Historical Background
The phenomenon of the Bereaved traces its roots back to the ancient times of the High North, predating even the rise of the Seers. It is a testament to the complex intersection of deep emotional trauma and the vast, largely uncharted expanse of time-altering magic.
Early records of the Bereaved were shrouded in the folk tales of
Bimmentok, where bereaved individuals were said to transform into stone in the throes of their profound grief. For centuries, these tales were regarded as mere myths, until the increasingly complex understanding of
Temporomancy, as practiced by
The Aurimbic Tradition, brought about a reassessment of these ancient stories.
by midjourney
Manifestation
The strange scenario of the Bereaved involves individuals, primarily in the High North, who have suffered a profound personal loss, so consuming that their entire focus becomes trapped in the past. This intense, past-centric attention freezes their bodies in the present, turning them into stone-like entities.
The mechanism of this transformation remains unclear. It does not appear to be tied to any previously manifest magical talent or training in the individuals, and instead seems to be an involuntary, grief-driven response. It only adds to the mystery that Bereaved individuals often "awaken" from this state, reverting to their pre-transformation selves, sometimes after days, weeks, years, or even decades.
Containment and Observations
Given its potentially alarming implications,
The Council of Landezon's Quorum division closely monitors and manages information regarding the Bereaved, keeping it hidden from the world, and other magical traditions. The precise frequency of its occurrence is undisclosed but is suspected to be rare.
In the unusual instances of a person awakening after decades, they emerge physically unchanged, preserved perfectly as they were at the time of their transformation. This unique aspect has stirred interest from
The Exiled Tradition, and more specifically,
The Hex, who see in it the tantalizing possibility of achieving immortality.
Folklore and Mundane Perceptions
In the world of mundane folklore, the Bereaved are often perceived as people who loved so profoundly that they became statues, waiting eternally for their lost ones. They are considered as physical manifestations of grief, serving as poignant reminders of love, loss, and the inexorable passage of time. It's not uncommon to find offerings left at the feet of a Bereaved, a ritual to placate the gods or seek blessings for the living. In addition to their existence in fables, the Bereaved appear in the works of many latter-day
Arloki artists, eager to tell their desperate and fascinating stories.
The Bereaved remain one of the most poignant and enigmatic aspects of the magical world, evoking an intense mix of fascination, empathy, and fear. They remind us of the profound and unpredictable ways in which powerful emotions can interact with the unexplored realms of magic. As arcane researchers continue to uncover the mechanisms of this remarkable phenomenon, the Bereaved continue to inspire awe, reminding us of the delicate threads connecting love, loss, time, and magic.
Comments