Mapping the Afterlife: A Guide to the Underworld in the Shadowborn Duet
The Underworld is the transition realm of the dead, comprised of five Sanctums designed by Alarus.
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Morthryn: The Golden Entrance
The journey begins at Morthryn, a location defined by its striking contrast of black ink floors and towering golden columns. The area is overgrown with blood-tipped ivy and features “The Veil,” a threshold guarded by an iridescent skeleton named Luce, a bronze lioness, and a viper.
The First Sanctum: Body
The first stop in the descent is the sanctum of Body, which represents the physical reality of decay. The landscape is dominated by bone mountains and a flowing blood river, yet it is punctuated by a surreal rainbow of mushrooms. At the center of this sanctum lies a blue glass temple inhabited by a mysterious bird, symbolizing the start of the soul’s detachment from its mortal shell.
The Second Sanctum: Breath
As a soul moves deeper, it enters Breath, the sanctum governing life and the passage of time. This level is a desolate expanse of gray dust where a bone temple, marked by a massive crimson eye, watches over those passing through. Be warned: this layer is also home to black reptilian soul eaters that prey on those who linger too long in their memories of life.
The Third Sanctum: Psyche
Psyche, is a realm of memories and the past. It is a frigid environment characterized by bone islands floating in vast blood lakes. Lightning storms rage through the clouds above a dark black and red temple, creating a volatile atmosphere where characters like Esme must confront their inner shadows.
The Fourth Sanctum: Secrets
Focusing on shame and desire, the sanctum of Secrets features the treacherous Vostis beach. A citadel with golden columns stands as a beacon here, alongside a temple of dark stained glass containing a marble altar.
The Fifth Sanctum: Soul
The final sanctum is Soul, the place of ultimate legacy and transition. The landscape shifts to dust-gray sand and a sprawling field of red poppies. This level contains the final doorway, representing the end of the soul’s journey through the Underworld.
The Heart of the Underworld
Beyond the sanctums, the deepest reaches of the realm contain the reflection pool and a fountain where water flows upside down. Under a mortal sky, the terrain is covered in ice-frost glass, with a lone tower standing as a silent over the finality of death.
Legal Disclaimer: This is an unofficial fan-made map. Characters, lore, and plot points belong to Carissa Broadbent and her publishing partners.