrated some of her skills to me once, carving lightning and rain in the sky above.
Despite my troubled past with storms, I have always adored rain, so I made sure to compliment her ability.
I think she appreciated the comment.
A pity…maybe, if we had more time, we could have become good friends.
- A refreshingly short Whisper, in comparison to most of the Post-Moon Lord counterparts.
- Is meant to service the Weaver more then Lullabis. The Weavers lore is rather lacking in my personal opinion, which is fair; it is meant to be subservient to the Devourer, of course. Nonetheless I wanted to add to Weaver’s lore in order to create depth, and make the world feel more alive.
- To achieve this, I firstly swapped the Weavers gender; previously Weaver was (I think?) canonically male. There is of course nothing wrong with that, but I felt like it added to the perception that Weaver was just DoG but smaller. A separate gender helps rectify this issue. Furthermore Lullabis mentions that they were different in personality, and were perhaps more amiable than DoG. Once again, this helps separate the two.
In the end, these changes are only slight, and don’t change the major lore at all. But that’s fine; I’ve always found that it is the finer details of a story that make it more realistic and believable, rather than the major themes.
After Yharim’s legendary battle with Braelor, I felt…conflicted.
Though they were of course our enemies, there was no denying the honor that could be found in that unusual pair, the Ronin and the Ninja.
I felt they didn’t deserve their untimely demise. Perhaps we could sway them to our side, and find two loyal allies, where before there were adversaries.
After all, they had been lied to by their patron, Silva…a most morally convoluted entity, though I am not here to discuss her.
After they had been devoured, I contacted Signus, and made my intentions clear.
To my shock, Signus was not only willing to accept my request, but even seemed enthusiastic in doing so.
Signus was a deal maker, you must understand, and I had never heard of them doing anything for anyone without personal gain…except now.
They freed Statis, and asked for nothing in return. I wasn’t even aware it was capable of charity, but apparently I was mistaken.
For whatever reason, it refused to release Braelor. Why, I don’t know.
After his release, I spoke with Statis. Silva was already “dead” at this point, so I attempted to persuade him to our side.
I was half successful - I could not bring Statis to join Yharim’s court, but they did agree to end their hostility towards us, an oath they have kept to this day.
I have no idea where they are now. Perhaps you will encounter them, before your journey's end?
- A considerably longer Whisper, detailing how Statis survived and also Lullabis’s opinion on the whole affair. The fact that Yharim does not know that Lullabis did this indicates that it was a secret he never shared.
- Explains why Statis apparently didn’t fight against Yharim again after escaping (At least what lore has been written suggests he hasn’t, anyways).
- Another example of Lullabis’s kindness, as he attempts to free Statis and Braelor, seeing two potential friends rather than enemies.
- The fact that Braelor was not released is meant to add to the mystique of Signus. Why were they so eager to let Statis free, yet refused to save Braelor? Who knows. It keeps Signus’s mysterious nature intact.
The duties he ignored fell to me.
Whilst he waged his wars, Yharon, Calamitas, and the Serpent at his side, I remained at home.
I organized his armies, raised funding for his research and armory, provided relief to those who suffered his wrath, built his cities, integrated his conquered lands, oversaw his people's welfare and agriculture, disposed of his divine corpses, acted as his citizens voice, constructed his desired tombs for the ancient dragons, and so, so much more.
Looking back I find it ironic that they named him King, when really most of the kingly responsibilities I fulfilled.
Although…I don’t mean to imply I was deserving of such a title either.
…
It was my idea, to cast his prisoners of war into the Draconic temple.
I was so busy, there were so many other things I needed to do, I thought…I thought the cult would look after them, I didn’t know, I swear I…
I didn’t know.
…
He might not have answered the Cults call, but I did.
I walked down into that…that hell of my own making, and a part of me was left behind when I walked out.
I did not have the strength to silence the amalgamations misery, but I did what I could.
I didn’t sleep for days, as I slowly lulled it into a deep slumber, and all the while the screaming souls tried to rip me apart.
Their undying rage might have been devoted to Yharim, but as the Kindly Traitor, they still had plenty of resentment for me. Really, they should have had more…their damnation was my sin, not Yharim’s.
I do not know how Yharim manages to live with himself…he has created similar monstrosities during his campaign, whether accidentally or purposefully. And after only making one myself…never have I come so close to…
…
Thank you, for doing what I could not, and finally putting them to rest.
My only hope is that maybe, just maybe, when we meet again…they will have the kindness in their hearts to forgive me.
If not…I do not blame them, and will accept whatever judgment is given to me.
- These just keep getting longer and longer, don’t they lol?
- Provides Lullabis with a curiously unique, yet vital role in Yharim’s campaign; that being the administrator of his nation, effectively ruling in Yharim’s place. I think this suits Lullabis well, as they have already been established as not being a fighter, and someone had to govern Yharim’s kingdom whilst he was away. It suggests that Lullabis was a very responsible individual, and spent much of his time cleaning up after Yharim; the fact that Lullabis lists the duties he fulfilled as Yharim’s, repeatedly calling them “His” indicates that Lullabis was well aware of the fact that he was basically doing what Yharim was meant to, and potentially had some resentment as a result.
- Polterghast was Lullabis’s fault, as he was too busy to handle the prisoners of war himself, instead just dumping them in the Dungeon. He feels extraordinarily guilty about this event, and although it was an atrocity committed by accident, Lullabis nonetheless hates himself for it.
- Lullabis sealed the Polterghast away, which is only logical, as he did the same with the Plague, Harvest and Frost Moons, Solar Eclipse, the Ceaseless Void, and so on.
Often I have wondered it; where did the Dragons discover their Auric Souls?
Or, perhaps more accurately…
Who gifted them?
Why did some dragons receive Souls, and not others? Why Dragons in the first place?
In my past life, one of my hobbies was research into the ancient history of the world. I delighted in uncovering forgotten lore and knowledge, no matter the subject.
Yharim supported my efforts readily, and made a point of gifting me any ancient relics or tomes he discovered during his conquest.
From such curiosities I learnt much, including spells and wisdoms that Yharim’s army utilized in their war.
I even worked alongside Draedon, from time to time. Though his interest was purely devoted to slaughter of course, whereas I was motivated by curiosity.
But, despite years upon years of constant studying, at arguably the best position in the world for historical investigation…I never was able to answer that burning question.
Every text I found alluded to some…thing that graced the Dragons with Auric Souls, but not once is it ever described or named.
It is as if Terraria itself wishes to forget, pretending it never existed in the first place.
And Yharon…Yharon, likewise, refused to tell me or Yharim anything on the matter, a stunning revelation; until then, he kept nothing from us, and especially not from Yharim.
A dark, fearful part of me wonders whether or not the Dragons lied to us as much as the Gods.
But…no, that cannot be.
- I didn’t really have anything to add to the Duke’s lore that Yharim hasn’t already shared, so I chose to focus instead on Lullabis’s speculation as to the nature of Auric Souls, and their origins. Just some basic ideas of how I think they originated, and I intentionally made it very vague since I (Unsurprisingly) know next to nothing about this area of the lore, lol.
Ah yes, the fabled Serpent.
It mattered not what the situation was, we were always, always on opposing sides in terms of advising Yharim.
He was violent and ruthless, showing little to no remorse for any of his actions. So long as he was fed, he couldn’t care less as to what happened to those beneath him.
At first Yharim would generally heed my warnings…but as time went on, he seemed to value my input less and less, as he sunk deeper into depravity and depression.
One day, I expressed my growing concern to Yharon. I asked him why his brother continued to obey the Devourer, why he was losing all sense of morality.
Yharon simply answered by saying he did not know, and that sometimes, people do the wrong thing for the right reasons.
I didn’t really know how to respond.
Sir and Calamitas eventually could not take it anymore, leaving us behind.
And with that, only I, Yharon, the Serpent, and Draedon remained on Yharim’s council.
I remember sitting there, silent, as I watched the three of them scheme and plot; Yharon was quiet with me, for it mattered not what Yharim did, he would always support him.
I gave up trying to persuade Yharim from his actions. It was clear he no longer cared for my opinion.
And then, after months of pondering, months of silence, months of pacing and deliberation…I finally had the courage to commit the greatest mistake of my life, second only to the Ghast and abandoning Cal.
- Honestly I don’t have any idea what lore needs to be added to DoG, so I instead chose to glance at the period between Permafrost and Cal leaving, and Lullabis’s mistake.
Yharon…
He was always so kind to me…
…
The warmth that radiated from his soul could fight off all feelings of depression, and his gentle, kind words healed any and all wounds.
In times of struggle and sadness, he would embrace me, letting me rest in the folds of his majestic wings…something meant only for Yharim.
And yet, he shared that love with me, as I would slowly drift off into a blissful sleep.
Snuggles with a dragon; such an absurd, yet precious thing.
And now…
I…
…
Forgive me. I…I need some time to think.
…No.
Do no such thing.
I agree completely with Yharim.
It is true that he holds invaluable knowledge and intellect…but intelligence does not equate wisdom.
It’s not that he is wicked or malevolent, he just...isn’t anything, really.
I have known him for decades. And not once in that entire time have I seen him express emotion, of any sort.
He sided with Yharim not out of shared ideals or interest, but purely opportunity; his campaign offered the perfect position to test and study his technology.
That technology being his apparent obsession with weaponizing everything.
The souls of the tortured damned. The fabric of the universe. The perverted essence of nature.
He is truly despicable.
And yet, none of the crimes he committed were out of hate, misunderstanding, or foolishness.
Just mild intrigue.
The shell you spoke with today was nothing more than one of his vessels, as I’m sure you know.
I implore you to track him down, find his true body, and do what needs to be done.
I strongly believe in redemption, that everyone deserves a second chance. Whether they be a monster, a god, or human.
But Draedon is none of those things.
- An unusually cold whisper for Lullabis. He feels so vehemently against Draedon because he is perhaps the only being he cannot understand - at least with Providence he understood to some extent why she believed in her mission. But Draedon? How can you emphasize with something that doesn’t even have emotions? Thus, Lullabis’s powerful hatred; he doesn’t see Draedon as a person, or even a monster, just a soulless, heartless machine. One which, for the betterment of the world, needs to be put down.
…She is the one responsible for the destruction of my home.
Single handedly, she has slaughtered thousands. Most of whom were innocent.
Many think of her as a monster, a demon, an abomination, a witch…
They may be justified in those notions.
But, despite everything she’s done, to the world and to me…
I…cannot help myself.
I care for her.
…
We were raised together, side by side.
Underneath the teachings of Sir, we studied and learned.
From the beginning she was far, far more powerful than I, and as we aged that distance in strength only widened.
Further and further she progressed, as I struggled to keep up.
As such she was always Sir’s favorite, along with Yharim and the rest.
But I didn’t mind.
She was my favorite, too.
I comforted her at every opportunity, praised her progress and encouraged her every day.
At first these remarks were usually met with an insult or slite, but over time those responses dwindled, and then vanished.
As we grew older, we became closer.
She told me of her past, of her family who had died at her hands, and her vehement self hatred as a result.
I held her, crying in my arms, on countless occasions.
At other times her anger got the best of her, and she lashed out against me. I have - well, had, the burns to prove it.
I forgave and forgot such incidents immediately.
I loved her. Whether that be as an adoptive sibling, or…something more, I honestly can’t say.
The greatest regret in my life was that I wasn’t strong enough, to protect her.
That, when the time came, I couldn’t stand between her and Yharim’s commands.
She isn’t a monster. She isn’t a witch.
She’s just a girl.
I blame myself for everything she was forced to do. Weak as I was, I should have stood up for her.
Now…it is too late.
I am nothing more than a voice, my flesh and bone stripped away, leaving only a weary and gentle auric soul…one which isn’t even mine.
I can’t comfort her anymore. I can’t support her.
I can’t even give her a hug.
…
Please, don’t tell her I’m here with you.
I-I…I don’t want to hurt her anymore…
You’ve…you’ve done it!
Please, feel proud, happy! You truly are something incredible, something beautiful, something…something…
…
Something I can’t lie to anymore.
…
He…Yharim, is what is keeping me alive.
It is his soul that supports mine.
When you…kill him, as I am sure you are determined to do…I will pass on as well.
…
I think I’m scared, [INSERT PLAYER NAME].
…
I don’t know what will happen, once we’re gone.
Where we’ll go, what we’ll become…
Maybe I’ll see my family again, with Neyimere, Yharon, Yharim, and the rest…
Maybe I’ll be reborn, perhaps as a flower or butterfly…that would be nice…
Or maybe nothing will happen at all, and I can finally, finally rest.
Dragons, Gods, Witches, Machines, Men…
We’re all the same, aren’t we?
We all must face the morbid beauty of our collective fate.
…
I think I’m ready now.
…
I’m ready to go home.
Yharim:
He was standing at my side, when Permafrost stormed into the hall.
The Archmage scolded me and what I had become, denouncing my once noble campaign and efforts, comparing me to the many Gods I had slain.
He insulted each and everyone of my court, encouraging them to leave me and save whatever souls they had left.
And all the while, as insults and scorn was slapped in his face by the man he saw as a second father, Lullabis remained silent, unmoving, unflinching. Eyes locked on the floor.
He was standing at my side, when Calamitas burst into the hall.
The Witch screamed at me between sobs, tears of rage and shame rolling down her cheeks.
If it were not for the presence of my entire council, I am sure she would have tried to kill me.
Even so, she spat nothing but venom, her voice sharp and wrathful.
She ripped all of us apart, her words cutting so deep that even the Devourer, incredibly, showed a small sliver of embarrassment.
But when she faced Lullabis, Calamitas choked on her words…before turning away.
And as the love of his life, the person he cared for most in all the world abandoned him…Lullabis remained silent, motionless, tearless. Eyes watching her leave.
…
No one was at my side, when he walked into the hall.
Coming forward, he stopped a few feet away from me,
His face was lowered to the ground. His head bent as if hiding something. Something he was ashamed of.
Slowly, he looked up, his eyes meeting mine.
They were full of agony, fear, regret, pain, weariness…but most of all, a powerful, profound sadness.
…
Permafrost scolded me. Calamitas howled at me.
Lullabis said nothing. Nothing at all.
And somehow…that silence was the most damning thing I have ever heard.
…
It is one thing to be abandoned by a mentor.
It is one thing to be abandoned by a friend.
It is something else entirely, to be abandoned by the only thing keeping you alive.
…
I know you're there.
I know you can hear me.
…
I’m trying.
I’m trying so hard, to do what you told me.
I’m trying to be good…even if I am a monster.
At the very least, please know I…
…
I didn’t…
I was angry, I…I was thinking straight…
I swear, I didn’t mean to do it, I didn’t…
I…I’m sorry, I’m sorry, please, please believe me, Lullabis I…
…
I couldn’t lose you, too.
Lullabis:
…
So you threw me away, instead.
…
…
…
When you…when you finally meet him, please…
Tell him I forgive him.
…
Yharim, Cal, even Sir and Yharon…
They never really understood why I am the way I am.
Honestly, I don’t really know myself…
But, what I do know is this;
We live in a cruel, cruel world. One that has been bathed in suffering and tragedy countless times.
I know that.
But…why is that any reason to be hardened?
They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.
If that is true, then I must be mad, for no matter how many times I suffered as a result of it…no matter how many times I was deceived…
I always, always gave those who harmed me a second chance.
And it doesn’t matter what happens to me; pain, shame, even death itself…none of those things have managed to make me falter.
Yharim thought I was weak. Cal naive.
And maybe they were right.
Perhaps I am insane, or stupid.
But if what I am doing is wrong…
Then I don’t want to be right.
I think many might still not fully understand the story, so I figured I’d give a basic summary here, a sort of timeline I suppose. It leaves out quite a few side details, but it gets the general message across.
Lullabis was born a human child, on the shores of the Ilmeran sea. His family lived in a village there, and though never stated, it is likely he lived a poor or menial existence. That being said, it never bothered him, and he and his family were happy.
He adored the ocean and sea, and to this day finds it calming and nostalgic, even with some of his potential trauma caused by it.
That trauma being his near-death experience, as when swimming out at sea one night he almost drowned. A storm unexpectedly flashed into existence, the first to occur in Ilmeris in over a hundred years.
Rain and thunder howling above him, waves rising like mountains, he was slammed deeper and deeper into the ocean depths. He struggled to survive, desperately trying to break free…but only drowning faster as a result.
Eventually, he could manage no more, and gave up. Drifting down into the blue, eventually landing in the soft, gentle embrace of the Ilmeran sand.
The last thing he saw was the iridescent glimmer of moonlight filtering through the water, the flash of lightning arcing across the sky, and the breathtaking expanse of blue that surrounded him.
And finally, mere moments before death, a large shadow moving overhead.
Lullabis was saved by Neyimere, the dragon of the Moon and Sea. Until Yharons rebirth she was the last of her kind, the sole survivor of the Behemoths invasion and Deific Hunt centuries ago. She survived almost by accident, as sacrificing her domain to serve as a prison for what would become the Moon Lord left her bereft of power. While the Gods ruled and fought above, Neyimere slumbered, her sleep undisturbed.
That is, until a little boy collided with her buried form.
From there, Lullabis and Neyimere became extremely close. They carried out a secret friendship, the two often spending time with one another. Neyimere became like a second mother to Lullabis, and she taught him much of the world and the past.
This relationship was very, very short lived.
One day, whilst traveling to meet with him, Neyimere was discovered by Otonilu. Already weak and crippled from her past sacrifices, she was easily finished off…though not before heavily disfiguring Otonilu, and barely escaping.
Inches from death, Lullabis cradled Neyimere in his arms as she died. Her draconic blood burnt and melted the flesh of his arms like candle wax, yet he didn’t care. He wanted to comfort his dying friend, no matter how much it hurt him.
Before she died, Neyimere did something unprecedented; she relinquished her Auric Soul willingly, gifting it to Lullabis. Why, no one really knows. Perhaps she thought he was worthy, or she wanted to protect him. Maybe she simply didn’t want Otonilu or some other undeserving monster to claim it for themselves.
Nonetheless, she gave away her soul, and therefore not just her power, but her single chance at reincarnation. Never again would she be reborn upon the Aerie, never again would she visit her home of the crescent moon.
In this way, Lullabis became a God, while still being a child.
The battle between Otonilu and Neyimere did not go unnoticed, and before anyone else, Yharim and Yharon arrived. It is unsurprising that they were the first to find him; until then, both had assumed Yharon was the last of his kind. Neyimere had given them incredible hope, that perhaps the Dragons were not lost after all.
Instead of Neyimere, they found Lullabis, sobbing into her desiccated corpse.
Neither Yharim nor Yharon knew what to do. Their sanctified mission had been the extermination of all that would call themselves divine, to purge the world of the many Gods that so deeply plagued it…and yet here they found one such God, who had never hurt a fly, who was given their Soul, rather than having stolen it. And, to top it all off, they were a child, of course.
After a few moments of consideration, Yharon exhibited mercy, and suggested to his brother that they spare the boy's life. He had done nothing wrong after all, and perhaps he could be of use to them.
Moving quickly, they flew him away to Azafure. None of them felt abandoning Neyimere’s remains to rot was honorable, but in the effort of safety there was little they could do.
And as they flew away, Lullabis watched her body slowly vanish beneath the merciful waves. And she did so, he thought of the last words Neyimere ever said to him;
“Whatever you are now…”
“Be good.”
This was the inciting effort that started the Ilmeran conflict. Though I have not properly emphasized it, Yharim was enraged at Neyimere’s death, in a manner he had never felt before. Immediately almost all of his efforts were dedicated towards the annihilation of Ilmeris…however, as is well known, the underwater kingdom was notoriously difficult to besiege and conquer. For almost a decade Yharims campaign would try and invade the aquatic city, to no avail.
In the meanwhile, Lullabis, as previously mentioned, was taken to Azafure. His wounds bandaged, he became Permafrosts first student, learning to control his newfound power beneath him.
Speaking of, Lullabis’s strengths are…unique. Seeing as the Behemoth or Moon Lord was sealed away in the Moon, I felt it would be neat to interpret this as Lunar magicks being highly intertwined with the art of sealing. This is why Lullabis throughout the story of Calamity seals away numerous threats and Gods; as the God of the Moon, there is quite literally no other being who can match him at imprisoning…well, anything. Furthermore Lunar magick is based heavily around blessings, enchantments, and whatnot, which perfectly encapsulates Lullabis; his magic is designed to help and support others, rather then himself.
