It began, not with a bang or a whisper, but with the subtle shift in the Aethelian Current. This current, theorized by the Chronomasters of Veridia – a collective obsessed with quantifying temporal flux – wasn’t recognized as a force until the Wallback phenomenon emerged. The Wallbacks weren't merely geological formations; they were points where localized chronometric distortions converged, creating pockets of…resonance. These resonances, initially measurable only through the Oscillating Resonator – a device capable of detecting minute variations in temporal density – began to exhibit patterns. Patterns that suggested an underlying architecture to time itself, something beyond linear progression.
The term "Omnitemporal" arose from the observation that these Wallbacks didn’t just affect the immediate vicinity; they seemed to bleed outwards, influencing events across decades, even centuries. The Poundlike element followed soon after, a designation given to objects – primarily crystalline structures found within the Wallback matrices – that possessed an anomalous ability to record and replay temporal echoes. These "Poundlikes" weren’t simply storing data; they were *experiencing* moments from their own past and, occasionally, fragments of other timelines.
Chronometric AnomalyThe science surrounding Poundlike replication is…complex. It’s rooted in the principle of temporal entanglement – a concept initially dismissed as pure speculation by mainstream physicists. The Oscillating Resonator, when focused on a Poundlike, generates a cascade of micro-singularities within its crystalline structure. These singularities act as conduits, drawing in stray chronometric energy and reassembling it into coherent temporal fragments. Think of it like a highly sophisticated echo chamber for time.
However, the process isn't perfect. Each replication introduces a degree of ‘temporal drift’ – a subtle alteration to the original event. The further removed the Poundlike is from its point of origin, the more pronounced this drift becomes. This has led to fascinating (and occasionally terrifying) paradoxes. For example, one particularly unstable Poundlike recovered a complete recreation of Veridia’s founding ceremony…except the participants were wearing Victorian-era clothing and speaking in Proto-Veridian – a language lost to time.
Temporal Drift CoefficientMapping the Wallbacks proved a monumental task. Initially, they were identified through seismic anomalies and fluctuations in the Aethelian Current, but soon it became apparent that their locations weren't random. They seemed to be arranged according to a complex, almost geometric pattern. This led to the identification of “The Seven Nodes” – the seven most potent Wallbacks, each exhibiting an unusually high degree of chronometric resonance.
Each Node possesses unique properties. Node Alpha is associated with heightened emotional echoes - predominantly fear and regret. Node Beta displays a pronounced tendency towards precognitive visions (often unreliable). Node Gamma creates localized temporal loops – small areas where time seems to repeat itself endlessly. The others follow similar patterns, though their manifestations are wildly varied.
Aethelian Flux DensityThe existence of Poundlikes raises profound ethical questions. Are these objects sentient? Do they have rights? And, perhaps more importantly, can their power be controlled? The Chronomasters developed the “Paradox Protocols” – a series of stringent guidelines designed to mitigate the risks associated with temporal manipulation. These protocols prohibit any attempts to directly interact with Poundlikes, or to use them for predictive purposes (due to the inherent instability of precognitive echoes).
Despite these precautions, breaches occur. There are documented instances of individuals becoming trapped within temporal loops created by unstable Poundlikes, and rumors persist of clandestine operations utilizing the technology for espionage and manipulation. The true extent of this activity remains shrouded in secrecy – a testament to the volatile and unpredictable nature of Omnitemporal resonance.
Temporal Integrity Rating