Roux and Kooshma: The Deadly Duo Lurking South of Midnight

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In the realm south of midnight lies a host of colossal and frightening beasts, many of which are the game’s epic final battles. Among them is Two-Toed Tom, a monstrous alligator with an unquenchable appetite, Huggin Molly, a spider-like woman who kidnaps children, and the Rougarou, a swift and formidable bird-like creature – these are just a few of the formidable dangers found in the world of “South of Midnight”.

However, bosses from regions south of midnight pale in comparison to Roux and Kooshma, particularly when it comes to the danger they pose to protagonist Hazel and her loved ones. Unlike characters such as Two-Toed Tom, Huggin Molly, and the Rougarou, Roux and Kooshma lack any tragic backgrounds that might justify their villainous behavior; instead, they actively carry out such acts. This makes them a formidable and dangerous pair.

The Lore of South of Midnight’s Roux and Kooshma Explained

Kooshma, King of Dreams and Nightmares

A mystical, otherworldly being called Kooshma is famously recognized as both the King of Dreams and Nightmares. This enigmatic figure exists solely to consume the dreams and nightmares of Earth’s inhabitants, an insatiable hunger that has only grown over time. While intense emotional dreams may temporarily quell its appetite, Kooshma’s cravings are never truly satiated for long.

The character Kooshma in the story “South of Midnight” shares some characteristics with its origins in Creole folklore. In these stories, Kooshma is often depicted as a mischievous spirit that inhibits an individual’s movement while they sleep. However, unlike the bodiless entity floating in space it portrays in the story, Kooshma is commonly represented as a female figure in various legends.

Roux, Kooshma’s Right-Hand Man

However, it’s important to note that Kooshma doesn’t operate independently. As his trusted assistant, Roux is responsible for recruiting individuals for Kooshma to consume. In his quest to find the strongest dreams and fears, Roux targets those who are most susceptible, tempting them with the allure that their deepest wishes will finally come true.

Within this psychic construct, Roux ensnares them, compelling a repetitive reenactment of their dreams or terrors. For those immersed in dreamlike states, this perpetual paralysis can be blissful. However, for those who are subjected to the same recurring nightmare, there is no joy found in their daily ordeal.

Roux and Kooshma’s Role in South of Midnight’s Story

In the opening scenes of “South of Midnight“, we meet Roux as Hazel, who possesses Weaving abilities, initially encounters her. As a Weaver, Hazel has the capacity to delve into and reexperience the deepest traumas of individuals she interacts with. By harnessing her inherent magic, she can heal those persistent emotional scars. Consequently, Roux and Kooshma find Hazel an irresistible target, given her extraordinary magical powers.

In the story, Roux persistently pursues Hazel within the dream world, but they don’t meet until the climactic part of “South of Midnight.” Meanwhile, Lacey, Hazel’s mother, is held captive by Kooshma and compelled to relive the agonizing moment she believed her daughter had died. With each repetition, Kooshma becomes more and more satiated.

In a different phrasing: Hazel locates Roux and strikes an arrangement for rescuing her mom. Even though they had reached a deal, Roux attempted to ensnare Hazel within one of his psychic illusions, but the young Weaver skillfully escaped. True to his word, Roux subsequently fulfilled his promise by transporting her to her mother, deep within Kooshma’s domain.

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2025-04-16 17:05