The Universe

The Mark of the Outsider

Much more than a mere tattoo, the Mark is an arcane brand, the Outsider's name written in a dead script that no living tongue can pronounce. It is the direct link between the physical world and the eternal cold of the Void.

Only a handful of individuals throughout history, such as Empress Emily or the assassin Daud, have been deemed "interesting" enough to receive it. It grants powers that defy reality: moving through shadows, seeing through walls, or bending time to one's will.

To amplify these gifts, the bearer must carve Runes into whale bones. Bonecharms, on the other hand, offer minor benefits but sometimes whisper to their wearers, a constant reminder that magic always comes with a price.

"I offer you the tools, but it is your hand that carves destiny."

— The Outsider

The Empire of the Isles

Ruled by the Kaldwin line, the Empire unites four island nations with radically opposite climates and cultures, bound together by maritime trade and the massive exploitation of whale oil.

Gristol and Dunwall: This is the political and industrial heart. Inspired by Victorian London, the capital Dunwall is a city of metal, rain, and gray cobblestones, ravaged by the rat plague following the assassination of Empress Jessamine.

Serkonos and Karnaca: Nicknamed the "Jewel of the South", this island is bathed in sunlight and swept by winds that power its turbines. But behind its colorful facades and lush vegetation hides the misery of silver miners and the horror of bloodflies.

Tyvia and Morley: To the north, Tyvia is a frozen land known for its ruthless prisons and hardy vineyards. Conversely, Morley is a rainy and melancholic island, famous for its ceaseless rebellions against the Imperial Crown.

Technology and Belief

The world of Dishonored is defined by a rapid industrial revolution powered by whale oil. This volatile substance fuels Walls of Light, Arc Pylons, and Clockwork Soldiers created by genius inventors like Anton Sokolov and Kirin Jindosh.

The Abbey of the Everyman

To counter the Outsider's magic, the Abbey of the Everyman enforces its Seven Strictures. These religious fanatics use ancient music boxes to cancel supernatural powers and relentlessly hunt down witches and heretics.