Dark Cacao

A blizzard-ridden kingdom of warriors.

The Dark Cacao Kingdom, sometimes referred to as simply Dark Cacao, is a kingdom founded by Dark Cacao Cookie. Dark Cacao Cookie remains the sole member of the kingdom's royal family.

This kingdom's culture is strongly based on Joseon-era (Korean: 조선) Korea, whilst the environment is perhaps based on Tibet, located in the frigid Himalayas.

The Dark Cacao Kingdom is located on the continent of Crispia in the Cookie Kingdom. It sits on the easternmost segment of the continent with the Jellyfish Ocean bordering it to the right and the Licorice Sea with an unlabeled offshoot river to the northeast. It is sheltered to the southwest by the frigid Giant Icing Ridge. Some adjacent landmarks are the Wish Tree, the Cream Cake Mountains, the Milkyway Lake, and what appears to be the Tower of Sweet Chaos. The nearest other kingdom is the Hollyberry Kingdom to the south-southeast.

Cacao map: The Dark Cacao Kingdom is located on the continent of Crispia in the Cookie Kingdom. It sits on the easternmost segment of the continent with the Jellyfish Ocean bordering it to the right and the Licorice Sea with an unlabeled offshoot river to the northeast. It is sheltered to the southwest by the frigid Giant Icing Ridge. Some adjacent landmarks are the Wish Tree, the Cream Cake Mountains, the Milkyway Lake, and what appears to be the Tower of Sweet Chaos. The nearest other kingdom is the Hollyberry Kingdom to the south-southeast.

Landscape: -Flora & Fauna: -Giant Icing Ridge Woods: The slopes of the Giant Icing Ridge are covered with thick woods of frozen icing. A traveler risks to lose their track quickly in this snow-covered land unless they carefully mark the road. If it did happen, all there is left is to pray Fortuna that a sugar mouse left its chocoball fruit stash somewhere nearby...

Predatory Animals: Predators like the Cacao Eagle or the Dire Creamwolf hunt their prey in the Dark Cacao Kingdom’s wilderness. While most of the animals native to this land have a white coat to camouflage into the snowy environment, there are also dark-coated beasts. Be extremely careful if you spot one of them: the dark fur signifies that they are not afraid of their natural enemies.

Geography & Environment: The snow never stops falling high up in the mountains of the Giant Icing Ridge on the eastmost edge of Crispia. The Black Citadel towers above the edge of a cliff, watching over endless birch forests. Dire beasts of all kinds stalk this frigid wilderness, but they are harmless compared to the terrors of the Licorice Sea across the ridge. These creatures pose a constant threat to the Kingdom, but fortunately, it has been kept safe by the Great Chocolate Wall until now.

Architecture: The Dark Cacao Kingdom’s architecture is distinguished by its roof-supporting cylindrical columns topped with massive chocolate capitals. For wind protection, walls are often covered with chocolate panels with several layers of thick cream between them. Dark Cacao architects often address the motif of life and death by or interweaving black and white elements. Altars and shrines fashioned out of chocolate to commemorate the fallen can be found throughout the Kingdom.

The architecture of the Dark Cacao Kingdom strongly resembles that of Korea's Goryeo (Korean: 고려) (918-1392) and Joseon (Korean: 조선) (1392-1910) dynasties, leaning more towards the Joseon style of architecture.

During the Goryeo period, Buddhism was at its most influential in Korea's history, and the importance of religion strongly affected the period's architecture. Numerous temples and pagodas were constructed to accommodate religious needs, with the vast majority of pagodas being made from stone due to the nation's abundance of granite.

The Joseon dynasty followed directly after the Goryeo dynasty and thus still had the previous period's architecture, though the change of those in influential positions caused the architectural style to change accordingly. Those in power stressed an importance of practicality and frugality similar to the Dark Cacao Kingdom's own sense of values.

The Black Citadel's design strikingly resembles Geunjeongjeon (Korean: 근정전), the throne hall in Gyeongbokgung (Korean: 경복궁). Both exteriors of the buildings are adorned with numerous sculptures of real and mythical creatures.

Culture: Harsh climate doesn’t make for a developed sense of humor. What the Dark Cacao Cookies genuinely excel at is combat. From a young age they learn weapons or martial arts. When the time comes, an apprentice finally receives a sword to defeat a wolf on their own and complete the coming of age ritual, and although the Cookie was allowed sweet cocoa or delicate milk chocolate, it is only bitter food from this point on. The Dark Cacao consider bitter food a constant reminder of perils and death. As a result the Cookies are not afraid of crumbling, but rather despise dishonorable living.

