#Darkling Lore

[the-sky-queen]

Y'know what? I'm just gonna do it. I'm gonna lore dump everything I have so far for my Darkling lore!

First of all, yes. I decided that the Darklings are a separate species from the Black Arms. Eclipse always seemed so different from any of the Black Arms we've seen to me. I just couldn't see him as 100% Black Arms when the rest of the race looks almost nothing like him.

This means that Eclipse is a hybrid, just like Shadow. (Though he's 50% Black Arms and 50% Darkling instead of Hedgehog.) Though I haven't quite figured out . . . why Black Doom would want his next offspring to be half Darkling instead of full Black Arms. I'm working on it. Darklings must have some kind of biological advantage, but I haven't figured out out yet.

Full lore under the cut!

History

The Darklings used to live on their own planet. They were free and were split up into different tribes. They were pretty civil towards each other, but the did occasionally have conflict. Then, a couple hundred years ago, the Black Arms invaded. The Darklings were massacred, but a few managed to bargain for their lives. In exchange for being left alive, the remaining Darklings would become slaves to whoever the current Black Arms leader was. So, they were taken from their home world and placed on the Black Comet, never again to be free. They were destroyed with the rest of the Black Comet at the end of Shadow the Hedgehog.

Beliefs/Religion

The Darklings didn't believe in gods, rather they believed that the spirits of their ancestors controlled the many aspects of nature and their lives. Several important ancestors had their own holidays and festivals, but most were worshipped privately among those who were directly related to them. Deceased family members were given little shrines to honor them, kinda like an ofrenda. During the Black Arms captivity, many began to lose faith, angry that their ancestors allowed this to happen.

Appearance

Since Eclipse is a hybrid, I had to decide what traits he has belong to the Darklings, and which he got from the Black Arms. I can explain my thought process more in depth later if you guys want, but for now, I'm just gonna list the traits:

five fingers

long, snake-like tail

coloring is dominated by more earthy/natural colors, for better camouflage during hunting

black sclera, eye color varies

Y'know that weird head structure Eclipse has? Yeah, they have that

scaley, but not as reinforced as Black Arms

I'll really have to draw one of these guys for you to get the full picture

Biology

Cold-blooded and lizard coded

They lay eggs

Naturally very skilled hunters

Heightened senses (smell, night vision, etc.)

Very agile (not that strong, but can out-maneuver almost anything)

Prehensile tails

*insert whatever advantage they have that made Black Doom decide his next offspring should be a hybrid*

On Eclipse

Eclipse's mother was a Darkling, and she was allowed to raise him for the first few months of his life. She taught him a lot about the dying Darkling culture and what it meant to be a Darkling in the first place. Eclipse loved his mother and always tried to make her happy. Eventually, Black Doom took him to begin his training, and Eclipse wasn't happy about it. He hardly got to see his mother or any of the other Darklings after that.

Eclipse has struggled with his identity for a long time. He was always told by Black Doom that he was the Ultimate Black Arm, but after a while, Eclipse decided he wanted to honor his mother and her culture and began referring to himself as a Darkling instead. This confuses a lot of people who don't know him very well. Eclipse doesn't usually like to talk about it, even to Shadow.

To this day, Eclipse tries to uphold the traditions of the Darklings. He puts on little celebrations for the important ancestors and honors his mother with a little shrine for her in his room. Eclipse has spent the last several years trying to draw an accurate picture of his mother for his shrine, with varying degrees of success. Shadow doesn't understand a lot of Eclipse's traditions, especially since he doesn't talk about why he's doing what he's doing a whole lot, but Shadow still tries to join in when he can and support his little brother.

Note: I just realized I've been referring to Eclipse as Black Doom's offspring when he was created by Black Death in the comics. Just to clarify, in my personal Sonic-verse, Eclipse is Black Doom's son, making him Shadow's actual half-brother. He was raised and trained by Black Doom until he was sent away to help Black Death with a conquest right before the Shadow the Hedgehog game. He and Black Death then later showed up for Shadow Fall.

[the-sky-queen]

I totally also think the Black Arms have their own language! I also say the Darklings do as well, but Eclipse isn't as fluent in their language because . . . well . . . let's just say the Darklings' culture was very repressed by the time Eclipse came along.

Terios and Eclipse having a full on conversation in the native Black Arms language (bc I headcanon they have one therefore in my little universe, they do lmao) meanwhile Shadow can only understand little parts and the rest of the time is just hoping they aren't swapping secrets about him

[fosermi]

Quick doodle before the day had started earlier, for some reason I woke up and chose Eclipse angst.

