A Repository of Echoes and Shifting Realities
The Obsidian Bloom is not a flower, as many scholars erroneously believe. It is a manifestation of temporal distortion, a locus where the threads of past, present, and potential future converge. It appears only during periods of heightened chronal instability – typically coinciding with the convergence of celestial bodies in configurations known as the ‘Echoing Angles’. The bloom itself is composed of solidified chronal energy, appearing as a deep, pulsating black. Its touch induces vivid, fragmented memories, not necessarily from one's own life, but echoes of events that *could have been*, or *will be*. Prolonged exposure results in a state of temporal vertigo, a disorientation where the subject perceives time as a fluid, non-linear construct. Researchers have documented instances of individuals experiencing entire lifetimes in a single hour, reliving moments of profound joy, agonizing regret, and terrifying potential futures. The Bloom’s primary function, it is theorized, is to correct minor temporal anomalies – ‘chronal fissures’ – before they escalate into catastrophic paradoxes. However, its actions are unpredictable, often resulting in unforeseen consequences.
The Cartographers of the Shifting Sands are a nomadic tribe, rumored to have existed for millennia, dedicated to mapping the ‘chronal currents’ – invisible rivers of time that flow through the deserts of Xylos. They utilize devices known as ‘Chronometers of Observation’ – intricate brass instruments adorned with quartz crystals and powered by harnessed lightning. These devices don't measure time in the conventional sense; instead, they translate temporal fluctuations into visual representations – shimmering patterns that appear on treated parchment. The tribe’s maps aren't static; they constantly evolve, reflecting the ever-changing nature of time itself. Legend claims they can predict impending temporal shifts, allowing them to avoid disastrous paradoxes. However, their knowledge comes at a price. The constant exposure to temporal distortion has rendered them partially immune to the effects of time, appearing to age at an incredibly slow rate. Some whisper that they are not entirely human, but rather, fragments of time itself, preserved within a fragile state of temporal stasis. Their rituals involve the deliberate creation of ‘chronal echoes’ – short bursts of temporal energy – to maintain the stability of the surrounding area. Failure to do so results in localized temporal collapses, creating pockets of ‘chronal void’ – areas where time ceases to exist.