But that would come in due time. For now, Lullabis was a shaken, clumsy, near silent child, one who found his own abilities difficult to master. Permafrost as with Calamitas formed a close bond with Lullabis, viewing him in an almost familial light.
For three months, Lullabis was Permafrosts sole apprentice…
Until the Brimstone Elemental awoke, and dueled Calamitas to a standstill.
Permafrost and Lullabis did what they could to protect Azafures inhabitants, but there was little they could do. Thankfully both were saved by Calamitas’ sheer power…though the city did not survive.
Afterwards, Calamitas of course joined Yharims court, as Permafrosts second apprentice. From the beginning she was almost infinitely stronger than Lullabis, obviously, and though he tried to befriend her, Calamitas was extremely cold and aggressive towards him.
Over time, this would change. Slowly, the two grew closer, forming a powerful friendship. As referenced by Lullabis in the Calamitas whisper, he was often a comforter for her, as he was with many of Yharims servants. He’d console her regularly, and appears to have been her biggest supporter, constantly encouraging the Witch and celebrating her accomplishments.
Lullabis would never come even close to Calamitas in ability or strength, but he truly couldn’t care less. He was more than happy to watch Calamitas grow and heal…even if she was never able to completely forgive herself.
The events surrounding her attempted resurrection of Catastrophe and Cataclysm I have intentionally left extremely vague, as I sense the devs will want to flush that out later.
Although in terms of actual magic power he was weak (Outside of sealing and blessings, of course), it was soon found that in political discourse and tactics he had few peers. He rose to become Yharims leading servant and advisor, even surpassing Permafrost. He took over all administrative duties for the Golden Heretic, practically running his campaign for him, and freeing Yharim to focus on conflict and war.
In this way, Lullabis became Yharims most valued companion, save for Yharon himself of course. His advice, intuition, and administrative capabilities were unmatched…and his comforting words and compliments did not go unnoticed, either.
During all of this Draedon and the Devourer would join Yharims efforts, both of which Lullabis had an…uneasy opinion of. It is clear that he truly despised Draedon, in a manner he never felt for anyone else, but it is referenced once that he held at least some respect for the Devourer, though their relationship isn’t really divulged at any point.
As Yharim grew increasingly desperate and irritable, likely at Draedon and DOG’s promptings, Lullabis nonetheless displayed an incredible amount of loyalty. Even as his former home was incinerated, even as he watched thousands of innocents die, even as his closest companion was repeatedly abused and mistreated by Yharim…he nonetheless never left Yharims side.
Permafrost and Calamitas would both abandon Yharim eventually, and even then, Lullabis’ loyalty was steadfast…for a time. But with the leaving of the two people he cared for most in all the world, Yharims castle felt…hollow.
In truth, he developed feelings of doubt and resentment towards Yharim before anyone else, recognising his crimes for what they were rather than “Militant necessities” or “Unfortunate consequences”. But he was scared. Tyrant though he would become, Yharim had treated Lullabis kindly. At first he was cold and distant to him, untrusting of anything divine, even accidental, but progressively he opened to Lullabis. The two became genuine friends, and it is clear that Yharim meant a great deal to Lullabis, even after everything he had done.
Eventually, a few months after Calamitas departure, he too built the confidence to confront Yharim. He hoped that perhaps, with his abandonment as well, Yharim would finally, finally realize what he had become.
Instead, in a fit of rage, Yharim murdered him.
But, as stated, he did so out of temporary madness. Horrified as to what he had done, Yharim tried desperately to save his dying friend, but to no avail. Screaming, weeping, howling at everything and himself, he clutched Lullabis close.
As he laid there, bleeding out in Yharims arms, Lullabis could only muster a final phrase, one that had been said to him, long ago.
“Whatever you are now…”
“Be good.”
…
Lullabis would not die, at least not completely. Though yes he had lost his body, his soul still lived on, now tied to Yharims. And, mysteriously, the Terrarians, though why…well, who can say.
That is the conclusion of the story and lore concepts, mostly. Below you will find some other things I thought of, mostly items and mechanics. Originally all of these had nothing to do with Lullabis at all, but in the spirit of trying to tie everything together I gave them suitable themings and lore lol. Enjoy!
Of course, I am a writer, not a game developer, so apologies if any of this seems outlandish lol.
A random concept for Lullabis I had, wherein he too could provide enchantments, similarly to Calamitas, yet opposite to hers as well.
What I mean by this is that Lullabis doesn’t enchant weapons, but rather accessories. As such most of his enchantments are actually defensive or supportive, rather than aggressive. This is of course fitting of his character; Lullabis is a supportive, kind person, not a warrior or bloodthirsty magician. He would rather devote his magic to protecting those he loves, rather than harming others, even if they are strangers.
How exactly these enchantments would be applied however…honestly, I don’t know. I’m rather torn on this issue, because on the one hand I think an npc of Lullabis would be interesting and perhaps heartwarming…but from a thematic perspective, might it be better that he remains a spirit? His pseudo-death is meant to be impactful, and if he can just suddenly come back to life, it kind of invalidates that impact.
Perhaps he has some sort of craftbale late game item, akin to the brimstone locus, which can be interacted with to apply enchantments? That could make sense, I suppose.
As a side note, a visual element of these enchantments is that all of their runes are far ‘softer’ than Calamitas’. By soft, I mean with circular, bending shapes, rather than cuboid or triangular. Few straight lines, resulting in a wavy sort of look.
I am aware that Calamitas’ runes are based off of alchemical symbols, which is a neat addition, but personally I think as a way to separate Lullabis’s runes they should either be completely unique, or based off of something else. Perhaps star signs, given Lullabis’s representation of the moon, and thus connection to the night sky?
Ludus
You move 5x faster.
Pros: You move 5x faster.
Cons: You move 5x faster.
Philautia (Get your mind out of the gutter, it means self-love…come to think of it, clarifying what it means just makes it worse, doesn’t it?)
While standing still, you get an incredible regen buff, and take no damage from new sources (If you had a damaging debuff before you stood still, it still takes effect) however you are incapable of dealing any damage. Furthermore you take twice as much damage while moving. Note: Standing still means standing on the ground, not moving at all. Mounts such as the Exo Box do not count as standing still.
Asceticism
You are completely immune to all debuffs, but are immune to all buffs as well (Potions, npc boons, buffs provided by equipment or weapons, candles, etc). The exception is some debuffs caused by the Abyss.
Bliss
While moving, you have increased regeneration, defense, health, and damage. However, you literally cannot stop moving; the game will keep moving the character until you put in new inputs. This makes dodging much, much harder. Can be toggled on and off.
Fragility
You deal three times more damage, and take three times more damage yourself.
Intimacy
When close to a boss, you gain an increase to regen and defense. The closer you are, the stronger the buff. However, if you move too far away, your regen and defense is decreased.
(Basically a defensive version of Resentful and Bloodthirsty, for melee users. I’m not sure if there should be a long-ranged counterpart, as I feel that could be too overpowered for long-distance combat types…aka all of them except melee, lol.)
Solus
All damage you deal heals you, however you lose health rapidly whilst the enchantment is active.
(Basically Vampirism)
Mania (Get it? Because mana, and it’s a type of love? No…? I’ll see myself out.)
All damage you deal fills up your mana, but you lose mana passively. If you run out, you’re kind of screwed.
Storge
Four objects orbit you (Runes, or maybe flowers/moons?), taking damage for you. Each object can take three hits of damage (The amount of damage does not matter, just that it’s a damage source), before dissipating. You take two times as much damage, and healing items such as potions or life-steal will not speed up the regeneration of the objects.
Potentially very powerful, however because the objects orbit you it can be difficult to use them properly, and any projectile or attack that slips through will of course deal absurd damage. Plus you have to wait for the objects to recharge, too.
Altruism
Runes appear randomly around the player during a boss fight. If the player touches them, they are healed slightly, and given a slight regeneration boon. However, after ten (Maybe five) seconds of existing without being picked up by the player, they will home towards the boss or one of its minions, and heal them instead.
The runes might have more effects then healing, such as damage, defense, etc boosts.
Philophobia
Any debuffs or damage taken by the player, the source of damage also takes. This includes damage done to shields, such as those provided by the Storge enchantment and The Sponge. However, the player takes double damage.
Hanahaki
When you take damage, large thorny flowers are released and however in the air. Every once in a while they pulse, releasing thorns that do significant damage to the player if touched and apply a damaging debuff. However, if the player touches them when they are not pulsing, they heal a portion of the damage initially done to them that released the flower, and gain a small amount of regen. The thorns harm enemies as well.
Flowers dissipate after about ten seconds.
Gentle Soul Artifact (Profaned Soul Artifact, or maybe Profaned Soul Crystal?)
When something burns, it is not gone. The cinders of anything are full of untainted potential, the nutrients and essence within providing fuel to the kindling of life.
A glimpse into what might have been, a fading echo of the future; truly, her conquest was hopeless, for within ash do bloom countless, beautiful flowers.
Summons three descendant spirits, tragically denied a chance at existence.
Summons three Profaned Guardian-like npcs to assist the player.
Comforter - Heals the player 30 health every 8 seconds, and provides an increase of damage reduction by 15%.
Apologist - The Apologist hovers behind the player character at all times, blocking any and all projectiles that fly into its sprite. It also gives the player the option of four powerful boons, which can be chosen when equipping the item; Scourge, which increases all damage dealt by 15%, Mothers Sacrifice, which increases damage reduction by 10%, Comets Blessing, which heals 10% of health after not taking damage for five seconds, and Gluttons Mourning, which removes (most) debuffs every 15 seconds.
Aegis - Rapidly slashes at enemies, disappearing and reappearing around the target. Each hit does 64 damage, and ignores 50% of enemy defense. Has a 10% chance of a critical hit, which cannot be changed by other items or equipment. After a critical hit, its sword shatters into nine shards, the pieces homing towards the player and healing them slightly. After five seconds, the sword reforms, and Aegis resumes striking.
The Comforter, Apologist, and Aegis all resemble humanoid spirits, their forms blurry and hard to make out. However, a few details are clear; Comforter has a wizards hat, round spectacles, a long ponytail (However appears male), and feathers sprout from his arms, Apologist has two long straight horns bursting from their eyes and is wearing nun attire, and Aegis is a tall slender women with short cut hair, a bandaged left eye, and wields a longsword similar in appearance and stance to Catastrophe.
Flowers of different types bloom across their bodies, in varying locations; white lilies from the comforters temples and neck, thorned red poppies from Apologists mouth, and black roses from Aegis’s bandaged eye and sword.
Who are these three spirits, you might ask? No idea. I genuinely came up with them whilst writing up the concept for this item, lol. I figured it should at least vaguely be connected to Lullabis, hence the flower imagery, but really who these three are I don’t know. In my personal head canon, they are three supporters of some hero in a world that would rise after Providence’s divine burning, but perhaps not, and they could be anyone else. Descendants of Lullabis, or Calamitas? Of the main character? Who can say.
Peacebanner Of The Moon (Warbanner Of The Sun)
The moon had a people, once.
This flag is all that is left.
Increases all damage by 5%. The closer to an enemy you are, the higher your regen, up to a 50% increase. Stacks with Intimacy.
Upon being hit, you release seven weeping spirits (Named “MoonLastborn” in the game files) which attack your enemies and do a small amount of damage. This damage is increased by all damage increments (I.E. it doesn’t matter what class you are, any damage increasements will increase the spirit's damage. This does mean its damage can be greatly increased with the use of potions, but the spirits don’t really do much damage to begin with, so this shouldn’t be an issue.)
The banner has a blue background, etched with silver. On it is detailed a young boy, nude, his body curled around a flowering moon, which hovers above his hands. His eyes are not visible, but it is clear that he is weeping, despite appearing emotionless. Obviously I have no idea how this much detail could be placed on a small pixel sprite, but it's what's in my head, lol.
Dark Moon Ring (Dark Sun Ring)*
An old wedding ring. Despite having been born of the hopes and terrors of a furtive lover, it would seem that it was never offered to its recipient.
+5% Max Hp
+5 Health Regen
+10% Damage
Provides benefits which vary depending on the phase of the moon, and allows the player to control the phase of the moon.
Full Moon: See The World As I Did. You’d Be Surprised, How Much You Can Come To Miss The Dark. (Entire screen is luminated, arrows point towards enemies or rare creatures.)
Waning Gibbous: The Vanished Wealth Of The Moon Is Yours…And So Is Its Pre-Destined Burden. (Doubles the chance for all item drops.)
Third Quarter: The Silence Of Lunar Soil Is Agonizing, Is It Not? (Immensely decreased mob spawn rate)
Waning Crescent: It Used To Be Beautiful. Fields Of Gentle Flowers, Cities Of Sunlit Towers…And Then I Destroyed It All, In Order To Save Your World. Ungrateful. (You can uncraft items, similarly to the shimmer, but anywhere.)
New Moon: While Your Dead Are At Their Most Uneasy, Here, They Might Finally Rest. (Doubles player immunity frames)
Waxing Crescent: The Naiad And The Dryad Might Claim It, But Do Not Be Deceived; That Depth Was Mine. (All negative effects of the abyss are deactivated.)
First Quarter: Careful Now; Something Is Watching You From Below. If You Will, Don’t Look Back…My Kin Gave Their Lives To Bury It. (Immensely increased mob spawn rate)
Waxing Gibbous: In The Future, Your Kind Will Return Home. I Just Hope That On That Day, Your Origins Will Not Drive You Mad. (Most debuffs are greatly nullified.)
Solar Eclipse: Life Started Here, Did You Know That? And Let Me Tell You…It Was Horrifying. (All attacks inflict Penumbras Sob, which deals 40 damage per second, and heals the player a small portion of the damage dealt. Has fire particles, and is a Heat Debuff.) (Note: Only changes the moon's appearance to a solar eclipse, the day looks normal.)
(All items that inflict Penumbras Sob “Stack” with one another, progressively increasing the power and effects of the debuff.)
Though never stated, it is implied that the voice is Neyimere.
* Name is a reference to an item of the same name from Elden Ring. I’ll be honest, I’m way more proud of this reference then I should be, lol.
Lullabis (Calamity)
Please…I can’t change your past, I know I can’t, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try.
I want you to be happy, now…
Because I know you were so rarely happy back then.
The player's cursor becomes engulfed in the soul of Lullabis. When the cursor is held over the player or another player, they are rapidly healed. When held over enemies, their armor is slightly reduced. All attacks inflict Penumbras Sob.
Item:
(An outstretched hand, as if lifting someone up. The hand should be heavily damaged, with a few flower petals sticking out. It radiates a blue and white light.)
Bloom Stained Hilt (Tainted Blade)
A gift, turned frenzied punishment. It has only ever been used once, and the blood of its owner still paints what is left of the blade red. Afterwards, it was broken, as all the agony and regret of a tyrant was infused into whatever was left.
Sometimes, it is easier to die, then to live with who we have become.
1 damage (Melee).
Inflicts Debuff:
Dragonfire (100% Chance)
Brimstone Flames (100% Chance)
Nightwither (100% Chance)
Vulnerability Hex (100% Chance)
Temporal Sadness (100% Chance)
Penumbras Sob (100% Chance)
An absurdly powerful weapon, akin to The Wand; its item description states that it only deals 1 damage, however this is only the swing of the sword, which is slow. After being swung, instead of releasing a normal sword projectile, a gigantic cacophony of screaming voices, flowers, moonlight, dragon flame, brimstone fire, and auric shine is released, covering practically half of the entire screen.
The combined damage is absurd, perhaps outmatching any other weapon in the game, but this is juxtaposed with its painfully slow use speed; it takes about five seconds to charge, in which the player cannot get hurt, or the charge is reset. After this, it cannot be used for another five seconds.
In terms of burst damage, nothing can defeat it, however other weapons can easily outpace it with sustained damage. The various debuffs are somewhat meant to remedy this, though due to immunities, to bosses they are rarely ever inflicted.
In truth, this weapon is meant to be more of a spectacle, a tragic lore item, then a viable weapon. Yes, it does deal a great deal of damage and inflicts many debuffs, but it's so slow that this doesn’t really matter. I just wanted to create a weapon representing Yharim’s regret and agony, which of course would be profound, but I was nervous about making something that is potentially too powerful.
Oh, in terms of lore, the sword was a gift from Lullabis to Yharim, and was the weapon he used to murder Lullabis. Hence why the sword is covered in flowers, and has a piece of Lullabis’ scarf tied to it.
(Why is most of the art that is closest to my imagination for this weapon tattoo art lol?)
(Sort of a combination between all four of these. I think the rapier guard of the center and bottom left sword could be a good edition, since I don’t think a weapon with a hilt such as that exists in game. Correct me if I’m wrong, of course. Also, the flowers should bloom on what is left of the blade and the hilt, not the handle, as the blade is obviously where Lullabis was stabbed. Finally, perhaps a red rag tied to the handle like in the bottom image, a shred of Lullabis’s scarf?)
Faded Quintessence
It is said that before the Gods, before the coming of the Elementals, before even the Dragons themselves, the world was governed by powers far more abstract and perplexing than those of today. This is all that remains of that distant, half-forgotten age.
Weapons fire unique projectiles based on the damage type they have. Some weapons are unable to receive this bonus.
Provides 10% damage reduction after not being hit for 15 seconds, this is removed when you are hit.
+1 HP/s life regen for you and everyone on your team.
Periodically gain an unstable energy field that repeatedly zaps nearby enemies with arcing energy. The arcing energy ignores a substantial amount of enemy defense.
Upon taking damage you release a massive cloud of spores, which slowly home towards enemies and deal a small amount of damage. This damage heals you.
Consuming a healing potion provides the Greater Mushy buff, increasing defense by 10 and granting 2 HP/s life regen.
Enemies drop a healing orb on kill.
Gain an increase to your damage and movement speed the lower your health is, up to 20%.
Upon activating Adrenaline or Rage mode, a ghostly rime hound charges out from the player towards the direction of the cursor, dealing substantial damage and inflicting both Frostbite and Glacial State for 10 seconds.
Recipe:
Luxor's Gift + Trinket Of Chi + Tundra Leash + Unstable Granite Core + Fungal Symbiote + Gladiators Locket + 5 Soul Of Sight + 5 Souls Of Might + 5 Souls Of Fright = Faded Quintessence
Combines all of the Shrine equipments into one item. I always liked the detail of shrines and their equipments as they were unique and added the potential for interesting world building, yet sadly seem painfully neglected.
While most of the effects are unchanged from their original item, I did alter the Fungal Symbiote; instead of increasing the damage of mushroom based weapons, the player instead releases life stealing spores upon taking damage. Moreover, they receive the Mushy buff not when eating a mushroom, but when consuming a healing potion of any sort. I did this to make the item's effects more relevant to this stage of the game.
I also changed Tundra Leash, seeing as obviously a mount wouldn’t really work with an equipment item. I like the idea of it being turned into an attack when activating Adrenaline or Rage, however that being said I’m not sure what it should do when not playing any official calamity modes. Perhaps nothing, really.
The tooltip is just a small concept of mine; that at some point in the past, the world was ruled by entities representative of marble, granite, mushrooms, forests, and snow. Why these five, seemingly arbitrary things? Well I can’t say, but that adds to the allure of their mystery.
I have no idea what the item should look like, lol.
Ragged Scarf
A long, blood red, two tailed scarf. Though it feels and seems ordinary, within lies the gentle soul of a hopelessly lost, confused, and lonely God. It appears to have had a small portion of it ripped away.
My favorite scarf…!
It was a gift from a close friend, and I wore it everywhere…
I hope it comforts you, as much as it comforted me.
Defense: 46
Releases spirits and gives increased immune time when damaged.*
+1 HP/s life regen for you and everyone on your team, and reduces the cooldown of healing potions.
Absorbs 15% of damage done to players on your team. This effect is only active above 25% life.
Grants immunity to knockback.
Puts a blessing around the owner when below 50% life that reduces damage taken.
Immune to most debuffs.