Anyway, here's eclipse dealing with grief about loosing his adoptive children in the Sacrofoced chaos au. He keeps picking up kids but because they're not immortal like him, time always claims them.

[bitter-sweet-coffee]

*mumbling incoherently* the black arms consume energy, not meat,,, the appeal of the planet is its chaos energy,,, further backed up by eclipse stealing the master emerald in archie,,, they feed on energy,,, consuming people is just the simplest way to consume chaos energy,,, goes insane

[punkeropercyjackson]

I actively avoid self-proclaimed feminist retellings because it's almost always just a way of saying the author wanted to turn a story about men's violence against women and in some cases even straight up csa metaphors into love stories

[malewife-darkling]

Aleksander: I used to be a little girl, when I was younger

Aleksander: But I got better

Ivan: I don't think that's how that works, sir

Alina: No. Let him speak

[taylanix]

Context: Londil got into a fight with his parents and ended up running into eclipse who takes him in for a bit

[echostarz123]

ask event with Immoral Network Au!

im trying to promote the au before I make the comic and I thought this would be a fun way to do it.

In the event you will be able to ask Purple, Tdl, and I questions.

Send in asks!

[hedgehog-university-au]

Might end up adding Eclipse into this AU.

I don't know much about him since I haven't read the Archie comics but I think it'd make perfect sense to have him be a freshman on Dark Hall.

He'd be Shadow's biological half-brother. I don't know if he and Shadow would already know each other, or if it would be way funnier for them to realize like halfway through the semester when Black Doom shows up for Parents' Weekend and Shadow is just like, "What are you doing here?" and Eclipse goes, "he's my dad" and Shadow goes "um actually he's my dad except I hate him and he doesn't pay child support" and then he and Eclipse have a moment of realization where they just stands there like Spiderman pointing meme.

And then cue angst as Eclipse spends the rest of the year trying to get Shadow to be his big brother while Shadow is in complete denial because he does NOT have the energy to deal with this in his senior year and he just want to pretend that nothing happened and he's totally not having an existential crisis about it.

[moireia]

another fic i may never write  ↳ raisa karenin, heretics 🌑

Raisa Karenin could never really settle. She was never given the chance.

How could she when every year meant a new village to hide in? Every year meant a new name to learn. At all cost, she had to keep the secret close—one she was never to show and never to tell at the risk of her own life. The secret that her mother could read lies in heartbeats, that her father could mend wounds with a touch, that Raisa could make shadows dance. 

It was hard to make friends when anyone, even another child, could be a threat. When her family arrived at Ryveost, Raisa decided to make friends out of the flowers in the garden and the characters in her mother’s stories. Raisa created the Witch of Duva and Koja the Too-Clever Fox as shadow puppets to play with.

All these stories and all these lies were Raisa’s protection. They were the warnings that kept her safe. They were the lessons she faithfully followed even after her father was lost to the sea. Even after her mother died.

Then, after Ryevost, there was Keramzin.

Even in the loss of all that she knew, there was something to be gained. Keramzin gave her Alina and Mal—her first true friends, the three of them drawn together almost inexplicably. Perhaps it was pity for the new orphan, quiet and a little strange. Perhaps it was sympathy, knowing too well the cruelty of the others who saw you as different. Nevertheless, Alina and Mal were kind when Raisa needed it most.

At sixteen they were drafted into the First Army. It took them on different paths but they found ways to stay in touch. While Mal tracked in the woods and Alina held onto a pen, Raisa took up a rifle and became a sniper. An efficient soldier who took dangerous missions and rose quickly in rank—anything she could do to avoid the Fold. Her father had many theories about what would happen if Raisa entered the Unsea. Would it respond to her? Would the volcra hunt her, seeking shadow summoner blood even from a different line than their despised creator? Would she pass untouched? Madraya argued the risk was too great to ever try.

But then Mal is ordered to cross the Fold. Alina sets a fire and damns herself to stay with him. What choice does Raisa have but to follow? Her mother’s voice echoes in her mind as Raisa steals a cartography uniform and sneaks aboard the Skiff.

For the first time, Raisa ignores the warnings. She cannot leave her dearest friends to the darkness of the Unsea. She would follow them anywhere—even if it means risking discovery.

[the-sky-queen]

Solstice the Darkling

Context | Nebula | Deimos

Eclipse’s little sister

Her (and Deimos') father was reassigned jobs shortly after Solstice was born. He hasn't been seen since, so he is presumed dead.

Born a couple years after Eclipse

Solstice is mute

She communicates via Darkling Sign Language, which combines hand signs with tail movements. However, many words have been lost over the years of captivity since the language wasn't regularly used. Solstice fills in the blanks in her vocabulary with gestures, acting, and sometimes coming up with new signs herself.

