Tales of the Eternal Core

Appearance

The Aspharions ​

The Aspharions are entities of immense power and ancient origin, each a manifestation of a fundamental concept that underpins the multiverse. They transcend physical form, though they often choose appearances influenced by the civilizations or individuals they interact with. These forms are symbolic rather than fixed, offering glimpses into their essence.

Titles and Hierarchy ​

  • Each Aspharion bears the formal title "Valaryn of [Concept]" to denote their dominion.
    • Example: Umbra, the Valaryn of Void and Fear.
  • Collectively, they are referred to as "The Concord of Aspharions."

The Role of the Aspharions ​

  • Guardians of Balance: Each Aspharion is tethered to their respective concept, ensuring it remains balanced and does not overwhelm the multiverse. For example, the Valaryn of Fire safeguards against unchecked infernos that might destabilize universes.
  • Inspirers of Creation: Their existence influences creativity and the natural evolution of beings in the Ulverse. The Valaryn of Life inspires fertility, while the Valaryn of Technology sparks invention.
  • Arbiters of Change: The Aspharions intervene only in moments of extreme imbalance, often appearing during times of great upheaval or transition.

Known Aspharions ​

Traditions and Symbols of the Aspharions ​

  1. The Glyphs of Essence: Each Aspharion is associated with a unique glyph representing their concept. These symbols are often used in rituals or carvings across the Ulverse.
  2. The Convergence: Once every 1,024 years, the Aspharions convene in a grand assembly to align their influence, preventing catastrophic imbalances. This event is called the Ecliptic Accord and is celebrated across the Ulverse.

Additional Notes ​

  • The Aspharions often act independently but occasionally collaborate if their concepts intertwine. For instance, Florin (Floral) and Fungal might work together during moments of ecological rebirth.
  • Beings who encounter an Aspharion often receive subtle marks or influences that stay with them for life, granting minor traits or abilities tied to their concept.
  • The Aspharions are deeply revered by Ulversians, inspiring art, philosophy, and even some magical disciplines. ### Aspharions and Their Descriptions

Existing Lore Connections ​

  • Umbra’s Role in the Shining Vortex Era:
    Umbra, as an Aspharion of Void and Fear, played a pivotal role in the war. Their embodiment of primal terrors was both a weapon and a liability. Their actions during this time strained their relationship with other Aspharions, especially Enduriel and Veridyn, who sought to repair the damage caused by the war.

  • The Aspharions’ Relationship with the Ulverse Core:
    The Aspharions are deeply tied to the Ulverse Core, which serves as a conduit for their power. They do not directly control it but influence its energy to maintain balance.

  • Creation of the Ulverse Isles:
    Veridyn and Chroma collaborated to create the Isles as a symbol of harmony. Kynthis and Enduriel later ensured the Isles would remain balanced and sustainable.

Aspharion Avatars: The Manifestations of Infinite Power ​

Since Aspharions are cosmic-level beings, their true forms are too vast, unstable, and influential to safely exist within reality. Their very presence can warp time, distort matter, and shift the fundamental laws of existence. To interact with the world without catastrophic consequences, they use avatars—stable, physical forms that allow them to traverse the Ulverse without unraveling it.

These manifestations are known as "Veythral Forms", a name derived from the Ancient Ulversian word "Veythralis", meaning "Echo of the Infinite". Each Aspharion may have multiple avatars operating at once, allowing them to exist in several places simultaneously while maintaining a fraction of their true power.

** Name: "Veythral Forms"** (Singular: Veythral, Plural: Veythral Forms) ​

  • Meaning: "Echo of the Infinite" or "Fragment of the Grand Design."
  • Purpose: Physical manifestations that allow Aspharions to interact with reality safely.
  • Nature: Can be created, destroyed, and remade at will, with some existing for only moments, while others persist for centuries.

** Characteristics of Veythral Forms** ​

1. Distinct from True Bodies ​

  • Aspharions do not "inhabit" their Veythral Forms—these are extensions of their will, not separate entities.
  • If one avatar is destroyed, the Aspharion simply forms another.
  • However, some Veythral Forms develop individuality, leading to fascinating cases where an avatar acts semi-autonomously.

2. Reality-Stabilized Constructs ​

  • Veythral Forms must be carefully balanced with the reality they enter to prevent unintended consequences.
  • If an Aspharion loses control over an avatar, it may become a rampant anomaly, warping its surroundings.
  • Some Veythral Forms are designed to be ultra-stable, while others push the limits of what reality can contain.

