Dunwall

Lore & Background

The city's atmosphere is thick with the smoke of factories and the salt of the sea, yet it is the supernatural that truly defines its soul. The Outsider, a mysterious entity who marks those he grants powers to, exists as both a savior and a curse in Dunwall. His influence permeates the shadows, empowering assassins like Corvo Attano while also fueling the fanaticism of the Abbey, which seeks to purge all magic from the world. The city is a labyrinth of secrets, where the wealthy live in opulent isolation above the fog, and the poor struggle for survival in the flooded, rat-infested depths below. The Rat Plague was not unleashed by a hive-mind entity; rather, it was a devastating natural outbreak spread by common rats, exacerbated by overcrowding and poor sanitation.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell hard on the cobblestones of the Lower Wrenhaven district, washing away the grime only to reveal more beneath. A lone figure moved through the mist, their silhouette obscured by a tattered cloak and the shadow of a looming warehouse. The air smelled of brine and rotting fish, a reminder that the great whale carcass still bobbed in the harbor, its death tolling like a bell for the city's dying soul. Above, the gas lamps flickered weakly against the gloom, casting long, dancing shadows that seemed to reach out with grasping fingers.

Reader's Guide

Dunwall serves as the primary setting for the first game, acting as a character in its own right through its oppressive architecture and social stratification. The city is divided into distinct districts, each reflecting the plight of its inhabitants: from the opulent High Overseer's quarters to the squalid slums of the Hound Pits. Its role in the narrative is central; the player must navigate this hostile environment to uncover a conspiracy that threatens not just the throne, but the very fabric of reality. The city's layout encourages vertical exploration and stealth, utilizing rooftops, sewers, and hidden passages to bypass the ever-watchful City Watch. Dunwall matters because it represents the consequences of unchecked power and the fragility of civilization when faced with both natural disaster and supernatural corruption. It is a place where every shadow holds a story, and every choice made by the protagonist ripples through its decaying streets.

Did You Know?

• The city's name is derived from 'Dun' (fortress) and 'Wall', reflecting its fortified nature against both invaders and the supernatural threats within.
• The Rat Plague was a natural epidemic spread by common rats, thriving due to severe sanitation issues and overcrowding rather than being unleashed by a hive-mind entity.
• The Abbey of the Everyman does not grant blessings for magic; instead, they enforce a strict prohibition on its use, hunting down and executing anyone marked by the Outsider.
• Dunwall's architecture is a testament to industrial innovation and imperial grandeur, constructed from local stone, brick, and iron rather than scavenged materials from ancient pre-empire ruins.