For whatever reason, she refuses to walk upright. Most of the time, she gets around on all fours, occasionally raising up slightly so she can reach something.

She's a feral little gremlin child and loves to rough house and play

Eclipse is her best friend

Too young to have a job just yet.

Has very sharp teeth and bites stuff a lot.

Design notes under the cut :)

SHE'S SO CUTE AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Okay, starting once again with the eyes! Solstice has amber eyes. I did this because I wanted to tie her to Eclipse in as many ways as I could, since they're besties. :) Orange is the closest color to yellow, so yeah. For the same reason, that's why Solstice has lightning shaped pupils.

For her coloring, I decided to put Solstice in between Nebula and Deimos. She's not as light as her mom and not as dark as her brother. Just thought it was cool and satisfying that way.

For clothes, I stuck with my previously mentioned idea of Darklings making simple clothes because of their lack of fabric. Solstice gets a long poncho! I didn't give her a skirt because I felt like she wouldn't need it. The poncho probably isn't as long as it needs to be, but I wanted people to be able to actually see some of her hands. You'll also notice that the edges of her poncho are ripped and frayed because she's a rough-houser! To top off her clothes, she's got some cuffs tied around her ankles. No real reason why those are there. I just thought they looked cool. :) I decided not to give her any shoes because she strikes me as the kind of kid who would either kick them off immediately or chew them to pieces. XD

Since Solstice almost always gets around on all fours, I did my best to draw her in a crouched position. It's not perfect, but it gets the message across! I actually drew out the full pose and then realized almost all of it was going to get erased because of her poncho. XD

But that's Solstice!! She's adorable and I love her. Go check out Nebula and Deimos' posts if you haven't already!

[restinslices]

I tend to add random lore no one asked for to series I like, so here’s me doing it for Shadow and Bone. Specifically for Shadow Summoners. Also for this, let’s pretend Aleksander was a real strategist and slept with someone before he died so his line could go on.

So when Baghra gets these powers, we know her dad is frightened by her. Shadow Summoners were supposed to happen and their presence could be seen as a curse. So a known quote or title they get is “a curse made real”.

I think it’d be very interesting if this had side effects. I know their powers are one, but I’m thinking more than that. Hear me out for a quick second. Shadows and the color black are often linked with evil and mystery, so what if this also tampered with their brain? There’s a part of your brain that tells you what’s right from wrong, but what if a side effect is that they have difficulty with this? It’s as if shadow covers their brain and something someone would consider wrong, isn’t that bad in their head, especially if it’s for a greater goal.

Adding onto that, I think it’d be interesting if this family kinda had the Targaryen reputation of “going mad”. I’ve never seen GOT or HOTD but the line that’s like “half the Targaryens went mad didn’t they? What’s the saying? Everytime a Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin and the world holds its breath” could also fit this family. Kirigan could be seen as “gone mad” while Baghra isn’t. Baghra has a sister and other kids (according to google) but we never see them in the main trilogy and idk if they’re seen in other books in the series. As their line goes on, some of them going mad could be a consistent thing.

A cool power they could have when given an amplifier is the ability to make people do terrible things. You know how I said their brains are kinda fucked and it’s like a shadow is over their brain? They have the power to cast that shadow over other peoples brains and push them to do fucked up shit. Whether it be the darker thoughts that particular person has, or whatever that Shadow Summoner wills them to do. This could only be broken by a Sun Summoner’s interference

Do y’all know the line in Fear Street when Sarah Fier curses the Goodes and says that everytime they hurt someone, they’ll feel the grip of her hand and she’ll never let them go? If you don’t, that fine. Just keep following-

Kirigan feels like he was wronged in the end. In his head, everything he did was ok because it was for a bigger goal. So, he made an oath/vow/curse/however you wanna look at it, of his own. Everytime someone in his family line is wronged, they will feel the grip of his hand guiding them to get revenge. They’ll feel his hands on their shoulders, hear him whispering in their ear, and feel their rage rise until they get revenge. And their version of revenge is very bloody.

Imagine it for a second. Alina stabbing him and as he’s dying, he makes this vow. Alina is confused because she has no knowledge of any other Shadow Summoners being alive. Since she’ll more than likely live for hundreds of years, she eventually finds out that he had a lot more tricks up his sleeve.