In Citadel of the Frozen Cliff, the painting of The Sun, the Moon, and Five Peaks seems to be based on the real-life painting of the same name, or Irworobongdo (Korean: 일월오봉도). The painting is also set right behind the Phoenix Throne in Gyeongbokgung (Korean: 경복궁), upon which the Citadel is likely based.

Philosophy: The Dark Cacao Kingdom largely adheres to the beliefs of Confucianism, aligning with the historical prevalence of Neo-Confucianism Joseon-era Korea. While distinct from one another, the traditions of the Dark Cacao Kingdom largely exist within the overlap between the two philosophies, making it difficult to place a definitive label. However, with the addition of Mystic Flour Cookie, it can be assumed that the Dark Cacao Kingdom is retroactively intended to lean towards Neo-Confucianism; it is said to have emerged in direct response to the prevalence of Buddhism throughout east Asia. This concept of new ideals emerging from the groundwork of previous beliefs is particularly apt in the case of Mystic Flour Cookie and Dark Cacao Cookie, who are each respectively rooted in Chinese and Korean cultures that have experienced a similar relationship throughout history.

Confucianism is at its core a rational and humanistic philosophy. It places great emphasis on an individual's actions with the end goal of social harmony, setting it apart from other philosophies and religions of its time by its relatively grounded, narrow lens. Rather than dictating tradition through the wishes of a higher power, such as the Buddhist beliefs of karma or nirvana, Confucianism believes that one should live a righteous life for the sake of themselves, their family, and those around them - hence the term "humanistic". This mindset appears to find itself within each citizen of the Dark Cacao Kingdom - even more so amongst government and military officials - who find their strength in banding together as a collective against the harsh and at times, dangerous environment the kingdom is situated in. In particular, citizens of the Milk Tribe are known for being "stalwart and strong", believing that Cookies should always help other Cookies, even towards strangers and especially in times of strife.

There is a deep loyalty and reliance upon the crown and its delegates, with even the lowest of citizens able to make direct requests to their king with the expectation of response. Such rapport, rarely seen within a monarchical structure, speaks great volumes to the humble collectivism fostered within the kingdom, circling back to the Confucianist ideal of harmony. The Dark Cacao Kingdom additionally goes out of its way to honor those who have gone above and beyond in this pursuit, particularly by giving their lives. They continue to be highly respected long after they are no more than spirits, never forgetting the sacrifices made in order to protect their land. Such an honorable fate is idealized to the point where even Dark Cacao Cookie, the kingdom's reigning sovereign, aspires to one day be laid to rest amongst them. To a lesser extreme, all members of the Black Citadel appear unwaveringly loyal to their kingdom even if they are not combatants.

History: -Founding: Dark Cacao Kingdom was founded by Dark Cacao Cookie on the edge of the Giant Icing Ridge, in the very place where with a single stroke, he had put an end to the many day-long battle between the White Dragon of the South and the Black Dragon of the North.

Denizens of the Dark Cacao Kingdom are referred to as the Dark Cacao, Dark Cacao Cookies, or Cookies of the Dark Cacao Kingdom. The Dark Cacao generally consist of physically fit, resilient Cookies with deep brown dough, black or brown hair with light streaks and various textures, and scars or other dough imperfections. The majority of the populace are chocolate-based, though races based on coffee, licorice, and milk are also prevalent in their society.

The Dark Cacao are often disciplined and humorless in demeanor due to their harsh environment and strict traditions, though lighter personalities exist despite the stringency of their world. They hold great pride in their way of life but remain modest in all other respects.

Known Denizens: -Current Residents:

-Dark Cacao Cookie: Dark Cacao Cookie (Korean: 다크카카오 쿠키, daku-kakao kuki) is one of the five Ancient Heroes. Dark Cacao Cookie is the founder and the king of the Dark Cacao Kingdom. He is also the father of Dark Choco Cookie. He carries the Light of Resolution in his Soul Jam, and is the counterpart to Head Icon Mystic Flour Cookie's Light of Apathy. The last bean, devoid of any sweetness, fell down from a withered branch of a lonely cacao tree growing above the edge of a cliff. Lying there in frozen soil, enduring snow and wind, this bean wasn't aware of its destiny to become the main ingredient for the cold and reclusive Dark Cacao Cookie. A warrior of unheard strength, Dark Cacao Cookie wielded the Grapejam Chocoblade. This sword was so heavy it required three average Cookies to even budge it. With each swing, the skies erupted into thunder and lightning, avalanches tumbled down countless mountains. Dark Cacao Cookie was known as a Cookie of few words but great principle. After the Dark Flour War's sorrowful events, the warrior locked himself away in the solitude of his own castle.... Will anything be able to melt his frozen soul once again?

Appearance: Dark Cacao Cookie is a tall Cookie humanoid standing at 198 cm (6'6 feet), he has carafe brown dough and a buff, slightly thick appearance. His scowl is adorned by tulip poplar purple eyes with a wrinkle underneath. He has long black hair with additional white strands.

