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astryl-paracosm · 5 months ago

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Magic And Technology In Astryl

In Astryl, the fusion of magic and technology creates a unique, otherworldly environment where both forces exist in a delicate balance, each shaping the world’s ecosystems, cultures, and systems. Here's an expanded breakdown of the technological and magical aspects of Astryl, staying true to the elements we've discussed so far:

Magic in Astryl

Elemental Magic: Magic in Astryl is primarily elemental, deeply tied to the natural world, with practitioners able to manipulate the forces of earth, water, fire, air, and even more abstract concepts like shadow, time, and dreams. This magic is often intertwined with the creatures and plants of Astryl, making the environment a living, breathing conduit for magical energy. For example:

Dream Magic: As seen with the Echokin (the spirits of the sacrificed), those who dabble in dream magic have the ability to manipulate the minds and perceptions of others. This magic is potent but dangerous, as it can cause permanent disconnection from reality.

Life Force Magic: Certain creatures are deeply tied to the life force of their surroundings. Magic is used to heal, manipulate plant life, and connect the inhabitants to their environments. Ancient Woodsingers, for example, communicate with the forest, channelling plant life to either protect or defend their communities.

Forbidden Magic: Darker magic exists in Astryl, often associated with the Voidrend Horror and the Edgevoid Wraiths. This forbidden magic taps into the raw, chaotic energies of the void, manipulating time, space, and consciousness. Practitioners, such as the Cult of the Voidrend, sacrifice beings to these void entities to fuel their dark rituals, bending the very fabric of reality to their will. This magic often requires life force or deep personal cost, and many of its users are corrupted by the immense power it grants.

Familiar Magic: Creatures like the Tail-Skitters, small, agile animals, are often companions to spellcasters. These familiars are sometimes magically linked to their owners, granting them enhanced sensory abilities or protective powers. The magic that ties these familiars to their owners is ancient, passed down through rituals that bind the essence of the familiar with that of the wizard or witch.

Alchemy and Potions:

Alchemy is a revered practice in Astryl, blending the magic of the world with physical ingredients. Alchemists craft potions that can heal, enhance abilities, or even alter one's physical form. Rare ingredients, such as Bloodroot, Silverthorn, and Voidfruit, are in high demand due to their magical properties, often only found in dangerous and hard-to-reach places like the Blood-Well Caves or deep within the Wanderfall Marshes.

Technology in Astryl

Arcane Technology: The blend of magic and technology in Astryl is most evident in arcane machinery. Devices like magical crystal-powered engines or aetheric teleportation devices are commonplace, powered by a combination of enchanted crystals and magical energy sources. These devices often require both the technical skill of an engineer and the magical aptitude of a mage to function.

Aetheric Energy: The core of many machines in Astryl is Aetheric energy—drawn from the fabric of the world itself. Aetheric crystals, found in places like the Stormsong Caverns, are key to powering much of Astryl's technology.

Skyships and Airborne Cities: Massive, floating cities like Elyndar are powered by a combination of arcane energy and mechanical structures. These cities use airships and dirigibles to travel across the skies, exploring the vastness of Astryl while staying suspended on the currents of magic.

Artificial Lifeforms: Through the combination of magic and engineering, certain civilizations in Astryl have created golem-like beings to serve as workers, soldiers, or companions. These golems are powered by soulstones, which trap and contain a small portion of magical energy that gives the golems life. Unlike the Echokin, golems retain their individuality and consciousness and can be trained or programmed for specific tasks. Their creation, however, is a closely guarded secret in many areas, as misuse could lead to ethical dilemmas and unintended consequences.

Telepathic Communication Networks: In cities where magical advancements are as commonplace as the trees, telepathic communication devices have been invented. These devices, when activated, allow users to send thoughts or messages across great distances. These devices work by tapping into dream magic and amplifying psychic signals, though they are not without risks. The more powerful the device, the more likely the user may lose themselves in the dream-like thoughts they transmit.

Healing Technology: Medical technology in Astryl has evolved alongside magic, resulting in magical machines capable of performing complex surgeries, creating prosthetics, and even reattaching severed limbs. Healers are often a combination of doctor and mage, able to use both technology and spells to assist the injured. Gleamstones, powered by aetheric energy, are used in healing rooms, providing light and cleansing magic that helps treat diseases or injuries. However, advanced medical technology like this is rare and typically only found in larger cities.

Subversive Technology: In certain underground communities and rebellious factions, subversive technology is used to disrupt the establishment. These technologies, powered by hidden magic, can cause temporary disruptions in arcane technology or even distort time for brief moments. These devices are crafted using old-world ritual-based engineering techniques, where spells are coded into the very circuits of machines.

In Astryl, the combination of technology and magic is a reflection of the world itself—an intricate and unpredictable blend of nature, innovation, and the supernatural. Some areas embrace the technological marvels that magic enables, while others remain deeply rooted in older, more traditional magical practices. The interaction between the two often results in strange, wondrous inventions and dangerous consequences, all of which define the shifting and ever-evolving nature of Astryl.

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astryl-paracosm · 5 months ago

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Weather In Astryl

The weather in Astryl is as erratic and unpredictable as the realm itself, a direct reflection of the chaotic influence of the Void and the celestial forces that govern the land. The presence of the Skyshards, fragments of the Void that float above the planet, governs not only the magic of the realm but also its weather patterns, creating an environment where storm systems, temperature shifts, and magical disturbances occur without warning. The sky above Astryl is often an ever-changing canvas, swirled with ominous clouds and blinding light, making it impossible to predict what weather patterns may strike next.

Erratic Weather Patterns

Astryl experiences a wide variety of strange weather patterns, each with its own mystical significance. Some regions of Astryl are plagued by ceaseless storms that seem to form from nowhere, while others endure periods of oppressive heat or bone-chilling cold. These shifts can occur with little to no warning, leaving inhabitants to rely on ancient rites and teachings to predict them, though they are rarely accurate. The most notable of these weather events include:

Crimson Rains: When the influence of the Void is particularly strong, the sky opens to release deep red rain, an ominous phenomenon associated with bloodshed and grief. Crimson Rains carry magical residue from the Void, which corrupts the earth and can either cause plants to grow with unnatural speed or wither into dust, depending on the nature of the region. These rains are often followed by magical surges, causing spells to become unstable, either amplifying them or rendering them completely ineffective.