+40 max life
Grants a blinding lunar dash which can slam through enemies without taking damage. Can be used to ram enemies, inflicting Penumbras Sob.
Dashing into an attack will cause you to dodge it. After a successful dodge you must wait 30 seconds before you can dodge again.
+20 defense while submerged in liquid.
Grants Buff: Faint Warmth (Effectively a combination of Paladin’s Shield and Ice Barrier, though of course their respective attributes of course only occur when the criteria is met.)
* Spirits are identical to those released by Peacebanner Of The Moon. The amount of spirits and their damage stack with each other.
Recipe:
Rampart Of The Deities + Asgardian Aegis + Evasion Scarf + Despondent Soul + Ten Shadowspec Bars + 5 Ascendent Spirit Essence = Ragged Scarf
Scarf:
(Apparently the weebs like red scarves as much as I do, lol.)
Meant to finally combine the Rampart Of The Deities and the Asgardian Aegis, a request I think we have all heard for years.
That being said, when combined with the Evasion Scarf as well, this could be a far far too powerful equipment.
Since I am obviously not a game or mod developer, I’ll leave it to others to determine whether or not this abomination should exist, lol.
Oh, since it is made with the Despondent Soul, it replaces its voice functions.
Efflorescent Wings
Though he attempted to hide them with spells and enchantments alike, the Kindly Traitor could never escape the burden that were his stolen wings.
Horizontal speed: 13.00
Acceleration multiplier: 3.5
Excellent vertical speed
Flight time: Infinite
By pressing a designated keybind, the wings can swap between two modes; flight, in which the player flies, and glide, in which…I think you get the point. Until swapped again they will stay in these modes. Default keybind is Mouse 3.
Designed to be the best wings in the game, supplanting Drews Wings. How they are unlocked I have no idea; perhaps dropped by Calamitas?
The infinite flight ability I am unsure of, though in truth I see nothing wrong with it. At this point in the game the player has beaten (Presumably) almost every boss, and can travel across the world in seconds. Infinite flight would be an incredible boon during combat and in general, while not disrupting gameplay too much I think. And the glide mechanic is kept for the sake of dodging.
On a weird side note, perhaps the infinite flight mechanic is how Yharim’s arena is reached? It’s above that invisible barrier in space that you cannot cross as a boundary to the map. The wings allow you to go past it, and reach the “Dragon Aerie”.
Wings:
(What I want to emphasize is how large the wings are. They look fairly similar to the Seraph Tracers, however are MASSIVE, with by far the largest sprite of any wing item. They also seem to be made of a fading white light, and are oddly cubic (The wings on the right are the most similar to what I imagine). In several places the wings are cut, red blood dripping slightly, blue and white flowers akin to the Wilted Crescent Orchid (See below) blooming from the wounds.)
Daydream Of Aviothic
It doesn’t get any better than this.
It was always his dream, Aviothic. To ascend into the heavens, to fly forever and ever, through the sky and the stars and the void. Gravity chained him to the earth, and in time he could no longer bear his own weight. Go; honor his memory, by living out the fantasy he never could.
Too often are we denied that which we dream of.
Counts as wings
Horizontal speed: 12.00
Acceleration multiplier: 3.2
Excellent vertical speed
Flight time: Infinite
50% increased running acceleration and greater mobility on ice
Provides the ability to walk on water, honey, and lava
Grants immunity to fire, lava, and harmful block effects
Being hit for over 200 damage will make you immune for an extended period of time
10% increased movement speed (Finally inherits Harpy Ring, lol)
By pressing a designated keybind, the wings can swap between two modes; flight, in which the player flies, and glide, in which…I think you get the point. Until swapped again they will stay in these modes. Default keybind is Mouse 3.
Recipe:
Seraph Tracers + Efflorescent Wings + Five Shadowspec Bars = Daydream Of Aviothic
Item:
(I hate the guy in the picture, but basically the halo but gold or blue lol. A snapped, broken halo, giving off some form of energy, with a design effect kind of like the Dark Sun Ring or Calamity, though more gentle and slow, like it’s in a video whose playback speed has been reduced. Whether or not the halo would appear alongside the wings, I’m not sure; it could clash with too many people's vanity outfits.)
Wings:
(There are multiple wings, not unlike that of a Seraphim. However, unlike the first drawing, the amount of wings is uneven and random. A beautiful mess, rather than an ordered pattern.)
(Of all the items this one I’m the most unsure of, by the way.)
Cracked Spectacles
An old pair of cracked, round, gold rim glasses. The power to forgive a god pulses from this artifact.
Cal used to poke fun at me about it, and honestly I would laugh as well; I mean, seriously, how hilarious is it, that the ascendant God of the Moon, the right hand of the Golden Heretic, the fabled Kindly Traitor, would still need a pair of glasses, haha?
Defense: 45
Enemies take immense damage when they touch you and are afflicted with a damaging sickness debuff that reduces damage reduction significantly.
Using a healing potion will spawn a cleansing aura. Walking into the aura removes all debuffs and defense damage one time. The aura grants +3 HP/s life regen, +8% damage, and +5% damage reduction for all players inside for 10 seconds.
5% of the damage from enemy attacks is absorbed and converted into healing.
Shimmering meteors rain down after getting hit.
Exploding lunar dust is left behind as you move
Damage and movement speed increased by 10%.
Recipe:
The Absorber + Yharims Gift + Five Shadowspec Bars = Cracked Spectacles
Item:
Wilted Crescent Orchid
An obscenely rare and delicate flower, found only in two places; lunar fields, and the blood of Lullabis.
Although wilted, within its petals a powerful course of emotions still resides. A coalescence of somber appreciation, shared loneliness, self-hatred, agonizing helplessness…and longing.
Provides the ability to dash. The player can dash through all attacks and enemies, receiving no damage or contact damage at all. However, they take three times more damage elsewise.
Somewhat similar to an exhumed item or enchantment, this is meant to be a potentially overpowered item that is dependent on skill. If you have the skill to adequately dodge or dash through every attack, then you’re basically invincible. However, if you mess up, the potential consequences are severe.
You will survive fatal damage and revive with 50% life on a three minute cooldown.
You are encased in a barrier of weeping orchids for 3 seconds when revived. This barrier restricts your movement slightly, though you can still move, as it rapidly heals you and provides immunity to all debuffs.
Wilted Crescent Orchid revival takes priority over all other means of death prevention.
+50% Max HP
+10% Damage
Recipe:
1 Moonglow + Permafrosts Concoction + 5 Ashes Of Calamity = Wilted Crescent Orchid
Item:
(This, but a mix of pale blue, milk white, and black basically. Oh, the flower is a Ghost Orchid by the way, my favorite flower.)
Despondent Soul
A weak, and barely sustained soul. A voice whispers to you from within…
Functions similarly to the Brimstone Locus; technically does nothing, however when placed inside a players inventory it adds a few item descriptions. Furthermore, while equipped in a vanity slot, it will occasionally spawn dialogue akin in function to Lucy the Axe.
I have intentionally made an absurd amount of dialogue in the hopes that it makes the despondent soul seem as alive as possible. I found when using Lucy that any perceived life or realism in the axe was very swiftly ended once I heard every piece of dialogue lol.
Below are a few examples of what dialogue would be provided. At first I considered writing a full list, but…well it got kind of boring pretty fast, heh. Still, it should provide a basic understanding of how the system would work.
Soul Dialogue
Biome Dialogue
This dialogue spawns when the player enters a given biome. Note that it doesn’t occur every single time; there's about a ¼ chance of dialogue being triggered. Furthermore it is not randomly selected, and rather cycles through the given list.
When Entering Space:
When Entering Forest:
When Entering Snow:
When Entering Desert:
When Entering Corruption:
When Entering Crimson:
When Entering Normal Underground:
When Entering Dungeon:
When Entering Ocean:
When Entering The Abyss:
Layer 2:
When Entering Mushroom Biome:
When Entering Hallow:
When Entering Astral Infection:
*A reference to this video, which is actually how I discovered Calamity in the first place, almost four years ago now.
When Entering Underworld:
When Entering Brimstone Craig:
When Entering Jungle Temple:
When Entering Graveyard:
Other Dialogue
When Killing An Entity, 1/25 Chance:
Picking Up An Item:
I hope I have made this properly lol, since I'm not entirely familiar with Forums.
Anyways, having recently been inspired by a Calamity playthrough, I wrote up quite a bit of lore I thought would be neat. I aimed to change nothing regarding the current story of the Mod, instead trying to work with the established worldbuilding, and I had a lot of fun making it!
I've already posted it in the Calamity discord, and really this is the only other place I think anyone would be interested, lol.
Please tell me what you think!
Oh, and have a wonderful day!
Note: None of the images shown in this post are my own, and I do not have the rights to any of them. Just wanted to make sure that was clear lol.
Lullabis
The vast, vast majority of this entire project revolves around one character; Lullabis. Which in all honesty is incredibly ironic, as I actually wanted to avoid this scenario. However, since I wanted to tell much of my lore concepts in the form of alternative whispers (As you shall see in a moment), eventually I had to create some form of character, and overtime everything sort of bent around to suit him
I don’t want to delve quite into Lullabis’ backstory yet as I’d rather the reader slowly piece it together as they go along, as is the case with much of Calamities lore, but I will preface with this general description.
Lullabis is nothing like any other character. Not because he’s powerful or edgy or something silly like that…but because he’s kind. That is his defining characteristic; he is a genuinely kind, caring, and loving individual.
Calamity is full of morally gray characters, which is certainly fun, but I felt like it nonetheless needed a breath of fresh air. Someone separate, to contrast the harshness of the Calamity world. Thus, Lullabis.
These intentions are reflected throughout Lullabis’ story. As an example and somewhat of a spoiler, Lullabis is a god…but, unlike every other deity in this world, he did not steal his Auric Soul. Rather, it was given to him. And, moreover, he never fought against Yharim…and instead, sided with him. This instantly disrupts the established story, as it suggests that perhaps not all gods are wicked, and that the world is far more complicated than one would first anticipate.
It also further expands Yharim, and his morality. He is a man who vehemently despises anything divine, and rightly so in truth. But then, along comes this child (For Lullabis was a child when he ascended), this weak and yet kind child, who has done nothing wrong and yet nonetheless is part of the group Yharim has sworn to eradicate. Imagine the potential moral crisis that might spurn within Yharim, an already morally complicated individual. How is he meant to respond? What is he to do? Well, you’ll figure that out eventually.
Oh, and as a final separation…Lullabis is weak, especially for a god. Though he does have his arcane strengths, for the most part his abilities and powers are nothing compared to Calamitas or Yharim. And this is intentional; Lullabis isn’t a character who needs to be strong, and if anything this would go against his entire personality. He doesn’t want power, he doesn’t want strength…he just wants to help those he loves, and even those he doesn’t.
As with the rest of the lore in Calamity, Lullabis’ story is told mostly through Whispers. You will have to reveal that story slowly, as you go along.
After the Whispers, I have a few other concepts revolving around the character, mostly items and what not. You’ll see, lol.
Happy reading, please tell me what you think!
Lore Items
These are alternative Lore Item descriptions, or “Whispers” as I like to call them. The way they are accessed is fairly simple; via right clicking on the designated Whisper it’s description will change and perhaps gain a slight blue hue. It is somewhat of a combination of how the Shellphone functions, and the
Included in this list are four suggested Whispers as well, which are related to Lullabis’s character, and also I think deserve descriptions anyways. Those being the Solar Eclipse, Harvest Moon, Frost Moon, and Sunken Sea respectively.
There is also a final Whisper, dedicated to Lullabis himself. How the player gains this item, I uh have no idea lol.
Awakening
Oh…hello.
How did you…wait, what…what are you…?
…
…Huh.
Well, allow me to introduce myself!
My name’s Lullabis...it’s wonderful to meet you! And you are?
…
That’s a lovely name!
Well, [INSERT PLAYER NAME], I can sense your intentions. I know your desire.
Normally I would caution you against this mission…but somehow, I know you hold the determination to pursue your goal.
Very well then. Throughout your journey, I will accompany you.
I lost my body a long, long time ago, and thus there are few ways in which I can assist you, sorry…but I will try my best!
Oh, and make sure to rest every now and then, ok?
A miracle worker like you deserves some peace and quiet, from time to time.
- To be honest, out of all the Whispers, I feel like this one is by far the weakest.
- From the beginning, Lullabis is established as being dramatically different in comparison to Yharim. He is far more light hearted, cheery, kind, and supportive. Out of all the whispers this is the least serious, and that’s intentional; it immediately informs the player as to who Lullabis is.
King Slime
Did you know the Onyx Kinsman revered gelatin entities such as this?
They admired their incredible resilience, and ability to transfuse the essence of the environment around them into strength.
From the simple slime they developed many of their techniques, taking a surprising degree of inspiration from such a basic lifeform.
Ironically, it would seem the one thing the clan did not learn was the very perseverance they found so profound…
I…well I suppose befriended isn’t the right word, not really…became acquainted, with one of their members a great deal of time ago.
And from that brief companionship I attained a respect for the kinsmen, enough that I mourn their near extinction.
- Provides potential context for why the Onyx Kinsman worshiped simple slimes, and acknowledges the irony of their demise.
- Foreshadows Lullabis meeting with Statis, an occasion you will learn of much much later.
Desert Scourge
Majestic is an understatement.
Of all the sea serpents, all the wyrms of the sky and the stars…this was, in my eyes, by far the most pristine.
An iridescent collage of white and blue, of pale reds and yellows, with soft jellyfish skin and shimmering rose gold tentacles flecked with silver…
Though perhaps weak, in beauty it had no equal. Even the Naiad was captivated by its form.
I used to swim with them, on occasion…my family lived on the Ilmeran shore, and in my childhood I befriended many of the dwellers of that tranquil sea.
After Neyimere, and my subsequent abduction to Azafure, I would not see my beloved home again.
Until it was wreathed in brimstone and fire, that is.
- An introduction into Lullabis’s history and origins, providing the barest information as to who they are.
- The concept that the Desert Scourge was once far more beautiful is meant to exemplify the tragedy of Ilmeris, that something so beautiful would be forced to become so…coarse.
- Lullabis’s adoration of it also plays into his character, showing his appreciation for beauty.
- The Naiad is of course Anahita, though realistically speaking they could be replaced with any sea deity or figure.
The Eye of Cthulhu
I had nightmares of them quite often in my youth; the flayed remains of that…that thing that came from the stars.
Though it had been defeated long before my time, its inability to die was well known, and feared.
Every severed piece of flesh still lived, filled with malice and madness.
Aimlessly they would stalk the night, hunting anything and everything that moved.
This is one such piece, a tiny, tiny piece.
Perhaps, with its demise, the little ones of the world will rest easier than I did.
- The very first reference to Moon Lord.
- Expands the Eyes lore a bit, suggesting that it and many monsters like it are the result of Moon Lord's corpse, rather than solely originating from Gods or other influences.
- Given Lullabis’s concern over the nightmares of children he doesn’t even know, and the fact that he wants them to be happier than he was, it characterizes him as kind and loving.
Crabulon
I agree with his sentiments…but could we also take a moment to appreciate the absurdity of this creature?
Of course I do feel pity for it, as it hailed from the same charred home as myself…but still, I cannot help but smile, looking upon its peculiar form.
As for the mushrooms…honestly, I have little and less to say.
No one really knows where they came from, buried beneath the earth as they are.
Are they the remnant of an ancient elemental? The decaying dream of some primordial god? Who knows; their origin has been lost to history.
They taste delicious, though.
- Meant to be an amusing Whisper. This helps separate Lullabis from Yharim, as it shows that Lullabis is far less cold, and if anything is somewhat sweet. I mean, he ends the dialogue by describing how he thinks the mushrooms taste delicious, whereas Yharim expressed concern at their tenacity. Quite the juxtaposition in personality.
The Crimson and The Corruption
Though later in the conquest I would have reason to doubt him, in situations such as this I believe Yharim was justified.
The manner in which he dispatched this god was his mistake, not the slaying of the God itself.
From what I have read, she was a despicable being, a torturer of the weak and slaughterer of millions.
The Blind Scourge they called her, the Goddess of Disease and Infection herself.
Most Gods and beings like them were not objectively wicked, just…misguided, or confused. Believing in false precepts and philosophies, they committed heinous atrocities out of ignorance, not spite.
Such is not the case with her. She was truly motivated by nothing but greed, cruelty, and sadism.
With luck, this place and all remnants of her will soon be extinguished.
The world has already bled enough.
An amalgam of various gods, the Corruption is aptly named.
It is wondrously resilient; even after all this time and dozens of attempts to cleanse the land of its pestilence, it continues to survive.
Thankfully, though gruesome, it isn’t that much of a threat really.
Perhaps you will be the one to finally heal this ancient blister?
That Dryad certainly won’t stop asking you to, anyways…
- In Yharim’s whisper, the god responsible for the Crimson is vaguely acknowledged, and we gain the inkling that they were unjust. This whisper elaborates on that, giving a detailed description.
- The fact that Lullabis is in agreement with Yharim on the Scourge, something that later down the line will be quite rare, helps support the idea that Yharim was at first an honorable individual. If Yharim and Lullabis can agree that this god's death was justified, then in all likelihood it was.
Brain of Cthulhu
Whereas the Eye was once part of the behemoth, this monster never was. Its name is likely an accident, or misunderstanding.
Yharim may blame the gods for beings such as this, which is certainly fair…but I have noticed over the years that many of these creatures seem to just appear one day, almost out of thin air.
They are birthed with such frequency that I have begun to speculate that perhaps their existence is some kind of natural reaction of the world, that much like gravity or heat they are simply a function of reality.
- Not all monsters are born of gods, or at least seem to be
The Eater of Worlds
Though this is your first brush with entities such as this, you will come to find that apparently fate adores the shape of Worm’s.
Seriously, they appear everywhere; whatever beings made our world are either very uncreative, or clearly have favorites.
This specimen in particular appears to be some kind of mutated tunneler, forced to grow exceptionally large and violent.
Not all monsters and demons have compelling origins. Some, such as this, are rather mundane.
Still, good job! You did well.
The Perforators and Their Hive
The intestines of the Goddess of Disease, given life.
I guess it only makes sense, that a God of parasites and plagues would have one living inside her own body.
Like a cancer, it has forgotten the host it once infested completely, instead serving its own ends.
It seeks only to replicate and spread, not realizing that as it grows it is stretched thinner and thinner.
As stated, it is not unlike a cancer. And all cancers are unknowingly killing themselves, not aware of the fact that when their host dies, so will they.
Or, in this case, that their host is already dead.
- The Crimson is progressively growing weaker.
The Hive Mind
The reason Gods are often so demanding of worship is due to their nature.
Emotion has power, and worship is a means in which that power can be channeled.
Some of the strongest Gods never had much strength to begin with, but through worship and effort they managed to refine and attune their abilities to incredible heights.
Although, these stories are often ones of hubris.
For the moment a God such as this loses their followers, their entire religion comes crashing down, its rubble crushing whatever shell was left behind.
- Gods can use worship to grow stronger, although this is a risky tactic.
The Sunken Sea
(Perhaps dropped by the Giant Clam on the first kill, or found in some kind of new shrine?)
Yharim:
A hidden ocean-oasis, buried beneath a monolith of sand and insects.
Once, this was Ilmeris, that fabled kingdom beneath the sea.
During the beginnings of my campaign, I thought little of it, as did the rest of the world.
It was a peaceful place, one that avoided conflict at every point, and devoted itself to isolation.
Though I aimed to one day exhibit justice upon its resident deities, I felt no need to at first.
The hadal god had long since vanished, and Otonilu was supposedly devoted to pacifism.
As such, I ignored it almost completely.
That is, until its people committed a crime the likes of which has not been seen since Zeratros.
Do not pity this scorched kingdom.
It’s punishment was just.
- Alludes towards Lullabis’s origins.
Lullabis:
…One night in my childhood, I was swimming out in the Ilmeran sea.
It was almost always calm, devoid of thunder and lightning. So I felt no fear as I swam far far out, away from the coast.
On that day however, the unusual occurred; the first storm of Ilmeris in over a century.
Waves the size of mountains crashed down upon me, forcing me further and further into the crystalline depths of the ocean.
I struggled to surface, screaming for air as my lungs burnt with salt and water.
