Into the Light

Lore Dump: Darklings

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What's up guys, this is RaveDoggTV. Now, something I haven't gone into too much detail about is, ironically, one of the main components of the overarching story--the Darklings. So, who are they, and what connection do they have with Azazel? That's precisely what I will answer in this second lore dump.

A little disclaimer: the Angels of the Thundering Spear have been officially renamed the Hell Angels. This is merely because the previous name was quite a mouthful.

I hope you guys enjoy it, and let's begin!

=ORIGIN=

The Darklings' origins can be traced back to the chaotic and violent events leading to the Highling Wars of Unification, which unfolded approximately 2,000 years before the timeline of Splatoon. This tumultuous period was characterized by the oppressive rule of the Otarri Empire, a tyrannical regime led by the notorious Demon God of Storms, Otarr, who instilled fear across the Highling states.

Among the most notable figures of the Darklings was an esteemed Grovian knight named Georg Hadrianus. Renowned for his exceptional combat skills and indomitable spirit, he pledged unwavering loyalty to Otarr, ascending to infamy for his ruthless raids against innocent populations throughout the realm. He became a symbol of power and terror, yet his fierce devotion to a dark master ultimately resulted in a tragic twist of fate. In an act of betrayal that shattered the very fabric of his life, Georg was branded the First Darkling by his once-beloved childhood friend, Azazel von Lionheart, the Grand Duke of Grovia, a man who would later be revered in Highling society as Azazel the Great.

The aftermath of Georg's death reverberated profoundly through the life of his young daughter, Corvina. Overwhelmed by grief and heartache, she abandoned the remnants of her shattered world, driven by a burning desire for vengeance against the House of Lionheart. Her determination was unwavering, and she swore to enact retribution even if it took her a thousand years. This insatiable thirst for vengeance led her directly into the clutches of the Cult of Otarri, a sinister and clandestine organization that fervently worshiped Otarr. The cult was shrouded in rumors of dark magic and malevolent powers, enticing Corvina as they would twist her desires for vengeance into something much darker.

Inside the shadowy and foreboding walls of the cult, the high priests quickly recognized Corvina's raw potential, grooming and training her to become an agent of chaos. They introduced her to the deadly arts of weaponry and honed her innate magical abilities, transforming her into an extraordinarily formidable warlock. Corvina endured a harrowing and sacrificial ritual to complete her metamorphosis into darkness, submerging herself in a pit of black tar heavily infused with dark magic. This transformative process altered her body and mind forever.

Emerging from this abyss of shadow and fury, she was reborn as the Great Queen of Evil, a figure destined to instill terror in the hearts of many, known to all as Dark Squid. She would fervently embrace that identity if she were destined to be a monster. No longer confined by the chains of her past, Dark Squid became a force to be reckoned with—feared by all and respected by none. Her dark legacy earned her two additional monikers, the Black Witch and the Scourge of Highlyon, cementing her place in history as a harbinger of death and despair.