Ashen Winds: Blowing across the Sootfall Plains, the Ashen Winds carry grey ash that coats everything in a thin, soot-like layer. These winds herald the season of the Void, a time when the realm becomes deeply influenced by dark forces. The ash seems to carry with it psychological effects, clouding the minds of those who breathe it in. Those exposed to it for too long may experience a sense of hopelessness, as if the Void itself is sinking into their very soul.

Tempeststorms: These massive magical storms are some of the most dangerous and destructive weather events in Astryl. Driven by the energy of the Skyshards, Tempeststorms bring fierce winds, lightning strikes, and arcane energy so potent that the very air crackles with magical potential. The sky turns pitch black, and arcane rifts open, allowing Voidbeasts and other otherworldly creatures to cross into the material realm. These storms are known for their ability to warp reality, making the land shift and change in impossible ways, leading some to believe that time itself can become unstable.

Sun's Eclipse: A rare but terrifying event, the Sun's Eclipse causes the sun to dim completely for days at a time, casting the entire realm into darkness. It is during these moments that the Skyshards seem to become unstable, their energy fluctuating wildly. The effects of the Sun's Eclipse are varied—some areas experience intense magical distortions, while others descend into bitter cold as the land loses its natural warmth. This event is often linked with the arrival of powerful Void creatures, who take advantage of the darkness to roam freely.

The Sun’s Influence

The sun in Astryl does not behave like a traditional sun. It does not rise and set with any predictability, and its glow can range from a pale white to a glowing, unnatural green. The sun’s light is powerful but inconsistent, casting bizarre shadows across the land. It often has a strange hue, due to the volatile energies of the Skyshards, which interact with the sun's rays in unpredictable ways.

The Sun’s Ascension: This event occurs when the sun suddenly blazes to life after a period of darkness, casting an almost holy radiance across the land. It is seen as a time of renewal, and many of the Lightbringers celebrate this moment as a holy time, marking it with feasts, rituals, and offerings to the Celestial Guardians. These ascensions are rare, occurring only every few centuries, and are seen as a time when the realm’s magic stabilizes.

Lunar Veil: Another celestial phenomenon that occurs sporadically is the appearance of two full moons in the sky at once, known as the Lunar Veil. This rare event often signifies a great change, either for the realm or the individuals living in it. It is believed that the dual moons hold a magical power, which can either bring great fortune or terrible calamity depending on the alignment of the Skyshards. During the Lunar Veil, the moonlight is intensely bright, casting long, surreal shadows and making even familiar landscapes appear unfamiliar.

Magical Storms and the Void’s Influence

Astryl’s weather is deeply tied to the Void, a connection that causes magical storms to occur unpredictably. These storms can cause cataclysmic shifts in the land, with the fabric of reality itself seeming to warp as the Void’s energy permeates the atmosphere. The storms are not just destructive—they are also magical conduits that can bring rifts to the Void, allowing dangerous creatures to emerge and wreak havoc on the realm.

Tempest Blossom: A rare event during a Tempeststorm, the Tempest Blossom occurs when a massive arcane surge causes an energy explosion at the heart of a storm. This eruption forms a magical blossom in the sky, a spectacular visual of colours that swirl and shift into impossible hues. These blossoms can be harvested for rare ingredients in potions, though they come with a heavy price, as anyone who tries to collect the blossoms risks being consumed by the energy of the Void.

Darkening Rifts: Sometimes, rifts to the Void open during magical storms, allowing Voidbeasts and other creatures to invade. These rifts act as conduits, syphoning the energy from the Void and causing strange distortions in the surrounding area. Magical anomalies tend to occur around these rifts, such as time dilation, spatial warping, or reality fractures. These rifts are dangerous and nearly impossible to close without immense magical power.

Frost and Magical Snowfall

Some regions in Astryl experience strange, magical snowfall that doesn’t simply blanket the earth in frozen flakes but instead creates a dreamlike atmosphere where time seems to move differently. The snowfall is faintly glowing, its particles carrying a subtle magical residue that can cause vivid dreams and hallucinations in those who are exposed to it for too long.

Winter’s Wrath: In the mountain tops and peaks, the most extreme weather occurs during the Time of Shifting Skies, when magical cold descends upon the land. Known as Winter’s Wrath, this event transforms the environment into a barren wasteland, with blizzards and freezing winds that can cut through bone. The land itself becomes permanently frozen, encasing entire forests and mountains in ice. During this time, the Frost Wyrms, enormous serpentine creatures made of ice and snow, emerge from the depths of the earth to hunt.

Crystalline Frost: Another form of magical cold that affects the land is Crystalline Frost, a phenomenon where entire forests or fields are encased in a sparkling, iridescent ice. The snow here grows into perfect crystals, often reflecting strange colours when the light hits them, giving the illusion of an ethereal realm. These areas are often seen as sacred places, protected by ancient wards to keep intruders out.

The Time of Shifting Skies

The Time of Shifting Skies occurs sporadically, and when it does, the sky above Astryl begins to shift unpredictably—changing colours, forming distorted shapes, and even splitting into multiple planes. During this time, the Skyshards are said to go out of alignment, and the fabric of reality becomes increasingly unstable. The skies may appear as though they are warping, and the light itself can become twisted, making it impossible to distinguish day from night.

Astryl’s weather is as wild and uncontrollable as the land itself, filled with anomalies, magical phenomena, and intense changes. These weather patterns contribute to the realm’s dangerous and mysterious nature, making survival a constant struggle for its inhabitants.

#maladapting daydreaming disorder #maladaptive daydreaming #actually maladaptive #madd paras #paracosm #daydream characters #worldbuilding #madd

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astryl-paracosm · 5 months ago

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The Cult Of The Unmade

The Cult of the Unmade is a satanic cult whose followers dedicate their lives to the worship of the Voidrend Horror and the Edgevoid Wraith, two ancient and malevolent entities of consumption and oblivion. The cult believes that existence itself is an illusion, and true enlightenment lies in surrendering to the void, to be unmade and erased from the confines of reality. Their doctrine revolves around the devouring of the self, where followers seek to become one with the void, embracing annihilation as the ultimate form of transcendence.

