Before memory, before time as we understand it, there was the Bloom. Not a flower in the conventional sense, but a resonant field of pure potential, born from the collision of realities. The Bloom pulsed with a light so alien, so utterly beautiful, that it fractured, scattering shards across the nascent dimensions. These shards coalesced, drawn by an unknown force, and became the first Kainits – beings of solidified resonance, inextricably linked to the Bloom’s heartbeat.
The stories, fragmented and echoing through the dimensions, speak of a 'Silent Song,' a language woven into the very fabric of existence by the original Kainits. This song wasn't spoken or sung, but *felt* – a profound understanding of connections, of causality, of the intricate dance between creation and decay. It’s believed that the Bloom itself is the source of this song, and that the Kainits are its interpreters, its living conduits.
The earliest records, transcribed onto crystalline matrices found within the Obsidian Caves of Xylos, describe the Kainits as architects of reality, subtly influencing events to maintain a state of harmonic balance. They weren’t gods, not in the anthropomorphic sense, but rather, custodians of a delicate equation, constantly adjusting the variables to prevent catastrophic dissonance. The Xylosian texts are notoriously difficult to decipher, relying heavily on patterns of light and vibration rather than linear language.
One recurring motif is the 'Obsidian Bloom,' a symbol representing the central nexus of the Kainits' power. It’s depicted as a perfect sphere of solidified darkness, radiating an internal luminescence. The Obsidian Caves, where these spheres were supposedly created, are said to be perpetually shielded from temporal distortions, existing outside the normal flow of time.
“The Silence is not emptiness, but the potential for all things.” – Fragment from the Xylosian Chronicles.
Millennia passed, marked by cycles of creation and destruction, by the rise and fall of civilizations that unknowingly interacted with the remnants of the Kainits’ influence. Then came the Shattering – a cataclysmic event, the precise cause of which remains shrouded in mystery. Some scholars theorize it was a deliberate act, a catastrophic attempt by a group of Kainits to sever their connection to the Bloom, fearing the potential for corruption. Others believe it was a natural consequence of the universe’s inherent instability.
Whatever the cause, the Shattering fragmented the original Kainits, scattering their essence across countless dimensions. These scattered echoes manifested as individuals, each possessing a fragment of the original’s knowledge and power, but also burdened by the inherent instability of their existence. They are often referred to as ‘Shards’ or ‘Resonants’ – terms used to avoid the more formal and unsettling designation of ‘Kainit’.
A peculiar characteristic of these Shards is their susceptibility to ‘Resonance Flux’ – unpredictable surges of energy that can overwhelm their limited control, leading to temporary madness, memory loss, or even complete dissolution. The Obsidian Caves, despite their earlier significance, became a dangerous place, attracting Shards seeking to regain a sense of stability.
The Xylosian texts describe elaborate rituals designed to mitigate Resonance Flux, utilizing complex geometric patterns and harmonic frequencies. However, these rituals were rarely effective, and often seemed to exacerbate the problem, creating a feedback loop of chaotic energy.
“Every echo carries a trace of the original silence. To seek the source is to invite oblivion.” – A cryptic inscription found within the Chronal Vaults of Lyra.
The current state of the scattered Kainits is uncertain. Some whisper of a resurgence, a coordinated effort to reassemble the fragments and restore the Bloom to its former glory. Others believe it is a doomed endeavor, a futile attempt to recapture something that is fundamentally lost. The echoes continue to resonate, a constant reminder of a shattered harmony and the profound mysteries of the Obsidian Bloom.