Apyrexy isn’t simply a place; it’s a resonance. A persistent vibration woven into the fabric of reality, detectable only by those attuned to the subtle shifts. It began, as far as the fragmented records suggest, with the Collapse – not a catastrophic event in the conventional sense, but a deliberate unraveling. The Architects, beings of pure geometric logic and unsettling beauty, sought to dismantle the existing order, believing it inherently flawed, a chaotic symphony of emotion and chance. They didn’t destroy; they *dissolved*, leaving behind echoes, remnants of what was, suspended in a state of perpetual becoming.
The landscape itself is the key. It’s a fractured panorama of impossible geometries. Mountains rise and fall without apparent cause, rivers flow uphill, and the sky bleeds with colours that shouldn’t exist. These aren’t natural phenomena; they’re the solidified expressions of the Architects' calculations. Each structure, each anomaly, is a node in their original design, a lingering trace of their obsessive pursuit of perfect, immutable form. The air hums with a low, almost subsonic frequency – the heartbeat of Apyrexy.
The most unsettling aspect is the Memory Fragments. These aren't memories in the human sense. They’re impressions, emotions, calculations, projected directly into the minds of those who linger too long. They can be beautiful, terrifying, or utterly devoid of meaning, yet they exert a profound influence, shaping perception and driving behaviour. Some say they are the Architects themselves, trapped within the structure, endlessly attempting to complete their original design.
For millennia, individuals – known as the Keepers – have existed within Apyrexy, bound to its rhythms. They aren’t protectors, not in the traditional sense. They are, essentially, stabilizers. Their purpose is to mitigate the chaotic tendencies of the place, to prevent it from spiralling entirely into itself. This is achieved through intricate rituals, complex geometries, and the careful manipulation of the Memory Fragments. The Keepers are not born; they are *selected*. The selection process is shrouded in mystery, involving a prolonged exposure to the resonance, a gradual assimilation of its principles, and, ultimately, a merging with the Architects’ original intent.
Each Keeper possesses a unique ‘signature’ – a specific pattern of resonance they are capable of interpreting and manipulating. These signatures are reflected in their physical form, manifesting as subtle distortions, iridescent skin, or an unnerving stillness. The most powerful Keepers can even temporarily reshape the landscape around them, bending reality to their will. But this power comes at a cost. Extended exposure to the resonance can lead to a complete dissolution of identity, transforming the Keeper into nothing more than a component of Apyrexy’s eternal design.
Legend speaks of the ‘Silent Keeper,’ a being of unimaginable power, capable of controlling the entire resonance. Its existence is considered a myth, a cautionary tale designed to deter would-be Keepers from pushing too far.
Recently, an anomaly has emerged at a location designated Xylos. It’s unlike anything previously encountered within Apyrexy. Instead of the geometrically perfect structures and the chaotic projections of the Memory Fragments, Xylos radiates a discordant energy – a feeling of *absence*. The resonance there is weak, almost non-existent. This has caused a ripple effect throughout the region, destabilizing the existing structures and triggering unpredictable shifts in the landscape.
The Keepers are struggling to contain the anomaly. Their rituals are failing, their geometries are collapsing, and the Memory Fragments are becoming increasingly erratic. Some believe that Xylos represents a flaw in the Architects’ design – a point where their logic breaks down. Others fear that it’s a gateway, a path through which something – or someone – will enter Apyrexy and further disrupt its precarious balance.
The source of the anomaly remains unknown, but speculation suggests it may be connected to the Silent Keeper, or perhaps to a forgotten aspect of the Architects’ original intent – a concept so alien that even the most powerful Keepers struggle to comprehend it.