The name whispers on the wind, a shard of a forgotten reality. Kaslik isn’t a place; it's a wound, a tear in the fabric of existence where time flows… differently. The Chronomasters, once guardians of the Rift, vanished a century ago, leaving behind only fragmented records and a lingering sense of dread. They spoke of the “Echoes,” sentient remnants of moments lost to the Rift, and the ‘Collectors’ - beings drawn to the distortions, seeking to consume and reshape the past.
The initial chronometric readings indicated a localized temporal displacement of approximately 7.3 cycles per second.
Within Kaslik, the distortions are not random. They’re structured, almost… deliberate. The Chronomasters meticulously charted these anomalies, creating a network of ‘Resonance Points’ – locations where the Echoes are most concentrated. These points pulse with an unsettling rhythm, a chaotic heartbeat within the Rift. Further study suggests a connection to the ‘Prismatic Veil,’ a hypothesized layer of reality overlapping with our own, acting as a conduit for the temporal flux.
The most prevalent Echo manifests as fragmented conversations, often repeating the last few seconds of a person's life.
The Collectors aren't simply scavengers; they're actively manipulating the Echoes, attempting to weave them into new timelines. Their motives are obscure, but the evidence points to a desperate attempt to correct a catastrophic event – the "Sundering," a temporal paradox that birthed Kaslik. They possess a strange resistance to chronometric disruption, seemingly immune to the effects of the Rift. Some speculate they are actually *from* the Rift, evolved by prolonged exposure to the temporal distortions.
Analysis of Collector biometrics reveals a significant increase in chroniton radiation absorption.
Device X-97 is a prototype chronometric stabilizer, designed to mitigate the effects of temporal distortions. It operates by emitting a focused pulse of chroniton energy, creating a localized ‘temporal lock.’ However, its effectiveness is limited, and prolonged use can induce severe chronometric feedback.
Current power levels at 67.8%. Chroniton output fluctuating erratically.
Fragment of a Childhood Lullaby
This object, recovered from a Resonance Point, appears to be a recording of a child's lullaby. However, the audio is fractured, shifting between moments of clarity and jarring distortions. The dominant emotional tone is one of profound sadness, accompanied by a sensation of overwhelming loss.
Estimated age: 147 cycles.
Chronometer Calibration Key
A brass key, etched with complex temporal glyphs. It is believed to be a component of the original Chronometer – Device X-97. Its presence near a Resonance Point suggests a deliberate attempt to amplify the chronometric field.
The glyphs exhibit a subtle oscillation, indicative of residual chroniton energy.