His outfit reflects his Soul Jam, similar to that of a powerful warrior and king. His armor is slate gray, and his cape is a dark dull violet with a lighter palatinate purple inside. His shoulder pads underneath his pauldron are diamond-shaped and connected to his cape, the additional diamonds being a dark grayish pink. His gorget below his head is a compared to the plackart and tasset. His cuisse is dark purple, and his armored boots are a purplish grey. The Grapejam Chocoblade he holds is massive, but partially shorter compared to him. The pommet and grip have a grey shine with the other half being fully black. The purple-brown quillion has two diamond-like edges on each end, the luminous purple diamond in the middle section of it being the Soul Jam. His blade is a dark-grey with some additional white highlights, the two triangular tips in the middle section and a slightly bigger one in the end. The blade also has two star shaped symbols in the middle.

Personality: Dark Cacao Cookie is the strict and protective monarch of the Dark Cacao Kingdom. While an Ancient Hero who earns the respect of his subjects, his voice lines hint that he has grown weary of such duty. Despite this, his resolve to protect his kingdom and Earthbread allows him to continue bearing the responsibilities he swore to uphold.

Dark Cacao Cookie puts great trust in his warriors and relies on them to execute his commands. However, his belief in his kingdom has made him vulnerable to Cookies like Affogato Cookie who feigned loyalty with his ulterior motives. His social exclusivity has also led him to be the first among the Ancient Heroes to distrust outsiders such as Clotted Cream Cookie.

-Caramel Arrow Cookie: Caramel Arrow Cookie (Korean: 흑당맛 쿠키, hukdang-mat kuki, "Brown Sugar Cookie"). At the very edge of the continent, atop the tall wall of the Black Citadel, stands a figure frowning into the dark. Night and day, all year round, Caramel Arrow Cookie, the First Watcher of the Dark Cacao Kingdom, will always protect the Cookies from the horrors of the Licorice Sea. A master of the Dark Cacao martial art tradition of the perfect balance and a wielder of the black and white twin blades, Caramel Arrow Cookie's loyalty to her king and subordinates remains unwavering even in exile. Some say the kingdom is but a shadow of its former glory, with values like trust becoming a commodity. But a vow is a vow. Standing there atop the tall wall, Caramel Arrow Cookie is staring sharply at the churning dark waters below. The First Watcher will protect the Dark Cacao Kingdom until the very last crumb.

Appearance: Caramel Arrow Cookie is a relatively thin Cookie humanoid umanoid of average height with warm-toned, dark brown dough. Her steely eyes are a deep black with bronze reflections and her brow is furrowed in a tenacious expression. Her mouth is generally slight and humorless and takes a deep plum hue.

Overall, Caramel Arrow Cookie's design utilizes a distinct cloud-like design motif, bringing to mind the stylized, swirling depictions of clouds famously seen in countless instances of East Asian art. Particularly in China, clouds are seen as a symbol of luck and often are associated with yin and yang, which Caramel Arrow Cookie and the Dark Cacao Kingdom both heavily carry as another contributing motif and theme.

Caramel Arrow Cookie's hair is considerably long, its length billowing down to her feet even while in a pulled-up fashion, and it ends in a stylized, cloud-like swirl of curls. Her long hair is doubly tied in that its length is fashioned into a high ponytail while a higher section is spun into a bun atop her head. Against her forehead sits a lifted bang that drops into two curling strands layering her left eye. The right side of her hair is fully pulled back into her ponytail and two loose strands border her face on either side. Overall, her hair takes a stark obsidian tone as its base and is adorned with spiraling streaks of striking caramel brown, evoking an image of brown sugar spreading amongst dark tapioca pearls.

The First Watcher's attire is modeled after masculine Silla-era clothing. This style of garment can be cleanly labeled as neither the Korean hanbok (한복) (as it is modernly known) nor the Chinese hanfu (汉服) style, though Caramel Arrow Cookie's particular style of dress resembles modern hanbok more than hanfu and thus will be described with terms relating to such throughout this passage.

Utilizing layers, her outfit starts at its base with blanched trousers likely taking a baji (바지) style with tighter daenim (대님) bottoms about her ankles, though her pants are generally obscured by the upper layers of her clothing. She wears bister brown boots which, according to her, are laced with straw to help her traverse snowy expanses.

The second layer contains a long jeogori (저고리) robe split vertically into alabaster on Caramel Arrow Cookie's right and chocolate on her left, in turn rendering her right and left sleeves in the same colors. Her wide sleeves stop abruptly and are gathered into her charcoal black gloves. The length of the robe is mostly masked by upper layers, though a white segment can be seen through a split in the upper fabric and its git (깃) collar is visible near her neck.