Beliefs and Doctrine

The Cult of the Unmade teaches that the Voidrend Horror and the Edgevoid Wraith are the true rulers of the universe. They are ancient beings, beyond time, beyond life, and beyond death, who exist to unmake and reset existence in their own image. According to the cult, the world as we know it is an illusion—a fragment of a greater, uncontrollable cosmos. The only way to reach true freedom is through obliteration, for to be unmade is to be liberated from the endless cycle of suffering and the false notion of identity.

The cult believes that by sacrificing themselves and others to the Voidrend Horror and Edgevoid Wraith, they can free their souls from the confines of reality and achieve a state of eternal nothingness. This belief is rooted in the idea that annihilation is a form of purification—the ultimate release from pain, memory, and the constraints of existence.

The followers of the cult believe that the Edgevoid Wraith and the Voidrend Horror are not just mindless destroyers, but divine entities, with their hunger for souls being a reflection of the cosmic imbalance between life and death. Worship of these creatures is seen as a way to restore balance by offering up the very souls of the living to feed the void, thus allowing the universe to be reset in a purer, more balanced form.

Rituals and Sacrifices

The cult’s rituals are dark and dangerous, meant to summon and appease the Voidrend Horror and the Edgevoid Wraith. Their ceremonies take place in hidden sanctuaries, deep within forgotten caves or abandoned, crumbling temples located on the outskirts of reality itself—places where the boundaries between this world and the void are thin.

The Offering of Flesh and Essence:

The most common form of sacrifice is the Offering of Flesh and Essence, where followers will bind themselves in ritualistic garb of black robes and masks, and offer their life force to the creatures. They perform an agonising self-infliction, using ritualistic blades forged from the teeth of past sacrifices to draw blood and weaken their soul. The more a follower is willing to endure, the stronger the connection to the void and the Voidrend Horror or Edgevoid Wraith.

The Wraith’s Rite:

This dark ceremony calls upon the Edgevoid Wraith. The ritual space is marked by sigils of distorted geometry, resembling the bending and fracturing of reality itself. At the peak of the ceremony, the high priest, known as the Herald of the Fractured Path, leads the chant to call forth the Wraith. The sacrifices made during this rite are psychic in nature—cultists willing to sever parts of their memories and identities, offering them up to the Wraith in the belief that they will be reclaimed by the void, forever erased from existence but freed from their earthly burdens.

The Rending Ceremony:

When the Voidrend Horror is invoked, the Rending Ceremony is performed. The cultists gather around a massive stone altar, which is said to be a fragment of a dimension shattered by the Voidrend Horror itself. The victim—a willing or unwilling sacrifice—is bound and positioned on the altar. The cultists chant in a twisted, ancient tongue as they draw symbols of obliteration onto the sacrifice’s skin with sacred ink made from the essence of fallen stars. At the climax of the ritual, the cult leader strikes a ceremonial dagger made from the bone of a creature consumed by the Voidrend Horror, opening a wound to release the sacrifice’s soul to be devoured by the Horror’s insatiable maw. Those who have offered themselves become part of the Horror’s endless hunger, their essence absorbed into the creature’s being.

The Void’s Embrace:

In some extreme ceremonies, the cultists will use mind-altering substances to induce a state of delirium, where they feel as though they are becoming one with the void itself. The followers attempt to experience the Edgevoid Wraith’s presence by surrendering their minds entirely, letting the Wraith take hold of them. They believe that through complete submission to the Wraith’s will, they will experience a moment of pure liberation, where all boundaries between themselves and the void will dissolve, and they will be both the consumed and the consuming.

Symbolism and Iconography

The cult’s symbol is a fractured spiral—a spiral that starts as a perfect circle and progressively breaks apart as it winds inward, representing both the destructive nature of the Voidrend Horror and the Edgevoid Wraith, and the cult’s desire to be unmade and freed from the constraints of time and space. The symbol is often tattooed onto the forearms or chests of members, and it is etched into the ritual tools and altars used in their ceremonies.

Another common symbol of the cult is the shattered mirror, representing the destruction of self and identity. Cultists wear masks with broken reflections of themselves, hiding their true faces to symbolise that they have already begun the process of dissolution—they are not what they once were, and they seek to become even less.

Design of the Symbol

The Fractured Spiral: At its heart, the symbol is a spiral—a perfect, smooth curve that begins as a tight, compact circle at the outermost edge. This circle represents the illusion of order, unity, and existence—the world as it is perceived before the cult’s followers embrace the unmaking. As the spiral moves inward, it begins to fracture, breaking apart into jagged, uneven shards. This disintegration signifies the destruction of reality—the unravelling of the self and the world around it.

The spiral is not continuous but interrupted at several points along its path, with sharp, angular breaks that make the spiral seem as though it is actively falling apart. These breaks represent the moment of annihilation, when all structure, meaning, and identity are obliterated. The further inward the spiral goes, the more fragmented it becomes, until it eventually leads to a void—a black, empty space at the centre that is completely devoid of any detail or structure. This central void symbolises the cult’s ultimate goal: the consumption of the self and the return to nothingness, to be unmade entirely.

The Shattered Mirror: Superimposed over the spiral is the symbol of a shattered mirror, its jagged shards scattered unevenly around the spiral. The mirror represents self-reflection—the cult’s belief that the very act of looking at oneself is an illusion, a reflection of the false self that must be discarded. The shattered shards suggest that the self is incomplete, broken, and must be sacrificed in order to experience true liberation in the void.

Some interpretations of the symbol place the mirror shards in the places where the spiral fractures, indicating that these moments of dissolution and collapse of identity are key to unlocking the path to annihilation. The shattered glass is sharp and dangerous, mirroring the painful and sacrificial nature of the cult's rituals.

Rays of Fractured Light: Around the entire symbol, faint rays of light emanate from the central void, as though the void itself is radiating darkness. These rays are thin, uneven lines, each one distinct but part of a greater whole. They are reminiscent of cracks in the fabric of reality, light filtering through the void but twisted and distorted by its presence. These rays signify the corruption and distortion of reality as the void consumes it.