Shadow Summoners adapt to war fast

Shadow Summoners are rare. They’re a submissive gene and it tends to skip generations

Shadow Summoners are obviously not allowed to get together because they share an ancestor, but it’s also because that whole shadow over the brain thing gets worse if two of them have a baby. The kid is guaranteed to be a Shadow Summoner, but they’re also 99% guaranteed to go mad

Shadow Summoners are still feared. Everyone is worried about them following in Kirigan’s footsteps. They’re so scared, that they made a separate area for them in the Little Palace (once they were finally allowed in) because everyone felt tense around them

Them controlling peoples shadows and traveling by merging with their own shadow? Let’s discuss

I feel like I have more but this is all I remember now. I think we as a community should start making up more lore for this universe because it’s fun. Especially for the rare types of Grisha like Sun and Shadow Summoners.

[fosermi]

Having an Insomnia filled writing attack upon you~

-

Shadow had never had an easy relationship with his brother.

Eclipse had been created to kill him, but then he couldn't and Shadow had destroyed the Black Arms. Which Eclipse felt he had to get revenge for. It had turned into an endless cycle of strikes and vengeance against each other. The two of them had always been stubborn and vicious. Neither one ever giving a single inch toward each other.

Except now, something had happened.

Shadow was a father.

He and Sonic had been granted two little babies.

There was something to be said about children, it was very difficult to hold a tiny child in his arms, to look upon their sweet, innocent faces and feel nothing but awe. To want to protect them.

It also made Shadow realized his children, these sweet darlings, could not see the cycle of violence he had with Eclipse. What if the two of them tried to emulate it?

He couldn't even bring himself to imagine them actually hurting each other. As siblings, he knew they would fight in the future, get annoyed with each other, but actually attempt to seriously cause each other harm?

Shadow didn't want to face his brother, so he just sent him a note, explaining that he was done fighting with him. Maybe in the future, they could work on something better, but to leave it as this right now.

For a long time, that's what was it. The two of them in a strange position of no longer being active enemies but also not working toward being better siblings either.

Shadow wasn't even sure if Eclipse was aware of the changes that had happened to him, but he didn't want the darkling to know either. What if he tried to use the twins against him?

For his part, Sonic just stayed out of it. The two of them were busy, they had young children that needed care. Their days will full of the joys and frustrations of being parents, there was barely any time to think about anything else.

He had told his kids about their uncle, but they didn't really know Eclipse. It was better that way.

And then one days, the twins slipped off to another universe. One where Silver and Shadow were children, cared for by a human. And Eclipse, also a child was there was well.

It was a shock to see him, especially a version that was so small.

Shadow couldn't help but be suspicious. What if this version of Eclipse was hiding something?

And then Shadow said something simple, just confirmed that this was his brother and the kid all but lit up like a puppy. His tail wagging, eyes shining.

How eager he was for a bit of his brother's love, it was so clear how much he wanted it.

Shadow couldn't help but pat the child on the head and saw plainly how deeply Eclipse loved that.

The night, after getting the twins to bed, Shadow lay up, thinking about his own brother. It had been a long long time since the two of them had seen each other. What was he doing, how had his life turned out?

Maybe it was time to see each other once again. See how Eclipse was doing. And maybe make up with him.

BROTHERS PLEASE

TALK TO EACH OTHER!!!! LOVE EACH OTHER!!!! PLEASE I BEG!!!!

Eclipse didnt know what to expect. He hadn't really heard from his brother in a couple of years and had been peacefully minding his life taking care of the dark arms in a secret chao garden.

The day he had received the letter had left him feeling lost. As though he lost his purpose. And in a way it was. But that gave him more room to focus on his dark arms. It had been good in the long run, he no longer had to go after the only family he had left and he got to live a peaceful life.

As peacefully as it gets when you're trying to raise 5 dark arms and two mobian orphans that appeared at your doorsteps all alone.

So when he received another letter from his brother, asking to meet up again. To talk. To catch up. Eclipse didnt know what to do. He didn't want to go alone to meet up with Shadow somewhere that could potentially be a trap for him. So he decided to send back a letter detailing that he wanted to meet at his own terms.

In a day, at the Chao garden he lives at. That way he would have the home field advantage in case of a stage up. Plus he could be assured that his kids were safe beforehand.

The following day eclipse had prepared. Made sure his kids hid and were safe with the dark arms ready to defend but hidden as well. They had strict instructions to take the kids away if things went south.

Eclipse waited. And waited. And waited.

By the time noon rolled in. Eclipse had gotten tired of waiting and was about to give up when he caught sight of his brother’s familiar form.

Eclipse had been completely stunned by the sight, not because his brother had changed, no, he stayed the same. It was because he had two kids at his sides, one a green hedgehog with pink highlights, the other a lavender hedgehog with darkling features. Oh, and the fact that shadow was smiling. That too. But mostly the kids.

