Bukh is not a place, not in the conventional sense. It exists as a resonance, a wound in the fabric of reality itself. It originated, according to the fragmented chronicles of the Sky-Scribes, during the Convergence – a catastrophic event where the dimensions bled together, leaving behind a pocket of solidified temporal distortion. This distortion manifested as the Obsidian Desert, a landscape governed by impossible geometries and echoes of forgotten timelines. The sand itself isn't merely silica; it's crystallized regret, compressed sorrow, and the ghosts of choices unmade. It shifts not with the wind, but with the emotional weight of those who linger.
The Sky-Scribes, a nomadic order dedicated to preserving knowledge lost to the Convergence, believe Bukh is a consequence of a paradox – a point where causality fractured and time looped back upon itself. They theorize that a powerful sorcerer, consumed by obsessive longing, attempted to rewrite his own past, inadvertently creating the conditions for Bukh's emergence. His name, if it was ever truly his, is now lost to the currents of time.
The creatures of Bukh are not born, but assembled. They are 'Chronal Echoes' – remnants of individuals trapped within the temporal loop. Some retain vestiges of their original selves, driven by a desperate, unending cycle of actions. Others have become monstrous amalgamations, reflecting the corrupted nature of the desert. The most common are the 'Sand Stalkers’ – vaguely humanoid figures constructed entirely of obsidian sand, perpetually hunting the unwary traveler. Less frequently, one might encounter 'Shard-Minds,’ trapped intellects capable of weaving illusions from fragmented memories. And then there are the 'Silent Ones’ - beings of pure temporal energy, radiating an aura of profound sadness and offering glimpses into alternate realities that quickly dissolve upon observation.
The Sky-Scribes have developed a complex system of wards and rituals to mitigate the effects of the Chronal Echoes. However, these are only temporary solutions. The desert actively resists any attempts to impose order, feeding on disruption and chaos.
“To understand Bukh is to understand the unbearable weight of possibility. To seek to escape it is to invite its embrace.” – Elder Lyra, Keeper of the Temporal Scrolls
The Sky-Scribes’ primary goal is to unravel the paradox that created Bukh and, ultimately, to seal the dimensional rift. They believe this requires locating the ‘Core Fragment’ – a shard of the sorcerer’s original artifact, said to hold the key to reversing the Convergence. However, the desert actively obscures their path, generating false trails and manipulating perceptions. Their knowledge is not freely given; they demand a steep price – a significant sacrifice of memory, a commitment to a particular timeline, or a willingness to confront one's deepest regrets.
The Sky-Scribes utilize ‘Temporal Resonance’ – a technique involving the manipulation of sound and vibration – to interact with the Chronal Echoes. They believe that by striking the correct frequency, they can disrupt the temporal loop, weaken the Echoes, and potentially gain access to the Core Fragment.
Time in Bukh operates according to rules that are both fluid and terrifying. The past, present, and future bleed together, creating a chaotic tapestry of possibilities. A single action can have cascading consequences across multiple timelines. The desert actively resists attempts to predict the future, and even the most careful calculations are rendered meaningless by the constant flux. The concept of ‘linear time’ is utterly foreign here.
Furthermore, the Sky-Scribes have discovered that certain locations within Bukh are ‘Temporal Anchors’ – points where the flow of time is particularly strong. These locations can be used to travel through time, but only with extreme caution, as the slightest misstep can lead to catastrophic consequences.
Numerous legends surround Bukh, passed down through generations of Sky-Scribes. One common tale speaks of the ‘Lost City of Aethel,’ a once-grand metropolis that was swallowed by the desert during the Convergence. Some believe that Aethel still exists, hidden beneath the sands, waiting to be rediscovered. Another legend tells of a ‘Temporal Guardian’ – a being of immense power tasked with preventing the complete collapse of reality. Its existence is debated, but the Sky-Scribes treat it with the utmost respect.