Some versions of the symbol depict the rays as flickering, as though the very idea of light and life is struggling against the hunger of the void. The flickering can be interpreted as a metaphor for the struggle between existence and nothingness, where the light of life attempts to resist, but is inevitably consumed by the darkness that represents the void.

The Inverted Crescent: Occasionally, an inverted crescent moon shape is incorporated into the design, curving around the outer edges of the spiral and mirroring its jagged breakpoints. This crescent symbolises death and rebirth, but in the context of the cult, it reflects the death of self and the desire for complete dissolution rather than any hopeful form of rebirth. The crescent is inverted, reinforcing the idea that the cult's path is an upside-down reality, where life is not the goal, but unmaking and oblivion are the true end.

Black and Blood-Red Color Scheme: The cult’s symbol is almost always rendered in shades of black, blood-red, and ashen grey. Black is used for the central void and the spiral’s fractured lines, representing nothingness, the unknown, and eternal oblivion. Blood-red is used for the shards of the mirror and the rays of fractured light, symbolising the sacrifice and bloodlust required to bring about this annihilation. It speaks to the cult’s need for sacrifice, both literal and metaphysical, to satisfy the hunger of the Voidrend Horror and Edgevoid Wraith. The ashen grey serves to highlight the fading remnants of reality as it collapses into dust and entropy.

Symbol Interpretation and Impact

The symbol is meant to be unsettling—its fragmented spiral and broken mirror shards represent the very nature of the cult’s philosophy: the breaking down of identity, reality, and existence. The symbol is not just a sign of devotion but a constant reminder that the cultists themselves are in the process of being unmade with each act of worship and sacrifice they undertake.

To those who see it, the symbol elicits fear, confusion, and even repulsion, as it is a direct challenge to everything that holds the world together. It speaks to a cosmic truth—one that cannot be understood in its entirety by the mortal mind but is known intuitively by the cultists: the only way to achieve true freedom is to surrender everything, even existence itself, to the void.

The shattered, fragmented design also creates a sense of movement—as though the symbol is in constant motion, perpetually crumbling and reforming into something even more chaotic. This reinforces the idea that there is no finality in the process of being unmade—only an endless, eternal cycle of dissolution.

This symbol, ever present in the cult's sacred places, tattoos, robes, and altars, is the banner of oblivion. It calls to those who are ready to abandon everything—those who long for complete annihilation—and it binds the followers to the cold, consuming void.

Hierarchy and Leadership

At the top of the cult’s hierarchy is the Herald of the Fractured Path, a leader believed to be the chosen mouthpiece of the Voidrend Horror. The Herald is said to be directly connected to the void, and their words are considered to be sacred, carrying the will of both the Horror and the Wraith. The Herald wears a dark, flowing cloak that seems to shimmer with an otherworldly energy, and their face is almost always hidden behind a mask of obsidian, which is said to be carved from the very depths of the void.

Below the Herald are the Covenants of Oblivion, high-ranking members who lead the various sects of the cult. These leaders are responsible for performing the highest rites and for ensuring that sacrifices are made regularly to appease the entities.

The lowest rank within the cult is that of the Wanderers, the initiates and most fervent followers. These cultists travel to far-off lands, seeking new souls to bring into the fold, and spreading the doctrine of annihilation. Their ultimate goal is to bring as many souls as possible to the altar, so that they too can join the void and be erased from the constraints of reality.

Cultural Influence and Fear

The Cult of the Unmade operates in the shadows, known only to a few, but their influence is felt in the darkest corners of Astryl. Many believe that the cult is responsible for several disappearances, with individuals vanishing without a trace, their bodies and memories obliterated. Whispers claim that the cult is growing stronger, spreading its influence further into society, seeking to gather more souls to offer to the Voidrend Horror and the Edgevoid Wraith.

To the common people of Astryl, the cult is an unholy terror. Stories are told of its dark rites, the chilling sound of chants in the dead of night, and the eerie sense that someone’s very existence has been erased, as if they never existed in the first place. Many see the cult as a symbol of ultimate destruction, where not just the body, but the soul itself is consumed—leaving nothing behind but an echo in the void.

The Cult of the Unmade is a force of cosmic dread, a group dedicated to the worship of annihilation and the worship of creatures that unmake reality itself. Their rituals are an attempt to transcend existence through self-dissolution, seeking the void’s ultimate embrace, where all things—life, memory, and time—are forgotten.

Cult Composition:

1. Voidrend Horror

The Voidrend Horror, an ancient, tentacled being that embodies the essence of oblivion, is the core figurehead of the cult. While it is not a member of the cult in the traditional sense (as it is a powerful, independent entity), it is worshipped and revered by its followers. The cult believes that by making sacrifices to the Voidrend Horror, they can achieve a similar transcendence and return to the void themselves. Some members, particularly the high priests of the cult, claim to communicate with the Voidrend Horror and have their souls marked by it to show their commitment.

2. Edgevoid Wraith

The Edgevoid Wraith is another pivotal figure for the cult, acting as an enforcer of its beliefs. The wraith's ability to manipulate and consume souls makes it a significant source of fear and reverence. Cult members believe that by being chosen by the wraith as a sacrifice, they will be "freed" from their worldly existence and become one with the void. The Edgevoid Wraith serves as both a symbol of the cult's power and as an agent that brings about the ultimate destruction of its most devout followers.

3. Shadow Terrors

These semi-corporeal creatures, often seen lurking on the edges of reality, are drawn to places of darkness and despair. As followers of the cult, they serve as spies and assassins, collecting souls of the damned and bringing them to the cult’s rituals. They are often used to terrify potential sacrifices into submission, making them willing participants in the cult's blood rites.

4. Corruptor Beasts

The Corruptor Beasts are primal, grotesque creatures who were once guardians of the natural world but were corrupted by the void. They serve as guardians of the cult, keeping outsiders from accessing their secretive rituals and inner sanctums. Their horrific appearances and debilitating abilities make them formidable creatures that deter intruders from disturbing the cult’s operations. Their connection to the void symbolises the corruption that the cult believes must happen to every soul before it can achieve liberation.

