The Collective Existence: The Multifold Unity
The beings known as the Collective Existence are rare and extraordinary entities within the Ulverse. They are characterized by possessing a singular consciousness that spans across multiple bodies. Each body functions autonomously to some extent but remains tethered to the hive-like mind, sharing thoughts, senses, and experiences instantaneously. These beings are often highly respected, sometimes feared, and always enigmatic, with a deep understanding of both individuality and unity.
Recruitment and Creation of New Collective Existences
- Collective Existences are rare and typically occur as a result of extraordinary events, such as experiments with cosmora energy, failed magical rituals, or unique cosmic phenomena.
- New Collectives can form when a single consciousness is divided across multiple bodies due to accidents involving the Ulverse Core or significant dimensional shifts.
- While they are not intentionally created, researchers like Red Palette and Lan study their formation to better understand the balance of individuality and unity.
Cultural Significance
- Advisers and Mediators: Many Collective Existences serve as mediators in interdimensional disputes, as their multifaceted perspectives make them ideal for seeing all sides of a conflict.
- Living Philosophies: They are often viewed as living representations of harmony, balance, and interconnectedness, inspiring Ulversians to embrace collaboration and unity.
- Guardians of Knowledge: Some, like Veilstride, are entrusted with the most sensitive secrets of the Ulverse, serving as living vaults of critical information.
Traditions and Interactions
- Unified Celebrations: Collective Existences are often asked to lead festivals and events celebrating unity and harmony, as they embody these ideals.
- Symbolism in Art: Many artistic works in the Ulverse Isles feature motifs of multiple bodies intertwined or working in tandem, inspired by these beings.
- Close Companions: Despite their shared minds, Collectives often form close bonds with singular beings, appreciating the unique perspectives they offer.
Collective Existences, like Solenium, Veilstride, and Aether Chorus, are among the most remarkable beings in the Ulverse. Their unique existence and shared minds make them invaluable to Ulversian society, whether as advisers, protectors, or cultural icons.
Notable Collective Existences
1. Solenium
Number of Bodies: 5
Appearance: Solenium’s bodies are humanoid in form but highly distinct in their appearance, reflecting different aspects of the same celestial theme. Each body radiates with a soft luminescent glow, and their attire mimics the colors of the dawn, midday, twilight, midnight, and starlit skies. Their faces are smooth and featureless except for glowing, ever-shifting patterns resembling constellations.
Personality:
Solenium is deeply contemplative and philosophical, often pondering the nature of connection and identity. They serve as advisers to the Ulverse High Council, offering insight into complex, multidimensional problems. Solenium is calm and composed, with a penchant for cryptic but meaningful statements.
Abilities:
- Each body wields a fragment of their shared energy core, specializing in a different magical discipline (light magic, spatial manipulation, emotional attunement, healing, and protective wards).
- When united in purpose, their bodies can converge their energies into an immensely powerful singular force.
- They have the unique ability to stabilize fractured universes, using their unified nature as a template to mend rifts in reality.
Backstory:
Solenium was created during the Age of Reconstruction as a byproduct of a failed magical experiment to restore a shattered universe. Their shared mind emerged from the remnants of that broken reality, embodying the harmony of reconstruction.
2. Veilstride
Number of Bodies: 12
Appearance: Veilstride’s bodies are sleek and shadowy, humanoid but vaguely mechanical, with shimmering black-and-silver plating. Their forms are slightly translucent, like walking silhouettes, and they emit faint, harmonic whispers when in motion. Their "eyes" glow in unison with a silver light.
Personality:
Veilstride is enigmatic and reclusive, often operating in the background of significant events. They are intensely analytical and strategic, often acting as the Ulverse’s covert operatives. They are quiet, deliberate, and mysterious, rarely revealing their true intentions but always working toward the greater good.
Abilities:
- Veilstride excels in espionage, stealth, and interdimensional travel, able to phase in and out of existence across different planes.
- Their bodies can surround and trap foes, creating a "shadow grid" that immobilizes targets.
- They have a shared memory repository that functions as an archive of secrets from across the Ulverse.
Backstory:
Veilstride emerged during the Ulverse Era after an experiment with void energy went awry, splitting a single entity into twelve autonomous forms. They view themselves as guardians of balance, ensuring the void remains contained and does not harm the Ulverse again.
3. Aether Chorus
Number of Bodies: 7
Appearance: Aether Chorus’s bodies are radiant and angelic, with golden, feather-like energy patterns extending from their backs. They are identical in appearance, with luminous eyes and intricate, rune-covered skin. Their attire flows like liquid gold, shimmering and reshaping based on their emotions.
Personality:
Aether Chorus is warm, compassionate, and deeply attuned to the emotions of others. They are musicians, poets, and healers, often serving as cultural emissaries and peacekeepers. Despite their serene demeanor, they are unyielding in the face of injustice.
Abilities:
- Each body specializes in a different form of sound magic, from soothing melodies that heal to resonant waves that shatter barriers.
- When acting in unison, they can produce a symphony of pure energy capable of purifying corrupted areas or calming raging entities.
- They are also skilled in emotional magic, able to harmonize and balance the feelings of those around them.
Backstory:
Aether Chorus came into existence during the Era of Expansion, born from an ancient Ulverse artifact called the Celestial Chime. They consider themselves stewards of peace and use their talents to prevent conflict.