Numen - Overview
Numen are the deities awoken by the Arbiters during First Contact, though some Numen ascended—or descended—more recently.
Numen follow and rule over a current arisen by the Numen's ascension. A current is an amalgamation of energy through the manifestation of a philosophical ideal or concept. Those whose own personal ideals align with that of a current will feel the distant pull towards a Numen, usually becoming a follower of them. Those who follow a specific current are called waterwalkers.
Numen & Mortals
Numen have the power to gaze upon the material plane and bestow access to their power. This comes in two forms:
- Arbiters: Numen can enact their will through Arbiters, whom gaze upon lancers before they can become proper pilots.
- Harbingers: Numen can directly bestow their power on mortals, making a mortal a harbinger of their path. These harbingers wield an immense amount of power.
The appearance of a Numen visible to the mortal eye is believed to be their projection from a higher plane, theorized to dwell within blinkspace alongside the Arbiters.
Numen Categorization
Followers of ev8, the Enlightenment have sorted Numen into three different classifications based on their current and their behaviors:
"The Forebearers"
Grand creators overseeing the rise and fall of empires.
| Numen | Current |
|---|---|
| Rend | The Reminiscence |
| Cross | The Bounty |
| Turing | The Preservation |
| Xivei | The Ataraxia |
| Utalia | The Plenty |
"The Inviolable"
Unknowable intentions, following no mortal accordance of good or evil.
| Numen | Current |
|---|---|
| Trala | The Hedonia |
| Volivala | The Journey |
| MadaM | The Equilibrium |
| Itaka | The Elegance |
| ev8 | The Enlightenment |
"The Weavers of Deluge"
Forces behind most great disasters in the universe.
| Numen | Current |
|---|---|
| VVV | The Nihility |
| Aspecta | The Conundra |
| Linch | The Annihilation |
| Cycke | The Consumption |
| Tazarak | The Propagation |
Note: Fatal, the Totality was not sorted into a category.
Ascension & Mortality
Ascension to Numenity
It is believed that in moments of great cosmic calamity, individuals that become intense manifestations of a specific philosophical concept can be approached by the Arbiters and ascended into Numenity.
Numen Mortality
Observed or theorized methods for the death of a Numen include:
- Overlapping Currents: When currents overlap, Numen fight for dominance; the winner absorbs the other (e.g., Linch absorbing Relent).
- Numen Conflict: Theories suggest Numen can kill one another, evidenced by the imprisonment of Tazarak in obsidian.