Thalweg

The Thalweg is the name given to what is presumed to be the absolute origin point of the Broadwave, and by extension, Taekni. It is located in the Abyssreach of the Vetrarsaer galaxy of the Sky River. It therefore functions as a universe-wide Barycentre.

It is the centre-point of the Confluence, and it is believed that the sheer force of Broadwave is the cause of it - All matter is pulled towards the Thalweg, becoming part of the Sky River, or pulled into an orbit around it, like with the Sky Shore, or the Twins of Time.

Because of this, it is often said that the Thalweg is the very centre of the Voidsea, and the universe at a whole - Perhaps not in the sense that it is the absolute, literal geographic centre of reality, but rather, due to everything seeming to orbit it, it is the centre of reality in a practical sense.

That being said, it is unclear what exactly is at the Thalweg.

It is part of the Abyssreach, which is surrounded by the Fae Rest, a highly Taeknikinetic region, and highly dangerous to traverse in it's own right. However, of those that have gotten through it, and can claim to have traversed the Abyssreach, none of them can claim to know what is at the Thalweg, as there are dozens of different interferences.

Dangerous solar storms that rage continuously, Broadwave interference damaging electronic and biological voidships that attempt to get in close, and the simple fact that the Abyssreach is located near the Galactic Core of Vetrarsaer, ensuring immense gravitational forces that make navigation impossible. In addition, a collection of mysterious, orbital citadels appear to be scattered around the area, which appear to disappear into localized wormholes if approached. The meaning behind these towers is completely unknown.

There are also tales of spirit-like creatures that sometimes emerge on Voidships, attacking the crews, and sometimes kidnapping members of them for purposes uncertain.

Many are convinced that there is something at the Thalweg - But none have been able to observe it, despite multiple attempts to accomplish such a goal.

Notable missions to the Thalweg

Voidship of the Void Imperator and the Flygia Riki (VIFR) Force of Nature - Military Vessel.

Affiliation: The Flygia Riki

Mission Title: Operation Ghostbuster

Captain: Captain Parathis Hekvolar

Crew: 11,434

Status: Destroyed, 11,432 Casualties, 1 survivor confirmed, 1 survivor reported

Important Notices: Logs of this mission were kept in a separate computer on Jaravich until the Void Imperator and the Flygia Riki collapsed. Record was deleted, but recovered by Cosmic Union archeotech specialists.

Description: The VIFR Force of Nature was deployed to the Thalweg as part of Operation Ghostbuster. It was ordered by the Void Imperator themselves. It was suspected that Xenos using Taekni that made them act similarly to ghosts had stolen a prototype for a new destroyed class Voidship. The Force of Nature was sent to recover the prototypes, and eliminate any Xenos they found. The Force of Nature fought it's way through the Fae Rest, taking up to 2,000 casualties along the way. Upon reaching the Abyssreach, communications were lost almost immediately.

The ship was destroyed by all hands, with only one survivor escaping the region in an escape pod. This survivor, by the name of Tyrasis, revealed they had orders to escape, and provide the Void Imperator the final words of Captain Parathis Hekvolar personally. The last words were provided via handheld computer, exonerating Tyrasis of the charge of treason.

Six years later, during a mission to put down a rebellion on the Void Island of Blautr, Tyrasis was confronted by a Fyrnex, whom appeared to be another member of the crew of the Force of Nature; Okara Karaka. No record of Okara Karaka was found on crew manifests. Tyrasis insisted upon Okara's presence there, as a shapeshifter until they were executed for cowardice and dereliction of duty.

Captains Last Words: The captains final words, delivered to the Void Imperator personally by Tyrasis, are attached here.

Voidship of the Cosmic Union (VCU) Oasis Dream - Exploration Vessel.

Affiliation: The Cosmic Union

Mission title: Operation Galactocentrism

Captain: Captain Intrepid Crew: 2,468 personel.

Status: Officially Missing in Action. Failure, all hands lost.

Description: As part of the Cosmic Union's first officially manned exploration of the Abyssreach, the VCU Oasis Dream was sent to the Abyssreach as part of Operation Galactocentrism. It's objective was to locate the Thalweg, and uncover any information about it. Crew survival was considered paramount, and Captain Intrepid was informed that if the choice came between gathering crucial information, or the lives of the crew, they were to prioritize the crew. Contact was maintained through the Fae Rest, during which no casualties were reported. Voidship reported reaching a large solar storm, and seeing a citadel behind some stellar matter. Video confirmation was provided. Contact lost upon approach. Exact fate of crew unknown. Presumed Killed in action.

Additional Notes

The Void Island of Thalweg is not named after the Thalweg phenomenon, or the other way around. The shared name is purely coincidental.