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{{Cosmoria - Amaranth Remnant}}{{Cosmoria|use_scope_styling=no}}<center><span style="font-size:155%; font-family: Cinzel; color:#DF0049;">[[Amaranth (Imagindarium)|Imagindarium]] / <u>[[Amaranth (Galvyria)|Galvyria]]</u></span> |
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{{Infobox_Phenomenon |
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| title1 = Amaranth-Cosmoria |
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| article_creator = [[User:Duodecillionaire|Duodecillionaire]] |
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| scope = [[Scope:Cosmoria|Cosmoria]] |
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| setting = [[Scope:Amaranth Succession|Amaranth Succession]] |
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| author = [[User:Duodecillionaire|Duodecillionaire]] |
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| type = Metaphysical Manifestation |
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| classification = Ontological Phenomenon |
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| appearance = Dormant energy form; occasionally manifests as Null Behavior Particles |
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| function/purpose = Continuation of Amaranth's existence following Imagindarium's collapse |
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| narrative_role = Surviving essence of a prior reality; foundational force in Cosmoria |
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| divinity = Manifestation of Amaranth (a divine/metaphysical force) |
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| associated_entities = *Amaranth |
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*Imagindarium |
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*The Monad |
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| predictability = Unpredictable emergence tied to quantum anomalies |
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| esoteric_effects = Transforms metaphysical potential into observable Null Behavior Particles |
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| persistence = Persistent but hidden throughout Cosmoria |
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| sentience = Implied through directed metaphysical behavior |
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| related_phenomena = *Amaranth Remnants |
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*Null Behavior Particles |
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*The Ultimate End |
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| root_phenomenon = Amaranth |
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| subphenomena = *Splitting into Good and Evil |
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*Amaranth-Touched Particles |
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| constituent_phenomena = *Null Behavior Particles |
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| dominion = Underlies metaphysical substrate of Cosmoria |
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| alignment = Split into Good and Evil |
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| image1 = Amaranth.png |
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| caption-image1 = The ancient visage of Amaranth as it was during [[Imagindarium's Creation]] |
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}} |
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The death of infinity was not a particularly spectacular event. The series of events leading up to it, the [[Ultimate End]], were, but the aftermath was surely anticlimactic. It represented the sole purpose of [[Ambrosia]] and, after it was achieved, the actors in the deterministic play that was Ambrosia were left to their own devices. The story was finished, the universe had no reason to continue to exist. The dilapidation set in quickly, the various omnipotent powers that kept Ambrosia in check began grinding to a halt. Even seconds after the Ultimate End was achieved, Ambrosia was already dying. |
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Amaranth-Cosmoria is the manifestation of [[Amaranth (Imagindarium)|Amaranth]] in the second universe, [[Cosmoria]]. Its death in the previous reality was not particularly spectacular or glamorous even though the events leading up to it, the [[Ultimate End]], were. [[Imagindarium's Creation]], the previous reality, was a deterministic play [[Imagindarium_(Imagindarium)|Imagindarium]] directed. It meticulously arranged countless omnipotent powers and forces to tell its story. The moment the story ended, Imagindarium disappeared, leaving its creation's infinities to slam into one another with unstoppable might. Hardly an instant elapsed before it imploded. The only thing to have survived was [[Amaranth]], albeit in a simplified and dormant state. |
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Perhaps it was painless for the uncountably many souls that called Ambrosia home. Most of it was surely destroyed within the blink of an eye. Certain pockets could have persisted, and may still persist even after Ambrosia has faded away. The only way to have survived the end of Ambrosia was with the force of [[Amaranth]], the only lasting legacy of Ambrosia. This infinite concept was etched into what it meant to exist, thus making it impossible to destroy. In truth, so was its creator, [[Ambrosia#Imagindarium|Imagindarium]], an even more potent force of creation that transcends even infinity. However, Imagindarium's story was finished, leaving Amaranth alone in the void it left behind. |