3. Appearance & Adaptability ​

  • Veythral Forms can adapt their appearance to better fit a specific environment or society.
  • Many take humanoid shapes for convenience, while others prefer more abstract or alien designs.
  • An Aspharion can switch between different avatars, manifesting as different beings in different places simultaneously.

4. Power Limitations (Intentional or Otherwise) ​

  • While still powerful, Veythral Forms only contain a fraction of an Aspharion’s true potential.
  • This is necessary to prevent reality from bending uncontrollably.
  • However, if an Aspharion focuses its energy, a Veythral Form can temporarily act with far greater strength.

🔹 Unique Aspharion Cases ​

** Umbra – A True Body Stabilized** ​

  • Unlike most Aspharions, Umbra does not use Veythral Forms.
  • His humanoid form is his true body, stabilized through the Energy Capsule he received after the War of the Shining Vortex.
  • This makes him far more limited in number than his kin but also uniquely resistant to the restrictions Veythral Forms usually face.

** Kaylus – A Being of Duality** ​

  • Kaylus, much like Umbra, is not a mere Veythral Form but a true existence made stable.
  • However, his nature as a paradoxical being means his form is in constant flux—sometimes acting like an avatar, sometimes something greater.

** The Grand Architect – A Walking Paradox** ​

  • Unlike other Aspharions, The Grand Architect does not have a "True Form" in the traditional sense.
  • Instead, every one of his avatars is, in a way, his true self.
  • Some suspect that he is so deeply intertwined with the concept of games and trickery that even the idea of a "true body" is meaningless to him.
  • His Veythral Forms are notoriously unpredictable, with some appearing as whimsical tricksters, others as terrifying game-masters.

** Special Types of Veythral Forms** ​

While all Veythral Forms serve as stable manifestations of an Aspharion’s will, they come in different types, depending on their purpose and complexity.

1. The "Harmonic Veythral" – The Standard Avatar ​

  • A well-balanced form that allows an Aspharion to exist in reality without causing instability.
  • Used for long-term interactions with mortals, diplomacy, and direct intervention.
  • Examples:
    • The humanoid forms of many Aspharions, including Umbra (before his stabilization).

2. The "Fractured Echo" – A Weaker Splintered Form ​

  • A temporary avatar created for a short-term mission or presence.
  • Lacks independent thought and typically acts as an extension of the Aspharion’s main will.
  • Examples:
    • The Grand Architect sometimes creates multiple "game hosts" that vanish once a challenge is completed.

3. The "Resonant Form" – A Focused Power Avatar ​

  • Designed to channel a specific aspect of an Aspharion’s power.
  • Often unstable and not meant for prolonged existence.
  • Examples:
    • If an Aspharion needed to manifest purely as a weapon, this would be the type of Veythral Form they would create.

4. The "Unshackled Embodiment" – A Form Close to True Power ​

  • An extremely rare and dangerous Veythral Form that barely limits an Aspharion’s power.
  • Can warp reality just by existing and is usually only used in cosmic-scale conflicts.
  • Example:
    • The Grand Architect’s "Final Game Master" form, which appears only in the highest-stakes scenarios.

** How Veythral Forms Are Created & Maintained** ​

1. Manifestation Process ​

  • An Aspharion projects a fraction of its energy into a stable construct, shaping it into a fully functioning avatar.
  • This process can be instantaneous or take centuries, depending on the complexity of the form.

2. Maintenance & Longevity ​

  • Some Veythral Forms last indefinitely, while others degrade over time.
  • If an Aspharion loses interest in a particular form, it may simply cease to exist.

3. Destruction & Consequences ​

  • Destroying a Veythral Form does not kill the Aspharion, but it may:
    • Disrupt their presence in that reality for a time.
    • Trigger a backlash, causing the Aspharion to re-evaluate their approach.
    • In rare cases, leave residual energy behind, forming strange anomalies.

** Final Thoughts: The Power & Purpose of Veythral Forms** ​

The Veythral Forms of Aspharions are more than just disguises—they are fragments of their infinite existence, allowing them to interact with the Ulverse without unraveling it. While most Aspharions create multiple avatars, some, like Umbra and Kaylus, defy this rule, existing as stabilized versions of their true selves.

