Night Mother Nyx is a dark and deceptive deity responsible for many of the world’s most feared afflictions, including vampirism, lycanthropy, and undeath. Born from the treachery that arose during the Elf revolt against their True Dragon creators at the end of the Second Age (see: The Riftfire Rebellion), she embodies deceit, transformation, and the bitter consequences of betrayal. Her influence spreads across the planes, particularly within The Shadowfell, a realm of eternal gloom where her power is absolute.
Nyx is revered by those who suffer from or embrace the afflictions she created. Her followers—vampires, werewolves, wraiths, and other cursed beings—see her not as a tormentor but as the mother of their kind, the one who grants power through transformation and affliction. Her dominion over curses has shaped the world, leaving a dark stain on those she chooses to "bless" with her influence.
Despite her immense power, Nyx is plagued by a bitter irony: she herself is cursed with a mortal flaw, a vulnerability that could be her undoing if discovered. This imperfection, known only to her, forces her to live in the shadows, hiding in the depths of the Shadowfell, never daring to confront her enemies directly. Her fickle and vain nature has led to her being barred from the Unknown, unable to walk among the Unknown deities of light and order due to her treacherous past and manipulative ways.
Origins
Nyx was born out of the Elven Revolt that saw the Vanir, Solir , Njordir, and Unknown elves rise up against their creators—the True Dragon. This rebellion, which marked the end of the Second Age, brought with it an atmosphere of betrayal and chaos that resonated throughout the cosmos. From this treachery and violence, Nyx took form, representing the shadows cast by betrayal, the curses that follow treason, and the darkness that emerges when the natural order is shattered.
Her creation was not the result of divine will or cosmic balance but the manifestation of the malice and hatred that coursed through the elves’ hearts as they turned against their creators. Nyx became the embodiment of all that is hidden, deceitful, and cursed. She took the broken remnants of this treachery and used them to craft her dominion—curses that would plague the world for all time.
Power and Influence
Nyx is widely known as the Mother of Curses, having crafted many of the afflictions that continue to haunt the world today. Among her most infamous creations are:
- Vampirism: A curse of eternal hunger and undeath, wherein victims are transformed into bloodthirsty immortals.
- Lycanthropy: A transformative curse that turns its victims into beasts under the full moon, embodying her mastery over primal rage and chaos.
- Undeath: The ability to return as a wraith, revenant, or other undead abominations, keeping her victims bound to the world in perpetual torment.
Nyx’s influence is felt not only through her curses but also through the creatures that serve her. She is revered as the progenitor of many dark beings—vampires, wraiths, lycanthropes, and all cursed creatures that exist in the shadows. Despite her power, she is also known to be deeply secretive, preferring to act through proxies, thralls, and subtle manipulations. Her nature is one of indirect influence, pulling strings from behind the veil of reality, and rarely revealing her true intentions.
Her servants, such as the infamous adventurer Saren, noble warrior Galahad Wargrym, and power-hungry warlord Radegast Wargrym were bound to her will, spreading her influence across both The Shadowfell and the material plane. Her fortress in the Everdark Forest serves as a seat of her power, a place where darkness reigns supreme, and from where she directed her forces during the Battle of the Four Armies.
The Curse of Nyx
Despite her vast power, Nyx herself is cursed—a secret vulnerability that is hidden even from most of her closest followers. This mortal imperfection is said to be capable of ending her existence if it were to be exploited. This vulnerability explains much of Nyx’s behavior: her obsession with working from the shadows, her careful manipulation of events, and her avoidance of direct conflict with the other deities.
The irony of her existence is that, despite being the source of countless curses that torment others, she herself lives under the threat of destruction by a curse of her own. It is this flaw that keeps Nyx hidden in the Shadowfell, rarely venturing beyond her dark domain.
Legacy and Legends
Nyx’s most significant contributions to the world are the curses she created, which continue to spread long after their inception. Her vampiric curse, in particular, has given rise to the Valar of The Immortal Isle, imbuing them with eternal life while also cursing their lands in perpetual darkness. Her influence on the world is undeniable, as her curses have fundamentally changed the lives of those afflicted by them.
Nyx is also believed to have crafted the Amethyst of the Dying Star, a cursed artifact of immense power that can siphon life energy from its victims, a creation she bestowed upon the Valar captain before it was taken in an ambush by the Gwaithor. This amulet is but one of many cursed objects tied to Nyx, each carrying a piece of her dark essence.
During the Battle of The Four Armies, Nyx's influence was felt far and wide. However, her machinations came to a tragic end when she was hunted down by the Valekith. In a twisted and final act of betrayal, Valekith sacrificed Nyx to empower himself with the blood of a god, further amplifying his own power and sealing her fate.
Yet, despite her death, Nyx's legacy persists. The curses she created did not die with her; instead, they seem to have taken on a life of their own, continuing to spread and afflict the world as if guided by an unseen hand. The Night Mother's influence endures, a testament to her mastery over the forces of darkness and her ability to shape the world in her own image, even in death.