Sar'ach (səˈrɑk)

In a bygone epoch, the Shatar, a previous iteration of humanity, embarked on a momentous endeavor in their quest for existential ascension. Firmly believing that the eradication of selfishness would unlock the path to transcendence, they devised a daring plan. They sought to manifest Selfishness itself into a tangible form, known as Sar'ach, which they believed could be vanquished, thus eliminating selfishness from the universe.

Through a complex and ancient ritual, the Shatar succeeded in materializing the essence of Selfishness into the physical realm. Sar'ach emerged, a grotesque and formidable creature, representing the embodiment of selfish desires and motivations. With great conviction, the Shatar engaged in a harrowing battle against Sar'ach. However, despite their best efforts, the overwhelming power of Sar'ach proved insurmountable. The creature's strength and malevolence defied the Shatar's attempts to destroy it.

Unleashing its wrath upon their world, Sar'ach wreaked havoc, warping everything in its path, including the Shatar's DNA. The profound transformation caused by Sar'ach's fury gave rise to the hereditary characteristics among the Shatar, such as the emergence of their horns. As their home planet fell into ruin, the energies unleashed by Sar'ach's rampage interacted with the remnants of the Shatar's ritual, causing a profound disruption in the cosmic balance. The very fabric of existence quivered under the strain of this cataclysmic event.

Caught in the maelstrom, the Shatar found themselves unwittingly hurled into the unknown. Sar'ach followed in pursuit. The very essence that they sought to eradicate clung tenaciously to their fleeing civilization. The Shatar soon found themselves confronted by the strange and unfamiliar environment of Eivrall. To their surprise, Sar'ach was relentless, following them to this new land, but vanished shortly after their arrival. Its presence dissipated, leaving the Shatar puzzled and cautious.

As the Shatar began to rebuild their society from the wreckage of their crash landing, they remained vigilant, seeking to understand the mysterious nature of their enemy's vanishing act and remain prepared for its potential return. Throughout the annals of Shatar history, the saying "You have a Devil on your shoulder" has endured as a poignant reminder of the all-encompassing grip of selfishness. Sar'ach's existence serves as a stark testament to the profound impact of self-serving desires and the relentless struggle against its allure.

Sar'ach's initial pursuit and subsequent disappearance became a legend, a testament to the profound impact of self-serving desires and the ever-present threat that loomed within their new home on Eivrall. The Shatar, scarred by their encounter, carry this wisdom, patiently anticipating the day when they must face Sar'ach once more, with hope that they may one day overcome it and ascend to a higher plane of existence.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Sar'ach's existence embodies the cyclical nature of humanity's struggle against selfishness. It emerges periodically throughout history, serving as a haunting reminder of the constant battle individuals face in transcending their self-centered tendencies. Each era presents an opportunity for humanity to confront and overcome its inherent selfishness, yet the cycle continues, underscoring the difficulty of achieving lasting progress.

The origins of Sar'ach's existence lie in the manifestation of selfish energy within the universe. Sar'ach's growth rate is tied to the spread of selfishness within individuals and society. The initial stage is represented by the insidious influence of the "worm." This metaphorical parasite infects individuals, gradually corrupting their thoughts and actions with self-centeredness. As individuals succumb to their selfish desires, the parasitic influence of Sar'ach grows, feeding off their negative energy. As the selfishness spreads and intensifies, the accumulated selfishness triggers a transformation within Sar'ach, culminating in its emergence from beneath the sands of Synead.

Sar'ach possesses a monstrous and nightmarish appearance, reflecting the corruption within each individual. Its true form is a grotesque distortion of something familiar, provoking a sense of terror and repulsion. Its hulking frame stands at an immense height, dominating the landscape with its twisted and deformed physical features. It has elongated limbs, sharp claws, and an intimidating presence that instills fear in all who encounter it. Sar'ach's face is a horrific reflection of the corruption and deformity within each person. It's features and facial expressions are distorted with grotesque proportions. Its eyes, when visible, possess an intense and penetrating gaze that sends shivers down the spine of those who meet its gaze.

