The Hidden Work Behind the Scenes: Worldbuilding
Added 2024-01-21 21:14:15 +0000 UTCThere is a huge amount of worldbuilding that goes into Archemi and the other series I'm working on. For example, here's some of the worldbuilding for Voidhunter:
Key Concepts (in Federation Human terminology):
The Cycle: The Conformal Cyclic Multiverse, also simply referred to as Reality, or more poetically as the Ain Soph. Each universe generated within the Cycle is known as an Aeon, in line with Roger Penrose's mathematical concept of Aeons. The Cycle is perpetuated by the fractalline, recursive nature of universes combined with the effect of observers on reality. As a universe expands, it gains entropy. There comes a point where a universe reaches mathematical infinity due to entropy, at which point, 'time' and 'entropy' become meaningless and recurse; the dispersed energy suddenly accelerates into multiple Big Bangs as organization becomes the only possible outcome. Each Bang generates a new Aeon, aka a new universe. The proliferation of Aeons is also theoretically infinite.
Aeons: Universes manifested via the Conformal Cyclic Multiverse. Nascent Aeons are extraordinarily hot infant universes that are in the early stages of expansion. Living Aeons are universes currently in their 'prime', capable of hosting life as we know it. Quiescent Aeons are universes that are close to reaching peak entropy and recursing into new Aeons.
Instances: All Aeons contain 11 dimensions which are known to human theorists by the names of the Sephirot: Keter (11), Binah (10), Chokmah (9), Gevurah (8), Hesed (7) Da'ath (6), Tiphareth (5), Hod (4), Netzach (3), Yesod (2) and Malkuth (1). Instances are the 5th Dimension of local reality and thus accessible via the Void (Da'ath) by branchships and entities capable of 5D perception and motion, such as Angels and Khemmemu.
The fifth dimension of an Aeon is the sum total of lower dimensional timelines as manifested by observers within a local reality inside of a single Aeon, aka living things on a planet or in space. The vast majority of instances are ephemeral and exist for only a fraction of infinity, one of the possible infinite hyperspaces in that Aeon. The most probable manifestations of reality are the most stable, and so consensus reality creates stable instances where variations of the same history happen over and over in different ways. To put it another way, the presence of conscious observers results in branching alternate timelines/realities within an Aeon.
The Void/QFS/Da'ath: The first of the True Hyperspace Dimensions, which connects ALL Aeons via the Quantum Function Space (QFS). Colloquially known as the Void, it is the primary medium through which Branchships and species such as Khemmemu move via 'branching'. The Void is distinct from the Abyss, as it is part of the Cycle. A 6D capable spaceship is capable of moving anywhere and anywhen within an Aeon, as well as branching between Aeons at any point in time or to any Instance.
The Abyss: The anti-matter 'reflection' of the Cycle, also known as Qlippothic Space or Śūnyatā. The Abyss is a parallel expansion of anti-matter to the matter of the Cycle as new Aeons are born. At weak points in the CCM - where new Big Bangs detonate - Abyssal antimatter can leak through into seemingly random Aeons as the Abyss tries to enact its own form of 'expansion', which is inherently destructive to any matter it encounters. Pinpoint Abyssal breaches will appear within an Aeon and start to warp it, making it less 'real' and allowing for exotic modifications to the Aeon's physics while reducing its lifespan and accelerating entropy. Due to the Abyss being the antithesis of Reality, its manifestations are universally horrific to any Being. Unfortunately, a concentration of consciousness, such as that created by a planet inhabited by life, is more likely to attract Abyssal entities.
Comments
Oh: and I'll note that this series has a multiverse intersection with Archemi ;) I won't go into details how, not until a few more books in Archemi and Voidhunter are out. But they're part of the same multiverse, and given your insights into Abyssal stuff, you can probably make some immediate connections if you've read Book 5 in particular...
James Osiris Baldwin
2024-01-25 02:14:18 +0000 UTCGreat stuff, and very perceptive. 'Epidemic' is definitely the correct term (and the word 'vector' was chosen for that very reason, as it is a term in epidemiology for any living organisms that can transmit infectious pathogens between humans, or from animals to humans.) These are all things that the MCs of the Harbinger and Lightbringer books will be dealing with, and that Min-Joon specifically is trained to handle and combat with his particular suite of powers and abilities, as well as the support of the Abyssal Response Fleet.
