Thess isn’t a place you find; it’s a resonance. A fracture in the temporal fabric, a space where the echoes of forgotten realities bleed through. It exists not on any conventional map, but within the intricate patterns of subconscious memory, the residual energy of moments profoundly experienced, and the meticulously cultivated dreams of the ‘Keepers’ – individuals uniquely attuned to its frequency.
For centuries, the Keepers of Veridia, a secluded order nestled within the perpetually twilight valleys of the Obsidian Peaks, have dedicated their lives to charting and, crucially, mitigating the effects of Thess. Their methods are not based on observation, but on sympathetic resonance, a practice involving the manipulation of crystallized temporal fragments – ‘Chronarium Shards’ – to stabilize the disruptions and prevent the complete unraveling of reality. The process is delicate, requiring absolute focus and a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all things.
“To touch Thess is to become a conduit. To ignore it is to invite annihilation.” - Master Silas, 378th Keeper
The Chronarium is the heart of the Keepers’ operation. It’s a vast, subterranean chamber constructed from a unique obsidian-like material – ‘Chronarium Stone’ – which, according to legend, possesses the innate ability to absorb and dissipate temporal anomalies. Within the Chronarium, the Keeper’s meticulously arrange Chronarium Shards. These aren’t mere rocks; they are fragments of solidified moments, each containing a specific emotional or historical imprint. The arrangement isn’t random; it’s dictated by complex algorithms derived from observed patterns in Thess itself.
Each Shard pulses with a faint, iridescent light, corresponding to the dominant resonance within it. Some contain the lingering sorrow of a lost empire, others the ecstatic joy of a forgotten birth, and still others… something far more unsettling – the echoes of potential futures, fractured and distorted by the instability.
“The Chronarium is not a prison, but a filter. We guide the flow, not suppress it.” - Lyra, 412th Keeper
The influence of Thess doesn't spread uniformly. Instead, it manifests as ‘Resonance Nodes’ – localized areas of heightened instability. These nodes aren’t always visible; they are often felt as a subtle shift in the air, a distortion in perception, or a sudden, inexplicable surge of emotion. The Keepers have identified several key nodes, each associated with a specific historical event or emotional trauma.
Located within the ruins of the once-glorious city of Aethelgard, this node amplifies the echoes of its tragic demise – a catastrophic collapse triggered by unchecked ambition and a disregard for the natural order. The air here is thick with a palpable sense of despair and regret.
This node is centered around a perpetually flowering obsidian orchid, found deep within the Whispering Caves. The orchid’s bloom is said to embody the collective grief of a vanished civilization, its petals radiating a chilling aura of sorrow. Exposure can induce profound melancholy and a yearning for things that can never be recovered.
Within the volcanic caldera of Mount Cinder, the Forge of Lost Dreams pulsates with the raw energy of unfulfilled potential. It's a place where the echoes of shattered ambitions and unrealized hopes coalesce, manifesting as phantom images and whispered temptations. The Keepers avoid this node at all costs.