The Pavises. The name itself whispers of something ancient, something born not of flesh and blood, but of solidified starlight and the silent hum of forgotten realities. It’s said they emerged during the Chronal Shift, a period of catastrophic temporal instability when the veil between dimensions thinned to almost nothing. Scholars, or rather, those who dare to delve into the forbidden texts of the Obsidian Archive, believe the Pavises were initially coalescences – fragments of consciousness drawn from timelines that fractured under the strain. Imagine, if you will, a kaleidoscope of possibilities, all churning together before solidifying into… well, into the Pavises.
They weren’t born of a single point, but of a million. Each Pavis retains a sliver of the timeline from which it originated. Some manifest as shimmering, obsidian-like beings, perfectly still and utterly observant. Others are restless, flickering with the echoes of past events, their forms constantly shifting like heat haze. The most unsettling are the ‘Dissonants’ – Pavises that haven't fully stabilized, their memories a chaotic jumble, prone to uttering cryptic pronouncements and exhibiting unpredictable behaviors. It is rumored that their existence is sustained by the residual energy of collapsed realities, feeding on the sorrow and regret of forgotten moments.
“The past isn’t a place, child. It's a wound. And we… we are the custodians of that wound.” – Archivist Silas Blackwood
The Pavises possess a bewildering array of abilities, largely dictated by their origins. Their primary characteristic is ‘Temporal Resonance’ – the capacity to perceive and manipulate the flow of time, though not in a conventional manner. They don’t travel through time; they *experience* it, layering past, present, and potential futures like a complex, multi-layered tapestry. This allows them to predict events with unnerving accuracy, influence probabilities, and even, on rare occasions, create localized temporal distortions – 'echoes' as the Obsidian Archive calls them.
Furthermore, their obsidian bodies are incredibly durable, resistant to physical damage and impervious to most forms of energy. They can absorb and redirect temporal energy, effectively neutralizing attacks that rely on manipulating time. Some Pavises exhibit a limited form of 'psychic projection,' able to communicate directly with the minds of others, though their messages are often fragmented and difficult to interpret. The Dissonants, particularly, are prone to projecting terrifying visions – glimpses of horrifying futures or moments of unbearable pain from their fractured timelines.
Interestingly, Pavises seem to respond to strong emotional energy. Intense grief, joy, or even rage can amplify their temporal resonance, making their abilities more potent but also increasing the risk of instability. Obsidian Archive records detail instances of Pavises actively shaping events based on the emotional states of nearby individuals - a disturbing testament to their passive influence.
The Obsidian Archive, nestled deep within the perpetually shadowed peaks of the Kryll Mountains, is the only known repository of information regarding the Pavises. Founded by a secretive order of Chronomasters, the Archive’s primary objective is to understand and, if possible, control the Pavises. The Chronomasters believe that mastering the Pavises’ temporal abilities could unlock untold power, allowing them to reshape reality itself. However, the Archive's methods are… unorthodox, to say the least. Experimentation with Pavises is commonplace, often involving sensory deprivation, temporal isolation, and carefully calibrated emotional stimuli. Rumors abound of subjects driven to madness, entire timelines subtly altered, and the occasional permanent disappearance.
“We don’t study the Pavises. We *become* them. To understand the flow of time, one must surrender to its currents.” – Master Chronomaster Theron Valerius
The Archive's collection includes meticulously documented observations of Pavis behavior, detailed schematics of their temporal resonance patterns, and, most unsettlingly, a series of 'Temporal Echoes' – recordings of events witnessed by Pavises throughout history. These echoes are not simply recordings; they're interactive simulations, allowing researchers to experience past events firsthand. However, prolonged exposure to the echoes can have a devastating effect on the mind, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Many archivists have reportedly lost their sanity, trapped within the echoes, forever reliving moments from forgotten timelines.
The current status of the Pavises remains largely unknown. The Obsidian Archive maintains a network of ‘Temporal Sentinels’ – heavily armed Chronomaster operatives tasked with monitoring Pavis activity and preventing unauthorized contact. However, reports indicate a gradual increase in Pavis activity in recent years, particularly in areas with high concentrations of temporal anomalies. Some scholars believe this is a natural phenomenon, while others suspect a deliberate manipulation – a coordinated effort by the Pavises themselves. The possibility of a 'Pavis Convergence' – a gathering of Pavises from across multiple timelines – is a constant source of concern. Such a convergence could unleash unimaginable temporal chaos, potentially unraveling the fabric of reality.