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Even though Imagindarium's creation disappeared, a more base substrate existed on which activity could still happen. This medium in which stories could be told, usually called the "Stage," was not empty. Imagindarium left behind nearly infinite possibility in the form of a frothy soup of unrealized potential. This energy manifested in countless particles that attempted to take form, one of which was [[The Monad]], [[Cosmoria|Cosmoria's]] sole particle. Familiar concepts like space and time caused Amaranth to cease its inactivity. |
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Over the eons, Amaranth idly stood by. As the first true particle, [[Cosmoria|The Monad]], came into existence, it created an entire universe in its solitary dance on the stage. Playing the role of every particle at the same time, The Monad caused [[Cosmoria]] to leap into existence. With an entire new universe to interface with, familiar concepts like space and time caused Amaranth to finally begin interfering once more. |
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==Creation== |
==Creation== |
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In the first few moments of Cosmoria's existence, Amaranth split into |
In the first few moments of Cosmoria's existence, Amaranth split into '''Good''' and '''Evil'''. Perhaps it was imitating the quantum fields of Cosmoria, or perhaps it was breaking down without Imagindarium to guide it. Either way, these two forces would have a lasting impact on Cosmoria. Good and evil, while not objective anymore, are better described as the names for Amaranth's two fundamental halves. |
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As the fire of Cosmoria's creation settled down, the [[ |
As the fire of Cosmoria's creation settled down, the [[Amaranth Remnant (Cosmoria)|Amaranth Remnants]] precipitated out of the primordial plasma. The Remnants ranged in size from specks of dust to an entire planet and exhibited exotic properties. Over billions of years, they had percolated to every star system. Only a small number would ever have the privilege of interacting with life; most were locked away in the core of stars or deep in interstellar space. |
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==Discovery== |
==Discovery== |
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A theory that included Amaranth was a holy grail for scientists in Cosmoria. For |
A theory that included Amaranth was a holy grail for scientists in Cosmoria. For centuries, a theory of everything, which included the quantum, gravity, and the [[Noosphere]], had been the standard view. It was the most successful theory of all time, launching technological development everywhere it was discovered. Accurately predicting the behavior of all particles, it was truly a theory of ''everything.'' Much to the dismay of philosophers, it swallowed much of the field of metaphysics, converting it into a science with definitive answers and testable hypotheses. |
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When scientists began exploring |
When scientists began exploring anomalies in their data, they noticed a common trend. The stray particles that defied their theories, for only nanoseconds at a time, had only null properties. For example, metaphors like "spin" and "color" are often used for quantum particles to describe their utterly alien behavior. When the particles got out of line, physicists measured these properties as null. As the quantum physicists petitioned governments to build ever-larger particle colliders, serious advancement in the field slowed to a halt. As they looked closer, it only confirmed their existing theory. No matter how high the energies involved, these so-called "Null Behavior Particles" behaved the same. |
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| ⚫ | As conventional physicists were stumped, an emerging field would attempt to explain these phenomena. The scientific community saw the field of '''Anomalistics''', an unserious discipline beset by pseudoscience, unfalsifiable claims, and ludicrous explanations. In the [[Providence Union]], then the center of scientific advancement, anomalists could hardly find the funding to conduct the expensive planetary-scale quantum research they needed. Within the [[Triumvirate Civilization]], however, the theocratic government was looking for any esoteric reason to justify their faith. The Triumvirate showered anomalists with large amounts of funding, even going so far as to have primitive species under their control research it as well. Anomalists emigrated to the Triumvirate in large numbers to pursue their research or, more often, become tremendously rich while doing little. |
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As the quantum physicists petitioned governments to build ever-larger particle colliders, serious advancement in the field slowed to a halt. As they looked closer, it only confirmed their existing theory. When they found the exceptions, these so-called "Null Behavior Particles," no matter how high the energies involved were, behaved the same. |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | As |
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| ⚫ | As centuries passed, Anomalists from across the Triumvirate rediscovered the Amaranth Remnants. When studied, they proved to be made up almost entirely of Null Behavior Particles. Due to their relevance in [[Aeternalism]], these once legendary artifacts inspired their new name, "Amaranth-Touched Particles." The Triumvirate sanctioned the '''Ministry of Occult Research''' to gather as many Amaranth Remnants as possible. A subgroup, the secretive [[Occult Galaxy Project]] sought to monopolize the research |
