Overview
Kholusia is a major coastal region in Norvrandt on the First, introduced in the Shadowbringers expansion. It is a land of stark contrasts, defined by its dramatic geography and even more dramatic social divide. The zone is dominated by the vertical stratification of its society: at the lowest elevations, common folk struggle to survive in the shadow of the opulent, airborne city of Eulmore, which perches upon the cliffs overlooking the sea. The skyline is further dominated by the awe-inspiring and terrifying Mt. Gulg, a massive mountain fragment floating high above the land, corrupted by the Light and serving as the seat of ultimate power for the region's tyrannical ruler.
Kholusia serves as a critical narrative stage in Shadowbringers, exploring themes of inequality, despair, manufactured happiness, and the cost of survival in a dying world. It is where the Warrior of Darkness and the Scions confront the consequences of a society that has chosen complacent decadence over futile struggle, and ultimately where they must ascend to challenge the source of the region's corruption.
History & Lore
Geography and Society
Kholusia's landscape ranges from the rocky, wave-battered shores of the western coast to the steep, mountainous highlands in the east. The climate is temperate, but the ever-present threat of sin eaters and the oppressive rule of Eulmore cast a pall over the region. The society is rigidly hierarchical, mirroring the physical elevation of its settlements.
At the very bottom, both literally and socially, are the hardscrabble communities that exist to serve Eulmore. Stilltide is a fishing village whose inhabitants work tirelessly, hoping their catches might earn them the coveted "chit" that grants entry into the city above. Gatetown is a shantytown built directly at the foot of Eulmore's massive gates, populated by those who cling to the faint hope of admission or who serve the city's logistical needs. The Wright is an agricultural community that tills the land, its produce destined for the city's lavish tables.
Above them all sits Eulmore, a city of breathtaking architecture and hedonistic excess. Under the rule of the "Illustrious" Vauthry—believed to be a chosen prophet for his apparent immunity to sin eaters—Eulmore offered safety and endless pleasure to its citizens in exchange for absolute obedience and the relentless exploitation of the lowlands. Vauthry's regime maintained control through the might of the Eulmoran Army and through the citizens' willing compliance, born of a belief that Vauthry's protection made resistance futile.
The Dwarves of Tomra
Scattered in the foothills and mountains are the settlements of the Dwarves (known locally by their clan names), the First's reflection of the Lalafell. These stout folk live in relative isolation, focusing on their crafts, mining, and their cherished tradition of competitive beard-growing. Divided into rival clans like the Stiffbeards and the Coeurlclaws, the Dwarves maintain a cheerful and stubbornly independent culture, largely avoiding the politics of Eulmore—though their exceptional craftsmanship often makes them targets for conscription by the city's army.
The Lightwarden's Seat
The source of Vauthry's power and the greatest geographical anomaly in Kholusia is Mt. Gulg. This mountain was torn from the earth and suspended in the sky by the immense concentration of Light-aspected aether emanating from Vauthry himself, who was, in truth, the host of the final and most powerful Lightwarden. The mountain became a sacred, inaccessible symbol of his divine right to rule, a literal pinnacle of power that loomed over every struggling soul below. The corrupted, crystalline beauty of its floating spires served as a constant reminder of the inexorable Light that was slowly consuming the world.
Liberation and Aftermath
The Warrior of Darkness's arrival shattered the status quo. After infiltrating Eulmore and sparking a rebellion led by the disillusioned citizen Chai-Nuzz and the rogue artist Dulia-Chai, the city was liberated from Vauthry's control. The tyrant fled to his sanctum within Mt. Gulg, triggering the zone's climactic sequence.
The ascent of Mt. Gulg as a dungeon represents the final push against the Light's corruption. The Warrior and allies battle through legions of sin eaters and the transformed, angelic servants of Vauthry, culminating in a confrontation with Vauthry himself. Shedding his mortal form, he becomes the sin eater Innocence, the embodiment of his warped ideals of purity and order. His defeat purges the final Lightwarden from Norvrandt, causing the eternal Light to fade and allowing night to return to the First for the first time in a century.
In the aftermath, Kholusia undergoes a profound transformation. With Vauthry gone and the sin eater threat greatly diminished, hope returns. Eulmore, under new leadership, begins the difficult work of reforming its society, opening its gates and working to support the lowland communities rather than exploit them. The people of Stilltide, Gatetown, and the Wright begin to rebuild their lives not in the shadow of despair, but under the renewed cycle of day and night.
Gameplay
Kholusia is a large, open-world zone accessible after progressing through the early Shadowbringers main scenario. It features a full aetheryte network with major attunement points in Stilltide, Gatetown, and at the base of the path to Mt. Gulg.
- Main Scenario Quests: Kholusia is central to the mid-to-late Shadowbringers story. Key quests involve gaining entry to Eulmore, instigating the rebellion within the city, and launching the assault on Mt. Gulg.
- Side Quests: Numerous side quests throughout the lowland settlements highlight the daily struggles of the people and the impact of Eulmore's fall. These often involve aiding with food security, rebuilding efforts, and dealing with the remnants of the sin eater threat.
- Beast Tribe Quests: The Dwarves are the crafting-focused beast tribe for Shadowbringers. Their questlines involve aiding the rival clans with their crafts and eventually helping to mediate their disputes, rewarding players with unique cosmetics, mounts, and materials.
- FATEs: Zone FATEs often involve defending settlements from residual sin eater attacks or former Eulmoran military elements.
- Dungeon - Mt. Gulg: The penultimate dungeon of Shadowbringers is a level 79 duty. It is a linear ascent through the beautiful yet horrifying light-corrupted interior of the floating mountain, featuring powerful sin eater enemies. The subsequent trial, The Crown of the Immaculate (against Innocence), serves as the climactic battle for the zone.
Trivia
- The name "Kholusia" may be derived from "colossus," reflecting the zone's towering landmarks, or from "eulogia," a Greek term for a blessing or praise, which would be an ironic reference to the worship of Vauthry.
- The visual design of Mt. Gulg's interior is heavily inspired by the concept of "divine corruption," blending angelic, ecclesiastical architecture with grotesque, crystalline growths of Light.
- The storyline in Stilltide, involving the elderly fisherman who continues to fish in hopes of seeing his lost wife again, is one of the most poignant side narratives in the zone, showcasing the personal despair beneath Eulmore's societal decay.
- After the fall of Vauthry, several former Eulmoran citizens, such as the artist Dulia-Chai, can be found participating in the reconstruction efforts in the lowlands, signifying the breakdown of the old class barriers.
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