I could see the surface, the night sky above, so close yet so far. With childish hands I reached out for it, desperately trying to grasp the moonlight that trickled down.
Soon, I could not manage it any longer. My vision growing dark, I slowly drifted into the abyss, my last sight being the darkened moon above.
That is, until a shadow moved overhead.
- First proper explanation of Lullabis’s backstory.
- Lullabis met Neyimere whilst drowning in the ocean, the references of moonlight and the moving shadow are meant to represent this.
Queen Bee
Yharim’s appreciation for the Bees of his jungle was a surprisingly heartfelt thing.
I only ever saw him openly express such adoration to Yharon, all of his other affections he kept hidden inside.
Shortly after entering his household I asked him why he loved the hives so much, and unfortunately he simply scolded me, saying he was too busy to answer my childish questions.
Who would have thought the Golden Heretic could be such an old grump, heh heh…
- Characterizes Yharim almost as a grumpy old man more than anything else, which is ironic since he is probably still quite young by the time the player here’s this whisper. At least I assume, anyway.
Skeletron
After an…incident in the cult's temple, I refused to go anywhere near it ever again.
Elsewise, I would have released this poor old soul from his curse.
They were always so spiteful, the Dragon cult; although its intentions were decent at first, their leader slowly lost his sanity over time, as he grew increasingly frenzied.
His goal was hopeless, from the very beginning. Once something is dead, it is gone for good. A simple precept of life he refused to accept.
You can reanimate a desiccated corpse, toy with it like a puppet on strings…but there is no life within that husk, no spirit.
Even Calamitas failed at resurrection…though that is a story I have no right to share.
In any case, the cult has become rather reclusive as of late. I’m sure you’ll meet them eventually, though.
- Resurrection is inherently impossible
Slime God
I must confess, the clan's ardent worship always puzzled me, though not for the reasons you’d expect.
I understand to some extent admiring and studying a creature far stronger than yourself…yet on numerous occasions a clansman managed to achieve a level of power and martial prowess that far outmatched the deity they venerated.
And yet, despite this, they remained steadfast in their devotion.
I wonder what it must feel like, to pray to a being you know is weaker than yourself.
- Highlights the difference between Yharim and Lullabis; whereas Yharim focuses on the Slime God itself, Lullabis instead attempts to empathize with the Onyx Kinsman. He tries to consider what drives them to worship, understanding that they are people too, even if they have different beliefs to himself and Yharim. And Lullabis doesn’t even do this consciously; he never states that this is his intention, he just passively acts this way.
The Underworld
The Underworld was laid mostly to waste before I descended, meaning I never witnessed it in its prime.
Something that deeply saddens me, for I have heard and read that it was once beautiful.
It makes sense that this place was the foundation of civilization, really. Hidden beneath the earth it was unaffected by the lunar curses above, and it alone of all the world was spared the Abominations' wroth.
And it’s people…such a unique and vibrant culture!
Though Calamitas would unfortunately cause a stigma of them in the future, at the Underworld's height its citizens were admired for their horns.
I remember children from my home village fashioning fake ones out of seashells…
What?
Alright fine, yes, I made some too, haha…
Anyways, did you know the underworld used to be laden with forests? Yes, really!
The trees of hell were coal black with incredibly flame
ant bark, and in terms of a fuel source it was excellent. And yet most of the fiery woods were left untouched; the underworld's magma provided ample energy and heat.
And not only that, but the fruit that budded from their flowers looked crystalline in structure. I have seen a few off branches of this species in the caverns, however while those trees only grow pure gemstones, the fruit of these ancient Ashes was edible.
Miraculously, some of these trees survived the downfall of their homeland.
I cultivated them alongside other rare and beautiful flora in my personal garden, ensuring that they would survive.
…I remember showing them to Calamitas for the first time, holding out a shimmering green apple to her. Taking it from my hand, she took a bite, and paused. After a few moments, she gave a small nod, before leaving me alone in my garden.
No one believed me, but I swear as she turned away I saw the barest hints of a smile.
- Actually goes into detail as to what the Underworld was once like. Personally I picture it being a fiery mimic of the surface above, hence the forests.
- The shell-horn moment is yet another instance of adding depth to Lullabis and the world.
- Lullabis loves gardening, and in particular has an affinity and obsession with flowers.
- Calamitas smiling makes her seem more human, but her hiding it fits in with her rather stoic personality.
Wall of Flesh
Yharim:
To contain the essence of a slain God is no small thing. It is rather a towering, ghastly construct.
The Wall was lashed together with foul sinew and fouler magics, forming a rudimentary prison of flesh.
It served its purpose: halting the diffusion of undue divine influence.
Were it not for this alchemical breakthrough, the very world I fought for may have been lost in the carnage I wrought.
My methods have since evolved. Why contain such essences, when they can be devoured? And those that cannot be devoured, can just as easily be sealed away.
May you channel my valor in combating the resulting outpour of energies.
Lullabis:
…Ew.
A visceral horror, one that is just as genius as it is terrifying.
You will meet your demise if you let it shoot you.
You will succumb to homicidal cannibalism if you let it eat you.
And lord knows we’re not going to elaborate on what happens if you’re unfortunate enough to let it touch you.*
It was an alchemical breakthrough yes, but quite an unnecessary one in truth.
Although in all fairness, neither the Yharim or the alchemists could have anticipated my ascension, or the Serpents' arrival.
Together we voided this construct's usefulness, hence why it was the only one ever created.
Nonetheless, I admire the ingenuity of the alchemists responsible for its construction.
It is no easy task, the sealing away of…well anything really, and yet they managed to imprison the magically irradiated remains of numerous deities.
And having the prison defend itself? Brilliant!
It is a shame that few of the alchemists remain. Magic is a complicated art of course, but they truly turned it into a science.
* A reference to Uberdangers video on Terraria, one of my favorite videos of all time. As a reference this can of course be removed, but I still think it’s kind of amusing.
- Yharim’s whisper is slightly adjusted, to account for Lullabis.
- Lullabis took inspiration from the Wall for living prisons.
Hardmode
Blood Moon
You may be curious to learn that I have no influence over the Blood Moon.
Whatever power spurns its occurrence, it has nothing to do with my lunar divinity, apparently.
In any case, I have strangely fond memories of it.
My father bought a magical sword at a fair once, practically a toy in comparison to what even a simple soldier would wield, but more than sufficient at dealing with the undead. To cheer me and my siblings up he’d pretend to be a silly warrior, demonstrating to us how the undead really were nothing to be feared
My mother was more practical; she just used a shotgun.
- Clarifies that Lullabis has no power over the Blood Moon.
- Yet another amusing Whisper, to make light of what would normally be a pretty horrifying part of the world.
Queen Slime
I am not surprised the Slime God survived; it always was a frivolous foe.
It - or she now, I guess? - has taken upon itself countless forms. A testimony to its incredible versatility.
Though not versatile enough, evidently.
I wonder how many Gods, my…”kin” remain.
Some were always elusive, such as the god of the hadal depths, or Aviothic, the deity of storms and the sky, but at least the world knew they existed.
In comparison, I can think of at least three instances wherein the soul of a dragon went completely missing.
What happened to them has remained a mystery, even after all these years.
If I had to guess, they were consumed like all the rest, and the deities spawned as a result were the wisest of all, choosing to vanish from the annals of history.
Or maybe they were all killed instantly, incapable of wielding a soul's power.
But that’s a more boring answer, no?
- Lullabis is seemingly related to the Gods, implying he is one himself, yet has some sort of destain for them.
- Introduces a new god, Aviothic, though this is just to flavor the text up a bit; they’re definitely dead and likely unimportant. Oh, Aviothic means “A powerful desire to fly”, by the way.
- There are likely still many gods out there.
The Archmage
SIR!? HE’S ALIVE!?
YES! AHAHA!
I knew it!! I knew he couldn’t have been dead, I just knew, Cal would never…yes! Hahaha!!
…
Uh, sorry, I got a little excited there.
Sir - or, well, Permafrost, was once my mentor. He taught me almost everything I know of the arcane, and even after I eventually surpassed him in magical ability his insights remained invaluable.
After Neyimere, and the loss of my family, he was the first person I bonded with. He could be a bit stern at times, but he has a surprisingly warm heart for such a cold fellow.
Please, tell Sir I said hel-
…
Actually…
No, don’t tell him I’m here, if…if that’s alright.
When we last saw each other, plenty of angry words were exchanged between angrier people…I stayed silent, but he nonetheless said he never wanted to see me again.
He questioned how I refused to leave Yharim’s side, and if everything I had done, every kind act was just a lie. Tarnished by my loyalty to someone who deserved no further respect.
I doubt he meant the things he said, but…
Maybe he was right.
- Lullabis was once extremely close with Permafrost, being his first student. He also cannot help but call him “Sir”, apparently.
- Lullabis was there when Permafrost left Yharim, and apparently some sort of argument took place between Permafrost and the rest of Yharim’s court. Lullabis remained silent, but Permafrost nonetheless questioned his morality as well.
- Though fleeting, it should be noted that Lullabis refers to Calamitas as Cal, seemingly by accident due to his excitement. This, combined with the previous Underworld whispers, suggests that they were perhaps close at one point.
The Mechanical Trio
Draedons entrance into Yharims campaign was a most unusual one.
I remember it well; I was at the council table, to the left of Sir. At this point I had only recently become a part of Yharims advisory, so I was anxious to prove myself.
Suddenly, a guard burst through the chamber doors, informing us that something had fallen from the sky just outside the city's walls.
In an instant, Yharim was on his feet, rushing out of the hall. I followed in his shadow.
Halfway to the city's barrier, we were stopped by a mechanical puppet.
It simply informed us that “he” was still setting up, and would need a day or two to finish unpacking. He demanded a string of resources, so that he could immediately get to work.
And that was how Draedon joined us. No greetings, no introductions, no niceties…not even any formal requests to join in the first place.
Oh, if only we had known what that puppet would do to us all…
- Draedon had a rather unorthodox entrance, evidently lol.
- Lullabis seems to…dislike Draedon, at the very least. Later in the story you will see to what degree.
The Twins
…I wonder, do these two ever feel alone?
Or are they somehow comforted, in their strange metallic way, by each other's presence?
Stalking the night must grow cold, and lonely after all.
I hope they do feel that way…for it means that, perhaps, something human still exists inside.
Sulphur Sea
It would seem that most have forgotten the primeval power of the sea.
Once, there were three sublime oceans, each notably different from one another and beautiful in a unique way.
In the center, separating the western and eastern continents, was of course Ilmeris. A comparatively shallow “land”, it was renowned for being by far the most peaceful. Storms were a rarity, and its tranquil waters housed breathtaking marine blue critters, adapted to the crystalline formations of their home.
Then, Oceasc. More aggressive than Ilmeris, it eventually connects with its sister Anahaenlint as it wraps around the entire world.
It alone has gone completely unscathed, its water clean and clear, its denizens an appropriate mix of gentle and violent.
For the most part it is completely empty, an almost endless expanse of blue, however small islands do pop up from time to time.
Little is known of them or their peoples, and they seem content to remain on their idyllic shores. Well, other than the Pirates and Goblins.
Finally, Anahaelint. By far the most dangerous of the three, it is also the oldest, a primordial depth that existed before even the Dragons themselves.
It has always been a part of Terraria, and given how it continues to survive despite everything that has tainted its waters, I wouldn’t be surprised if it outlasted us all.
Few things bring me happiness as swiftly as the sound of ocean waves on beach sand. Each sea is beautiful in its own way I think, and I visited them frequently.
I always wanted to try and heal Anahaelint, but Yharim forbade me from entering its waters again after Silva’s “burial”.
I wonder what he was so afraid of…
- Names the other two oceans; Oceasc (OH-SH-ISC), the normal Ocean, and Anhahaelint (AH-NI-AHN-LINT), the Sulphur Sea. Anahaenlint purposefully sounds similar to Anahita, for an etymological connection.
- Yharim was afraid of something in the abyss, perhaps Eidolon Worms or the Terminus?
Aquatic Scourge
I wouldn’t go quite so far as to suggest it was entirely benign in nature…
After all, why would a peaceful filter feeder need crushing jaws and rigid spines?
Anyways, it exhibits a curious form of convergent evolution.
Once, quite some time ago, it was not the only serpentine species in the ocean seas; the Sea Serpents, descendants of dragons, ruled the surface waves throughout the Draconic Age.
They were much larger and more powerful than the Aquatic Scourge…yet it would seem this did little to aid their survival, as all have been hunted to extinction.
The Scourge seems to have been evolving to fulfill the ecological niche the Serpants left empty.
Given a few more generations, you may yet have fought against something far, far more dangerous than this.
- Sea Serpents used to be a thing, descended from Dragons. They have been hunted to extinction.
- Evolution apparently occurs far faster for the Scourge, or perhaps for all life in general, for whatever reason.
The Destroyer
For goodness sake…doesn’t this world have enough worms in it? I swear…
I admired the Godseeker Knights, for their battle prowess truly was something to behold.
Hence why I hated this mechanation so strongly.
The Knights had honor, respect. They were renowned not just for their ability, but for their code and dignity as well.
And as a reward for their valor, their loyalty, they were shoved into a glorified excavation tool.
It was with this mechanism that I amongst others began to doubt Yharim for the first time.
- Lullabis really dislikes the Destroyer.
- The Destroyer was the beginning of Yharim’s degradation.
Azafure
It is sad for me to say, but I have never had a home for very long.
I was born and raised on the coast of the Ilmeran sea, but after my ascension I was no longer safe there.
Instead, I was brought to Azafure...not just the First City, but the greatest in all the world. In my eyes, anyway.
Though it was nothing like my birthplace, overtime I came to love my new dwelling.
The unique food, the exciting and complex culture, the beautiful people, the wondrous architecture of obsidian and fire...
And not just that, but it was in many ways the melting pot of Terraria itself. Races and peoples from all across the world came to reside within its walls, not unlike myself.
...Would you like to know how long I lived there?
About three months, give or take a week.
And yet, I still wept at its destruction, for the impression it left upon me was a powerful one.
If you don't mind, move quietly through these charred ruins. Not for safety's sake, but out of respect for the deceased.
The amount of dead who haunt this place is beyond count, still in shock and agony over the destruction of their home.
As they well should be. They were handed a most undeserving fate.
- Lullabis really loved Azafure, despite only living there for a very short amount of time.
Brimstone Elemental
I remember when she first awoke.
I was still so young at the time, and only recently had become a novice of Sir.
As such I was powerless to prevent the calamity - no, don’t you dare call it that Lullabis...the…disaster that occurred.
Together, I and Sir did what we could. We evacuated as many civilians as possible, his magicks and mine protecting them from the scorching fire.
Even so, it was clear that our situation was hopeless. Yharim and his brother were busy at war with Ilmeris, and this was shortly before the time of the serpent and its ilk.
I thought I would die that day.
And that is when I saw her.
That angel of brimstone and death.
Awoken for the first time, to combat the reborn primordial flame.
- The Whisper begins with Lullabis implying that he is referring to the Brimstone Elemental. However, as the ending makes clear, he is actually talking about Calamitas.
- The reason he pauses to correct himself in referring to the incineration of Azafure as a calamity is because he despises the usage of Calamitas’s name in such a way. He sees it as a cruel insult, one of which Calamitas is undeserving.
Skeletron Prime
Perhaps that is what Yharim saw…but me?
Well, I see in this construct nothing but a joke.
You will find Draedon to be irritatingly uncreative, re-using the same basic design and motifs over and over again.
The Skeletron Prime was no different. He basically just made a flying metal skeleton.
Which at first sounds terrifying, yes…but I mean, come on, doesn’t it look kind of ridiculous?
There is a very fine line between terror and hilarity, I should think.
And Draedon…well lets just say he had particularly poor balance.
- Draedon is uncreative. Yep, that’s it lol.
Calamitas Clone
I have never seen such an entity before…
What on earth is this thing?
A clone of Calamitas…who would be foolish enough to attempt this?
I don’t mean in the sense of the danger of creating another being like Cal, just who would be stupid enough to try it?
As someone who is-...was, a friend of Calamitas, let me tell you this; her power is inimitable. Not just in scale and strength, but simply as a fundamental nature of what it is.
Her particular blend of darkness and brimstone is entirely unique, and I doubt that it could be mimicked or copied.
Honestly, I am surprised that this shade is even still moving.
If I had to guess, this is likely Draedons work.
Only he would have the technology, and sufficient lack of foresight to try something so inane.
Please, put this poor doll out of its misery.
If it has experienced even a fraction of what Cal has, then that is already too much for it to bear.
- Shows how Lullabis is far from omnipotent, and although knowledgeable there are many things even he doesn’t understand or know.
- The momentary stutter emphasizes how he thinks he is undeserving of Calamitas’s friendship now, as he believes he failed her.
- Suggests that despite this, Lullabis was at one point close to Calamitas, and understood to some extent her suffering.
- The use of the word doll is mostly just flavorful text, though perhaps if the Calamitas Clone were ever to get a re-sprite it could be that of a doll version of Calamitas? Could be interesting, and would make more sense than the current sprite in truth. Although that being said I and others appreciate the reference to the old sprites of Calamitas, of course.
Plantera
Yharim:
Congratulations. You killed a flower.
In all seriousness, you have successfully vanquished a powerful foe. Well done.
As with many other monsters, this entity is unfortunately a result of my own stumblings.
However, it is amongst the few that were intentionally designed.
It was created to contain the broken and fractured soul of Mistrelle*, Goddess Of Spectres. Rather fittingly, she was nigh unkillable; it mattered not how many times you broke her, she would simply shatter into smaller and smaller pieces.
For others, this ability might have posed a threat. But not to me.
One of my…followers sealed her away, locking her inside this floral cage. Why he chose a plant of all things to serve as a prison I cannot say, though he did always enjoy gardening, I suppose.
Now that her soul is free, it will likely coalesce within the Dungeon, attracted to spirits far stronger and angrier than hers…
* I feel like I’ve heard the name Mistrelle before. If I’m right and it does exist for some other character then feel free to change it, but if I’m just crazy and the name is perfectly fine then never mind, lol.
- Rewrites Yharim’s Whisper to be more consistent with the rest of the story, and because in all honesty the original whisper didn’t really make much sense to me. It was just kind of random, really.
- Plantera was built to contain Mistrelle, a Goddess responsible for ghosts and the undead.
- Yharim avoids talking about Lullabis, hence why he doesn’t name him.
- References Polterghast
Lullabis:
…Does he dislike naming me…?
I…guess I understand.
He is right to speculate as to why I designed Plantera after such a fashion.
As with many of my seals, I did so in an attempt to disguise the true origins and intention of the Plantera.
Most assumed it was simply a wild monster of the Jungle, perhaps an old toy of Silva, or a Snapper grown out of control.
No one suspected the truth, allowing Mistrelle to remain imprisoned, until now.
Speaking of…I pity her, Mistrelle.
She was so young when she inherited her power, having it passed along from her mother.
From what I understand she rarely had a chance to choose anything for herself, being a tool for her master and father, Idolent, the half-mad God of Sacrifices.
If I had been there, I would have spared her life…but I understand why she was shattered. Idolent had tortured her so that even after he had died, she continued to desperately fight for him.
A tale of lies, manipulation, and torture.
Is there a more common story, for the divine?
- Lullabis disguises his seals
- Mistrelle was the daughter of Idolent and some unnamed third Goddess, and somehow inherited her power from her mother.
- Names the God of Sacrifices, Idolent
The Abyss
I’m inclined to agree.
Before Silva’s takeover, I used to visit the Abyss quite often.
It has always been crushing and dangerous of course…but it was and perhaps still is the most peaceful place on the entire earth.
If ever the events of the war or my own thoughts started to weigh me down, I’d simply retreat here, and rest for a time.
Occasionally I’d even spend days down in the void, simply drifting through the dark…
For the most part, I was left alone.
Twice though, my meditation was interrupted.
The first was by Anahita…though I would rather keep that story to myself, if you please.
The second, was Silva.
Elementals have always carried a sort of allure, or at least I’ve been told, personally I never really saw the appeal. But hidden behind that beautiful mask is usually a violent and wrathful spirit.
Silva was no different; if anything, she was worse.