Meanwhile, beings like The Grand Architect blur the line entirely, making it nearly impossible to determine where his game begins or ends.

Would you like to explore notable Veythral Forms of specific Aspharions, or how mortals react to encountering these avatars?

Absolutely — this is an exceptional addition to the Aspharions' godlike yet restrained existence. The idea of them using a contained space to safely express their full might is not only thematically rich, but also gives them a dramatic, mythic presence similar to Domain Expansions or Reality Marbles.

Let’s define this reality-warping power, how it works, how it’s limited, and what it looks like when invoked.

Aspharion Domain Power: Thread Realms ​

"When a god folds the weave inwards, reality listens — and becomes their voice."

🌌 What Is a Thread Realm? ​

A Thread Realm is a localized pocket of overwritten reality where an Aspharion’s true nature, power, and identity can manifest safely and fully.
Because Aspharions are too powerful to act freely in open space without distorting or unraveling the Ulverse, they use this technique to safely anchor their influence.

It’s not just a battlefield—it’s a manifestation of their concept, their ideals, their aspect, their truths.

Core Characteristics ​

FeatureDescription
ScaleTypically 50m to several kilometers in radius — though higher beings can compress or expand this based on control.
ActivationRequires total control of the local harmonic weave and intent alignment. Often preceded by a brief collapse of ambient energy into a “thread-point.”
DurationSustained as long as the Aspharion remains in focus. Most Thread Realms last minutes—but inside, time can feel stretched, looped, or distorted.
PowerInside the Realm, the Aspharion can partially lift their restrictions, using abilities they otherwise suppress while in avatar form.
DangerIf improperly contained, the Realm can fray its boundary and cause threadquakes, warping or corrupting nearby space.

Visual Traits Upon Activation ​

  • Reality appears to peel back like woven fabric, revealing the core “design” of the Aspharion’s true concept.
  • Sound folds inwards, creating a moment of absolute stillness before the Realm blooms.
  • From the outside, the Thread Realm appears as a dimensional embroidery, glowing faintly with the Aspharion’s energy color and core shape motif.

Example Thread Realms by Known Aspharions ​

Umbra, the Aspharion of Shadows and Silence ​

Thread Realm: “The Stillfold”

  • The realm becomes a black-and-indigo embroidery of silence, where light folds in on itself and movement carries no sound.
  • Inside, shadows become blades, memories become physical, and Umbra's control over fear, silence, and stillness becomes absolute.
  • Even light itself hesitates to move unless Umbra permits.

The Aspharion of Games (“The Grand Refiner”) ​

Thread Realm: “Stage of All Turns”

  • Reality becomes a shifting stage where rules change every few moments based on narrative rhythm.
  • Everything becomes a performance: moves are judged, choices echoed, fates dealt like cards.
  • Losing the “game” in this space can result in true conceptual loss (of names, memories, or even your narrative importance).

Restrictions and Risks ​

RuleDescription
Core InstabilityUsing a Thread Realm weakens the stability of the Aspharion’s avatar body over time.
Weave AnchoringMust prepare the space in advance or force a thread-fold (dangerous in sensitive environments).
Mutual Realms ClashIf two Thread Realms activate in close proximity, their edges can cause Dimensional Shear — a reality-burning overlap zone.
Aspharion Paradox ClauseUlversian laws forbid Thread Realm use within populated zones unless sanctioned by at least one Core Anchor (e.g. Red Palette or the Council of Eight).

Common Phrases Associated with Thread Realms ​

  • “He’s folded the weave—this space no longer belongs to us.”
  • “When the Spiral blooms, step back or be rethreaded.”
  • “Even time tucks its thread beneath a god’s hand here.”

​

Would you like next:

  • A custom Thread Realm for a specific Aspharion (like the Grand Architect or Umbra in his true stabilized form)?
  • A story where a Thread Realm was unleashed in desperation, almost destroying part of the Ulverse Isles?
  • A rare counter-tech or technique some elite Ulversians have developed to resist or anchor against a Thread Realm?

This mechanic adds tremendous weight and drama to key encounters — and I’d love to help you expand it further! Absolutely — laws and punishments in the Ulverse would reflect its deeply philosophical, energy-based culture. With beings as powerful and long-lived as Ulversians, the justice system can’t just focus on retribution; it must also safeguard core stability, dimensional harmony, and the thread-weave of society itself.