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The organization managed to outlast the Triumvirate but had a difficult time maintaining its monopoly on the Amaranth Artifacts. Religious fanatics, rival organizations, and governments collected most of them. The [[Sedrua]]-aligned [[Cabal of Amaranth Truth]] in particular collected the most notable of them. |
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| ⚫ | As |
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An Amaranth remnant has strange properties. Instead of the normal quantum particles, it seems the components of these remnants were purely classical. In other words, they had objective momentum, energy, position—everything that defies the bedrock of quantum physics. Nanoseconds after leaving their group, however, they would become conventional quantum particles. Later, it would be shown that Amaranth remnants are the creations of Amaranth, forced into existence and free of uncertainty. |
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Throughout the history of the Triumvirate, it gathered most of the Ambrosian Remnants in Cosmoria, only for its collapse to scatter them once more. Collectors, religious fanatics, and governments bought up many of them. |
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Amaranth remnants usually took on utterly mundane forms, usually fitting right in with the soil, regolith, or rock around them. Amaranth remnants took thousands of years to discover, some even ending up inadvertently used in tools or buildings. They seem to be indestructible, but at their edges exists a sort of barrier. Particles on their surface constantly break away, replaced with others as Amaranth reasserts their existence. This unique radiation allowed for the discovery of the Amaranth Remnants. |
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| ⚫ | |||
The Remnants would change hands dozens of times in history, but, by 85,000 CE, they would end up firmly within the coffers of the nation of [[Sedrua]]. The Aeternalist state considered them to be holy objects that were to be protected at all costs. While there were other holders of remnants, such as the [[Cabal of Amaranth Truth]] and the [[Occult Galaxy Project]], Sedrua possessed over 95%. |
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During the [[War of the Ancients]], Sedrua moved all of its Remnants to the [[Lux Aeterna]]. There, they would be protected by [[Father Zaphenim]], one of the oldest intelligent beings in Cosmoria and also one of its most Thaumically powerful. He spent much of his time studying them, but his focus usually returned to two of the most interesting artifacts—the [[Amaranth Knight]] and the [[Antiwraith]]. The former, an indestructible living suit of armor, and the latter, a violently boiling mass of liquid, had legends told about them since before the Common Era. They represented both the good and evil portions of Amaranth respectively. While a small contingent of archeologists had been looking for them for millennia, they were located in [[Lux_Aeterna#Zaphenim's_Mansion|Zaphenim's Mansion]] since he found them at the turn of the Common Era. This building, located in the center of Cosmoria and shrouded by the clouds of the Lux Aeterna, was inaccessible for most. |
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The War of the Ancients, however, motivated soldiers from the [[Dominion of Astraeus]] to find a way to break into the mansion. It is well-known that [[Magi]] are the only individuals capable of entering the Lux Aeterna. Thus, the Dominion sent its most potent magi, lead by empress [[Jezebel Drusus]]. During a protracted battle between Jezebel and Father Zaphenim, soldiers from the Dominion were able to secure the Amaranth Knight but failed to extract the Antiwraith. The soldiers fled with most of the other artifacts. |
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The Amaranth Knight would go on to kill Jezebel as she attempted to fully eliminate the limited democracy in the Dominion of Astraeus. Her crusade to secure power for the aristocracy, called [[Jezebel's War]], largely ended with her death. |
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==Aylathiya's Ignominy== |
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The Antiwraith played a great role in the coup attempt known as [[Aylathiya's Ignominy]]. After Zaphenim was forced to surrender, he spent nearly all of his time plotting against the newly-created [[Greater Martial Consilium]]. He often paced through the now-empty halls of his mansion, waiting for the best opportunity to strike. He spent the most amount of time with an ampule that contained the Antiwraith. Being the manifestation of all of the objective evil that Amaranth contained, Zaphenim became slowly influenced by its whispers of power. |
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Under its influence, Zaphenim began planning a coup. When [[Mother Ohko]], his subordinate, took power within the Consilium, she refused to surrender her position to him. He recklessly attacked the Consilium, resulting in a great battle. During the coup, an entity known as [[The Administrator]] seized the Antiwraith for itself. Unlike Zaphenim, who had never been exposed to it directly, The Administrator directly contacted the Antiwraith after it was freed from Zaphenim's mansion. Within seconds of escaping, it disappeared. As The Administrator recovered from the attack, thanks to the Antiwraith's power, it began its plan to harness Amaranth's infinite power. |