Not only was she an elemental, but a goddess too, having consumed the Auric Soul of Levis, Dragon of The Vine.
I have heard tales of men falling for her instantly, however when we met I saw through her guise. I politely asked why she had disturbed me, and if she was doing well.
She seemed surprised at first, though whether by my reaction or question I don’t know. She responded by saying that she was well, and asking me who I was.
Naturally, I didn’t trust her. But nonetheless I gave her my name, since she almost certainly already knew my identity anyways.
As I had anticipated from the start, she attempted to persuade me to betray Yharim, which I respectfully declined.
I was about to explain why…when she tried to kill me, which was equally unsurprising.
The moment she laid her hand upon me, she was blasted back into the dark, savagely burnt by brimstone and lunar fire.
I’m not an idiot; obviously I would seek to protect myself, and Calamitas was kind enough to add some of her own enchantments overtop mine.
I quickly left after that…though not before glimpsing Silva’s snarling frown from the void.
She may be beautiful…yet of all the Elementals, and perhaps the Gods too, she is by far the most savage.
Fitting for the Goddess of Life, I suppose.
The next time I would see Silva, she was a restless corpse.
- Lullabis used to hang out in the Abyss, and adored it.
- Lullabis has met Silva, and had an amusing interaction with her.
- Silva is savage, violent, and beautiful.
- Names Levis, Dragon of The Vine (Or nature), whose soul Silva consumed.
- Lullabis has also met Anahita, yet strangely is reluctant to say anything about this occasion.
Leviathan and Anahita
In the past, one could practically always hear the song of the Naiad when traversing Anhahaelint.
It was an ever present aspect of that sea, a whisper on the wind, a shimmer in the water.
There were and are rumors that Anahita was a Siren, using her song to lure sailors to their doom, but this is in fact false.
She simply loves to sing, and I cannot blame her; I have yet to meet anyone with a more beautiful voice.
As for the Leviathan, I have long theorized that it is perhaps of a dying lineage that is completely separate to that of the Dragons.
In this world, a substantial portion of powerful beasts and animalia are the offspring of Dragons in ages past.
But, if I had to guess, not this individual.
Which, really, simply adds to its mystery and awe; a creature that managed to obtain such a size and strength naturally, with no draconic origins or aid? Impressive!
Thankfully, I believe Anahita’s song and the Leviathans legend is not quite over yet.
You may have defeated them, but they are not dead; such myths are far more difficult to silence.
- I actually rewrote this whisper four times, since I realized I keep shoving Lullabis into too many stories and character interactions when it isn’t really necessary, and I was struggling to find a way to make it unique.
- Leviathan is not related to Dragons at all, despite the visual similarities.
- Anahita probably isn’t dead
Astrum Aureus
“Performed admirably”. Yeah, right.
I remember arguing with Draedon that we should just send normal scouts into the infection, seeing as they would be immune to its conviction. Yet he insisted on creating this machine, believing it would survive unscathed.
Lo and behold, within an hour or two it failed.
Oftentimes I found Draedon genuinely breathtaking; I thought it was incredible, how someone could be so brilliant, yet so bizarrely thoughtless.
Do not underestimate him, of course; his propensity for technology is staggering, but at the same time there are many areas of his perception that seem completely devoid of reason.
During the Ilemeran war he suggested that we arm some of our soldiers with a unique form of flame thrower, adapted to scald sea water instead of spit fire. He believed that this would finally finish the conflict.
That is, until I pointed out that the necessary equipment would be so heavy that none of the soldiers could swim.
In response, Draedon asked why they would need to swim in the first place.
Apparently, he somehow forgot the war was taking place underwater…when designing a weapon specifically meant to be used underwater…
- Another comedic Whisper, painting Draedon in a less than respectful light.
- Lullabis had some sort of advisory role during the Ilmeran war, which is actually pretty significant since he would have likely still have been quite young at this point.
Golem
Whereas Yharim was disgusted by the Golem, I saw opportunity.
Given my affinity towards lunar magicks, and of course my divine representation of it, the arcane art I am most skilled in is that of binding, of sealing.
I…dislike to talk positively of myself, but I must confess that in all likelihood this is the one area of spellwork in which I have no peer.
The demented remains of slain Gods, the celestial essence of the night sky itself, the haunted armies of the moon…I have managed to imprison them all.
Within the Golem specifically I ensnared some of my own power, though in truth it is a branch of my dominion I have long forsaken.
If you’ve wondered why more and more threats have emerged over the course of your journey, look no further; though you have not recognised it, this entire time you have been undoing many of my seals.
I see nothing wrong with that. You are more than strong enough to handle the horrors I could not.
- Lullabis is responsible for most of the progression events and unlocks, justified as “sealed powers”.
- The solar eclipse, frost moon, and harvest moon are technically part of Lullabis’s “dominion”. However, he despises them.
The Harvest Moon
In ages past, the moon was something to be feared.In autumn, the moon grew orange and large, as the very harvests that the common folk worked so hard to grow turned against them.
Trees moved and spirits reigned. Peasants were ripped inside out, pumpkin vines and black roots bursting from their stomachs and mouths, their lumbering, screaming corpses used as puppets against those they loved.
The huntsman of the night and their flying steeds could be heard thundering across the sky, searching for new game to track and run down. Once captured, the hunters feasted on the tortured wails of their prey, as they were flayed alive and made into red coats of feeling skin.
The Frost Moon
In ages past, the moon was something to be feared.In winter, for a few days of the year there was no light at all, the frost moon bathing the land in frigid cold and spoking madness in the hearts of men.
In hunger and lunacy they would turn against their closest friends and allies, eating each other and themselves in a desperate attempt to outlast the moonlit snow.
From betwixt the frozen trees stalked the gaunt and antlered men, their skin as cold and pale as ice, their smiles as sharp as glass. Kidnapping men and women alike to lay with them, and produce horrific, stillborn offspring.
The Solar Eclipse
In ages past, the moon was something to be feared.Worst of all was the eclipse. Unpredictable, the moon occasionally blotted the warm sky, casting the world in an impure burning darkness.
Nameless demons made of the sun’s shadow with countless arms would fall from the sky, tears of the dark moon, and scorch the earth in lunar flame and shade.
This was the austere, primeval, holy power I inherited.
I despised it.
I couldn’t quite halt their occurrence, but I could weaken them.
I twisted each into a living joke; a parade of christmas elves and halloween wisps, a ridiculous entourage of children's ghost stories and specters.
Still dangerous of course, but not nearly as much as before, and something the world could mock.
I hid the crescent armies within the Golems body, for who would think to look for them there, in the ramshackle cogwheel idol of a dying race?
Speaking of…if you can, please show the Lihzahrd people at least some respect.
Few things in this world have.
A tragedy, really; though different, and perhaps desperate, they are still people, same as you and me.
Difference does make deliquince.
The Plaguebringer Goliath
I warned Yharim of him…though I have already spoken enough of Draedon, I think.
Usually, I would clean up after Yharim’s messes without his request.
He knew I could be trusted to be meticulous in my work, and seemed grateful that I alleviated some of the damage he left behind in his wake.
The plague was unique in that sense. He ordered me to immediately work on its containment, before I even knew it existed.
At first I was confused, but I very quickly understood his urgency.
The plague was spreading rapidly through the jungle, infesting almost every species of animal. Its capacity for adaptation was remarkable, evolving and changing in mere hours.
Yharim’s concern was twofold; although currently under our control, there was a possibility that the plague could mutate in such a way that it would escape our governance.
Secondly, though equally unlikely, there was the terrifying potential that it could jump from animalia to sentient species.
Yharim provided me with an entire battalion to combat the plague, dressed in armored hazard suits, and armed with searing flamethrowers.
Under my orders they practically burnt half the jungle to the ground.
I felt awful, of course…but the Jungle healed in time, and the plague was eradicated.
Or at least, we thought it was…I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that Draedon kept some personal specimens.
- Lullabis, as is customary at this point, was responsible for dealing with the plague. He didn’t seal it away however, and the recent outbreak was caused by Draedon, not Lullabis.
The Empress of Light
She is a witch, or was one anyways. Though as you can of course plainly see, she was nothing like Calamitas.
She pledged herself to the divine, in particular to Xeroc, acting as one of his many prophets upon the earth.
In actuality she cared little for her master's will or desires, and although she would fulfill them dutifully, it was only with the promise of sustenance.
Because of her dispositions, she was often associated with more…gentle sins, if you will.
Gluttony, sloth, lust, and the like. Far less damnable than other convictions of course, but sins nonetheless.
In the devouts constant attempts to rationalize why I sided with Yharim, they often compared me to her.
They assumed I simply served for the sake of power or survival, and would swap sides when the pantheon “inevitably” won.
Such incredibly depressing stubbornness…was it really so hard for them to believe that I genuinely supported Yharims cause?
- Suggests that the devout side of the war was named or ruled by something called “the pantheon”, which I thought could be a fun detail.
Duke Fishron
Heh, I know this isn’t really the time or place, but…Duke? Of what?
Such peculiar things, titles. How meaningless they can become, in the right context.
Of the dragon lineage, three descended into the seas, and would become the Fishrons, Serpents, and Abyssal Wyrms respectively.
Out of the three, Fishrons resembled their ancestors most. An oddity, given the fact that the Serpents held Dragonblood, while the Fishrons did not.
The last Serpent was hunted roughly a hundred years ago, I think, leaving only the Wyrms and Fishrons in the ocean depths.
I find it perplexing how different all three were from one another, despite sharing a common ancestor.
Then again, the Wyrms are barely draconic anymore, I suppose…for better or for worse.
- Wyrms are somehow “barely draconic” anymore, whatever that means.
Ravager
All that remains of Idolent, God Of Sacrifices.
A most wicked being, he was. Demanding nightly sacrifices in his name, even though he gained nothing from them.
He simply enjoyed watching others grovel at his feet, as the light left their eyes.
He is also one of the few Gods to ever foster a child, and with another God no less…although we know next to nothing of the mothers identity or nature.
Unsurprisingly, he was a terrible father.
He used to cut his daughter every night, adding scar after scar. As with the sacrifices, there was no reason or justification behind it, purely sadistic malice.
I was present actually, when the Ravager awoke.
I had been overseeing the introduction of Idolent’s twisted city into our holdings, when it burst out from his monolithic temple.
The ensuing chaos that unfolded is reminiscent of when the Elemental awoke in Azafure, I think.
Though unlike that incident, Yharim amongst other members of his court were there to deal with the Flesh Golem.
They almost killed it, and swiftly too, though I advised against that.
In “resurrecting” Idolent the faithful necromancers effectively did my job for me, containing any toxic lifebloods within its putrid form.
As such, it was spared. I tied its consciousness to an old whistle I found within the temple complex, ensuring that it would not awaken unless ordered to, and buried it in the monolith's rubble.
Unlike many other divine shells, you needn’t worry about the spread of some new stain with this constructs death.
It would seem that whatever blistering infections hid within the Ravager have diffused into nothing over the years.
Prelude
…
On that night, when I almost drowned in the Ilmeran depths, I met her.
Neyimere; Dragon of the Moon and Sea, last of her kind before Yharon was reborn.
She alone had survived the massacre, at incredible cost.
She sacrificed her home and most of her power to seal the behemoth away, as her family and kin died around her.
Afterwards, she hid in the sea, exhausted by her efforts.
There she stayed for decades, as the world bled and shined above her, and the Age of God began.
By some chance, some misfortune…she happened to awake, right as my body nearly touched the sandy ocean floor.
She saved me, raising me out of the stormy sea and laying me to rest upon the shore of my home.
We saw each other frequently after that, as she became like a second mother to me.
She could be brash at times…but hidden beneath her cold wet scales was an incredibly kind soul.
One which she didn’t keep for long.
- Neyimere was the only dragon to survive the collapse of the Draconic Era, until Yharons rebirth. She was the Dragon of the Moon and Sea, and seems to have sacrificed much of her power to trap Moon Lord.
- Lullabis was saved by Neyimere, and the two grew close in friendship.
Astral Infection
A unique corruption, one which I have found to be more similar to Draedons mechanical plague than any of its divine counterparts.
It fell from the sky quite some time ago, in a most brilliant display of starshine and celestial remains.
At one point, it had been contained within the belly of a divine wyrm, one of the night and heavens above.
But, with the Wyrms death, its insides have been sprayed out across all the cosmos.
The Crimson, Corruption and Hallow are nothing like it really. Though powerful, they are also random; there is no logic behind their spread, no reason, not unlike a true disease or sickness.
The same cannot be said of this star born pestilence. It may not be obvious at first, but it moves and alters the world with deliberation and intent.
I wouldn't go so far as to suggest that it is conscious, but there is certainly some kind of intelligence within it.
Furthermore, its capabilities are remarkable. Not only can it transform biological and physical matter, but mechanical as well, bending and corroding their circuits and pistons in its own image.
Thankfully, sentient beings are immune to its afflictions, a common rule of thumb for all infections.
As far as I'm aware, our souls are completely impenetrable to misfortunes of the flesh, and though they can be consumed, they are never truly destroyed.
- Provides some basic descriptions of the Astral Infection
- Suggests that all sentient beings have souls, which grant them their consciousness and cannot be enslaved.
- Souls cannot be destroyed, only consumed.
Astrum Deus
Astrum Deus, infested carcass of the cosmos.
It feasted upon the rotting corpses of stars once, preventing the astral infection that budded within their nuclear corpses from spreading outwards.
Whether it did this out of kindness, wishing to spare us mortals from the madness of a dying star, or purely out of a desire for sustenance, none can say.
Likewise, how and when the Wyrm was slain is equally mysterious. I once heard rumors that it was Yharim and the Devourers doing, which frankly is absurd; it fell long before the Serpent entered our plane, and I can think of no reason as to why Yharim would wish its death in the first place.
Though worshiped and graced with the title of God, it was simply just that, a title. The wyrm never consumed the Auric Soul of any dragon, and all of its power it personally worked hard to achieve.
Alas, now only pieces remain. Completely consumed by the very infection it once devoured.
I wonder...is it the fate of all beings who receive worship, that they shall one day be deposed? Thus far none have survived more than an age, with the exception of Yharon and Neyimere I suppose…and, until recently, the two of them were the most secretive and least renowned of the Dragons.
An interesting question to ponder.
- Clarifies that Yharim or DoG were no responsible for Astrum Deus death, a cheeky reference to the old lore
- Intentionally contradicts Yharims whisper, which says that Deus never died, and instead was eventually fully infected and sent down the Astral Infection. This is meant to cause confusion; which story is true, and which is fake? Why does neither side even seem to consider the other?
Requiem
…I favor you.
And…he’s not completely right, about all of us Gods.
Funny…he should know that.
…
Yharim and Yharon found me, sobbing into Neyimere’s corpse.
She died in my arms, her fiery dragon blood melting the flesh off my wrists and hands like candle wax.
She had been discovered by Otonilu, and given her already weak and scarred state, it didn’t take much to finish her off.
…
I was just a kid, I had done nothing to earn it, and yet…
Before she died, she gave it to me, her Auric Soul.
…
I don’t think Yharim’s ever moved faster, upon hearing of the existence of another Dragon.
He pulled me away from her body, and…the hate in his eyes when he looked at me…
…
But…confusion, as well.
I don’t think he really knew what to do with me.
Yharon understood, and after a brief murmur, they took me away to Azafure.
As we flew off, I watched Neyimere’s corpse slowly be pulled out to sea.
And as her body vanished beneath the waves, I thought to myself, of the last thing she ever said to me;
“Whatever you are now…”
“Be good.”
Post-Moon Lord
The Profaned Guardians
Just look at them.
Husks of the “Heroes” they once were.
After Providence ascended, she slaughtered her previous allies, her followers. Then, she twisted their bodies into something more “Useful”.
Truly goes to show how desperate the people of this world are, how nihilistic, that so many of them would turn to a god like this for salvation…
I guess I can’t really blame them, to be honest.
The world desperately needs time to rest, I think.
Just…a year or two would be nice.
No gods, no monsters, no magic…simply a short while of respite.
No point in daydreaming for a reality that will never occur, though.
- The three followers of Providence got it rough…which they deserve, let's be honest lol
Dragonfolly
Dragonfolly; such an amusing, yet brilliant name!
Although the strongest of dragons (Usually…) held Auric Souls, a dragon is still a dragon, regardless of its form.
Dragonfolly’s are no exception; perhaps the fastest of all animals, they’re effulgent energy is truly breathtaking.
I befriended a Folly once, if you could believe it.
Attracted to the surface branch of my garden, I slowly gained its trust over the course of months.
I named him Bumblebirb; an appropriately silly name for such a silly critter.
Sadly, as I grew increasingly swamped with administrative duties, I saw him less and less.
I wonder what happened to him…
Oh, don’t worry, the one you just defeated wasn’t him.
His feathers were redder, and he wouldn’t hurt a fly…unless you scratched him in the wrong place, that is.
- Look I love Dragonfollies, they’re adorable, ok lol?
- Lullabis’ Bumblebirb is of course a reference to the old name of the boss, and gives it some in-universe credibility.
- Lullabis’ garden was apparently quite large, with numerous “branches”.
Providence, the Profaned Goddess
…It is individuals such as she that makes me ashamed of what I am.
Though we achieved our Divinity via entirely different means, the fact that we are the same form of entity, categorically speaking, brings me nothing but remorse.
I have tried so, so hard to find some redeeming quality in her, some saving grace or characteristic, but I just…can’t.
It is true that this world is…difficult.
But are there not so many beautiful aspects within it…?
The glow of starshine and moonlight…the setting sun on a peaceful sea…the tender embrace of a coveted friend…
Life is hard. There is no denying that.
But even a single moment of respite, of joy, can overpower a thousand of suffering.
Within a cruel world such as this, it does us good to hold our comforting memories close.
I don’t have many, it is true…but the warmth, the happiness, the sweet pain I feel when recollecting them…they make life worth living.
I…I know this will sound odd, but…if ever you f-feel…well, like her…
Just…talk to me, okay?
I will always be here for you…
Friend.
- If there were any remaining doubts as to Lullabis’s character, this Whisper is meant to dispel them completely. It goes into depth on Lullabis’s philosophy, his view of life, and his genuine kindness and love of all. Yharim states that Providence is likely the most wicked of the gods, something that is likely true…and yet, even then, Lullabis cannot help but try and find something in Providence that can be admired. Even when faced against one of the worst characters in the entire story, he tries to emphasize with them.
He ends the whisper not on himself, not on his own thoughts or feelings but on you, on the player. Lullabis has and always will prioritize others before himself, valuing their happiness over his own. He calls the player a friend, even though this entire time it has been a one sided conversation. He has faith that the player is a good person, despite the fact that not once has the player ever responded to him.
- The three things he lists are references to his story. Moonlight is of course Neyimere, the sunset over the sea is Ilmeris, and the embrace is comforting Calamitas.
- He is ashamed to be a God.
- He stutters while making the offer to the player as a sign of how emotionally vulnerable he is at that moment, and suggests that, perhaps, he has felt the same way before.
Ceaseless Void
As always, he sent me to deal with the problem instead.
I couldn’t close the rift, obviously; I didn’t have the power or naivete to attempt it.
Instead, with the assistance of Sir I bound it in an enchanted chassis and chains, so that nothing could ever enter…and nothing within could ever get out.
I even found a way to weaponise the Void's reality distortions, bending its tears in a way that would cause dangerous fluctuations if anyone tried to break my seal.
The battle you just completed was one of my own design…sorry about that, I uh hope it wasn’t too rough, haha.
- Lullabis was the one who dealt with the Ceaseless Void after Yharim chose to ignore it.
- At first the whisper is fairly serious, but the ending is intentionally whimsical, as a demonstration of Lullabis’s humor and soft personality.
Truth be told, I really don’t have much to say.
I always disapproved of the Serpent and his methods, but at the very least I respected his cosmic power and sly intellect.
The Weaver, though…I guess I’m indifferent.
We only ever spoke on occasion, and she never said much.
From what I could gather she was more respectful than the Serpent, but more timid as well. We never had a chance to become well acquainted, really.
That being said…there was one moment I still look back on fondly.
I can’t remember why, but she demonstrated some of her skills to me once, carving lightning and rain in the sky above.