5. Dread Moths

The Dread Moths, while more of a pest, are actually used by the cult as symbols of decay and unravelling existence. The moths are seen as creatures that help to “guide” the souls of those who have been sacrificed, helping to lead them into the void. The cult uses the moths in their rituals, often using their shredded wings and chitinous remains in sacrificial rites to represent the destruction of self and the inevitable pull of nothingness.

6. The Voidmonger

The Voidmonger, a creature born from the collapse of stars and matter, serves as the high priest of the cult. It exists to facilitate the transition into oblivion, drawing in sacrifices with its allure of ultimate release. While it is not a member of the cult per se, it is a powerful spiritual guide and vessel for the void, helping to bring the cult’s most devoted followers closer to their final dissolution.

7. Wretched Broodlings

The Wretched Broodlings, manifestations of twisted, nightmarish versions of infants or children, represent the unformed potential that can exist in the void. These creatures are viewed as souls in the process of being unmade or as symbols of what will be lost upon complete annihilation. They are often found at the fringes of the cult's rituals, symbolising the loss of innocence and humanity. Though often seen as creepy and unsettling, their presence in cult gatherings is seen as a sign of purification for those willing to face total obliteration.

8. Dreadshade Spawn

These creatures, born from the shadows of dying stars, are similar to Shadow Terrors but with more physical form. They serve as the practical enforcers of the cult's will, performing dark tasks on behalf of the cult, including guarding sacred spaces and ensuring that sacrifices are carried out in the most terrifying manner possible. The Dreadshade Spawn often stalk the land, using their powers of darkness to spread fear and despair, preparing the way for a future return to the void.

9. Fearfiends

The Fearfiends, monstrous entities that thrive on torment, stalk the cult’s followers, feeding off their fear. These creatures often act as spiritual guides for those who are newly inducted into the cult, ensuring that all their deepest fears are exposed before they are sacrificed. Fearfiends help convert sceptical recruits into willing participants by feeding on their doubts and anxieties, until they fully embrace the idea that their only escape is through complete annihilation.

Summary of Cult Composition

The Cult of the Unmade is an eclectic mix of dark and terrifying creatures, all bound by the same desire to return to the void. The Voidrend Horror and Edgevoid Wraith serve as the most revered and feared figures, but other creatures, such as the Corruptor Beasts and Dread Moths, perform key functions in the cult, maintaining order and ensuring that the rituals are carried out properly. Shadow Terrors, Fearfiends, and the Wretched Broodlings guide initiates and sacrifice victims along their path toward oblivion, while the Voidmonger leads the most important rituals. Together, these creatures form an unholy alliance, each contributing to the overarching goal of obliteration and freedom from the constraints of existence.

Sacrifices

For the Cult of the Unmade, the act of sacrifice is not just a ritualistic offering to the void but a transcendent process where the most innocent or light-hearted creatures are seen as the purest offerings to the dark entities they worship. The cult believes that by sacrificing these creatures, they are cleansing them of the "burden" of existence and returning them to the void in their most unspoiled state, which is considered the ultimate form of salvation.

List of Common Sacrifices

1. Wretched Broodlings

The Wretched Broodlings, eerie, infant-like entities, are some of the most tragic and pure victims in the eyes of the cult. Their existence is in a constant state of unformed potential, representing innocence and purity that has yet to be marred by the corruption of life. Sacrificing these child-like beings is seen as the ultimate act of purification, as it is believed to free them from their torment and grant them eternal peace in the void. Their very innocence and vulnerability make them ideal offerings because the cult believes they are closer to the void—the purest form of nothingness—than any other being. Their sacrifice is a holy act in the cult's eyes, a return to the void that they claim is more graceful and revered than sacrificing any adult or hardened soul.

2. Dread Moths

While the Dread Moths are not traditionally thought of as "innocent," their fragility and beauty give them an air of unassuming purity, making them powerful symbolic sacrifices. They represent delicate, transient life and the idea that even the smallest of creatures can carry a deep connection to the void. Their shredded wings, once used in cult rituals, symbolise the loss of innocence, and their quiet fragility makes them an ideal sacrificial target. These moths, which follow the cult's tenets without resistance, are offered up with the belief that their fleeting existence is a worthy tribute to the void they worship. Their sacrifice is meant to emphasise fragility and mortality, highlighting how innocence can be shattered just as easily as a moth's delicate wings.

3. Fearfiends (Young Ones)

Although Fearfiends are terrifying creatures in their adult form, the young ones, who have yet to fully embrace their horrific nature, are seen as innocent beings corrupted by fear, making them perfect for sacrifice. These immature versions of Fearfiends have not yet developed their predatory, terror-inducing nature and are still close to their original, pure state of being. They are often captured and corrupted by the cult before being sacrificed to the Voidrend Horror or Edgevoid Wraith. These sacrifices are meant to demonstrate the subjugation of innocence to the will of the void. The cult views this as a powerful symbol of how even creatures who are born with the potential for terror can be transformed into holy offerings to the void.

4. Shadow Terrors (Young or Vulnerable)

Like the Fearfiends, the Shadow Terrors are typically creatures that embody darkness and fear, but the young or vulnerable Terrors—those still tied to their primitive, ethereal forms—represent the purest form of a creature born of shadow. Their youth or weakness makes them ideal candidates for sacrifice, as their innocence has yet to be corrupted by their dark nature. In the eyes of the cult, the unformed state of these creatures represents a soul untouched by suffering or corruption, thus making them perfect sacrifices for the void. The act of sacrificing such fragile, ethereal creatures is meant to signify how even the darkest entities can return to the lightness of nothingness through the ritual of annihilation.

5. Dreadshade Spawn

The Dreadshade Spawn are small, semi-corporeal entities that often emerge as weak, unassuming versions of their adult forms. These lesser spawn are not fully developed and are often cast aside or abandoned by their older, more powerful counterparts. The cult views these creatures as innocent and worthy of sacrifice, as they have yet to fully embrace their malevolent potential. They are seen as creatures of hopeful transition, caught between the realms of light and shadow, making them perfect tools of purification. The purging of their existence through sacrifice is believed to bring them closer to their true purpose—to be absorbed back into the void. Their vulnerability and untapped potential make them desirable sacrifices to appease the dark gods of the void.

