Excerpts from a lecture for first year students by Dr Hector DeSoto, Head Consul of Swansgrave Academy for Eldritch Studies.
In simple terms we exist within the universe, an enclosed system which adheres to observable and codifiable "rules" which we shall for this conversation refer to as "Science." In this way you have cause and effect, gravity, linear time, physics, and so on and so on. All of these rules are interwoven, each working with and dependent on each other in a vast web. Rational. Predictable. Knowable.
Now our universe, which in our parlance is called Creation, floats like a soap bubble in an infinite, inky sea of Uncreation. Outside of Creation, the rules and expectations that science can quantify do not exist. Its substance and logic is antithetical to the human mind, so much so that any who attempt to peer beyond the veil endanger their minds and the rare few who have left Creation and ventured beyond have be obliterated utterly.
The barrier between Creation and Uncreation, while resistant, is not wholly impermeable, and as a result, traces of Uncreation intrude into Creation. While moral terms to such invasions are inaccurate, it is correct to view them as malignant, as by their nature they disrupt and corrupt Creation's natural order. When these forces infect or alter existing location, organisms or systems, the result is typically called a Ridden. Chimera, Therianthropes, and Blemmyae are all examples of Ridden. Sometimes, lifeforms, in sometimes a very loose sense of the term, existing in Uncreation make their way across the barrier into our reality. These are called Outsiders, of which Merrow, Rakshasa, and Errantani are all examples.
The most pervasive effect of Uncreation on Creation is the existence of Magic, the study of which is of course central here at Swansgrave, For the vast majority of humanity, encounters with eldritch phenomena or magic cannot be rationally processed by the mind. This results in either memory loss of encounters or deep seated trauma. Some have taken to calling the mass of humanity "Frails" due to this weakness, but such slurs are not tolerated here in Swansgrave. For a sliver of humanity, the ability to withstand and harness magic exists, in the form of Magi, of which we are all examples. Magi make up less than 0.001% of the overall population, and are evenly distributed regardless of gender or heritage. Some, such as first generation offspring of Magi, may manifest as Nulls, who have the mental fortitude to encounter Magic and the like, but have no aptitude to use it themselves.
Now the intrusion of Uncreation is primarily without direction, most akin to random leaks in a roof. However some of these intrusions appear to be guided by monolithic, alien awarenesses which are known as The Elder Dark. While overall the Elder Dark is inscrutable to even the most learned Magi, scholars have attributed Aspects to its influence in an effort to combat it more effectively. The cataloged Aspects are: The Tower, Mother Loam, The Oneiroi, The Firebringer, Lord of Bones, The Hungerer, and The Clocksmith. Combating the Elder Dark to safeguard Creation from their influence is the purpose of this school and your training.
The barrier between Creation and Uncreation, while resistant, is not wholly impermeable, and as a result, traces of Uncreation intrude into Creation. While moral terms to such invasions are inaccurate, it is correct to view them as malignant, as by their nature they disrupt and corrupt Creation's natural order. When these forces infect or alter existing location, organisms or systems, the result is typically called a Ridden. Chimera, Therianthropes, and Blemmyae are all examples of Ridden. Sometimes, lifeforms, in sometimes a very loose sense of the term, existing in Uncreation make their way across the barrier into our reality. These are called Outsiders, of which Merrow, Rakshasa, and Errantani are all examples.
The most pervasive effect of Uncreation on Creation is the existence of Magic, the study of which is of course central here at Swansgrave, For the vast majority of humanity, encounters with eldritch phenomena or magic cannot be rationally processed by the mind. This results in either memory loss of encounters or deep seated trauma. Some have taken to calling the mass of humanity "Frails" due to this weakness, but such slurs are not tolerated here in Swansgrave. For a sliver of humanity, the ability to withstand and harness magic exists, in the form of Magi, of which we are all examples. Magi make up less than 0.001% of the overall population, and are evenly distributed regardless of gender or heritage. Some, such as first generation offspring of Magi, may manifest as Nulls, who have the mental fortitude to encounter Magic and the like, but have no aptitude to use it themselves.
Now the intrusion of Uncreation is primarily without direction, most akin to random leaks in a roof. However some of these intrusions appear to be guided by monolithic, alien awarenesses which are known as The Elder Dark. While overall the Elder Dark is inscrutable to even the most learned Magi, scholars have attributed Aspects to its influence in an effort to combat it more effectively. The cataloged Aspects are: The Tower, Mother Loam, The Oneiroi, The Firebringer, Lord of Bones, The Hungerer, and The Clocksmith. Combating the Elder Dark to safeguard Creation from their influence is the purpose of this school and your training.
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