Biological Cycle

The chaos and turmoil caused by selfishness serve as sustenance for Sar'ach, fueling its power and allowing it to thrive. Sar'ach does not have a specific ecological niche or habitat. Its influence is pervasive, as the battle against selfishness takes place within the minds and actions of individuals. Each person's battle with their metaphorical "worm" serves as a means of reproduction for Sar'ach. As the embodiment of selfishness, Sar'ach does not have physical dietary needs. Instead, it feeds on the negative energy generated by selfish actions and intentions. Sar'ach is driven solely by self-interest and the amplification of selfishness. It preys upon the desires, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities of individuals, manipulating and exploiting them to further its own agenda. Sar'ach seeks to undermine empathy, compassion, and the collective well-being of society.

Behaviour

Sar'ach exhibits an exceptional level of intelligence, driven by its cunning and manipulative nature. It possesses an acute understanding of human psychology, using this knowledge to exploit the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of individuals. Sar'ach's intelligence allows it to orchestrate elaborate schemes and manipulate situations to further its own agenda. It is a master of psychological warfare, capitalizing on selfish desires and motivations.

Sar'ach's perception goes beyond the physical realm. It possesses an unnerving ability to penetrate the deepest recesses of individuals' minds, reading their thoughts, desires, and emotions with uncanny accuracy. It can sense the underlying selfish motivations and ambitions that drive their actions. Additionally, Sar'ach has the power to manipulate and distort the perceptions of those around it, creating illusions and false beliefs to further its own agenda. Its extraneous capabilities allow it to prey upon the vulnerabilities and weaknesses of individuals, using their own self-interest against them.

Notice

This article is currently being worked on. Check back soon!

Origin/Ancestry
Shatari
Lifespan
Millions of years
Average Height
16.67 meters
Average Weight
6,667 MT
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Sar'ach's frightening appearance is a swirling mass of darkness, eerie lights, and otherworldly patterns. Deep shadows and sickly colors elicit dread for most.

Geographic Distribution


Cover image: Artist's Rendition of Sar'ach by Gabrielle Decker

Comments

Author's Notes

I've been struggling with concentrating the past few days, and I've been sitting on this article for 3 days now, trying to edit it. I've been unsuccessful, so I'm going to go ahead and publish it with the disclaimer that it's probably crap at the moment. Sorry!


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Jul 16, 2023 19:49 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

I love the concept of this so much. Makes me shiver.

Emy x
Explore Etrea
Jul 18, 2023 10:36 by Gabrielle Decker

Me too! Thank you for reading! <3

Jul 26, 2023 23:21 by Jaime Buckley

$#$@$!!! brilliant   This is,...woah.   "Sar'ach does not have physical dietary needs. Instead, it feeds on the negative energy generated by selfish actions and intentions. Sar'ach is driven solely by self-interest and the amplification of selfishness. It preys upon the desires, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities of individuals, manipulating and exploiting them to further its own agenda. "   This made me gulp -- because it would thrive to no end in RL right now....   *shiver*

JAIME BUCKLEY
Storyteller, Cartoonist,..pretty awesome friend =)
Subscribe to Life of Fiction to see the live results of all this worldbuilding.
Jul 29, 2023 21:01 by Gabrielle Decker

Yes, it definitely unnerves me as I write about it. But that's precisely the point. My book may be cyberpunk-fantasy-ish, but above all its Literary Fiction. Sar'ach exists BECAUSE of what's going on rn in the world. It's the direct inspiration and real-world analogue.   That makes it even scarier, in my opinion.

Jul 29, 2023 23:39 by Jaime Buckley

Oh, I SO agree with you. 100%

JAIME BUCKLEY
Storyteller, Cartoonist,..pretty awesome friend =)
Subscribe to Life of Fiction to see the live results of all this worldbuilding.
Aug 11, 2023 16:16 by Lilliana Casper

The concept of a being made out of pure selfishness is amazing. The Sar'ach sounds simultaneously terrifying and intriguing. I would love to read more about people encountering it or other details of its creation. My only critiques for this article are about unequal sidebar and main content, but I'm sure you can fix that eventually! Great work on this article!

Lilliana Casper   I don't comment much, but I love reading your articles! Please check out my worlds, Jerde and Tread of Darkness.
Aug 16, 2023 03:54 by Gabrielle Decker

Thank you so much for the comment! Sar'ach plays a pivotal role in my books, so I definitely am looking forward to developing this article further. Thank you for the feedback as well! I love receiving tidbits like that, they help a lot!

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