6. Corruptor Beasts (Imprisoned or Captive Young)

The Corruptor Beasts are typically violent and monstrous, but if one of these beasts is born weak or captured young, the cult believes it represents a creature of purity that has been corrupted by the world and now seeks a return to nothingness. These young or imprisoned Corruptor Beasts are viewed as unfinished beings, whose potential for destruction has been hindered by their imprisonment or malformed state. By sacrificing them, the cult believes it can release the essence of corruption back to the void, purging them of their current form and restoring their natural state of void-born existence. These sacrifices emphasise the idea of redemption through destruction and serve as a testament to the power of the void to unmake even the most corrupted creatures.

7. Voidmonger (Weakened Incarnations)

Though the Voidmonger is often a creature of immense power, a weakened or partial incarnation of it can be an extremely significant and holy sacrifice. In these forms, the Voidmonger may still carry the echoes of its celestial form but is rendered vulnerable, either through age or through manipulation by the cult. Offering these diminished versions of such an important figure to the void is seen as the ultimate act of reverence. The cult believes that by sacrificing a faded version of the Voidmonger, they are honouring the primal connection between the void and all existence. This act serves as a sacred union between the darkness and those who wish to be part of it, signifying the cult's belief that even the most sacred figures can be unmade.

Best Sacrifices

For the Cult of the Unmade, the best sacrifices are those who embody innocence, fragility, or youth. The cult believes that by offering up these pure, untainted creatures—such as the Wretched Broodlings, young Fearfiends, or vulnerable Shadow Terrors—they are creating the most meaningful offerings to the void. These creatures symbolise the purity of oblivion, untouched by the corruption of life and suffering, making them ideal candidates for the cult's darkest rites. The sacrifice of these light and innocent beings serves not only as a tribute to the void but as a terrifying assertion of the cult's power over existence itself.

Also, In the twisted theology of the Cult of the Unmade, unwilling yet conscious victims are considered the ultimate sacrifice, as their fear, resistance, and emotional turmoil are seen as the purest forms of suffering and submission to the void. These victims, still fully aware of their impending doom, are believed to carry the most potent spiritual weight, as their struggle against the inevitable is viewed as the final act of rebellion before complete surrender to nothingness. The cult believes that the consciousness of the victim, coupled with their reluctance, imbues the sacrifice with a sense of unblemished purity, as their innocence and desperation represent the unfulfilled potential of life—the exact essence that must be unmade to return to the void. By forcing the victim to confront their own mortality, the cult views this as a purifying act, where the victim’s soul is torn between resistance and release, ultimately leading to the soul’s final, sacred unmaking. These sacrifices are seen as the most potent form of devotion, as the victim’s struggle is both an offering and a final submission to the void, making their death a holy and reverent act that honours the cult’s dark gods.

#maladapting daydreaming disorder #maladaptive daydreaming #actually maladaptive #daydream characters #madd paras #paracosm #worldbuilding #madd

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astryl-paracosm · 5 months ago

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Healthcare In Astryl

The healthcare system in Astryl is a patchwork of practices, varying widely across regions and influenced by the unique cultures, magical practices, and resources available. In more urbanised areas, healthcare is often managed by guilds or institutions run by skilled healers, some of whom specialise in alchemy or magical medicine, blending traditional remedies with arcane spells to treat ailments. Herbalists and mystic doctors are common in rural regions, relying on local plants and elemental magic to craft tonics, salves, and poultices for their patients. However, for more serious injuries or illnesses, people often turn to sorcerers or shamanic practitioners capable of performing rituals or spiritual healing. These magical methods are often viewed as the last resort when physical medicine fails, offering a blend of divine intervention and arcane cures to restore balance within the body and soul. In more remote or impoverished areas, healthcare is largely self-reliant, with communities relying on herbal remedies, traditional knowledge, and mutual care. Sadly, medical care is often a luxury for those of the lower class, and many are left to rely on their own means to survive. There are also dark practitioners who offer forbidden healing, trading lives or souls for the promise of restoring health, often leading to more harm than good. Magical plagues and sorcerous infections also occasionally ravage the land, complicating the work of healers and creating unseen threats that cannot always be cured by conventional methods.

#maladapting daydreaming disorder #actually maladaptive #maladaptive daydreaming #madd paras #paracosm #daydream characters #worldbuilding

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astryl-paracosm · 5 months ago

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Legendary Creatures Of Astryl

Soulslime Slug

The Soulslime Slug is a creature of unimaginable size and horror, and as it grows, its feeding habits evolve to reflect its increasing power. Starting small in its early stages, the young slug is about a few feet long, targeting fragile creatures like Tail-Skitters and Glowflit Bats. These smaller prey are no match for the slug’s growing digestive abilities, and it feeds by draining their organs while leaving their perfectly preserved, skin-covered husks behind. In this stage, the slug is slow and methodical, preying on the easiest creatures to capture.

As the slug matures, it grows in size and power, allowing it to target larger creatures. The middle-aged slugs, now reaching sizes of 15 to 30 feet, can begin to overpower larger prey such as humanoid creatures like Dream-Walkers and Lantern Keepers. The increased strength of the slug, along with its now potent and corrosive slime, makes it capable of paralysing and devouring even the most formidable creatures. These slugs now target immense beings whose strength and size are dwarfed by the slug’s growing hunger. The creatures it consumes are drained entirely, leaving behind only the empty skin, a chilling reminder of the slug's terrible power.

However, the ancient slugs—the most terrifying and lethal of their kind—reach horrific sizes, some growing to 100 feet or even longer, capable of swallowing creatures as large as the enormous Brinewhales and Bloodroot Behemoths in a single, slow, but devastating attack. These giant slugs are capable of taking down entire behemoths—the largest creatures in Astryl. Their digestive slime is incredibly potent, capable of breaking down and absorbing the entire mass of such massive beings, reducing them to hollowed-out skin and leaving only the terrifying remnants behind. These ancient slugs use their immense size and strength to hunt any prey they come across, slowly draining their organs and preserving the bodies in an almost unnatural state.

The oldest Soulslime Slugs are the apex predators of Astryl, feared and almost mythical in their rarity. These creatures are so massive that they can consume entire ecosystems in their path. They can reduce vast swathes of life to nothing but perfect, skin-wrapped husks, leaving behind only destruction and death. The soulslime slugs live in the deepest, most remote regions of Astryl, in places where few dare to tread. Their presence is a whispered legend, and the mere possibility of encountering one is a fate too terrifying for even the most hardened adventurers to imagine.