The third layer of clothing consists of an elaborate Silla-era dapho (답호) vest with clear triangular shaping: this garment is a deep espresso brown at its base and splits at the jet black git collar upon Caramel Arrow Cookie's chest into a smaller segment of pearl white on her right shoulder. The bottom hem of the dapho features a dull sepia design resembling cresting tides—or perhaps blown snowbanks—watched over by a single starburst at the front. The whole ensemble is held in place by a wide, chestnut gakdae (각대) belt emblazoned by a round bronze ornament bordered by two metallic studs at its front and four studs in a square formation at its back. From this gakdae sprouts a norigae (노리개) consisting of white string and a raven charm and fur tuft at its anterior and a plume of white fur at its posterior. The inclusion of a gakdae in particular is notable as it was generally reserved for officials and, thus, is likely indicative of Caramel Arrow Cookie's high status as the Black Citadel's First Watcher.

Against her lifted hair, Caramel Arrow Cookie wears a stylized jougwan (조우관), a winged head-crest worn chiefly by the soldiers of the Hwarang Corps (화랑). It consists of two tall, cream white "wings" in a familiar swirling cloud stylization that sit tall and parallel from each other alongside a sable semicircle base with a concentric, brown design, resembling an Oreo-half.

This Cookie's implement is a stylized, intricate gakgung (각궁), or horn bow, a weapon used extensively during the Three Kingdoms era of historical Korea. When in one piece, the bow is highly complex yet symmetrical in its shape, sporting numerous sharp offshoots and more hints of cloud-inspired decoration. The bow is dichromatic and expresses a stark black at its top and a cold white at its bottom with both sections holding a single slate diamond shape each at the center of the main arcing sections of each side; the colors of each extremity meet in the center of the gakgung bow, whirling together in a swirling harmony and bringing to mind again the concept of yin and yang. Notably, Caramel Arrow Cookie herself mentions the symbolism represented in her bow, stating "My bow represents the harmony of opposites". Also worth noting is the fact that the diamond shapes upon each half bring to mind the starburst eyes of the Dark Cacao Kingdom's black and white dragons, perhaps indicating that Caramel Arrow Cookie's bow was intended to resemble the two serpents.

When drawn, the "arrow" of the bow consists of a pale shaft and an obsidian tip that appears connected to the body of the weapon. Interestingly, the bow does not appear to have or use a drawstring when an arrow is pulled. Caramel Arrow Cookie's gakgung bow, additionally, is able to split into dual handheld blades with each showing a swirl of color and utilizing more cloud-like shapes in its form. Each blade is, like its constructed form, half-black and half-white and each appears to be a perfect mirror of the other both in color and build.

Personality: Caramel Arrow Cookie is a determined, supremely loyal individual with a strong mental fortitude. As the First Watcher of the Dark Cacao Kingdom and the head of its most elite troops, she is as ardent towards her nation as one can be and refuses to back down when it and her comrades are threatened. However, her passion can often boil over and lead to actions fueled solely by her strong emotions and unmoving beliefs; Caramel Arrow Cookie is never one to hold her tongue—and her bow—when her dignity or that of those she cherishes is insulted.

The First Watcher is highly motivated, always being the one to stoke the flames of hope for crestfallen allies or even her own dejected self when things seem grim, as seen with her initial doubt and following self-reassurance upon being cast away from the Black Citadel and demoted in Snow on the Black Wall. Such a fervent yet dignified soul is almost akin to the formidable badlands of the Dark Cacao Kingdom, which Dark Cacao Cookie mentions himself shortly before casting Caramel Arrow Cookie away into the wilds.

Caramel Arrow Cookie's zeal is not attributed to only her homeland, though—her genuine compassion for others often shines from underneath her hardened exterior. This tenderness sometimes is even to a fault, though, as it is what led to her initial removal from the Black Citadel. Prior to her demotion, Caramel Arrow Cookie would put forth extraneous efforts to feed those starving and abandoned by the king in the Dark Cacao Kingdom with her own rations. The collusive Affogato Cookie took advantage of this kindness to twist her actions into a false case of rations stolen from the Citadel's own cupboards, and she is ostracized by order of King Dark Cacao Cookie. Even then, the First Watcher, exiled into the snowy dunes, would immediately go on to protect the vulnerable GingerBrave & Friends from a Snow Lion and guide their way to the Black Citadel. She is highly respectful towards those who deserve such as well, as she is seen going out of her way to honor her passed fellow Watchers at the Chocolate Altar of the Fallen while traveling with her new caravan.