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==Penultimate End== |
==Penultimate End== |
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Cosmoria hurdled toward its end; The Monad was always going to annihilate with itself. Cosmoria's physicists had assumed it would forever iterate upon itself, as it has done an innumerable number of times in the past. However, this final iteration, the result of infinitely complex rules contained within the Monad, was here and would prove its most spectacular. Amaranth began percolating into The Monad, gently altering its dance at first. Amaranth, the force of narrative and fate, had a simple agenda—it wanted to conjoin its Good and Evil halves, and Cosmoria was the most "narrative-like" thing that existed at that time. Like attracted like in a manner of speaking. |
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By 110,000 CE, the remnants of Sedrua had largely disappeared. Their capital, Amarent, had become the base of operations for the Occult Galaxy Project, which had subsumed the Cabal of Amaranth Truth some centuries prior. The unified organization had become devoted to researching Amaranth in all of its forms. Nearly every nation in Aylathiya contributed to the organization's coffers and, in return, they would receive the fruits of their labor. Unbeknownst to Aylathiya's leaders, the group had been diverting a great deal of funds towards a once obscure project that sought to trigger an [[Amaranth Contravene]]. This phenomenon was simply omnipotence in action, Amaranth acting upon reality. |
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Since the Amaranth Contravene was capable of changing reality however the initiator desired, it was greatly desirable. In 110,364 CE, by a slim margin, the Project voted to allow the Antiwraith to come into contact with the Amaranth Knight. The experiment resulted in the two entities beginning a great battle. As the embodiments of Amaranth's two halves, their reunification released a great amount of energy, energy that was sealed away as Cosmoria formed. The battle released enough energy, in the form of gamma radiation, to sterilize over half of Cosmoria. In the aftermath, surviving governments began warring over the remains. |
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One leader of the Triumvirate, [[Administrator Holos]], had taken a great interest in Amaranth. Within it was the capacity to create new Monad particles, they believed. If one could use Amaranth to step outside of the Monad, and to become independent of it, they could access the endless frothing sea of potential that spawned Cosmoria's sole particle. Holos had every intention of taking hold of these particles as was their perceived birthright, ''"Every star, every planet, every rock, every molecule, every damn quantum fluctuation. It's all yours!"'' |
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The leader of the Occult Galaxy Project, who was absent during the battle, revealed that the Project's goal was to initiate an Amaranth Contravene. Their goal was to unlock the ability to manipulate The Monad via [[Thaumaturgy]], in other words, the ability to create and destroy universes. The prospect was tempting for anyone that still had the resources to explore the possibility, creating a race for this ultimate form of Thaumaturgy. |
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Holos learned the secrets of manipulating Evil through interaction with the [[Antiwraith]]. The avatar of Good, the [[Amaranth Knight]], was nowhere to be found. Holos shattered empires in their search for the Knight, mobilizing billions of soldiers, millions of spacecraft, and most of the universe. There it was, in Holos' capital, [[Eos (Cosmoria)|Eos]], a single man wore the armor of the Amaranth Knight. [[Imperator Eero]], as he would be come to called, fought back Holos' armies. The immortal lieutenants Holos had sourced, whether [[Spirits (Cosmoria)|Spirits]] or ancient machines, fell one by one. A mere individual could not be responsible for this—Holos was fighting against [[Mars (Cosmoria)|Mars]]. Holos, responsible for killing Mars' first incarnation six thousand years ago, would finally face him again in battle. |
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<s>Were it not for The Administrator's meddling, Cosmoria as well as Azurade would have been destroyed instantly. All of existence would have been subsumed in Amaranth fire and made anew in a fashion not too dissimilar to Cosmoria's initial creation. The Administrator held on to a small piece of the Antiwraith. Using this minuscule fraction, it slowly tugged on Amaranth, consuming it |
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With the entire universe united behind Eero, Mars had enough strength to face Holos. The collective might of Cosmoria's denizens, bolstered by Good's incarnation, was not enough, however. As Evil has always been the larger half, Holos and the Antiwraith tore the Knight off of Eero one piece at a time. Eero did not waver, though he stood alone before Holos, within him was the spirit of Mars, the collective will of all intelligent beings. Paradoxically, Mars was stronger without the force of narrative hindering him, though simultaneously this would also become part of the narrative taking hold of reality. Amaranth had its influence all through Cosmoria, trampling free will, imposing fate onto the once non-deterministic universe, and in many ways acting against everything Mars had spent six millennia fighting for. |