Eclipse watched from his hiding spot as the three walked in, the green one excitedly babling a mile a minute about their uncle and how excited she was to meet him.

"Alright, Variscite, settle down," Shadow said, a light chuckle in his tone.

"Awww but dada! We get to meet our uncle! OUR UNCLE!!" The green one pouted, her excitement evident.

"I know, but we need to wait. He might not even come today." That made the green one pout even more as they settled down for the wait.

Eclipse couldn't help but stare and watch for a couple of minute as they settled down and talked. His brother had kids with him. Were they his kids? Probably since they were saying something about an uncle.

It was actually the purple one that took notice of Eclipse first. The kid's gaze continually glancing in the direction of the darkling until finally eclipse decided it was time to approach.

"Didn't expect you to being hatchlings, brother." Eclipse couldn't help but sneer at Shadow who only sighed and crossed his arms.

"Brother," Shadow gave him a nod in greeting. "Glad to see you look well."

"Uh?" Eclipse had been taken back by that, blinking away the tears that had rapidly began forming at those first words. It implied that shadow cared enough to have wondered if he was ok. And he called him brother in a non derogation way. It didn't feel real for a moment.

But he soon found himself with an armful of kids. One babling a mile a minute and the other with the brightest expression in the world. Briefly, Eclipse looked up to Shadow. The black hedgehog's smile was encouraging. And Eclipse couldn't help but smile too.

It seemed like for once, they came to an agreement. These children didn't deserve to see the past animosity between them. They deserve much more than that.

It didn't take long before eclipse was introducing his own kids to Shadow’s kids, allowing both parents some time between themselves to talk.

"So... kids huh?" Eclipse started his gaze focused on the children that were playing with the dark arms and the various chao in the garden. "Didn't take you for a father figure."

"Neither did I," Shadow huffed his expression calm and relaxed as he watched the kids before turning to look at Eclipse. "Didn't take you for a parent either. Where did you get them?"

Eclipse shrugged and leaned back. "Found them at the entrance of the Chao garden, abandoned." The darkling turned to face Shadow, an eyebrow ridge raised in questioning. "And yours?"

"Chaos emerald," That didn't really make sense to eclipse and it showed. "We don't know how it happened either."

Eclipse blinked then just shrugged, accepting that explanation. They both turned to look back at the kids. The silence only bareable thanks to the sounds of the kids playing in the garden.

After a few minutes, Eclipse spoke up again. "This is nice..." He braced himself for nothing in response just in case, not expecting his brother to speak.

"It is." Shadow's gaze was far off but fond. "We should do this again. Meet up. Catch up... as brothers."

Eclipse really wasn't expecting that. Especially that last part. Shadow had given him an olive branch. His brother who killed their entire species. His brother who hurt him again and again. His brother who abandoned him. His brother who for the longest time he believed hated him.

Rage bubbled up in his stomach at the thought of shadow only now caring. Only now wanting to be brothers after rejecting Eclipse’s advances. All the words eclipse wanted to say died in his throat at the sight of his brother, his anger and rage leaving him.

Shadow's head was in his hands his breathing heavy and jagged and the slight scent of salt wafting in the wind. He knew this sight well. He's seen it many times on his kids when they cried. For a moment he tracked a single tear fall and looked away.

Eclipse was mad at shadow but he swore he would be better for his kids, so he wouldn't push shadow away like how he was rejected before. After a minute, Eclipse leaned his head on shadow's shoulder in comfort. He didn't say anything, knowing that his brother would like to get the attention of the kids. It would be hard and rocky for the both of them moving forward. But it was a start.

[snowlyx]

Help my ADHD is taking over-

I’ve gone to far……but the adhd want mooorrreee

uh anyways happy late Christmas.

I may turn this into a full on comic. If anyone wants that. Uh anyways first time drawing Eclipse and Tikal. Updated Tails.

As I’ve said before, the Cratchit family will be a found family. Tails was in an accident and it stuck one of his tails to his leg. They don’t want to go as far as amputation but it is at risk of infection.

[totaleclipse573]

Random thought in which Shadow, Eclipse and Terios can enter eachother's mindscapes through some sort of thing (no idea what they would have to do yet,) but they themselves can never enter their own mindscapes with them to see what the other is doing. It takes up a lot of energy to do, and its pretty draining, both physically and mentally (Eclipse can't use it for fun, poor Eclipse) so they have to be sure they use it only when absolutely necessary

What horrors will they find in each others minds in those dire moments? Who knows

[rowenas-my-fave-child]

I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME is sooooo the stars did wander darkling core. Yall don't even know