Despite my troubled past with storms, I have always adored rain, so I made sure to compliment her ability.
I think she appreciated the comment.
A pity…maybe, if we had more time, we could have become good friends.
- A refreshingly short Whisper, in comparison to most of the Post-Moon Lord counterparts.
- Is meant to service the Weaver more then Lullabis. The Weavers lore is rather lacking in my personal opinion, which is fair; it is meant to be subservient to the Devourer, of course. Nonetheless I wanted to add to Weaver’s lore in order to create depth, and make the world feel more alive.
- To achieve this, I firstly swapped the Weavers gender; previously Weaver was (I think?) canonically male. There is of course nothing wrong with that, but I felt like it added to the perception that Weaver was just DoG but smaller. A separate gender helps rectify this issue. Furthermore Lullabis mentions that they were different in personality, and were perhaps more amiable than DoG. Once again, this helps separate the two.
In the end, these changes are only slight, and don’t change the major lore at all. But that’s fine; I’ve always found that it is the finer details of a story that make it more realistic and believable, rather than the major themes.
Signus
After Yharim’s legendary battle with Braelor, I felt…conflicted.
Though they were of course our enemies, there was no denying the honor that could be found in that unusual pair, the Ronin and the Ninja.
I felt they didn’t deserve their untimely demise. Perhaps we could sway them to our side, and find two loyal allies, where before there were adversaries.
After all, they had been lied to by their patron, Silva…a most morally convoluted entity, though I am not here to discuss her.
After they had been devoured, I contacted Signus, and made my intentions clear.
To my shock, Signus was not only willing to accept my request, but even seemed enthusiastic in doing so.
Signus was a deal maker, you must understand, and I had never heard of them doing anything for anyone without personal gain…except now.
They freed Statis, and asked for nothing in return. I wasn’t even aware it was capable of charity, but apparently I was mistaken.
For whatever reason, it refused to release Braelor. Why, I don’t know.
After his release, I spoke with Statis. Silva was already “dead” at this point, so I attempted to persuade him to our side.
I was half successful - I could not bring Statis to join Yharim’s court, but they did agree to end their hostility towards us, an oath they have kept to this day.
I have no idea where they are now. Perhaps you will encounter them, before your journey's end?
- A considerably longer Whisper, detailing how Statis survived and also Lullabis’s opinion on the whole affair. The fact that Yharim does not know that Lullabis did this indicates that it was a secret he never shared.
- Explains why Statis apparently didn’t fight against Yharim again after escaping (At least what lore has been written suggests he hasn’t, anyways).
- Another example of Lullabis’s kindness, as he attempts to free Statis and Braelor, seeing two potential friends rather than enemies.
- The fact that Braelor was not released is meant to add to the mystique of Signus. Why were they so eager to let Statis free, yet refused to save Braelor? Who knows. It keeps Signus’s mysterious nature intact.
Polterghast
The duties he ignored fell to me.
Whilst he waged his wars, Yharon, Calamitas, and the Serpent at his side, I remained at home.
I organized his armies, raised funding for his research and armory, provided relief to those who suffered his wrath, built his cities, integrated his conquered lands, oversaw his people's welfare and agriculture, disposed of his divine corpses, acted as his citizens voice, constructed his desired tombs for the ancient dragons, and so, so much more.
Looking back I find it ironic that they named him King, when really most of the kingly responsibilities I fulfilled.
Although…I don’t mean to imply I was deserving of such a title either.
…
It was my idea, to cast his prisoners of war into the Draconic temple.
I was so busy, there were so many other things I needed to do, I thought…I thought the cult would look after them, I didn’t know, I swear I…
I didn’t know.
…
He might not have answered the Cults call, but I did.
I walked down into that…that hell of my own making, and a part of me was left behind when I walked out.
I did not have the strength to silence the amalgamations misery, but I did what I could.
I didn’t sleep for days, as I slowly lulled it into a deep slumber, and all the while the screaming souls tried to rip me apart.
Their undying rage might have been devoted to Yharim, but as the Kindly Traitor, they still had plenty of resentment for me. Really, they should have had more…their damnation was my sin, not Yharim’s.
I do not know how Yharim manages to live with himself…he has created similar monstrosities during his campaign, whether accidentally or purposefully. And after only making one myself…never have I come so close to…
…
Thank you, for doing what I could not, and finally putting them to rest.
My only hope is that maybe, just maybe, when we meet again…they will have the kindness in their hearts to forgive me.
If not…I do not blame them, and will accept whatever judgment is given to me.
- These just keep getting longer and longer, don’t they lol?
- Provides Lullabis with a curiously unique, yet vital role in Yharim’s campaign; that being the administrator of his nation, effectively ruling in Yharim’s place. I think this suits Lullabis well, as they have already been established as not being a fighter, and someone had to govern Yharim’s kingdom whilst he was away. It suggests that Lullabis was a very responsible individual, and spent much of his time cleaning up after Yharim; the fact that Lullabis lists the duties he fulfilled as Yharim’s, repeatedly calling them “His” indicates that Lullabis was well aware of the fact that he was basically doing what Yharim was meant to, and potentially had some resentment as a result.
- Polterghast was Lullabis’s fault, as he was too busy to handle the prisoners of war himself, instead just dumping them in the Dungeon. He feels extraordinarily guilty about this event, and although it was an atrocity committed by accident, Lullabis nonetheless hates himself for it.
- Lullabis sealed the Polterghast away, which is only logical, as he did the same with the Plague, Harvest and Frost Moons, Solar Eclipse, the Ceaseless Void, and so on.
The Old Duke
Often I have wondered it; where did the Dragons discover their Auric Souls?
Or, perhaps more accurately…
Who gifted them?
Why did some dragons receive Souls, and not others? Why Dragons in the first place?
In my past life, one of my hobbies was research into the ancient history of the world. I delighted in uncovering forgotten lore and knowledge, no matter the subject.
Yharim supported my efforts readily, and made a point of gifting me any ancient relics or tomes he discovered during his conquest.
From such curiosities I learnt much, including spells and wisdoms that Yharim’s army utilized in their war.
I even worked alongside Draedon, from time to time. Though his interest was purely devoted to slaughter of course, whereas I was motivated by curiosity.
But, despite years upon years of constant studying, at arguably the best position in the world for historical investigation…I never was able to answer that burning question.
Every text I found alluded to some…thing that graced the Dragons with Auric Souls, but not once is it ever described or named.
It is as if Terraria itself wishes to forget, pretending it never existed in the first place.
And Yharon…Yharon, likewise, refused to tell me or Yharim anything on the matter, a stunning revelation; until then, he kept nothing from us, and especially not from Yharim.
A dark, fearful part of me wonders whether or not the Dragons lied to us as much as the Gods.
But…no, that cannot be.
- I didn’t really have anything to add to the Duke’s lore that Yharim hasn’t already shared, so I chose to focus instead on Lullabis’s speculation as to the nature of Auric Souls, and their origins. Just some basic ideas of how I think they originated, and I intentionally made it very vague since I (Unsurprisingly) know next to nothing about this area of the lore, lol.
The Devourer of Gods
Ah yes, the fabled Serpent.
It mattered not what the situation was, we were always, always on opposing sides in terms of advising Yharim.
He was violent and ruthless, showing little to no remorse for any of his actions. So long as he was fed, he couldn’t care less as to what happened to those beneath him.
At first Yharim would generally heed my warnings…but as time went on, he seemed to value my input less and less, as he sunk deeper into depravity and depression.
One day, I expressed my growing concern to Yharon. I asked him why his brother continued to obey the Devourer, why he was losing all sense of morality.
Yharon simply answered by saying he did not know, and that sometimes, people do the wrong thing for the right reasons.
I didn’t really know how to respond.
Sir and Calamitas eventually could not take it anymore, leaving us behind.
And with that, only I, Yharon, the Serpent, and Draedon remained on Yharim’s council.
I remember sitting there, silent, as I watched the three of them scheme and plot; Yharon was quiet with me, for it mattered not what Yharim did, he would always support him.
I gave up trying to persuade Yharim from his actions. It was clear he no longer cared for my opinion.
And then, after months of pondering, months of silence, months of pacing and deliberation…I finally had the courage to commit the greatest mistake of my life, second only to the Ghast and abandoning Cal.
- Honestly I don’t have any idea what lore needs to be added to DoG, so I instead chose to glance at the period between Permafrost and Cal leaving, and Lullabis’s mistake.
Yharon, Resplendent Phoenix
Yharon…
He was always so kind to me…
…
The warmth that radiated from his soul could fight off all feelings of depression, and his gentle, kind words healed any and all wounds.
In times of struggle and sadness, he would embrace me, letting me rest in the folds of his majestic wings…something meant only for Yharim.
And yet, he shared that love with me, as I would slowly drift off into a blissful sleep.
Snuggles with a dragon; such an absurd, yet precious thing.
And now…
I…
…
Forgive me. I…I need some time to think.
The Exo Mechanical Trio
…No.
Do no such thing.
I agree completely with Yharim.
It is true that he holds invaluable knowledge and intellect…but intelligence does not equate wisdom.
It’s not that he is wicked or malevolent, he just...isn’t anything, really.
I have known him for decades. And not once in that entire time have I seen him express emotion, of any sort.
He sided with Yharim not out of shared ideals or interest, but purely opportunity; his campaign offered the perfect position to test and study his technology.
That technology being his apparent obsession with weaponizing everything.
The souls of the tortured damned. The fabric of the universe. The perverted essence of nature.
He is truly despicable.
And yet, none of the crimes he committed were out of hate, misunderstanding, or foolishness.
Just mild intrigue.
The shell you spoke with today was nothing more than one of his vessels, as I’m sure you know.
I implore you to track him down, find his true body, and do what needs to be done.
I strongly believe in redemption, that everyone deserves a second chance. Whether they be a monster, a god, or human.
But Draedon is none of those things.
- An unusually cold whisper for Lullabis. He feels so vehemently against Draedon because he is perhaps the only being he cannot understand - at least with Providence he understood to some extent why she believed in her mission. But Draedon? How can you emphasize with something that doesn’t even have emotions? Thus, Lullabis’s powerful hatred; he doesn’t see Draedon as a person, or even a monster, just a soulless, heartless machine. One which, for the betterment of the world, needs to be put down.
Calamitas
…She is the one responsible for the destruction of my home.
Single handedly, she has slaughtered thousands. Most of whom were innocent.
Many think of her as a monster, a demon, an abomination, a witch…
They may be justified in those notions.
But, despite everything she’s done, to the world and to me…
I…cannot help myself.
I care for her.
…
We were raised together, side by side.
Underneath the teachings of Sir, we studied and learned.
From the beginning she was far, far more powerful than I, and as we aged that distance in strength only widened.
Further and further she progressed, as I struggled to keep up.
As such she was always Sir’s favorite, along with Yharim and the rest.
But I didn’t mind.
She was my favorite, too.
I comforted her at every opportunity, praised her progress and encouraged her every day.
At first these remarks were usually met with an insult or slite, but over time those responses dwindled, and then vanished.
As we grew older, we became closer.
She told me of her past, of her family who had died at her hands, and her vehement self hatred as a result.
I held her, crying in my arms, on countless occasions.
At other times her anger got the best of her, and she lashed out against me. I have - well, had, the burns to prove it.
I forgave and forgot such incidents immediately.
I loved her. Whether that be as an adoptive sibling, or…something more, I honestly can’t say.
The greatest regret in my life was that I wasn’t strong enough, to protect her.
That, when the time came, I couldn’t stand between her and Yharim’s commands.
She isn’t a monster. She isn’t a witch.
She’s just a girl.
I blame myself for everything she was forced to do. Weak as I was, I should have stood up for her.
Now…it is too late.
I am nothing more than a voice, my flesh and bone stripped away, leaving only a weary and gentle auric soul…one which isn’t even mine.
I can’t comfort her anymore. I can’t support her.
I can’t even give her a hug.
…
Please, don’t tell her I’m here with you.
I-I…I don’t want to hurt her anymore…
Cynosure
You’ve…you’ve done it!
Please, feel proud, happy! You truly are something incredible, something beautiful, something…something…
…
Something I can’t lie to anymore.
…
He…Yharim, is what is keeping me alive.
It is his soul that supports mine.
When you…kill him, as I am sure you are determined to do…I will pass on as well.
…
I think I’m scared, [INSERT PLAYER NAME].
…
I don’t know what will happen, once we’re gone.
Where we’ll go, what we’ll become…
Maybe I’ll see my family again, with Neyimere, Yharon, Yharim, and the rest…
Maybe I’ll be reborn, perhaps as a flower or butterfly…that would be nice…
Or maybe nothing will happen at all, and I can finally, finally rest.
Dragons, Gods, Witches, Machines, Men…
We’re all the same, aren’t we?
We all must face the morbid beauty of our collective fate.
…
I think I’m ready now.
…
I’m ready to go home.
Lullabis
Yharim:
He was standing at my side, when Permafrost stormed into the hall.
The Archmage scolded me and what I had become, denouncing my once noble campaign and efforts, comparing me to the many Gods I had slain.
He insulted each and everyone of my court, encouraging them to leave me and save whatever souls they had left.
And all the while, as insults and scorn was slapped in his face by the man he saw as a second father, Lullabis remained silent, unmoving, unflinching. Eyes locked on the floor.
He was standing at my side, when Calamitas burst into the hall.
The Witch screamed at me between sobs, tears of rage and shame rolling down her cheeks.
If it were not for the presence of my entire council, I am sure she would have tried to kill me.
Even so, she spat nothing but venom, her voice sharp and wrathful.
She ripped all of us apart, her words cutting so deep that even the Devourer, incredibly, showed a small sliver of embarrassment.
But when she faced Lullabis, Calamitas choked on her words…before turning away.
And as the love of his life, the person he cared for most in all the world abandoned him…Lullabis remained silent, motionless, tearless. Eyes watching her leave.
…
No one was at my side, when he walked into the hall.
Coming forward, he stopped a few feet away from me,
His face was lowered to the ground. His head bent as if hiding something. Something he was ashamed of.
Slowly, he looked up, his eyes meeting mine.
They were full of agony, fear, regret, pain, weariness…but most of all, a powerful, profound sadness.
…
Permafrost scolded me. Calamitas howled at me.
Lullabis said nothing. Nothing at all.
And somehow…that silence was the most damning thing I have ever heard.
…
It is one thing to be abandoned by a mentor.
It is one thing to be abandoned by a friend.
It is something else entirely, to be abandoned by the only thing keeping you alive.
…
I know you're there.
I know you can hear me.
…
I’m trying.
I’m trying so hard, to do what you told me.
I’m trying to be good…even if I am a monster.
At the very least, please know I…
…
I didn’t…
I was angry, I…I was thinking straight…
I swear, I didn’t mean to do it, I didn’t…
I…I’m sorry, I’m sorry, please, please believe me, Lullabis I…
…
I couldn’t lose you, too.
Lullabis:
…
So you threw me away, instead.
…
…
…
When you…when you finally meet him, please…
Tell him I forgive him.
…
Yharim, Cal, even Sir and Yharon…
They never really understood why I am the way I am.
Honestly, I don’t really know myself…
But, what I do know is this;
We live in a cruel, cruel world. One that has been bathed in suffering and tragedy countless times.
I know that.
But…why is that any reason to be hardened?
They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.
If that is true, then I must be mad, for no matter how many times I suffered as a result of it…no matter how many times I was deceived…
I always, always gave those who harmed me a second chance.
And it doesn’t matter what happens to me; pain, shame, even death itself…none of those things have managed to make me falter.
Yharim thought I was weak. Cal naive.
And maybe they were right.
Perhaps I am insane, or stupid.
But if what I am doing is wrong…
Then I don’t want to be right.
I think many might still not fully understand the story, so I figured I’d give a basic summary here, a sort of timeline I suppose. It leaves out quite a few side details, but it gets the general message across.
Lullabis was born a human child, on the shores of the Ilmeran sea. His family lived in a village there, and though never stated, it is likely he lived a poor or menial existence. That being said, it never bothered him, and he and his family were happy.
He adored the ocean and sea, and to this day finds it calming and nostalgic, even with some of his potential trauma caused by it.
That trauma being his near-death experience, as when swimming out at sea one night he almost drowned. A storm unexpectedly flashed into existence, the first to occur in Ilmeris in over a hundred years.
Rain and thunder howling above him, waves rising like mountains, he was slammed deeper and deeper into the ocean depths. He struggled to survive, desperately trying to break free…but only drowning faster as a result.
Eventually, he could manage no more, and gave up. Drifting down into the blue, eventually landing in the soft, gentle embrace of the Ilmeran sand.
The last thing he saw was the iridescent glimmer of moonlight filtering through the water, the flash of lightning arcing across the sky, and the breathtaking expanse of blue that surrounded him.
And finally, mere moments before death, a large shadow moving overhead.
Lullabis was saved by Neyimere, the dragon of the Moon and Sea. Until Yharons rebirth she was the last of her kind, the sole survivor of the Behemoths invasion and Deific Hunt centuries ago. She survived almost by accident, as sacrificing her domain to serve as a prison for what would become the Moon Lord left her bereft of power. While the Gods ruled and fought above, Neyimere slumbered, her sleep undisturbed.
That is, until a little boy collided with her buried form.
From there, Lullabis and Neyimere became extremely close. They carried out a secret friendship, the two often spending time with one another. Neyimere became like a second mother to Lullabis, and she taught him much of the world and the past.
This relationship was very, very short lived.
One day, whilst traveling to meet with him, Neyimere was discovered by Otonilu. Already weak and crippled from her past sacrifices, she was easily finished off…though not before heavily disfiguring Otonilu, and barely escaping.
Inches from death, Lullabis cradled Neyimere in his arms as she died. Her draconic blood burnt and melted the flesh of his arms like candle wax, yet he didn’t care. He wanted to comfort his dying friend, no matter how much it hurt him.
Before she died, Neyimere did something unprecedented; she relinquished her Auric Soul willingly, gifting it to Lullabis. Why, no one really knows. Perhaps she thought he was worthy, or she wanted to protect him. Maybe she simply didn’t want Otonilu or some other undeserving monster to claim it for themselves.
Nonetheless, she gave away her soul, and therefore not just her power, but her single chance at reincarnation. Never again would she be reborn upon the Aerie, never again would she visit her home of the crescent moon.
In this way, Lullabis became a God, while still being a child.
The battle between Otonilu and Neyimere did not go unnoticed, and before anyone else, Yharim and Yharon arrived. It is unsurprising that they were the first to find him; until then, both had assumed Yharon was the last of his kind. Neyimere had given them incredible hope, that perhaps the Dragons were not lost after all.
Instead of Neyimere, they found Lullabis, sobbing into her desiccated corpse.
Neither Yharim nor Yharon knew what to do. Their sanctified mission had been the extermination of all that would call themselves divine, to purge the world of the many Gods that so deeply plagued it…and yet here they found one such God, who had never hurt a fly, who was given their Soul, rather than having stolen it. And, to top it all off, they were a child, of course.
After a few moments of consideration, Yharon exhibited mercy, and suggested to his brother that they spare the boy's life. He had done nothing wrong after all, and perhaps he could be of use to them.
Moving quickly, they flew him away to Azafure. None of them felt abandoning Neyimere’s remains to rot was honorable, but in the effort of safety there was little they could do.
And as they flew away, Lullabis watched her body slowly vanish beneath the merciful waves. And she did so, he thought of the last words Neyimere ever said to him;
“Whatever you are now…”
“Be good.”
This was the inciting effort that started the Ilmeran conflict. Though I have not properly emphasized it, Yharim was enraged at Neyimere’s death, in a manner he had never felt before. Immediately almost all of his efforts were dedicated towards the annihilation of Ilmeris…however, as is well known, the underwater kingdom was notoriously difficult to besiege and conquer. For almost a decade Yharims campaign would try and invade the aquatic city, to no avail.
In the meanwhile, Lullabis, as previously mentioned, was taken to Azafure. His wounds bandaged, he became Permafrosts first student, learning to control his newfound power beneath him.
