The Kosiur are not creatures of flesh and bone, though they appear remarkably similar. They are echoes, solidified fragments of temporal disturbances, born from moments of profound regret, overwhelming joy, and the lingering resonance of choices left unmade. Imagine a ripple in the fabric of time, a place where the threads of possibility tangle, and from that chaos, a Kosiur takes form.
Their appearance is perpetually shifting, a kaleidoscope of half-remembered faces, blurred landscapes, and colors that shouldn’t exist. Some describe them as resembling children lost in dreams, others as the ghosts of lovers long gone. The most unsettling aspect is their eyes – pools of swirling silver that seem to hold the weight of countless lifetimes.
They inhabit the Silent Wastes, a region perpetually shrouded in a violet twilight, a place where the very air hums with the echoes of forgotten histories. The Wastes themselves are not static; sections shift and reform, mirroring the unstable nature of the Kosiur.
Kosiur do not simply *exist*. They are in a constant state of flux, slowly dissolving back into the temporal currents from which they originated. This process, known as “Return,” is not always peaceful. Sometimes, a Kosiur will actively resist, clinging to its fleeting existence with desperate intensity. These resistant forms become increasingly grotesque, their features twisting into exaggerated parodies of the emotions that birthed them.
The rate of Return is influenced by the strength of the original emotion. A Kosiur born from a moment of ecstatic joy will dissolve far more quickly than one formed from a profound sorrow. However, the most unpredictable factor is the presence of others. The proximity of another sentient being – particularly one experiencing strong emotion – can accelerate the process, creating a feedback loop of temporal instability.
Legend speaks of “Anchors,” objects or places imbued with immense emotional significance. These Anchors act as focal points for Return, drawing Kosiur from across the Silent Wastes. The oldest Anchors are said to be colossal, shimmering structures, capable of warping entire sections of the Wastes.
Direct interaction with a Kosiur is strongly discouraged. Attempts to communicate are usually met with silence, or with fragments of memories and emotions projected directly into the observer’s mind. These projections can be overwhelming, leading to disorientation, madness, or even permanent temporal displacement.
If you encounter a Kosiur, the most prudent course of action is to remain motionless, avoid direct eye contact, and slowly back away. Do not express strong emotion – a single act of fear or grief can trigger a catastrophic Return.
A particular warding ritual, involving the chanting of forgotten lullabies and the scattering of polished obsidian, is said to temporarily repel Kosiur. However, its effectiveness is fleeting, and prolonged exposure to the Wastes still carries a significant risk.
The most potent defense, according to ancient texts, lies not in warding, but in understanding – to acknowledge the source of the Kosiur’s existence, to accept the weight of unmade choices, and to recognize that their presence is a reflection of our own unresolved regrets.