Meet the Darkness news - Grimslingers

(thanks to those on twitter who helped design the new Darkness logo!)

I never intended for High Moon to feature magical cowboys dueling demons. When it came time to start animating characters I decided I wanted to practice on something easy (Having never done pixel anims before). So I created the "shadow pupil" character. You can clearly see from his design he's nothing special.

He was, however, based on a popular paranormal phenomenon called "Shadow People/Shadow Beings/Black Masses". Then the ideas just started rolling. Magical cowboys are cool...demons are also cool. Therefore, magical cowboys + demons = cool cool. I went a step further after that: magical cowboys + demons + sci fi elements = cool cool cool. We'll get into the sci-fi stuff later...Plus the black/purple/red design of the demons really popped with the current art direction!

Without further adieu let's meet the Darkness. Click the links on each word if you want to better understand the homage/allusion. Also note that each of these characters will be playable.

High Moon is a strategic, turn based duelin' game. But you ain't wieldin' pistols in this fight, no sirree. That’d be too easy. It takes place in your classic, American-western city called plainly, “The Forgotten West.” She's a city crawlin' with the frontier's most wretched outlaws, scoundrels, and you name it - the lost, the demonic, the paranormal.

But let’s get specific. The Darkness refers to that entire horde of wickedness who inhabit the world of shadows down below. In other words, Hell. A place of villainous and mischievous spirits, unembodied and disembodied, they’re what you call opportunists - seepin’ into the mortal world whenever the possibility rears its ugly head, most often through the minds of men.

The Forgotten West presents more of those opportunities than most places; it’s practically a portal between the two worlds. Demons started takin’ up residence there, walkin’ among men without fear of repercussion from holier folk. The most notable demon is Abaddon, an arch demon who, with his many loyal or indebted subjects, lords it over the Forgotten West and keeps it his personal playground.

When the Elementalist showed up sirin’ his new apprentices, he started stealin’ loyalty, and the Darkness took note. Abaddon grew frustrated with losin’ precious ground and attempted to destroy the disruptive stranger. Failin’ to do so, the Elementalist struck a bargain with him. If Abaddon and his demons could defeat the best of the Elementalist’s underlings, he’d take his leave. If Abaddon lost, he and his minions would be sent back to Hell. Them some high stakes!

Abaddon - your master - has been strengthenin’ his minions by havin’ ‘em duel each other before taking on The Elementalist and his posse.

Equally matched against your foes, you’ve got to master the dark arts with all their particular strengths and weaknesses. Do Abaddon proud! Or else...

Larry - The Demon Llama

Although they may seem like harmless, disgustin’ animals, they are in all actuality the spawn of Hell. Corporealized from the Darkness, they’re nothin’ less than evil walkin’ among us, spittin’ in our faces. Llama’s are formed from less intelligent demons, but that don’t stop ‘em from menacin’ the human race. Larry proved himself worthy to fight for the Darkness’ cause by winnin’ a spittin’ contest, leavin’ behind his fat lard of a mate, Tina.

Abraham - A Shadow Being

They’re what goes bump in the night, the creakin’ floorboard, that inscrutable presence in the darkest corner of the room. They’re your tinglin’ spine, tellin’ you someone’s watchin’. Tricksters the whole lot, and Abraham’s pretty popular among his kind, so the Shadow folk chose him to compete in the duels, naturally.

Lilit - A Woman Scorned

Datin’ back to the formation of this ol’ hunk a dirt we amiably call Earth, it’s said she refused to subjugate ‘erself to man folk. Ever since that day she’s been exploitin’ their carnal weaknesses at every turn, delightin’ in bringin’ them fleshy creatures to darkest ruin. Couldn’t be easier for Lilit right here in the Forgotten West. And the Elementalist, well, he became a special hobby of hers - he’s mysteriously impervious to her seductive machinations.

Nephilius - The Shadow Colossus

Once upon a time, giants roamed the earth. By ‘once upon a time,’ we’re talkin’ ye Old Testament. But mankind brought ‘em down to the dirt, made ‘em extinct - a race of spirits. Abaddon had quite a difficult time enlistin’ their aid in reclaiming The Forgotten West, snaggin’ just one to fight under his flag. The streets of the Fogotten West clear out mighty fast when Nephilius shows up. Ain’t nothin’ like seein’ a giant stride toward you as quiet as a whisper. Nephilius, a chief among the giants, was chosen in all confidence to win the duels.

Lady Midnight - Molder of Man

A cruel mistress of the night, many blame her for nightmares most wretched, all those night visions hauntin’ our sleep. But it ain’t so. Midnight embellishes the evil desires in us, lurin’ us right into the midst of all our foulest ambitions. She’s done a lot of “good” in the Forgotten West - as far as the Darkness is concerned - and she ain’t crackin’ a smile on the thought of losin’ ground to the Elementalist.

The Man in Black - Clouded in smoke and mystery

Legend has it he came from a far off island that ain’t on any sailor’s map. He was imprisoned there, that is ‘til he managed to escape, sacrificin’ his own brother in the process. However he did it, it altered the world forever more, shiftin’ the balance of good and evil, blurrin’ every line between dimensions and parallel universes. And he’s made it his personal goal to destroy anythin’ that has the power to enslave him again.

Abaddon - Keeper of Souls

He’s a keeper of souls, a bein’ void of all warmth and light, an Arch Demon not to be trifled with. Abaddon’s been tasked with keepin’ all mankind wicked ‘til the day of their judgement, so there ain’t no escapin’ eternity in the Darkness. The Elementalist, however, is encroachin’ on Abaddon’s mission, even threatenin’ to dethrone the age ol’ devil. Unable to overpower the Elementalist, he managed to strike a deal: win the elemental duels and keep the Forgotten West for good. But if he loses the duels, well, his dastardly demonic reputation is tarnished forever.

There you have it folks!