Speaking of, Lullabis’s strengths are…unique. Seeing as the Behemoth or Moon Lord was sealed away in the Moon, I felt it would be neat to interpret this as Lunar magicks being highly intertwined with the art of sealing. This is why Lullabis throughout the story of Calamity seals away numerous threats and Gods; as the God of the Moon, there is quite literally no other being who can match him at imprisoning…well, anything. Furthermore Lunar magick is based heavily around blessings, enchantments, and whatnot, which perfectly encapsulates Lullabis; his magic is designed to help and support others, rather then himself.
But that would come in due time. For now, Lullabis was a shaken, clumsy, near silent child, one who found his own abilities difficult to master. Permafrost as with Calamitas formed a close bond with Lullabis, viewing him in an almost familial light.
For three months, Lullabis was Permafrosts sole apprentice…
Until the Brimstone Elemental awoke, and dueled Calamitas to a standstill.
Permafrost and Lullabis did what they could to protect Azafures inhabitants, but there was little they could do. Thankfully both were saved by Calamitas’ sheer power…though the city did not survive.
Afterwards, Calamitas of course joined Yharims court, as Permafrosts second apprentice. From the beginning she was almost infinitely stronger than Lullabis, obviously, and though he tried to befriend her, Calamitas was extremely cold and aggressive towards him.
Over time, this would change. Slowly, the two grew closer, forming a powerful friendship. As referenced by Lullabis in the Calamitas whisper, he was often a comforter for her, as he was with many of Yharims servants. He’d console her regularly, and appears to have been her biggest supporter, constantly encouraging the Witch and celebrating her accomplishments.
Lullabis would never come even close to Calamitas in ability or strength, but he truly couldn’t care less. He was more than happy to watch Calamitas grow and heal…even if she was never able to completely forgive herself.
The events surrounding her attempted resurrection of Catastrophe and Cataclysm I have intentionally left extremely vague, as I sense the devs will want to flush that out later.
Although in terms of actual magic power he was weak (Outside of sealing and blessings, of course), it was soon found that in political discourse and tactics he had few peers. He rose to become Yharims leading servant and advisor, even surpassing Permafrost. He took over all administrative duties for the Golden Heretic, practically running his campaign for him, and freeing Yharim to focus on conflict and war.
In this way, Lullabis became Yharims most valued companion, save for Yharon himself of course. His advice, intuition, and administrative capabilities were unmatched…and his comforting words and compliments did not go unnoticed, either.
During all of this Draedon and the Devourer would join Yharims efforts, both of which Lullabis had an…uneasy opinion of. It is clear that he truly despised Draedon, in a manner he never felt for anyone else, but it is referenced once that he held at least some respect for the Devourer, though their relationship isn’t really divulged at any point.
As Yharim grew increasingly desperate and irritable, likely at Draedon and DOG’s promptings, Lullabis nonetheless displayed an incredible amount of loyalty. Even as his former home was incinerated, even as he watched thousands of innocents die, even as his closest companion was repeatedly abused and mistreated by Yharim…he nonetheless never left Yharims side.
Permafrost and Calamitas would both abandon Yharim eventually, and even then, Lullabis’ loyalty was steadfast…for a time. But with the leaving of the two people he cared for most in all the world, Yharims castle felt…hollow.
In truth, he developed feelings of doubt and resentment towards Yharim before anyone else, recognising his crimes for what they were rather than “Militant necessities” or “Unfortunate consequences”. But he was scared. Tyrant though he would become, Yharim had treated Lullabis kindly. At first he was cold and distant to him, untrusting of anything divine, even accidental, but progressively he opened to Lullabis. The two became genuine friends, and it is clear that Yharim meant a great deal to Lullabis, even after everything he had done.
Eventually, a few months after Calamitas departure, he too built the confidence to confront Yharim. He hoped that perhaps, with his abandonment as well, Yharim would finally, finally realize what he had become.
Instead, in a fit of rage, Yharim murdered him.
But, as stated, he did so out of temporary madness. Horrified as to what he had done, Yharim tried desperately to save his dying friend, but to no avail. Screaming, weeping, howling at everything and himself, he clutched Lullabis close.
As he laid there, bleeding out in Yharims arms, Lullabis could only muster a final phrase, one that had been said to him, long ago.
“Whatever you are now…”
“Be good.”
…
Lullabis would not die, at least not completely. Though yes he had lost his body, his soul still lived on, now tied to Yharims. And, mysteriously, the Terrarians, though why…well, who can say.
That is the conclusion of the story and lore concepts, mostly. Below you will find some other things I thought of, mostly items and mechanics. Originally all of these had nothing to do with Lullabis at all, but in the spirit of trying to tie everything together I gave them suitable themings and lore lol. Enjoy!
Of course, I am a writer, not a game developer, so apologies if any of this seems outlandish lol.
Enchantments
A random concept for Lullabis I had, wherein he too could provide enchantments, similarly to Calamitas, yet opposite to hers as well.
What I mean by this is that Lullabis doesn’t enchant weapons, but rather accessories. As such most of his enchantments are actually defensive or supportive, rather than aggressive. This is of course fitting of his character; Lullabis is a supportive, kind person, not a warrior or bloodthirsty magician. He would rather devote his magic to protecting those he loves, rather than harming others, even if they are strangers.
How exactly these enchantments would be applied however…honestly, I don’t know. I’m rather torn on this issue, because on the one hand I think an npc of Lullabis would be interesting and perhaps heartwarming…but from a thematic perspective, might it be better that he remains a spirit? His pseudo-death is meant to be impactful, and if he can just suddenly come back to life, it kind of invalidates that impact.
Perhaps he has some sort of craftbale late game item, akin to the brimstone locus, which can be interacted with to apply enchantments? That could make sense, I suppose.
As a side note, a visual element of these enchantments is that all of their runes are far ‘softer’ than Calamitas’. By soft, I mean with circular, bending shapes, rather than cuboid or triangular. Few straight lines, resulting in a wavy sort of look.
I am aware that Calamitas’ runes are based off of alchemical symbols, which is a neat addition, but personally I think as a way to separate Lullabis’s runes they should either be completely unique, or based off of something else. Perhaps star signs, given Lullabis’s representation of the moon, and thus connection to the night sky?
Ludus
You move 5x faster.
Pros: You move 5x faster.
Cons: You move 5x faster.
Philautia (Get your mind out of the gutter, it means self-love…come to think of it, clarifying what it means just makes it worse, doesn’t it?)
While standing still, you get an incredible regen buff, and take no damage from new sources (If you had a damaging debuff before you stood still, it still takes effect) however you are incapable of dealing any damage. Furthermore you take twice as much damage while moving. Note: Standing still means standing on the ground, not moving at all. Mounts such as the Exo Box do not count as standing still.
Asceticism
You are completely immune to all debuffs, but are immune to all buffs as well (Potions, npc boons, buffs provided by equipment or weapons, candles, etc). The exception is some debuffs caused by the Abyss.
Bliss
While moving, you have increased regeneration, defense, health, and damage. However, you literally cannot stop moving; the game will keep moving the character until you put in new inputs. This makes dodging much, much harder. Can be toggled on and off.
Fragility
You deal three times more damage, and take three times more damage yourself.
Intimacy
When close to a boss, you gain an increase to regen and defense. The closer you are, the stronger the buff. However, if you move too far away, your regen and defense is decreased.
(Basically a defensive version of Resentful and Bloodthirsty, for melee users. I’m not sure if there should be a long-ranged counterpart, as I feel that could be too overpowered for long-distance combat types…aka all of them except melee, lol.)
Solus
All damage you deal heals you, however you lose health rapidly whilst the enchantment is active.
(Basically Vampirism)
Mania (Get it? Because mana, and it’s a type of love? No…? I’ll see myself out.)
All damage you deal fills up your mana, but you lose mana passively. If you run out, you’re kind of screwed.
Storge
Four objects orbit you (Runes, or maybe flowers/moons?), taking damage for you. Each object can take three hits of damage (The amount of damage does not matter, just that it’s a damage source), before dissipating. You take two times as much damage, and healing items such as potions or life-steal will not speed up the regeneration of the objects.
Potentially very powerful, however because the objects orbit you it can be difficult to use them properly, and any projectile or attack that slips through will of course deal absurd damage. Plus you have to wait for the objects to recharge, too.
Altruism
Runes appear randomly around the player during a boss fight. If the player touches them, they are healed slightly, and given a slight regeneration boon. However, after ten (Maybe five) seconds of existing without being picked up by the player, they will home towards the boss or one of its minions, and heal them instead.
The runes might have more effects then healing, such as damage, defense, etc boosts.
Philophobia
Any debuffs or damage taken by the player, the source of damage also takes. This includes damage done to shields, such as those provided by the Storge enchantment and The Sponge. However, the player takes double damage.
Hanahaki
When you take damage, large thorny flowers are released and however in the air. Every once in a while they pulse, releasing thorns that do significant damage to the player if touched and apply a damaging debuff. However, if the player touches them when they are not pulsing, they heal a portion of the damage initially done to them that released the flower, and gain a small amount of regen. The thorns harm enemies as well.
Flowers dissipate after about ten seconds.
Exhumed Items
Gentle Soul Artifact (Profaned Soul Artifact, or maybe Profaned Soul Crystal?)
When something burns, it is not gone. The cinders of anything are full of untainted potential, the nutrients and essence within providing fuel to the kindling of life.
A glimpse into what might have been, a fading echo of the future; truly, her conquest was hopeless, for within ash do bloom countless, beautiful flowers.
Summons three descendant spirits, tragically denied a chance at existence.
Summons three Profaned Guardian-like npcs to assist the player.
Comforter - Heals the player 30 health every 8 seconds, and provides an increase of damage reduction by 15%.
Apologist - The Apologist hovers behind the player character at all times, blocking any and all projectiles that fly into its sprite. It also gives the player the option of four powerful boons, which can be chosen when equipping the item; Scourge, which increases all damage dealt by 15%, Mothers Sacrifice, which increases damage reduction by 10%, Comets Blessing, which heals 10% of health after not taking damage for five seconds, and Gluttons Mourning, which removes (most) debuffs every 15 seconds.
Aegis - Rapidly slashes at enemies, disappearing and reappearing around the target. Each hit does 64 damage, and ignores 50% of enemy defense. Has a 10% chance of a critical hit, which cannot be changed by other items or equipment. After a critical hit, its sword shatters into nine shards, the pieces homing towards the player and healing them slightly. After five seconds, the sword reforms, and Aegis resumes striking.
The Comforter, Apologist, and Aegis all resemble humanoid spirits, their forms blurry and hard to make out. However, a few details are clear; Comforter has a wizards hat, round spectacles, a long ponytail (However appears male), and feathers sprout from his arms, Apologist has two long straight horns bursting from their eyes and is wearing nun attire, and Aegis is a tall slender women with short cut hair, a bandaged left eye, and wields a longsword similar in appearance and stance to Catastrophe.
Flowers of different types bloom across their bodies, in varying locations; white lilies from the comforters temples and neck, thorned red poppies from Apologists mouth, and black roses from Aegis’s bandaged eye and sword.
Who are these three spirits, you might ask? No idea. I genuinely came up with them whilst writing up the concept for this item, lol. I figured it should at least vaguely be connected to Lullabis, hence the flower imagery, but really who these three are I don’t know. In my personal head canon, they are three supporters of some hero in a world that would rise after Providence’s divine burning, but perhaps not, and they could be anyone else. Descendants of Lullabis, or Calamitas? Of the main character? Who can say.
Peacebanner Of The Moon (Warbanner Of The Sun)
The moon had a people, once.
This flag is all that is left.
Increases all damage by 5%. The closer to an enemy you are, the higher your regen, up to a 50% increase. Stacks with Intimacy.
Upon being hit, you release seven weeping spirits (Named “MoonLastborn” in the game files) which attack your enemies and do a small amount of damage. This damage is increased by all damage increments (I.E. it doesn’t matter what class you are, any damage increasements will increase the spirit's damage. This does mean its damage can be greatly increased with the use of potions, but the spirits don’t really do much damage to begin with, so this shouldn’t be an issue.)
The banner has a blue background, etched with silver. On it is detailed a young boy, nude, his body curled around a flowering moon, which hovers above his hands. His eyes are not visible, but it is clear that he is weeping, despite appearing emotionless. Obviously I have no idea how this much detail could be placed on a small pixel sprite, but it's what's in my head, lol.
Dark Moon Ring (Dark Sun Ring)*
An old wedding ring. Despite having been born of the hopes and terrors of a furtive lover, it would seem that it was never offered to its recipient.
+5% Max Hp
+5 Health Regen
+10% Damage
Provides benefits which vary depending on the phase of the moon, and allows the player to control the phase of the moon.
Full Moon: See The World As I Did. You’d Be Surprised, How Much You Can Come To Miss The Dark. (Entire screen is luminated, arrows point towards enemies or rare creatures.)
Waning Gibbous: The Vanished Wealth Of The Moon Is Yours…And So Is Its Pre-Destined Burden. (Doubles the chance for all item drops.)
Third Quarter: The Silence Of Lunar Soil Is Agonizing, Is It Not? (Immensely decreased mob spawn rate)
Waning Crescent: It Used To Be Beautiful. Fields Of Gentle Flowers, Cities Of Sunlit Towers…And Then I Destroyed It All, In Order To Save Your World. Ungrateful. (You can uncraft items, similarly to the shimmer, but anywhere.)
New Moon: While Your Dead Are At Their Most Uneasy, Here, They Might Finally Rest. (Doubles player immunity frames)
Waxing Crescent: The Naiad And The Dryad Might Claim It, But Do Not Be Deceived; That Depth Was Mine. (All negative effects of the abyss are deactivated.)
First Quarter: Careful Now; Something Is Watching You From Below. If You Will, Don’t Look Back…My Kin Gave Their Lives To Bury It. (Immensely increased mob spawn rate)
Waxing Gibbous: In The Future, Your Kind Will Return Home. I Just Hope That On That Day, Your Origins Will Not Drive You Mad. (Most debuffs are greatly nullified.)
Solar Eclipse: Life Started Here, Did You Know That? And Let Me Tell You…It Was Horrifying. (All attacks inflict Penumbras Sob, which deals 40 damage per second, and heals the player a small portion of the damage dealt. Has fire particles, and is a Heat Debuff.) (Note: Only changes the moon's appearance to a solar eclipse, the day looks normal.)
(All items that inflict Penumbras Sob “Stack” with one another, progressively increasing the power and effects of the debuff.)
Though never stated, it is implied that the voice is Neyimere.
* Name is a reference to an item of the same name from Elden Ring. I’ll be honest, I’m way more proud of this reference then I should be, lol.
Lullabis (Calamity)
Please…I can’t change your past, I know I can’t, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try.
I want you to be happy, now…
Because I know you were so rarely happy back then.
The player's cursor becomes engulfed in the soul of Lullabis. When the cursor is held over the player or another player, they are rapidly healed. When held over enemies, their armor is slightly reduced. All attacks inflict Penumbras Sob.
Item:
(An outstretched hand, as if lifting someone up. The hand should be heavily damaged, with a few flower petals sticking out. It radiates a blue and white light.)
Bloom Stained Hilt (Tainted Blade)
A gift, turned frenzied punishment. It has only ever been used once, and the blood of its owner still paints what is left of the blade red. Afterwards, it was broken, as all the agony and regret of a tyrant was infused into whatever was left.
Sometimes, it is easier to die, then to live with who we have become.
1 damage (Melee).
Inflicts Debuff:
Dragonfire (100% Chance)
Brimstone Flames (100% Chance)
Nightwither (100% Chance)
Vulnerability Hex (100% Chance)
Temporal Sadness (100% Chance)
Penumbras Sob (100% Chance)
An absurdly powerful weapon, akin to The Wand; its item description states that it only deals 1 damage, however this is only the swing of the sword, which is slow. After being swung, instead of releasing a normal sword projectile, a gigantic cacophony of screaming voices, flowers, moonlight, dragon flame, brimstone fire, and auric shine is released, covering practically half of the entire screen.
The combined damage is absurd, perhaps outmatching any other weapon in the game, but this is juxtaposed with its painfully slow use speed; it takes about five seconds to charge, in which the player cannot get hurt, or the charge is reset. After this, it cannot be used for another five seconds.
In terms of burst damage, nothing can defeat it, however other weapons can easily outpace it with sustained damage. The various debuffs are somewhat meant to remedy this, though due to immunities, to bosses they are rarely ever inflicted.
In truth, this weapon is meant to be more of a spectacle, a tragic lore item, then a viable weapon. Yes, it does deal a great deal of damage and inflicts many debuffs, but it's so slow that this doesn’t really matter. I just wanted to create a weapon representing Yharim’s regret and agony, which of course would be profound, but I was nervous about making something that is potentially too powerful.
Oh, in terms of lore, the sword was a gift from Lullabis to Yharim, and was the weapon he used to murder Lullabis. Hence why the sword is covered in flowers, and has a piece of Lullabis’ scarf tied to it.
(Why is most of the art that is closest to my imagination for this weapon tattoo art lol?)
(Sort of a combination between all four of these. I think the rapier guard of the center and bottom left sword could be a good edition, since I don’t think a weapon with a hilt such as that exists in game. Correct me if I’m wrong, of course. Also, the flowers should bloom on what is left of the blade and the hilt, not the handle, as the blade is obviously where Lullabis was stabbed. Finally, perhaps a red rag tied to the handle like in the bottom image, a shred of Lullabis’s scarf?)
Unique Items
Faded Quintessence
It is said that before the Gods, before the coming of the Elementals, before even the Dragons themselves, the world was governed by powers far more abstract and perplexing than those of today. This is all that remains of that distant, half-forgotten age.
Weapons fire unique projectiles based on the damage type they have. Some weapons are unable to receive this bonus.
Provides 10% damage reduction after not being hit for 15 seconds, this is removed when you are hit.
+1 HP/s life regen for you and everyone on your team.
Periodically gain an unstable energy field that repeatedly zaps nearby enemies with arcing energy. The arcing energy ignores a substantial amount of enemy defense.
Upon taking damage you release a massive cloud of spores, which slowly home towards enemies and deal a small amount of damage. This damage heals you.
Consuming a healing potion provides the Greater Mushy buff, increasing defense by 10 and granting 2 HP/s life regen.
Enemies drop a healing orb on kill.
Gain an increase to your damage and movement speed the lower your health is, up to 20%.
Upon activating Adrenaline or Rage mode, a ghostly rime hound charges out from the player towards the direction of the cursor, dealing substantial damage and inflicting both Frostbite and Glacial State for 10 seconds.
Recipe:
Luxor's Gift + Trinket Of Chi + Tundra Leash + Unstable Granite Core + Fungal Symbiote + Gladiators Locket + 5 Soul Of Sight + 5 Souls Of Might + 5 Souls Of Fright = Faded Quintessence
Combines all of the Shrine equipments into one item. I always liked the detail of shrines and their equipments as they were unique and added the potential for interesting world building, yet sadly seem painfully neglected.
While most of the effects are unchanged from their original item, I did alter the Fungal Symbiote; instead of increasing the damage of mushroom based weapons, the player instead releases life stealing spores upon taking damage. Moreover, they receive the Mushy buff not when eating a mushroom, but when consuming a healing potion of any sort. I did this to make the item's effects more relevant to this stage of the game.
I also changed Tundra Leash, seeing as obviously a mount wouldn’t really work with an equipment item. I like the idea of it being turned into an attack when activating Adrenaline or Rage, however that being said I’m not sure what it should do when not playing any official calamity modes. Perhaps nothing, really.
The tooltip is just a small concept of mine; that at some point in the past, the world was ruled by entities representative of marble, granite, mushrooms, forests, and snow. Why these five, seemingly arbitrary things? Well I can’t say, but that adds to the allure of their mystery.
I have no idea what the item should look like, lol.
Ragged Scarf
A long, blood red, two tailed scarf. Though it feels and seems ordinary, within lies the gentle soul of a hopelessly lost, confused, and lonely God. It appears to have had a small portion of it ripped away.
My favorite scarf…!
It was a gift from a close friend, and I wore it everywhere…
I hope it comforts you, as much as it comforted me.
Defense: 46
Releases spirits and gives increased immune time when damaged.*
+1 HP/s life regen for you and everyone on your team, and reduces the cooldown of healing potions.
Absorbs 15% of damage done to players on your team. This effect is only active above 25% life.
Grants immunity to knockback.
