Total Eclipse (Shadowrun)

Total Eclipse is a catastrophic event within the Shadowrun universe, triggered by the unexpected return of the dragons in 2011. Specifically, it refers to the blocking of the sun’s light for a period of time by a massive, magically-conjured cloud of ash and debris, caused by the battle between the Great Dragons Hestaby and Dunkelzahn above the city of Denver in that year.

The Total Eclipse had profound and lasting effects on the Sixth World. Besides the immediate environmental damage, the sudden darkness triggered a global economic crisis as businesses shut down and panic gripped populations. The event is widely considered the symbolic beginning of the modern Sixth World era, as it definitively signaled the awakening of magic and the return of metahumans to dominance.

Furthermore, the Total Eclipse irrevocably altered the magical landscape. The dramatic spike in mana levels during the event empowered existing magic users and triggered the emergence of new adepts and magicians. The increased mana also caused significant mutations and transformations in both people and animals, leading to the creation of new metatypes and the spread of critter infestations.

The legacy of the Total Eclipse continues to impact the world of Shadowrun. It serves as a constant reminder of the power of the dragons and the volatile nature of the awakened world. The economic and social fallout from the event continues to shape the political landscape, while the heightened magical environment remains a defining characteristic of the Sixth World. In some cultures, it's remembered with religious significance, viewed either as a sign of divine wrath or the dawning of a new age.