It is said that Caramel Arrow Cookie is particularly accustomed to the wilderness. Upon her banishment, she immediately recollects her survival knowledge, remembering that she must craft twenty arrows per day to fend off all adversaries and that one mustn't fall to the soporific abilities of the Frozen Peak Prowler when facing one. Caramel Arrow Cookie also mentions that she has straw laced to her boots to help her retain traction in the snow, and a piece of loading screen trivia mentions that she is able to read the weather of the Dark Cacao mountains by heart.

-Crunchy Chip Cookie: Crunchy Chip Cookie (Korean: 크런치초코칩 쿠키, kureonchi choko chib kuki, "Crunchy Choco Chip Cookie"). One howl is all it takes to prep the Cream Wolves for battle, even in the middle of the night. Led by Crunchy Chip Cookie, this elite squad protects the frozen borders of the Dark Cacao Kingdom. The squad captain may be famous for his quick temper—which is not surprising given the sheer amount of the crunchiest choco chips in his dough—but rest assured: Crunchy Chip Cookie is loyal and reliable, just like his white-maned wolf companion. His oath to his king has kept him and his comrades persevering through piercing winds and snowstorms to ensure the kingdom's safety from the Licorice Sea. No other squadron stands a chance against these ferocious warriors that race through the mountains on the back of their wolves, defeating every monster they come across. Another serene morning in the Dark Cacao Kingdom; perhaps, we have to thank Captain Crunchy Chip Cookie for it!

Appearance: Crunchy Chip Cookie is a somewhat short, average-bodied, dark-doughed Cookie humanoid with stripes of brown on each cheek, resembling an animal’s whiskers. He has gorse yellow eyes, similar to a cream wolf. His hair is white with black streaks as well as bits of Oreo cookie crumbs in it. A small white fang sticks out from his lip. He has sharp black finger and toe nails.

His cloak is mainly grey with a black goreum (고름) knot and pattern, as well as a fuzzy white trim. He also wears a pyo, a traditional Korean scarf[citation needed]. A circular pad that looks like an Oreo cookie with 3 blades is strapped onto his left hand, which resembles a wolf paw.

Personality: Crunchy Chip Cookie is a proud warrior of the Dark Cacao Kingdom, often mentioning it to other Cookies. Additionally, he is proud of the work that he has done with his Cream Wolves; he has a close bond with them, often referring to the one with him at all times as his friend, or sometimes, his brother. His pride in their toughness makes him offended when the wolves are referred to as "puppy" or "doggo," determined to make the wolves out to be vicious and far more than just a dog.

Much of his dialogue is him yelling for whatever reason, indicating that he is proud of his place in the kingdom and confident in his abilities. But despite having a tough exterior, Crunchy Chip Cookie is shown to have a sweet tooth as seen in Chapters 1 and 2 of Cookie Odyssey; he avoids such food due to the highly disciplined customs of the Dark Cacao Kingdom. In Day 2 of Chapter 2, it was revealed that he has a dislike for sleeping in soft beds after confessing about having a nightmare the night before where Dark Cacao Cookie caught him eating sweets, and forced the Cream Wolves into disciplinary training, and even saying that "that thing defies everything the warriors of Dark Cacao stand for."

-Dark Choco Cookie: Dark Choco Cookie (Korean: 다크초코 쿠키, daku-choko kuki). Long ago, this Cookie stepped into the world of Darkness to become a hero, but fate had a different plan: Dark Choco Cookie was unfortunate enough to happen upon the forbidden Strawberry Jam Sword. As soon as the would-be hero grasped the weapon, the dark power of the magic sword took over. From that moment on, Dark Choco Cookie's life changed forever. Now, dark clouds and thunderstorms follow this ill-fated Cookie, feared by all. It is said that Dark Choco Cookie is still fighting against the magic sword's control.

Appearance: Dark Choco Cookie is a Cookie humanoid of russet brown complexion and a tall, broad build. His carmine right eye sits half-lidded in a pensive expression; the other is forced shut from an old scar which vertically scores it. His lips generally portray no emotion and his brow is slightly furrowed by default. The knight's hair is straight and cut a simple, middle-part bob, taking a deep raven color with two bold streaks of white like that of his father. His hair is often rendered with dim red rim-lighting to provide contrast against the rest of his design, though this is only a stylistic choice.

Dark Choco Cookie's getup is very modest and unobtrusive, befitting his quiet personality. He wears simple black plate armor detailed with a distinguishable fauld, greaves, and pauldrons. Offset from his base armor is a grim mantle on his shoulders, having a large, deep cacao cloak that envelops his body, and two oversized, semicircle pauldrons. The pauldrons emulate two halves of an Oreo cookie: each consists of two outer onyx layers sandwiching a creamy white center, much like the real-life sandwich cookies. Their outer layers are each emblazoned with a wine purple concentric design of a circle surrounded by alternating diamonds and starbursts, also resembling the embossed pattern of an Oreo.

