Book One – Chapter 8

Despite her innate abilities, the journey was strenuous. On the morning of her seventh day of ceaseless running, the towering presence of the Albweiss Mountains emerged behind the desert fogs that enveloped its base, where the plateau met the mountain.

This expansive mountain range separated the Northlands from the Midlands, stretching for hundreds of kilometres from west to east. At the base, Midnight traversed unyielding rock, eventually shedding the diverse hues of the plateau for the glistening white canvas of the Albweiss Mountains. The vast range of towering peaks stood as a steep bulwark against the tempests of the Northerlandic Ocean and the ferocious desert gusts of the plateau. Clouds and salt-laden rain, captured by the mountains, bestowed a chalky veneer on their northern face, settling in crevices and casting an otherworldly pallor.

The climb was steep. Footholds were scarce, forcing Midnight to constantly alter her chosen path. Zig-zagging across kilometres, she fought for each precious meter gained.

Finally, she reached a height where she sensed the boundary of the desert beasts’ territory. In the neutral area between this border and the slopes marked by the mountain dwellers, just where the desert fog lifted and the breath of the mountain seized the air, Midnight found a moment’s respite. She rested through the scorching midday heat before commencing the arduous climb once more as the afternoon sun waned and the moon started to rise in the north. 

Her most significant ability is this connection to the moon, which has an impact on the development of the midnight stalkers’ magical abilities. You cannot foresee when or if a familiar will develop distinct magical abilities. Some show initial competence at 15, others at 150 years. Both the race and age of the familiar, as well as the spectral disposition of their wizard, influence this. Midnight has only just begun to tap into this power, but as she grows in strength and experience, her connection to the moon will become stronger.

While they have unique abilities and can sustain themselves through Adhar, midnight stalkers are not invincible. They are sensitive to sunlight, and exposure to fire can cause them great pain and even blindness. They are also vulnerable to certain types of magic, particularly those that disrupt their ability to harness energy or blend into the shadows.