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After nearly a millennium, evil had been expunged from Amaranth and absorbed into The Administrator. Its first act was to imprison Azurade. The power of the evil portion of Amaranth, while not infinite, was far in excess of hers. It is in the nature of absolute evil to destroy good, causing The Administrator to pursue the Amaranth Knight throughout Cosmoria. |
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Eero saw the red-colored shackles on his limbs. Holos' shackles were an angry dark red, while his were lighter, as though the only difference was in aesthetic. The Monad shook as Mars ripped free from the meta-narrative. According to Amaranth, Mars was destined to defeat Holos, to defeat evil, and to bring about ever-lasting peace and governance by the people, all under Amaranth's auspices. Mars rejected this destiny, rejected rule by any force, even one representing "objective goodness." The thematic void left behind from Mars violating his role shook Amaranth to its core. Non-determinism reasserted itself as Mars slew Holos, the Antiwraith, and the Knight. |
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A warlord who went by the name of [[Imperator Uriel|Uriel]], had come to purchase the Amaranth Knight. Oblivious to the cosmic battle that was taking place, and even oblivious to the ancient history of Cosmoria, he desired to use it as a weapon. When it became obvious that using the embodiment of pure good as a weapon was impossible, Uriel attempted to get rid of it. This proved infeasible as the Knight intelligently resisted any attempt to destroy it. It would eventually, through indirect means as it was mute, explain to Uriel what was happening. |
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Amaranth remained, but was mostly banished from Cosmoria. The smallest fragment persisted which [[Azurade]] grabbed onto. Though Azurade was supposed to have submitted like all of Cosmoria's other "gods," Amaranth elevated her to Mars' role in the narrative, and Amaranth united with Azurade. As Mars learned of this, he brought down his spear onto her—and the Monad annihilated with itself. |
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[[Azurade]] stepped in, hellbent on preventing these forces from unifying. Following the Administrator's example, however, she decided to absorb them into herself. First good, then evil, she absorbed both and allowed them to collide within her. She managed to survive as well as protect the universe which she loved. However, Cosmoria had a lifespan. The Monad had reached the 6-billion year time limit that it created for itself. As the various particles of the Monad began annihilating with one another, Cosmoria simply faded away.</s> |
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The curtains closed, and Azurade escaped certain destruction by microseconds. All of Cosmoria vanished, Mars included, and she was alone. A part of her lived on to usher in the next era—[[Galviyra]], in which Amaranth synthesized the complete control of Imagindarium and the radical freedom of Cosmoria to create a mostly unfated pseudo-narrative. |
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Azurade, being made up of pure Amaranth at this point, had become [[Amaranth-Azurade]] and was able to usher in the new era known as [[Galvyria]]. |
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[[Category:Cosmoria]] |
[[Category:Scope: Cosmoria]] |
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[[Category:Duodecillionaire]] |
[[Category:Author: Duodecillionaire]] |
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[[Category:Concepts]] |
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[[Category:Ontology]] |
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[[Category:Forces of Nature]] |
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[[Category:Scope: Imagindarium - Amaranth]] |
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Latest revision as of 19:55, December 28, 2025
"O' Freest Jewel – All the Curses Now Ended – An Audience Now Aeon – Brought us onto A'th"
This content takes place in the "Amaranth Succession" — A bridged Scope plotline between the Scopes of Imagindarium's Creation, Cosmoria and Galvyria and is to be understood as equally canonical in all three.
Amaranth-Cosmoria
Metaphysical Manifestation
Ontological Phenomenon
Dormant energy form; occasionally manifests as Null Behavior Particles
Continuation of Amaranth's existence following Imagindarium's collapse
Surviving essence of a prior reality; foundational force in Cosmoria
Manifestation of Amaranth (a divine/metaphysical force)
- Amaranth
- Imagindarium
- The Monad
Unpredictable emergence tied to quantum anomalies
Transforms metaphysical potential into observable Null Behavior Particles
Persistent but hidden throughout Cosmoria
Implied through directed metaphysical behavior
Underlies metaphysical substrate of Cosmoria
Split into Good and Evil
- Amaranth Remnants
- Null Behavior Particles
- The Ultimate End
Amaranth
- Splitting into Good and Evil
- Amaranth-Touched Particles
- Null Behavior Particles
Amaranth-Cosmoria is the manifestation of Amaranth in the second universe, Cosmoria. Its death in the previous reality was not particularly spectacular or glamorous even though the events leading up to it, the Ultimate End, were. Imagindarium's Creation, the previous reality, was a deterministic play Imagindarium directed. It meticulously arranged countless omnipotent powers and forces to tell its story. The moment the story ended, Imagindarium disappeared, leaving its creation's infinities to slam into one another with unstoppable might. Hardly an instant elapsed before it imploded. The only thing to have survived was Amaranth, albeit in a simplified and dormant state.