Prior to the events of Citadel of the Frozen Cliff, Dark Choco Cookie would always be seen toting the cursed Strawberry Jam Sword. This medieval-style greatsword has a broad, white steel blade; its ricasso is thin and long and its weak juts out in a diamond shape. The hilt consists of a cross guard of two symmetrical elements akin to Dark Choco Cookie's outer pauldrons, a rainguard supporting a menacing ruby in a starburst shape, and a simple grip and pommel, all taking a dark slate tone.

Personality: Dark Choco Cookie is a quiet, reserved individual. He has very low self-esteem, nearly constantly reflecting on his regretful past and lamenting how everyone is afraid of him. Truly, the only instances in which Dark Choco Cookie expresses confidence are when acknowledges the fearful power the Strawberry Jam Sword has given him. When interacting with those he has no obligation to oppose, he is relatively polite though he can become short towards others. Perhaps due both to his low self-image and his Dark Cacao origins, Dark Choco Cookie is highly against allowing himself anything pleasurable in life.

Though he was once affiliated with the Darkness, he seeks no destruction and chaos against the world unlike much of Dark Enchantress Cookie's forces—the exact circumstances of his recruitment are currently unknown even to other members of the group such as Licorice Cookie. Dark Choco Cookie followed the Darkness due to his guilt and self-belittling due to his past actions, believing that someone as supposedly foul as himself deserves only the worst. He constantly endured abuse from those in Dark Enchantress Cookie's ranks and Dark Enchantress Cookie herself. Head Icon Pomegranate Cookie was a prime culprit in the derision against Dark Choco Cookie, often forcing him to relive his traumatic past with her illusory magic as punishment for not being truly dedicated to the Darkness's cause. In fact, after being defeated by GingerBrave and company both in the Hall of Enlightenment and the Timeless Kingdom, he did seem to wish to join the party when they offered such to him. However, he declined, stating that the painful path of Darkness was what he deserved.

During his youth, Dark Choco Cookie was the cause of the Dark Cacao Kingdom's violent downfall. However, it can be said that such actions were not entirely his fault; they occurred immediately after he pulled the dark Strawberry Jam Sword, which is known for having mind-altering passive abilities similar to hypnotism. Regardless, it is clear that Dark Choco Cookie feels deep regret for these actions and believes that he alone ought to be punished.

Before the downfall of the Dark Cacao Kingdom, Dark Choco Cookie was outwardly confident and quite the go-getter. Despite his royal background, he was very charitable and highly concerned with the welfare of others, protecting those in need in his naïve quest to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a hero and savior of his kingdom. He was known to be particularly skilled in combat as he is known to have defeated Purple Yam Cookie in a tournament. Presently, it does seem that he continues to harbor his care for others though he cannot often act on such a trait if at all. Due to being saved from wolves by Dark Choco Cookie in the past, Milk Cookie holds him in high regard and considers him a true hero.

Dark Choco Cookie most likely has post-traumatic stress disorder. This can easily be seen in his being constantly haunted by his past and his profound grief towards his actions, as well as his emotional breakdown caused by Pomegranate Cookie's cruel illusions depicting the things he regrets most. He likely has a depressive disorder as well, what with his persistent somber attitude and forlorn outlook on life.

Despite everything, as of the events of Citadel of the Frozen Cliff, Dark Choco Cookie has renounced the Darkness and the Strawberry Jam Sword altogether after seeing his Head Icon father again and being forced to address the pain he had once caused. A segment of the Cookie Holidays Event shows that he now peacefully wanders the lands alone, his mind clouded by the influence of neither the sword nor the Cookies of Darkness. Instead of remaining stagnant within the vicious-cycle circumstances of his affiliation with the Darkness, Dark Choco Cookie allowed himself the simple freedom of the unknown, following wherever his new path may take him. He has begun to accept himself and his circumstances, stating that he forgives his father and hopes that Dark Cacao Cookie can forgive him in return one day.

When the Dark Cacao Kingdom struggled against the Pale Plague in the events of The Awakening of White Apathy, Dark Choco Cookie harvested every Chocolate Shoot from the foot of a mountain, a potent medicinal plant that was difficult to collect due to it quickly growing into bamboo stalks. He delivered these plants to the Kingdom's healers without allowing himself to be recognized for the deed, proving his deep love for the Dark Cacao Kingdom despite him not yet feeling ready to return.

-Affogato Cookie: Affogato Cookie (Korean: 아포가토맛 쿠키, apogato-mat kuki). One piping hot cup of dark roasted coffee and a frozen scoop of the sweetest vanilla ice cream! Born of two desserts—so different yet so delicious—Affogato Cookie's flavor is unparalleled! Neither coffee nor ice cream, Affogato Cookie spent restless years without a place to belong until he came up with a simple solution: to create a land of his own once and for all! He appeared out of nowhere on a frigid night in the Dark Cacao Kingdom and has been busy earning the trust and favor of the locals with the help of his strange concoctions and mysterious chants. These are troubling times for the Dark Cacao Kingdom and the throne is empty... What sinister intention is Affogato Cookie hiding behind his snide smile?

