Veridia wasn’t born; it *unfolded*. Not linearly, but in cascading fragments of time, each a shard reflecting a potential reality. These weren't mere paradoxes; they were active ecosystems, bleeding into one another, creating… anomalies. The dominant theory, propagated by the Chronomasters – an order dedicated to mitigating temporal instability – posits that Veridia’s creation was triggered by a resonance event, a harmonic convergence of dying stars and nascent consciousness. However, this is merely the accepted narrative.
Before the Resonance, there was only the Nullspace - an infinite expanse devoid of time and consequence. Then came the first echoes – brief glimpses of Veridia’s possible futures, shimmering with iridescent light before collapsing back into nothingness. These were the seeds from which everything grew. The Chronomasters believe they can *guide* these echoes, preventing catastrophic divergences, but some whisper that they are merely delaying the inevitable collapse.
The Chronomasters, clad in obsidian armor etched with temporal glyphs, operate from the Obsidian Archive – a structure built within a naturally occurring temporal distortion. This allows them to observe and subtly influence the echoes without being consumed by them. Their primary tool is the ‘Chronarium’ - a device capable of stabilizing localized timelines, but its operation risks further fracturing reality. They meticulously document every anomaly, every fluctuation in the temporal currents, believing they are safeguarding Veridia from oblivion.
However, their methods are shrouded in secrecy. The Archive isn't simply a library; it’s a nexus point, a place where echoes coalesce and interact. Rumors abound of forbidden experiments – attempts to harness the raw power of temporal resonance, resulting in… unpredictable outcomes. The Archon, the leader of the Chronomasters, is an enigmatic figure known only as Silas, whose motivations remain obscured behind layers of temporal distortion.
“Stability demands sacrifice.”
Beyond the control of the Chronomasters lie the Shifting Sands – regions where timelines bleed together, creating bizarre landscapes and unsettling juxtapositions. Here reside the Remnants - individuals who have been permanently displaced from their original timelines, trapped in Veridia’s fractured reality. They possess fragmented memories, distorted perceptions, and an unnerving ability to manipulate temporal echoes.
Some Remnants seek redemption, attempting to repair the damaged timelines. Others embrace their displacement, becoming agents of chaos, exploiting the instability for personal gain. The greatest threat is 'The Unbound' – individuals who have fully absorbed temporal resonance, effectively becoming living paradoxes, capable of rewriting reality at will.