Even though Imagindarium's creation disappeared, a more base substrate existed on which activity could still happen. This medium in which stories could be told, usually called the "Stage," was not empty. Imagindarium left behind nearly infinite possibility in the form of a frothy soup of unrealized potential. This energy manifested in countless particles that attempted to take form, one of which was The Monad, Cosmoria's sole particle. Familiar concepts like space and time caused Amaranth to cease its inactivity.
Creation
In the first few moments of Cosmoria's existence, Amaranth split into Good and Evil. Perhaps it was imitating the quantum fields of Cosmoria, or perhaps it was breaking down without Imagindarium to guide it. Either way, these two forces would have a lasting impact on Cosmoria. Good and evil, while not objective anymore, are better described as the names for Amaranth's two fundamental halves.
As the fire of Cosmoria's creation settled down, the Amaranth Remnants precipitated out of the primordial plasma. The Remnants ranged in size from specks of dust to an entire planet and exhibited exotic properties. Over billions of years, they had percolated to every star system. Only a small number would ever have the privilege of interacting with life; most were locked away in the core of stars or deep in interstellar space.
Discovery
A theory that included Amaranth was a holy grail for scientists in Cosmoria. For centuries, a theory of everything, which included the quantum, gravity, and the Noosphere, had been the standard view. It was the most successful theory of all time, launching technological development everywhere it was discovered. Accurately predicting the behavior of all particles, it was truly a theory of everything. Much to the dismay of philosophers, it swallowed much of the field of metaphysics, converting it into a science with definitive answers and testable hypotheses.
When scientists began exploring anomalies in their data, they noticed a common trend. The stray particles that defied their theories, for only nanoseconds at a time, had only null properties. For example, metaphors like "spin" and "color" are often used for quantum particles to describe their utterly alien behavior. When the particles got out of line, physicists measured these properties as null. As the quantum physicists petitioned governments to build ever-larger particle colliders, serious advancement in the field slowed to a halt. As they looked closer, it only confirmed their existing theory. No matter how high the energies involved, these so-called "Null Behavior Particles" behaved the same.
As conventional physicists were stumped, an emerging field would attempt to explain these phenomena. The scientific community saw the field of Anomalistics, an unserious discipline beset by pseudoscience, unfalsifiable claims, and ludicrous explanations. In the Providence Union, then the center of scientific advancement, anomalists could hardly find the funding to conduct the expensive planetary-scale quantum research they needed. Within the Triumvirate Civilization, however, the theocratic government was looking for any esoteric reason to justify their faith. The Triumvirate showered anomalists with large amounts of funding, even going so far as to have primitive species under their control research it as well. Anomalists emigrated to the Triumvirate in large numbers to pursue their research or, more often, become tremendously rich while doing little.
Amaranth Remnants
As centuries passed, Anomalists from across the Triumvirate rediscovered the Amaranth Remnants. When studied, they proved to be made up almost entirely of Null Behavior Particles. Due to their relevance in Aeternalism, these once legendary artifacts inspired their new name, "Amaranth-Touched Particles." The Triumvirate sanctioned the Ministry of Occult Research to gather as many Amaranth Remnants as possible. A subgroup, the secretive Occult Galaxy Project sought to monopolize the research
The organization managed to outlast the Triumvirate but had a difficult time maintaining its monopoly on the Amaranth Artifacts. Religious fanatics, rival organizations, and governments collected most of them. The Sedrua-aligned Cabal of Amaranth Truth in particular collected the most notable of them.