Edgevoid Wraith

The Edgevoid Wraith is an unnerving, nightmarish creature that embodies the essence of the void itself, but with a terrifying twist. It appears as a shifting mass of inky darkness, an amorphous void that seems to ripple and stretch in unnatural ways, constantly changing its shape as it moves.

Unlike other shadowy creatures, the Edgevoid Wraith has an unsettlingly sharp form, its edges appearing jagged and crystalline, like the broken fragments of a shattered mirror. Its body seems to be made of nothing but darkness, but where there should be emptiness, razor-sharp edges protrude like shards of glass or obsidian, constantly slicing through the air.

The creature has no true face, but where its "eyes" would be, there are only deep, yawning voids that seem to absorb all light and hope around them. From the edges of its form, wicked teeth made of void-matter—sharp, jagged, and endless—can be glimpsed, ever-shifting and multiplying as it moves. These teeth are not only capable of biting through physical flesh but seem to sever connections to reality itself, leaving its victims adrift in a sea of nothingness. The Edgevoid Wraith’s presence is marked by a profound silence, an absence of sound or life, as if the very universe around it falters in fear of its existence. When it attacks, it strikes in a manner akin to a shadow darting from place to place, its sharp edges slicing through the air in a blur. Any creature or person unfortunate enough to cross its path finds that their very sense of self and time begins to fracture. To be bitten or touched by one of its edges is to have a part of one’s soul severed—leaving them lost to the endless void of its gnashing teeth.

It is said that these creatures are born from the very fabric of the void, a living embodiment of the darkness that exists beyond all things, constantly searching for new victims to pull into the abyss. If the Edgevoid Wraith takes someone prisoner, the consequences are far more horrifying than a mere physical capture.

This creature is not simply a predator—it is an agent of oblivion, a being that feeds on the very essence of existence, and a prisoner of the Edgevoid Wraith is subjected to an existence that erases their identity and sense of time, space, and reality.

When the Edgevoid Wraith captures someone, it doesn’t imprison them in the traditional sense. The Wraith’s void-like nature allows it to erase the boundaries between dimensions, so rather than being bound physically, the prisoner is pulled into a twisted pocket of the void, a place where time and space are bent and fragmented. It is a realm that exists outside of the rules of the material world, where linear time is meaningless, and all sense of self is blurred. The prisoner is suspended in an endless, dark expanse, where they float among shards of fractured memories—fragments of their past, distorted and broken. They might see fleeting glimpses of their old life, but the images are warped, and they can never reach them. In this void, the individual can no longer tell the difference between their own thoughts and the whispers of the void itself, as the creature feeds off their confusion. The Wraith’s sharp, jagged edges constantly slice through the prisoner’s thoughts, severing connections to their past and their sense of purpose.

Time itself behaves erratically in this strange realm. There may be periods where the prisoner feels they’ve been trapped for days, weeks, or even centuries, only to have the concept of time reset again and again. They might experience moments where they feel themselves on the verge of being free, only for those fleeting moments to be violently swept away by the Wraith’s presence. The shards of space the prisoner floats among also cause disorientation, with places and people appearing briefly, only to disappear into the void. They might experience conversations or scenes from their past, only for those memories to twist into nightmares—old friends or loved ones appearing as twisted, distorted versions of themselves, speaking in broken sentences. Reality constantly shifts, making the prisoner question whether they are still alive, if they ever existed, or if they are simply the plaything of the Wraith’s vast, void-like prison. As time in the void stretches on, the Edgevoid Wraith begins to take more than just physical or mental suffering from the prisoner.

The creature feeds on their soul, gradually eating away at the very essence of who they are. The more the Wraith feeds, the more the prisoner’s identity and sense of self unravel. Memories, emotions, and dreams—the very components that form the basis of a person’s soul—are sliced away by the Wraith’s jagged, void-infused teeth. The prisoner begins to forget who they are, what they love, and why they ever mattered. This process is agonisingly slow at first, as the prisoner’s thoughts become muddled and disconnected, but it becomes a relentless and consuming force.

As the Edgevoid Wraith tears away more of their soul, the prisoner experiences fragmented awareness—moments where they are conscious of their loss, but unable to do anything about it. They might try to scream, but no sound escapes their lips. They might try to move, but their limbs feel weightless and disconnected, as though their very body is vanishing.

Eventually, after long periods of torment, the prisoner becomes a hollow shell of their former self, a mere husk. Their essence is no longer recognizable.

They may physically exist in the void, but they are devoid of any memory or identity—essentially erased from existence. At this point, the Wraith has fully consumed the prisoner’s soul, leaving behind only the barest remnants of a once-living being, too broken to even remember the purpose of their existence. It is incredibly rare for anyone to escape from the Edgevoid Wraith’s grasp once they are taken prisoner.

The creature’s very presence distorts the laws of reality, preventing escape through traditional means. However, if a prisoner somehow manages to break free of the Wraith's influence, the consequences are devastating. They might return to the material world, but their mind and soul will remain fractured, constantly haunted by the void's whispers. They would be a walking shell, missing pieces of themselves and forever changed by the experience.

Those who are lucky enough to escape must constantly fight against the mental scars left by the Wraith’s prison, often unable to trust their own memories or their perception of reality. Some of them may even fall prey to the temptation to return to the Wraith, longing for the release from the torment of living without a full self. In some stories, there is a belief that the Edgevoid Wraith doesn’t simply capture people at random—it may be on a mission to gather souls for some darker purpose, something far beyond the comprehension of mortals. Perhaps it serves an even greater entity, one that seeks to consume all of existence itself, one soul at a time.

Some speculate that the Wraith is not the end of existence but simply a gatekeeper—a being that brings souls into the realm of nothingness to prepare them for a fate worse than death. But these are just whispers, and no one truly knows the Wraith’s purpose—only that to fall into its grasp is to cease to be. The few who have witnessed an Edgevoid Wraith in action speak of a cold, soul-crushing presence that brings an almost unbearable sense of hopelessness. Even the bravest warriors or the most powerful sorcerers would hesitate to confront it, for there is no weapon or magic that can undo the damage done by the Wraith's consuming nature.

