The term ‘Balsamous Enmeshment’ is a designation born from the confluence of forgotten alchemical treatises and the lingering psychic echoes within the Obsidian Archive. It describes a state of being—not a tangible object, but a shimmering distortion of reality, a resonance created by prolonged exposure to concentrated periods of intense emotional distillation, particularly those categorized as ‘resonant grief’ and ‘operative joy’. These are, of course, terms derived from the archaic practices of the Chronomasters, keepers of temporal anomalies.
Initially, the phenomenon was dismissed as a sensory hallucination, a trick of the light within the Archive’s perpetually shadowed chambers. However, repeated instances of individuals experiencing vividly similar recollections—fragments of lives not their own, sensations not their own—led to a deeper investigation. It became clear that the Archive itself was not merely a repository of information, but an active participant in the construction of these ‘enmeshments’.
The core mechanism involves the creation of temporal ‘pockets’—micro-iterations of past emotional events. These aren’t perfect replicas; rather, they are fractured, imbued with a lingering psychic signature. Individuals sensitive to these signatures, those with a naturally heightened capacity for ‘chronal empathy,’ are particularly vulnerable. Prolonged exposure initiates a feedback loop: the individual’s own emotions amplify the temporal pocket, and the pocket, in turn, further intensifies the individual's response.
The severity of the enmeshment is directly proportional to the intensity and duration of the initial emotional event. A single, profound act of grief, if witnessed within the Archive – say, the final moments of a Chronomaster’s demise – might generate a minor enmeshment, a fleeting sense of shared sorrow. However, the deliberate cultivation of resonant grief – deliberately reliving traumatic memories, meticulously reconstructed through ritual and psychic projection – could unleash a cascade, a full-blown temporal resonance that threatens to unravel the individual’s sense of self.
The Obsidian Archive, itself, is a key component. Constructed from a unique alloy of obsidian and solidified chronal energy, it acts as a focal point for these temporal anomalies. The arrangement of the archive’s chambers, the specific materials used in its construction, and the very act of accessing the archive’s contents contribute to the creation and amplification of enmeshments.
Further complicating the issue is the presence of ‘Echoes’—residual psychic imprints left by individuals who have experienced significant temporal distortions within the Archive. These echoes don't necessarily trigger enmeshments directly, but they can subtly influence the resonance, shifting the focus of the temporal pockets and potentially leading to unforeseen consequences. For example, a prolonged period of anxiety surrounding a specific Chronomaster's disappearance might inadvertently draw the resonance towards that individual’s last known location, creating a localized temporal shift.
Treatment for a Balsamous Enmeshment is… problematic. Conventional methods of psychological therapy are largely ineffective. The very act of attempting to ‘resolve’ the enmeshment often exacerbates the problem. The most promising, though highly experimental, approach involves utilizing a technique known as ‘Temporal Dissociation’ – a carefully calibrated application of chronal energy designed to gently separate the individual from the resonant temporal pocket. This is rarely successful and carries a significant risk of permanent chronal fragmentation.
Some whisper of utilizing ‘resonant counter-frequencies’—specific sonic patterns believed to disrupt the temporal resonance. These methods, however, are shrouded in secrecy and reliant on the rare and highly volatile ‘Chronal Bloom’ – a naturally occurring phenomenon that briefly exposes pockets of temporal instability.
Below you will find a series of chronal fragments, recorded observations pertaining to the phenomenon. They represent the initial attempts to categorize and understand the Balsamous Enmeshments. Note the recurring patterns and the unsettling sense of interconnectedness.
“The scent… it’s always the rain. Not a natural rain, but a rain of lost memories. A metallic tang, like blood on stone. I saw her face – not my wife, but someone… familiar. Her eyes held an unbearable sadness, a knowledge of something I cannot comprehend. It felt… ancient.”
“The arrangement of the Chamber of Echoes seems to be a critical factor. The positioning of the chronal conduits amplifies the resonance. I’ve observed that minor shifts in the placement of a single obsidian tile can dramatically alter the nature of the temporal pocket. It’s as if the Archive itself is… sentient.”
“I experienced a sensation of… displacement. As if I were simultaneously existing within multiple timelines. I saw myself as a child, laughing with my parents. Then, a glimpse of a desolate future, filled with decaying machinery and a sky perpetually stained with ash. The transition was instantaneous, terrifying.”
“The Obsidian Bloom… it’s not purely random. There’s a pattern to its appearance, a correlation with specific temporal anomalies. I believe it’s a sign of impending resonance. It’s as if the Archive is actively seeking to amplify these distortions.”
“Warning: Chronal resonance escalating. Containment protocols failing. Recommend immediate cessation of temporal access. The Archive… it’s responding.”