Umbral Essence

Concept — Dark Force

A dark force that emits from Umbra himself, seeping outward through the body of Deepmere under conditions of TrueDark. Not a separate entity — an extension of Umbra's presence, diffuse and impersonal. It carries his influence but not his will or consciousness.

Reanimation

Umbral Essence reanimates the dead: corpses of beastlings, severed limbs, disembodied remains. This reanimation produces DarkLife — a zombie-like state in which the remains become Dark Beastlings, hostile to all things of the light.

DarkLife does not think, remember, or act with purpose beyond destruction. It is drawn to Kinsfolk and to sources of light.

Destruction of DarkLife

The reanimated body or body part can be destroyed by physical force sufficient to render it unable to act, or by fire — burned to cinder and ash. TrueLight burns DarkLife on contact, scorching skin and husk, but low levels of TrueLight will not kill outright. Only intense or sustained TrueLight is lethal to Dark Beastlings.

See also: DarkLife · Beastlings · Umbra · TrueDark