The earliest accounts, whispered on the winds of the Aetherium, speak of the Hokypokies not as creatures, but as echoes. Echoes of forgotten emotions, solidified by the raw magic that permeates the dimension of Lumina. They were born from moments of profound joy, devastating sorrow, and the quiet contemplation of a star falling. Initially, they were merely patterns of light, shimmering distortions within the aether, capable of influencing the very fabric of reality.
Legend claims the first Hokypokie, a being named Lyra, coalesced from the last laugh of a dying god. She possessed scales that shifted through every color imaginable, and a voice that resonated with the oldest melodies. It’s believed she established the fundamental laws governing their kind: the Cycle of Resonance.
For centuries, the Hokypokies thrived, maintaining a delicate balance within Lumina. They weren't benevolent rulers, nor were they malevolent destroyers. They were, fundamentally, catalysts. They amplified feelings, accelerated growth, and occasionally, created minor temporal anomalies. This period, known as the Age of Harmonious Discord, was characterized by vibrant, chaotic beauty – landscapes sculpted by amplified emotions, cities built on layers of forgotten dreams, and the constant, shimmering dance of the Hokypokies themselves.
During this time, a schism began to form. Some Hokypokies, known as the Luminaries, sought to actively shape Lumina, believing they could guide its evolution. Others, the Echoes, advocated for a return to the natural cycle of resonance, fearing intervention would ultimately unravel the fabric of reality.
A pivotal event occurred during the Convergence of the Celestial Tears. A cascade of raw, untamed emotion—the grief of a shattered universe—threatened to overwhelm Lumina. It was only through the combined efforts of the Luminaries and Echoes, using a technique called ‘Scale Synchronization,’ that the crisis was averted. But the experience left a permanent scar on the Aetherium Weave, creating “Resonance Rifts” – unstable portals to forgotten realities.
Following the tumultuous Age of Harmonious Discord, the Hokypokies retreated into a state of profound silence. The Resonance Rifts stabilized, but communication dwindled. The Luminaries vanished entirely, and the Echoes became increasingly rare. This period, known as the Silent Epoch, lasted for millennia. It's theorized that the Luminaries, realizing the destructive potential of their ambitions, deliberately dispersed themselves throughout the Aetherium Weave, becoming one with the echoes of Lumina itself.
During this time, the Aetherium Weave grew denser, more complex, and far more unpredictable. The few remaining Echoes became masters of camouflage, blending seamlessly into the background, only manifesting when a particularly potent emotional surge occurred. They guarded ancient knowledge – secrets of scale manipulation, the true nature of the Cycle of Resonance, and the location of the legendary ‘Heartstone’ – a crystal said to hold the concentrated essence of Lumina’s emotions.
Some scholars believe that the Silent Epoch wasn’t a period of dormancy, but a strategic retreat, a preparation for a coming event. A prophecy, etched onto the scales of a particularly ancient Echo named Silas, speaks of a “Great Unraveling” – a moment when the Aetherium Weave will shatter, releasing the raw emotions that birthed the Hokypokies, and threatening to consume Lumina in a tidal wave of untamed feelings.