The Wraith does not kill; it unmakes. To be captured by it is to be forever erased from the tapestry of existence. In this way, the Edgevoid Wraith is both a predator and a prison, a creature that does not just take life—it consumes it in its entirety, leaving only the echo of its former self, lost in an eternal, soul-destroying void.

Voidrend Horror

The Voidrend Horror is a massive, monstrous entity born from the deepest, most ancient corners of the void—an entity of pure consumption and obliteration. Unlike the Edgevoid Wraith, which thrives in a state of malleable darkness, the Voidrend Horror is an enormous, solid, shifting mass that devours and corrupts anything it comes into contact with. It exists not as a singular being, but as a living abyss, a swirling mass of tendrils, claws, and jagged, ever-shifting voids that tear through existence with a horrible hunger.

The Voidrend Horror is a terrifying presence. Its body is formless, a colossal amalgamation of constantly changing shapes and layers that pulse with an eerie, hollow sound. At its core is a swirling vortex of dark energy, an empty maw with jagged, crystalline teeth that stretch and split open like an endless chasm. These teeth are not just sharp but also spatially distorting—cutting through time and space itself, causing reality to unravel where they touch. The Horror’s “limbs” are long, twisting tendrils of writhing blackness, studded with razor-sharp appendages that cleave through the air, each swipe able to slice open both the physical world and the boundaries of the mind.

The outer layer of the Voidrend Horror appears as a shifting cloud of shadow and energy, but anyone who comes too close can feel a crushing, cold void pressing in around them. Its eyes are invisible, but if one manages to glimpse deep into the Horror's form, they may see countless flickers of stars, galaxies, and distant realms of nothingness in its void-like depths—each a world lost, consumed, and obliterated by the Horror’s existence.

Unlike other creatures that prey on the physical or mental realm, the Voidrend Horror is an unstoppable force of annihilation. Wherever it goes, it leaves behind a trail of erasure, where the very fabric of space and time deteriorates. Plants wither, animals vanish, and memories become fleeting, as though the creature absorbs the very essence of existence, distorting everything in its wake.

When it captures a victim, the Horror doesn't simply trap them—it pulls them into its maelstrom of void, where the victim’s very being is torn apart. They are not just physically destroyed but are unmade—their essence, memories, and identity shredded until nothing is left. In this strange, horrific space, the captured victim feels themselves stretch across infinite dimensions, each one slightly different but all wrong—distorted reflections of their former self.

The teeth of the Voidrend Horror are capable of rending through dimensions, breaking apart the very concept of time. Any wound inflicted by its teeth causes an instantaneous fracture in reality, where past, present, and future blend together in a mess of time loops, creating unpredictable temporal dissonance. The victim experiences not only physical pain but also a tormenting loss of time itself—moments might repeat, skip, or distort, driving the victim to madness.

When someone is taken prisoner by the Voidrend Horror, they are not simply imprisoned in darkness; they are trapped in a realm of non-existence, an area where nothing exists except for the Horror's constant hunger. It is an infinite limbo, where the victim exists as a phantom, neither dead nor alive.

The victim may sense that they are no longer bound by the laws of nature or time, but their very essence begins to decay. Their body, mind, and soul begin to dissolve slowly as if they were never meant to exist at all. In this place, there are no walls, no boundaries, and no escape. The victim drifts endlessly through nothingness, surrounded by an infinite void that whispers their name in fragmented voices—echoes of the lives they could have had, the memories that have been stolen from them.

Their existence is a timeless nightmare, as they are constantly pulled deeper into the Horror's consuming maw. The Voidrend Horror feeds on the victim’s sense of self, erasing their memories, desires, and fears one by one. Over time, the victim loses all understanding of who they were, what they were meant to be, and why they ever existed. They become a mere ghost, a wisp of forgotten potential, destined to wander the void as an unremarkable piece of the Horror’s collection. The Voidrend Horror’s existence follows a cyclic nature—it does not devour in a single, all-encompassing manner. Instead, it fractures the very act of consumption into countless pulses of obliteration, each one taking a piece of the multiverse.

As the creature feeds, it creates echoes of the souls it has consumed—distorted remnants of lives, dreams, and hopes trapped within its body, constantly shifting between timelines and dimensions. These echoes serve as voices of torment, their agonised whispers constantly warning those who would dare venture near.

The Voidrend Horror is a creature of eternal hunger. As it consumes, it grows, becoming more powerful, more capable of bending and tearing through the very fabric of reality. No one knows what it seeks to gain by consuming the multiverse—it may be the Horror’s only purpose, or it may be driven by some unfathomable goal that cannot be comprehended by the minds of mortals. Escaping the Voidrend Horror once taken prisoner is all but impossible. The creature exists beyond the reach of normal laws, and its hunger is endless.

However, in some rare instances, there have been reports of victims managing to slip through the Horror’s grasp, though these rare survivors are forever scarred by the experience. They may return physically intact but spiritually broken—their memories shattered, their emotions fractured, and their minds haunted by the aftereffects of the void. Some say that the only way to truly escape the Voidrend Horror is through self-sacrifice—to give up everything, including the desire to survive, and let go of all that makes a person who they are. By severing the connection between the self and the Horror, the victim might dissolve into the void completely, becoming part of the Horror itself. In this sense, the Horror’s prison becomes a twisted form of freedom, though one that requires the complete erasure of everything the prisoner once was.

The Voidrend Horror is a creature of pure, unrelenting destruction, embodying the worst aspects of the void—eternal emptiness, endless hunger, and the obliteration of existence itself. To encounter the Horror is to face an entity that seeks not only to take life but to unmake it entirely, leaving behind nothing but the scars of an existence that has never truly been.

Wyrm of the Abyss

The Wyrm of the Abyss is a colossal serpent that dwells in the ocean's depths, representing fear and the unknown. Said to awaken during times of great turmoil, bringing storms and chaos; a symbol of change and rebirth.

#maladapting daydreaming disorder #maladaptive daydreaming #actually maladaptive #madd paras #paracosm #daydream characters #worldbuilding #madd

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