James Osiris Baldwin
2024-01-25 02:05:52 +0000 UTC2min I admit, I am immediately intrigued by the scenarios you describe. You don't need to clarify anything of course if you don't want to, but it does immediately set my mind to thinking about the impacts of those two dangerous factors. If I understand correctly, then abyssal influences not only give rise to twisted life forms but can also distort everything within their vicinity. This implies a need for a significant shift in approach when dealing with them. They would not just be enemies appearing in an environment foreign to them, but instead a hostile force capable of essentially arriving into an area that is not only immediately no longer under the control of the defenders, but that quickly becomes fortified for their use upon their arrival as abyssal influences warp the territory to their advantage. Instead of just contending with dangerous creatures, those confronting these influences must also contend with the possible alteration of the landscape, atmosphere, and even the fundamental laws of physics working against them. If these warped entities are mobile and carry the effects of their distortion with them, it could quickly escalate into something akin to an epidemic. If the “infection” of such a warp was not very conspicuous, then it could be even more dangerous. If the defenders could still be influenced by the environmental-warping effects of the invaders quickly and at significant distance, then it would make a ranged defense imperative. I suppose that the localized warping effect you describe could occur gradually, though, and perhaps not be immediately crippling in proximity. I'd assume it could vary, and it would be quite unlikely any defender would want to be the one to test the range or speed at which it occurs. It seems speed is the single most important factor in understanding the degree of danger they pose; if the abyssal influences take considerable time to take root, they would be more manageable. If they are nearly instantaneous, then they would be utterly catastrophic for the areas they impact. It appears that those who summoned these influences into an area (or anyone unfortunate enough to be present when the influences take hold) can range from potential sleeper agents to immediate threats, depending on how the Abyss affects the surroundings, though from what you describe it sounds as if vectorization is more likely to result in beings with higher cognitive functions, and that sounded like it occurred on a smaller scale. Vectorized humans may initially seem like the more formidable threat since they can blend in more easily, but demonic influences also seem likely to pose a daunting and distracting challenge, given their potential home turf advantage in an environment infused with strange and distorted physics. I'm definitely looking forward to where you take your ideas!
Jacob Robinson
2024-01-24 23:44:03 +0000 UTCThere are definitely some 'creatures' that result from Abyssal incursion. The main two types are Vectors and Demons. Vectorization happens when a living being experiences a mini-Abyssal breach inside themselves. Their mind and soul are basically replaced by it, with the Vector basically functioning as a sophisticated mimic moving forward. Needless to say, this creates some pretty serious villains. A big part of the human MC's job (in Lightbringer) is dealing with Vectorized humans up to no good. Demons are what happen when matter-based beings are warped by Abyss presence and they mutate. But they don't just mutate themselves - they start to screw the world around them, too. It's not just restricted to living things, but all matter. Environments can also become demons, similar to some SCPs. You can end up with buildings or objects being possessed as well. The Abyss itself generally wants people to try and call it or try to exploit it, because its nature is to seek every opportunity to expand. So a of the time, these vectors and demons are summoned intentionally by people who think they can exploit it or benefit from it somehow.
James Osiris Baldwin
2024-01-24 11:18:34 +0000 UTCI noticed that there was no mention of the abyssal influences being conscious or necessarily resulting in any sort of creatures. The stereotype for anti-life/eldritch influences always seems to be some sort of warping of life. This sounds significantly more interesting than just the standard tropes. If Abyssal contact results in all sorts of strange effects, that sounds like a very intriguing (but likely very dangerous) set of circumstances to explore. I would assume that some items or areas created under effects that would be normally impossible elsewhere might not only be dangerous, but could also be exceptionally rare and profitable. Although in such situations, it sounds like taking advantage of such would be exceedingly dangerous (and likely undertaken only by either the most brash, or by those with the utterly insatiable curiosity or greed).
Jacob Robinson
2024-01-24 05:56:32 +0000 UTC