Appearance: Affogato Cookie is a slender Cookie humanoid of standard height with deep brown dough. His eyes are a piercing white with dark, slit pupils. His sable lashes end with a round flourish and sit atop heavy eyelids painted with pale violet eyeshadow. The Cookie's mouth is small and pointed in a confident smile and his thin eyebrows slope downwards in a hint of sternness.

Affogato Cookie sports a pixie hairstyle save for one longer section of hair to his right fashioned into a braid. This loose braid holds just two tied sections before being held in place by a violet band and ending in a long arc of hair. At the nape of his neck, his hair ends in three upturned tufts. Most notably, a lofty bang and a loose strand suspended from it dramatically shroud his left eye. Affogato Cookie's hair takes a rich espresso tone as its base and is swirled with creamy white clouds of highlights at its edges, evoking an image of dark coffee drowning a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The shaman's attire is modeled after Silla-era clothing. This style of garment can be cleanly labeled as neither the Korean hanbok (Korean: 한복) (as it is modernly known) nor the Chinese hanfu (simplified Chinese: 汉服) style; however, as Silla attire carries identifiable visual and structural similarities to hanfu[2][3][4], hanfu terms will be used throughout this passage to describe Affogato Cookie's outfit. This is done solely for ease in addressing each aspect of the attire and is not meant to equate Silla attire to hanfu.

Affogato Cookie's ensemble utilizes multiple layers. At the first, innermost layer, he wears a simple, colorless mamianqun (simplified Chinese: 马面裙) skirt and atop it an ebony quju (simplified Chinese: 曲裾) dress with a dull amethyst trim and pale collar for the second layer[5]. The quju features scalloped designs at the hems of its sleeves against black gloves and is of a shorter variety in regards to its skirt, which reveals the mamianqun. At the third layer lies a daxiushan (Chinese: 大袖衫) (or perhaps beizi [Chinese: 褙子]) coat peppered with intricate designs and shifts in color. At its core, the daxiushan expresses a dichromatic color scheme of stark obsidian at the left sleeve and garment base pitted against cold alabaster at the right sleeve. Each of the translucent, expansive sleeves is emblazoned with a bulbous, bubbling form at their lower extents in a lavender tone.

The dark base subtly flares outwards at its bottom, sports a mauve trim and a stylized orchid and slate shoulder piece at the left, and features a falling aubergine gradient behind an indigo linear arrangement of mountainous arcs and lone points. This design in particular bears resemblance to the Sun, the Moon, and the Five Peaks of Dark Cacao legend. This daxiushan and all layers beneath it are tied down with a slight indigo band at Affogato Cookie's waist, serving as a bright focal point amongst the mass of black and white. Finally, the fifth and topmost layer consists of a luxurious sable fur boa dusted with iris violet. Draped over the shoulder of the pale sleeve to the right, the fine fur ends in a pearl clasp at Affogato Cookie's chest.

Affogato Cookie's headpiece does not exactly match any real-life headdress styles, likely being either an amalgamate of various sources of inspiration or a classic headdress design modernized to the point of lost recognition. It may derive from daenggi (Korean: 댕기)—more specifically ap-daenggi (Korean: 앞댕기)—a ribbon-like Korean adornment draped over hairpins. It should be noted, however, that his headpiece is not anchored in a chignon like most real-life hairpin headdresses; it merely sits atop his head. In terms of its appearance, the headdress consists of a round base set at the upper back of Affogato Cookie's head and a thin horizontal shaft likely made of metal. The base, which emulates the sigil commonly associated with Affogato Cookie and his followers, takes an aperture-like appearance: it consists of a diamond-shaped, rebecca purple gemstone at its center, an inner circle of cream broadcloth layers, and an outer rim of violet-grey anchorage. Sprouting from the base, the symmetrical, iron-black rod casting horizontally out bends upwards at its extremities in a stylish, pointed flourish. Upon the rod sit two lengthy banners of purple ribbon which trail down Affogato Cookie's back. Notably, this headpiece is similar to that of Head Icon Matcha Cookie's OvenBreak Witherbark Shaman Costume, perhaps implying that it is an established indication of shamanism in the Cookie Run universe.