Puts a blessing around the owner when below 50% life that reduces damage taken.
Immune to most debuffs.
+40 max life
Grants a blinding lunar dash which can slam through enemies without taking damage. Can be used to ram enemies, inflicting Penumbras Sob.
Dashing into an attack will cause you to dodge it. After a successful dodge you must wait 30 seconds before you can dodge again.
+20 defense while submerged in liquid.
Grants Buff: Faint Warmth (Effectively a combination of Paladin’s Shield and Ice Barrier, though of course their respective attributes of course only occur when the criteria is met.)
* Spirits are identical to those released by Peacebanner Of The Moon. The amount of spirits and their damage stack with each other.
Recipe:
Rampart Of The Deities + Asgardian Aegis + Evasion Scarf + Despondent Soul + Ten Shadowspec Bars + 5 Ascendent Spirit Essence = Ragged Scarf
Scarf:
(Apparently the weebs like red scarves as much as I do, lol.)
Meant to finally combine the Rampart Of The Deities and the Asgardian Aegis, a request I think we have all heard for years.
That being said, when combined with the Evasion Scarf as well, this could be a far far too powerful equipment.
Since I am obviously not a game or mod developer, I’ll leave it to others to determine whether or not this abomination should exist, lol.
Oh, since it is made with the Despondent Soul, it replaces its voice functions.
Efflorescent Wings
Though he attempted to hide them with spells and enchantments alike, the Kindly Traitor could never escape the burden that were his stolen wings.
Horizontal speed: 13.00
Acceleration multiplier: 3.5
Excellent vertical speed
Flight time: Infinite
By pressing a designated keybind, the wings can swap between two modes; flight, in which the player flies, and glide, in which…I think you get the point. Until swapped again they will stay in these modes. Default keybind is Mouse 3.
Designed to be the best wings in the game, supplanting Drews Wings. How they are unlocked I have no idea; perhaps dropped by Calamitas?
The infinite flight ability I am unsure of, though in truth I see nothing wrong with it. At this point in the game the player has beaten (Presumably) almost every boss, and can travel across the world in seconds. Infinite flight would be an incredible boon during combat and in general, while not disrupting gameplay too much I think. And the glide mechanic is kept for the sake of dodging.
On a weird side note, perhaps the infinite flight mechanic is how Yharim’s arena is reached? It’s above that invisible barrier in space that you cannot cross as a boundary to the map. The wings allow you to go past it, and reach the “Dragon Aerie”.
Wings:
(What I want to emphasize is how large the wings are. They look fairly similar to the Seraph Tracers, however are MASSIVE, with by far the largest sprite of any wing item. They also seem to be made of a fading white light, and are oddly cubic (The wings on the right are the most similar to what I imagine). In several places the wings are cut, red blood dripping slightly, blue and white flowers akin to the Wilted Crescent Orchid (See below) blooming from the wounds.)
Daydream Of Aviothic
It doesn’t get any better than this.
It was always his dream, Aviothic. To ascend into the heavens, to fly forever and ever, through the sky and the stars and the void. Gravity chained him to the earth, and in time he could no longer bear his own weight. Go; honor his memory, by living out the fantasy he never could.
Too often are we denied that which we dream of.
Counts as wings
Horizontal speed: 12.00
Acceleration multiplier: 3.2
Excellent vertical speed
Flight time: Infinite
50% increased running acceleration and greater mobility on ice
Provides the ability to walk on water, honey, and lava
Grants immunity to fire, lava, and harmful block effects
Being hit for over 200 damage will make you immune for an extended period of time
10% increased movement speed (Finally inherits Harpy Ring, lol)
By pressing a designated keybind, the wings can swap between two modes; flight, in which the player flies, and glide, in which…I think you get the point. Until swapped again they will stay in these modes. Default keybind is Mouse 3.
Recipe:
Seraph Tracers + Efflorescent Wings + Five Shadowspec Bars = Daydream Of Aviothic
Item:
(I hate the guy in the picture, but basically the halo but gold or blue lol. A snapped, broken halo, giving off some form of energy, with a design effect kind of like the Dark Sun Ring or Calamity, though more gentle and slow, like it’s in a video whose playback speed has been reduced. Whether or not the halo would appear alongside the wings, I’m not sure; it could clash with too many people's vanity outfits.)
Wings:
(There are multiple wings, not unlike that of a Seraphim. However, unlike the first drawing, the amount of wings is uneven and random. A beautiful mess, rather than an ordered pattern.)
(Of all the items this one I’m the most unsure of, by the way.)
Cracked Spectacles
An old pair of cracked, round, gold rim glasses. The power to forgive a god pulses from this artifact.
Cal used to poke fun at me about it, and honestly I would laugh as well; I mean, seriously, how hilarious is it, that the ascendant God of the Moon, the right hand of the Golden Heretic, the fabled Kindly Traitor, would still need a pair of glasses, haha?
Defense: 45
Enemies take immense damage when they touch you and are afflicted with a damaging sickness debuff that reduces damage reduction significantly.
Using a healing potion will spawn a cleansing aura. Walking into the aura removes all debuffs and defense damage one time. The aura grants +3 HP/s life regen, +8% damage, and +5% damage reduction for all players inside for 10 seconds.
5% of the damage from enemy attacks is absorbed and converted into healing.
Shimmering meteors rain down after getting hit.
Exploding lunar dust is left behind as you move
Damage and movement speed increased by 10%.
Recipe:
The Absorber + Yharims Gift + Five Shadowspec Bars = Cracked Spectacles
Item:
Wilted Crescent Orchid
An obscenely rare and delicate flower, found only in two places; lunar fields, and the blood of Lullabis.
Although wilted, within its petals a powerful course of emotions still resides. A coalescence of somber appreciation, shared loneliness, self-hatred, agonizing helplessness…and longing.
Provides the ability to dash. The player can dash through all attacks and enemies, receiving no damage or contact damage at all. However, they take three times more damage elsewise.
Somewhat similar to an exhumed item or enchantment, this is meant to be a potentially overpowered item that is dependent on skill. If you have the skill to adequately dodge or dash through every attack, then you’re basically invincible. However, if you mess up, the potential consequences are severe.
You will survive fatal damage and revive with 50% life on a three minute cooldown.
You are encased in a barrier of weeping orchids for 3 seconds when revived. This barrier restricts your movement slightly, though you can still move, as it rapidly heals you and provides immunity to all debuffs.
Wilted Crescent Orchid revival takes priority over all other means of death prevention.
+50% Max HP
+10% Damage
Recipe:
1 Moonglow + Permafrosts Concoction + 5 Ashes Of Calamity = Wilted Crescent Orchid
Item:
(This, but a mix of pale blue, milk white, and black basically. Oh, the flower is a Ghost Orchid by the way, my favorite flower.)
Despondent Soul
A weak, and barely sustained soul. A voice whispers to you from within…
Functions similarly to the Brimstone Locus; technically does nothing, however when placed inside a players inventory it adds a few item descriptions. Furthermore, while equipped in a vanity slot, it will occasionally spawn dialogue akin in function to Lucy the Axe.
I have intentionally made an absurd amount of dialogue in the hopes that it makes the despondent soul seem as alive as possible. I found when using Lucy that any perceived life or realism in the axe was very swiftly ended once I heard every piece of dialogue lol.
Below are a few examples of what dialogue would be provided. At first I considered writing a full list, but…well it got kind of boring pretty fast, heh. Still, it should provide a basic understanding of how the system would work.
Soul Dialogue
Biome Dialogue
This dialogue spawns when the player enters a given biome. Note that it doesn’t occur every single time; there's about a ¼ chance of dialogue being triggered. Furthermore it is not randomly selected, and rather cycles through the given list.
When Entering Space:
- “I hope you’re not afraid of heights…”
- “I think Draedon had a lab up here, somewhere.”
- “The various sky islands used to be the personal little realms of powerful mages, a long time ago. Cozy!”
- “The planetoids are broken pieces of the moon, if you could believe it. Draedon certainly didn’t.”
- “Have you felt your stomach drop yet?”
- “Aviothic used to have an entire kingdom up here.”
When Entering Forest:
- “I’ve always thought leaves moving in the wind sounded like ocean waves.”
- “So peaceful…I could stay here forever.”
- “My family used to go on trips to places like this, picking Daybloom in the forest glades.”
- “The forests used to be far thicker, but with the near extinction of Dryads…”
- “Y’know, some say this place is where Terraria itself was born.”
- “Just take it all in…the taste of wind, the crunch of grass, the rustle of leaves…”
When Entering Snow:
- “As you might have guessed, the temperature of this place is magical in origin.”
- “...You want to build a snowman?”
- “Be careful when picking Shiverthorn; it has its name for a reason.”
- (If Cryogen hasn’t been defeated) “I wonder if he’s still out there…”
- “I quite like the cold, actually. Weirdly snug, y’know?”
- “Huh, I wonder how the penguins got here.”
- “Now I’m in the mood for some coco.”
- (If snowing) “I agree with Sir…few things are as beautiful as snowfall.”
- (If blizzard) “Be on your guard…shadows move in between the white.”
- (If not snowing) “It's snowing everywhere else…”
When Entering Desert:
- “I am not a fan of this heat…”
- “...If you please, I’d rather not be here for long. Too many good memories…”
- “Waterleaf is a pristine herb, and surprisingly hardy too.”
- “You could almost believe the desert has always been this way…”
- “There isn’t much on the surface…try digging down.”
- “Truly beautiful things don’t ask for attention…I’d suggest you dig very, very deep for it.”
- “I can still hear my home, far below.”
- (When entering the underground desert) “This place used to make my skin crawl…”
- (When entering the underground desert) “This hive thrives off of charred corpses. Once it runs out of food…”
When Entering Corruption:
- “Purple used to be my favorite color. Used to be.”
- “So…quiet. And not the kind I’m fond of.”
- “If you see any pulsing tumors…don’t touch ‘em.”
When Entering Crimson:
- “Ugh, what is that smell…”
- “If you see any pulsing cysts…don’t touch ‘em.”
When Entering Normal Underground:
- “I always found it incredible, how life persists everywhere.”
- “It might be kind of damp, but I’ve always liked the caverns.”
- “The Dwarves used to have an entire kingdom down here…no one knows what happened to it.”
- “In our world, once precious gems and metals are practically worthless; they’re everywhere.”
- “As life decays on the surface, it slowly feeds the Underground. How do you think all these skeletons got here?”
- “Keep an eye out for unnatural rock formations…there are structures nestled away down here that are older than the Dragons themselves.”
- “See any blinkroot? The stuff makes a surprisingly good salad.”
When Entering Dungeon:
- (If skeletron isn’t defeated) “I’d strongly recommend not messing with that poor old man.”
When Entering Ocean:
- “...”
- “It isn’t the same as Ilmeris, but…it still reminds me of home…”
- “Do you…do you think we could stay here, for just a little while?”
- “Oceasc, one of the three- no OH-SHISC, not OH-SHEE…nevermind.”
- “See any sea glass? I used to collect it as a kid.”
- “Ooh look at that shell, there!”
- “The burning scent of salt is weirdly relaxing, no?”
- “Nothing is quite as soothing as the ocean waves…save for perhaps the rain.”
When Entering The Abyss:
Layer 2:
- “If you're quiet, and move slowly, most things in the Abyss will ignore you.”
- “There are old legends of people living down here, hence all the ruins…but no one knows anything about them, if they ever existed.”
- “The planty mush here reeks of Silva’s magic…it is pretty, though.”
- “Incredible, isn’t it? How the fires here burn hot enough to combat the mountain of water pushing them down.”
- “This reminds me of an old poem; ”From hadal depths and marmoreal skies”...I can’t remember the rest.”
- “Be careful…though beautiful, the life here is most unfriendly.
- “Did you know that it can snow here? Although, I uh wouldn’t recommend catching it with your tongue…”
- “I used to sleep here for days…”
- “...”
- “Isn’t the shimmer of Voidstone breathtaking? Get it? Breathtaking…? Sorry.”
- “I loved it here. Maybe even more than my home…”
- “It’s so…so…”
- “Any deeper, and you might just find Silva’s corpse. Or what's left of it, anyways.”
When Entering Mushroom Biome:
- “If I had a mouth, it would be watering.”
- “Smells like fiberglass…I’m sure that’s nothing to worry about.”
- “What on earth is this grass made of?”
- “There used to be stories about strange folk who lived here.”
- “...I swear that mushroom just moved.”
When Entering Hallow:
- “Look out; the Unicorns bite.”
- “If I’m being honest, all this neon and happiness is as suffocating as grime and monsters…”
- “Right out of a ten year old girl's imagination.”
- “Well, this is insufferable.”
- “Not all Gods are wicked, some are simply childish. Hence, the Hallow.”
- “Unless you have a deathwish, don’t touch the butterflies.”
- “It’s funny to me; the God responsible for the Hallow adored Fairies, but they despised him.”
When Entering Astral Infection:
- “Huh…this world has tasted the impact of an Astral meteor before, so I find it curious that it has happened again.”
- “Beautiful, in a suffocating, perplexing, unnatural way.”
- “The life here is disturbing, to be sure…but at the same time their transformation has been far more graceful than that of other corruptions, I think.”
- “I once met a music-box maker who was mad enough to live here. That being said, their wares were…inspired, to say the least.”*
*A reference to this video, which is actually how I discovered Calamity in the first place, almost four years ago now.
When Entering Underworld:
- “You’d be surprised by how quickly you grow accustomed to the heat.”
- “Now, the underworld finally resembles the hell that surface dwellers thought it was…”
- “The ashen forests, the ancient cities…all gone.”
- “It smells like ash, regret, burnt wood, and wet rock…with just a hint of brimstone.”
- “The “demons” who live here are simply the Underworlds variant of the undead, if you didn’t know.”
- “The aptly named Fire Blossom thrives down here. Normally if you tried to eat it you’d burn your tongue out, but it can be made edible. Tastes spicy!”
When Entering Brimstone Craig:
- “Just look at it. Oh Azafure…what did you do to deserve this?”
- “Isn’t the flora breathtaking…? There used to be so much more.”
- “A few survivors still haunt the ruins of this place. I wonder where they’re hiding…”
- “Most believe Calamitas slaughtered her opponent, but this is not true. She's still here, and in all likelihood is watching you now…”
- “The Lava Lilies are the largest flowers in all of Terraria…well, aside from one specimen of my own making.”
- “The Warlocks of Azafure were so advanced, that they discovered a way to make it rain, even down here.”
- (After Brimstone Elemental has been defeated) “She isn’t dead, y’know. Honestly I don’t think elementals can die. But nonetheless, Azafure is at least a little calmer than before.”
When Entering Jungle Temple:
- “I haven’t been here in years…”
- “The Lihzahrd seem to prefer the safety of their bunker to the outside world.”
- “Tread carefully…the walls are alive.”
- “At the beginning of the Deific Era, the Lihzahrd Dynasty ruled the entire Jungle. This is all that is left.”
- “While I pity the Lihzahrd…their society was famously abusive.”
When Entering Graveyard:
- “Huh, a graveyard made of tombstones for yourself…spooky…”
- “Such fickle beings, specters. Don’t worry; they aren’t actually people, just echoes…usually.”
- “This is starting to get out of hand, we need to call someone about this…”
Other Dialogue
When Killing An Entity, 1/25 Chance:
- (After killing a Corrupted/Crimson enemy) “Half the time I can’t even tell what these things used to be…”
- (After killing an Antlion enemy) “Ew ew ew ew ew ew…”
- (After killing a Phantom Spirit, Dungeon Spirit, or Ghost) “I feel like I should relate to spirits…but honestly I got nothin.”
- (After killing a rotdog) “Awww, puppy- NO”
- (After killing a unicorn) “...Why do I feel like God is staring into the back of my head?”
- (After killing a Cnidrion) “The used to resemble Seahorses. Come to think of it, the Ilmerans using them as mounts was incredibly cliche.”
- (After killing a Despair Stone) “How can a rock feel despair…?”
- (After killing a Soul Slurper) “To think, she instinctively knew how to create these…incredible.”
- (After killing ??? in Pre-Hardmode, 100% chance for the first time) “...Please tell me you have a trick up your sleeve? You can’t be that dull…”
- (After killing a Ghost bell) “Jellyfish are by far my favorite animal, ironic since they used to sting me all the time.”
- (After killing a Eutrophic Ray) “...Is it just me, or was it smirking at you?”
- (After killing a Crawler of any type) “In an effort to defend themselves, they’ve simply become more attractive to human hunters. Evolution can be pretty stupid, y’know.”
- (After killing a Prism Back) “Aw, look at its little smile!...Oh right it's dead.”
- (After killing a zombie type enemy) “No one knows who these people were. When any of us die, our corpses stay dead. So where did these…mimics come from?”
- (After killing a Sun Skater) “The Skyfolke saw them as a good omen, of longevity and prosperity. Ironically, the Sun Skaters outlived the Skyfolke.”
- (After killing any Wulfrum Enemy) “A pretty pathetic attempt to oppose Yharim and his forces, huh?...Admittedly, they are weirdly adorable.”
- (After killing a Calamity Eye) “Seeing how life can apparently be sparked by anything and everything, the question of life's origins isn’t how, but where, and when.”
- (After killing an Aero Slime) “I gave up trying to understand how Simes can adapt so swiftly a long time ago.”
- (After killing a Cannonball Jellyfish) “Pop goes the weasel…”
- (After killing a Trasher) “What a toothy grin.”
- (After killing a Draconic Swarmer) “BULMBLEBIR- oh, nevermind, that was someone else.”
- (After killing a Bobbit Worm) “I’d be willing to bet that until it attacked you, that thing hadn’t moved in years.”
- (After killing a Blinded Angler) “It had a beard!! So silly, nature…”
- (After killing an Atlas) “I am struggling to figure out where this creature's head is.”
- (After killing a Mantis) “Say what you will of the infection, it knows how to make a monster.”
- (After killing an Eidolist) “The depths people will go to for power…literally.”
- (After killing an Eidolist) “Is there anything human even left…?”
- (After killing an Ice Clasper) “One of Sir’s older creations, he made them to help expand his domain.”
- (After killing a Mantis Shrimp) “The Mantis Shrimp is a living fossil of the prehistoric clown, that all modern clowns evolved from.”
- (After killing a Luminous Corvina) “They move so slowly…”
- (After killing a Mirage Jelly) “It is your primary objective to follow that beautiful creature…”
- (After killing a Plague Enemy for the first time, 100% chance) “What, I- it should be gone, we exterminated it, how…”
- (After killing a Chaotic Puffer) “Ok I swear it's smiling. Am I going crazy? Why is everything smiling at us?”
- (After killing a Gulper Eel) “Huh, looks like an old sleep paralysis demon I had. You can’t tell, but I am currently screaming in my head. Thank you for killing it.”
- (After killing an Ice Tortoise) “Tortoises used to be everywhere, before people hunted them for their shells.”
- (After killing any spirit enemy) “Rest…”
- (After killing any plague enemy) “To think, humanity is capable of creating horrors that somehow defy comprehension.”
- (After killing a Renegade Warlock) “I’m not sure why they didn’t use any of their magic spells to kill you and just went with the knife, but…ok I guess.”
- (After killing a Nymph) “Relatives of the Dryad. They’re fully sentient, by the way. It’s beyond anyone why they choose to be so aggressive.”
Picking Up An Item:
- Scoria: “What you are holding is the spat up core of the earth itself.”
- Lumenyl: “The pressure of the Abyss is so intense, that the very essence of the void is infused in the blood of its denizens.”
- Catching Any Butterfly: “Strangely adaptive things, Butterflies. You can even find a species in the Underworld.”
lambchopsandwich
Terrarian
holyyyyy. i wish i had the effort to read all that but i dont... looks super cool tho
trya
Official Terrarian
it's really cool. I made an idea of a possible redemption arc for yharim, but it seems that he just fell too deep into the hole for that. also, if and when we do fight yharim, he should be an NPC like calamitas, permafrost, and amidias. his service would be enchanting using Lullabis' power. (also, he'd sell miscellaneous items.)
You can put all of this in spoilers to make it easier to read.
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Click the three dots and then select "spoiler." (It looks like an eye with a line through it.)
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some ideas for the game that might improve gameplay