An Amaranth remnant has strange properties. Instead of the normal quantum particles, it seems the components of these remnants were purely classical. In other words, they had objective momentum, energy, position—everything that defies the bedrock of quantum physics. Nanoseconds after leaving their group, however, they would become conventional quantum particles. Later, it would be shown that Amaranth remnants are the creations of Amaranth, forced into existence and free of uncertainty.
Amaranth remnants usually took on utterly mundane forms, usually fitting right in with the soil, regolith, or rock around them. Amaranth remnants took thousands of years to discover, some even ending up inadvertently used in tools or buildings. They seem to be indestructible, but at their edges exists a sort of barrier. Particles on their surface constantly break away, replaced with others as Amaranth reasserts their existence. This unique radiation allowed for the discovery of the Amaranth Remnants.
Penultimate End
Cosmoria hurdled toward its end; The Monad was always going to annihilate with itself. Cosmoria's physicists had assumed it would forever iterate upon itself, as it has done an innumerable number of times in the past. However, this final iteration, the result of infinitely complex rules contained within the Monad, was here and would prove its most spectacular. Amaranth began percolating into The Monad, gently altering its dance at first. Amaranth, the force of narrative and fate, had a simple agenda—it wanted to conjoin its Good and Evil halves, and Cosmoria was the most "narrative-like" thing that existed at that time. Like attracted like in a manner of speaking.
One leader of the Triumvirate, Administrator Holos, had taken a great interest in Amaranth. Within it was the capacity to create new Monad particles, they believed. If one could use Amaranth to step outside of the Monad, and to become independent of it, they could access the endless frothing sea of potential that spawned Cosmoria's sole particle. Holos had every intention of taking hold of these particles as was their perceived birthright, "Every star, every planet, every rock, every molecule, every damn quantum fluctuation. It's all yours!"
Holos learned the secrets of manipulating Evil through interaction with the Antiwraith. The avatar of Good, the Amaranth Knight, was nowhere to be found. Holos shattered empires in their search for the Knight, mobilizing billions of soldiers, millions of spacecraft, and most of the universe. There it was, in Holos' capital, Eos, a single man wore the armor of the Amaranth Knight. Imperator Eero, as he would be come to called, fought back Holos' armies. The immortal lieutenants Holos had sourced, whether Spirits or ancient machines, fell one by one. A mere individual could not be responsible for this—Holos was fighting against Mars. Holos, responsible for killing Mars' first incarnation six thousand years ago, would finally face him again in battle.
With the entire universe united behind Eero, Mars had enough strength to face Holos. The collective might of Cosmoria's denizens, bolstered by Good's incarnation, was not enough, however. As Evil has always been the larger half, Holos and the Antiwraith tore the Knight off of Eero one piece at a time. Eero did not waver, though he stood alone before Holos, within him was the spirit of Mars, the collective will of all intelligent beings. Paradoxically, Mars was stronger without the force of narrative hindering him, though simultaneously this would also become part of the narrative taking hold of reality. Amaranth had its influence all through Cosmoria, trampling free will, imposing fate onto the once non-deterministic universe, and in many ways acting against everything Mars had spent six millennia fighting for.
Eero saw the red-colored shackles on his limbs. Holos' shackles were an angry dark red, while his were lighter, as though the only difference was in aesthetic. The Monad shook as Mars ripped free from the meta-narrative. According to Amaranth, Mars was destined to defeat Holos, to defeat evil, and to bring about ever-lasting peace and governance by the people, all under Amaranth's auspices. Mars rejected this destiny, rejected rule by any force, even one representing "objective goodness." The thematic void left behind from Mars violating his role shook Amaranth to its core. Non-determinism reasserted itself as Mars slew Holos, the Antiwraith, and the Knight.
Amaranth remained, but was mostly banished from Cosmoria. The smallest fragment persisted which Azurade grabbed onto. Though Azurade was supposed to have submitted like all of Cosmoria's other "gods," Amaranth elevated her to Mars' role in the narrative, and Amaranth united with Azurade. As Mars learned of this, he brought down his spear onto her—and the Monad annihilated with itself.
The curtains closed, and Azurade escaped certain destruction by microseconds. All of Cosmoria vanished, Mars included, and she was alone. A part of her lived on to usher in the next era—Galviyra, in which Amaranth synthesized the complete control of Imagindarium and the radical freedom of Cosmoria to create a mostly unfated pseudo-narrative.