Lowiras, also called Ousia, is a slightly extragalactic cluster closest to Florathel. Most in Florathel stay away from Lowiras. Few outsiders feel welcome in Lowiras, not due to a lack in any hospitable civilizations, but due to the feeling of constant dread coming from the sky. This dread is replaced by familiarity for natives. The psychology of its inhabitants is offset from that of those of Florathel, so natives of Lowiras can communicate more effectively with each other than they can with foreigners.
Astrography
The stars of Lowiras are dim and small. Species in Lowiras require exosuits in order to survive on the average Florathelan planet. Low temperatures and gravity are common for planets in Lowiras.
Stars
Lowiras consists of eight stars:
- Caligar (Crimson Eye, 5 planets)
- Caliyon, homeworld of Lacertians.
- Doret (Brown dwarf, 4 planets)
- Karan, most populous planet in Celeas.
- Suyralo (White dwarf, 3 planets)
- Arec, home planet of Revacens.
- Jullyt (Magenta Mirage, 5 planets)
- Wrye, home planet of Griyosht.
- Ithillid ("Star" made of glowing procorpus. A minor pocket of the dark core situated in the dark crown. 1 planet)
- Flaeyaer, a planet of archaeological interest due to signs of very old civilization.
- Phazbare (Yellow, most energetic star in Lowiras)
- Poeroea (Verdant changeling, 2 planets)
- Alaxin (Crimson Eye, 3 planets)
Dark Core
The Dark Core (Known as Korsan by Lacertians and the Deralend by Malpha) is the center of Lowiras and the source of all Neuromancy.
The inside of the Dark Core is unknown. There is solid matter blocking much of the way, and arcs of energy collide with many ships that try to enter. The core is made of a substance that can be mined and unwound into Liquid Void, which can remember the state applied to it by Neuromancy.
There is an outer subregion known as the Dark Crown (Krosa in native Zopoquan, the Darachren in native Celean) in the Dark Core. This subregion suffers from anomalies due to the thaumic energy emanating from the core. Psychords spontaneously form in the Crown. This can cause ships to be pulled around or trapped in spheres of energy.
Thaumaturgy
Lowiras is blessed with a ubiquitous and unique form of thaumaturgy. Within the Dark Core, there is an anchor to the plane known as Synapse, governed by the Neural Amalgam. It unlocks an ability in those with the Lowiran brain structure, individuals who have the potential for a power unique to their galaxy, known as Neuromancy to locals, or Dark Psionics to foreigners. This power relies on both the physical synapses and transcendental stakes in Synapse, and is a form of congruent thaumaturgy.
Neuromancy is a tool employed by almost every resident of Lowiras. It is woven into their consciousness. However, foreign people will have an extremely difficult time learning it, due to the different base psychology. It revolves around connections, as that is the concept from which the realm in which the Amalgam dwells is made. The base form of connection in Neuromancy is the psychord. A sort of telekinesis can be achieved by creating a psychord that pulls an object toward another. The most basic form of this relies on inertia, but can still be extremely useful. The Lareas Alliance was routed from Lowiras by the employment of inertial chains, causing the ships to crash into one another. Higher levels of skill may allow a user to defy inertia or even connect to a point in empty space. Force is but one employment of these cords. Energy can also be transferred along them, so a neuromancer can shock their foes or absorb their life force; they could also transmit information through the energy, permitting telepathy, which is a major form of communication in Lowiras. The cords can be intertwined and tied together. A complex form of this is the neurorb, which was invented by the 8 Ascendants. By tying many cords together, a tight sphere is produced that can be solidified, thrown, or used to store information.
Cords store power. This power can be distributed along it in any way. Novices may simply leave a cord alone, but if a cord is to be sustained it is important to distribute the energy evenly. If one part of a cord loses too much energy, from natural decay or damage, the cord will snap and release all its energy. Even distribution makes sure that the cord will last longer, giving the Neuromancer time to add more energy or at least prevent excess buildup of energy that could be released. However, intentionally releasing a cord's energy creates a blast of energy that manifests as force, sound, electromagnetic energy, or telepathic static depending on unpredictable factors unless someone exerts their control over it. The blast cannot be controlled beyond that.
Protecting oneself is key to employing Neuromancy safely. While a neurorb can be used to deflect or absorb danger, a simpler, more ephemeral neurshield can prove more efficient. The shape can be flat or curved as to cover the body from multiple angles or curve energy blasts at an opponent. Neurshields are essential for intentionally blasts, as otherwise severe recoil will be experienced.
Beyond the surface of cords and nerves, Neuromancy can manipulate the Noosphere itself. Some of the most powerful neuromancers manipulate the bonds between concepts. They apply concepts to reality, giving them a framework for manipulating matter in a comprehensible way. Ousic energy connections can be manipulated in similar ways to psychords.
History
9.8 Million BCE: The Neural Amalgam is formed by the 8 Ascendants. The Pneumatic Engine is used to create the dark core. The Ascendants channel Synapse with Esoteric thaumaturgy and anchor their minds to procorpus, allowing them to leave their bodies behind.
3,934 CE: Two prisons were created to imprison Thinax the Xa'Thin's consciousness after he gained immortality. His mind was split into 16 pieces by gnostics, one prison placed in Lowiras and one in Aylathiya, the two regions being centers for his cult. The Xa'Thin race sacrificed itself to keep the pieces of Thinax's mind subdued, forming a Shroud, and the prisons were dubbed the Hypercubes for their shape and shifting nature.