Keeper of the Hourglass

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"Remember, lad, nothing on this world remains constant, not even the world itself or anything beyond. The only constants ever are the Fabric and time"

Before the creation of worlds and universes, there is only the Fabric that constantly folds in and out across itself in a completely random way. It is where the Fabric comes into contact with itself that basic matter forms and subsequently gives rise to the formation of the various universes and worlds. Along the same logic, regions on the Fabric where it is unfolding are where whole worlds and even universes will be snuffed out. Thus, the only constant besides the Fabric is time, an element common to all worlds and universes.

Time is governed by the One, the Ultimate, the Observer, the Keeper of the Hourglass. He stands and watches. He watches the Fabric folding and unfolding, watches worlds and universe being born, watches the same worlds and universes coming to an end. He forewarns of the Unfolding, announcing the Ultimate Countdown in the form of burning letters that chase themselves across the sky miles above all lifeforms.

Author's notes:
This idea came to me because of Freetext Friday and this is as far as I can take it. I imagine this would be the background myth to a setting where humans (or any other type of intelligent beings would do) are forced to migrate every once in a while (I imagine the time would be at least thousands of years) across worlds or even universes becasuse of the Fabric unfolding.

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Comments ( 5 )

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Forganthus
June 10, 2012, 4:04

5xp

This sub starts out somewhat ordinary, but there is some greatness that is hinted at near the end. I like the idea that the intelligent races must migrate into a different universe every so often. Maybe the Keeper of the Hourglass let's them know exactly how long they have until the end of the world? None of this "according to prophetic interpretations" stuff--I'm imagining a countdown in the sky, built from burning letters a hundred miles high.

Moonlake
June 11, 2012, 19:00

0xp

Update: Updated incorporating Forganthus's idea and the great image. Thanks for the input. This feels more complete now with respect to the possible interactions with humans, which I personally felt was somewhat lacking before.

Forganthus
June 14, 2012, 2:26

I like this sub. :)

That does sound like comets, though. Maybe we've forgotten the First Tongue, and we'll decode that the comets in the sky are actually a countdown--almost too late.

Moonlake
June 14, 2012, 18:09

Now that you mention it, it does sound likes comets. Basically I was just trying to incorporate your image but adapt it so that it's more in line with the atmosphere of the sub and the "chase themselves across the sky" just came to me. And your idea abt the forgetting the First Tongue, that's interesting as well. Surely a creditable plot hook that could arise from this background.

MysticMoon
June 15, 2012, 21:28

I can envision a magic system based on tapping into those awesome energies. Unlimited power can be had, if it doesn't burn the caster's mind into a cinder first.

Forganthus
June 15, 2012, 22:09

1xp

Tapping into the energy of fabric disassociation? Like, every time I cast a spell, I bring the apocalypse closer? A wizard's college could advance the apocalypse by two years every year. Yet, without powerful magic, there is no way to escape this doomed plane. . .

I see a cultural conflict!

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Keeper of the Hourglass

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