The staff which Affogato Cookie uses to cast his magic is a seokjang (Korean: 석장), also known as a khakkhara (Sanskrit: खक्खर) or pewter stick, a rod topped with metal rings traditionally carried by Buddhist monks throughout East Asia. It is tall to the point of out-sizing its owner and consists of a wrought iron base. The majority of it is a simple pole save for its top, which holds the main draw of the implement: a looped metallic finial. The globe is pure white at its core and is half-covered by a sheet of dripping amethyst color once again evocative of a real-life affogato dessert. It connects to an amethyst diamond-shaped gem similar to that seen in the base of Affogato Cookie's headpiece.

Personality: Spending much of his life without "a place to belong," Affogato Cookie yearns for a place when he can live as he pleases. His plot to find this place involves earning the trust of Head Icon Dark Cacao Cookie and his advisors, becoming closer to the Dark Cacao Kingdom's throne. He sees Head Icon Caramel Arrow Cookie as both an obstacle to his goal and an undeserving recipient of Dark Cacao Cookie's attention.

Affogato Cookie is a cunning and manipulative schemer, driven by an insatiable desire for power and control. With a silver tongue he weaves deception effortlessly, persuading those around him to act in his favor while keeping his own hands clean. He thrives in the shadows, orchestrating downfall through whispered rumors, backhanded compliments, and veiled threats, all while maintaining an outward persona of loyalty and devotion.

He feigns concern for the kingdom’s well-being, presenting himself as the only one capable of guiding it through troubled times. He preys on doubt, exploiting both fear and ambition to rally supporters to his side. His influence extends beyond politics as his strange concoctions have garnered him a following of devoted disciples, all willing to carry out his bidding.

Beneath everything lies a ruthless opportunist who sees no ally as permanent. He is patient and strategic, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, yet adaptable enough to seize any unexpected advantage. His snide remarks and patronizing tone conceal a deep-seated arrogance. He truly believes himself superior to those around him.

Even when cornered, Affogato Cookie remains slippery like a snake that he is, twisting words and shifting blame with ease. His loyalty is to no one but himself, and he will abandon any cause or ally if it serves his interests.

-Cookies of Dark Cacao: Most Cookies in the Dark Cacao Kingdom grow up to be swordsmen, but those who are more gifted with wildlife than swordsmanship become animal tamers. Pharmacists who concoct a variety of remedies are also highly sought after. The Dark Cacao Kingdom is always in need of labor, so mercenaries are often hired from outside the kingdom.

Swordsmen: A quintessential occupation of the Dark Cacao Kingdom. At night, it's not uncommon to encounter heavily armed Dark Cacao warriors patrolling the kingdom.

The Dark Cacao Kingdom is home to many varieties of warriors including swordsmen, spear warriors, and archers. There have been Cookies shown with even daggers as a choice of weapon, as courtesy from the Coffee Village.

Pharmacists: These are the Cookies responsible for the health of the Dark Cacao Cookies. They carry large chocolate medicine bags filled with various remedies. Without their dedication, the Cookies of the Dark Cacao Kingdom would catch a cold every day.

Dark Cacao pharmaceutical practices are near-identical to traditional Korean medicine. Its practitioners are modeled after uinyeo (Korean: 의녀)—though these Cookie uinyeo seem to neither be nor treat exclusively women[1] like real-life Joseon uinyeo—and treat citizens with identifiable methods like yakchim (Korean: 약침). The traveling, backpacked pharmacists of early concept art, whose real-life inspirations are unclear, appear to have been replaced by the uinyeo Cookies.

Tamers: Warriors who tame wild animals to fight alongside them as partners. These Cookies usually partner with Cacao Hawks or Cream Wolves, though some can be seen alongside more unusual creatures.

These wildlife tamer Cookies are seen chiefly in Crunchy Chip Cookie and his Cream Wolves squadron, with the latter likely consisting of even more unseen Tamer Cookies.

Disc Sledders: Their help is essential for quick travel across the snow-covered Dark Cacao Kingdom. They are made up of foreign sorcerers who can control magic machines.

The Disc Sledders appear to be absent altogether from the final version of the Dark Cacao Kingdom. Their real-life cultural inspiration, if any, is unknown.

Tribes & Villages: -The following are tribes and villages whose lands fall within this kingdom's borders:

-Coffee Tribe/Village: Cookies of the Coffee Tribe live beside the Dark Cocoa Kingdom in their tent settlement. They are quick and agile and are known to last without sleep for several nights. These traits allow them to work as scouts, infiltrators, and messengers for the Kingdom. Due to the high caffeine content, their pupils are always constricted.

-Milk Tribe/Village: Before the Great Chocolate Wall, the Dark Cacao Kingdom was open to invasions from the Licorice Sea. The Milk Village north of the Black Citadel was on the brink of extinction until the Dark Cacao warriors put an end to the monsters' attacks. The tribe survived, and its Cookies swore their friendship to the Kingdom. They have been supplying their special Milk Potions ever since.

-Licorice Tribe/Village