The Flip Side

Passing Through

The Flip side is a village in a metaphysical world, one exploited by cultists of The First Element every day. The Flip Side is a place of spirits. The shamans of The First Element venture to this world in search of the many wonders lingering within. The cult relies on The Flip Side for food, water, and shelter from the unforgiving heat of the desert they call home.
They remain secluded in their other world, Isolated, and growing fat with power. Spirits that exist in this other world offer more than food, they offer their very being. There is a fine line these cultitsts walk, a line between great power, and mental destruction.
The flip side is dark, but also bright. It is teaming with life, but also barren. The many strange places within its landscape change to reflect the spirits that live in the area. A spirit of earth may cultivate a lush forest, while a spirit of wind may cause a perpetual storm that that tears the trees from the ground.

Soul Food

To The First Element, consuming metaphysical substances is more than just a sacred act. The hunt is a test of worth, the kill is a test of determination, and the consumption is a stepping stone to Acension.
Each member wishes to become a metaphysical being, and chose to do so by hunting and eating those that already are. A spirit cannot truely die, and when consumed, it lives on within the cultist during their lives in the physical plane. This is where their power comes from, as well as their mental instability.
They refrain from consuming entities that do not resemble animals. Doing so never ends well. They bargain and learn from these entities instead, sometimes gaining power, insight, or even a dear and loyal friend.

Fun Fact: Spirit Spouse

A spirit spouse in a metaphysical entity that is romantically tied to The Shamans of The Flip Side. They seek to help their human counterparts in their ascension. While rare, the union is considered sacred among the cult. Many resemble humans, at least in some way, but their metaphysical forms side the image in a variety of ways.
Some glow with a translucent body that feels solid as stone. Others look solid and normal enough, but their bodies are mere illusions, false images created by the formless intelligence behind it. These spirits are anthropomorphic entities, and their forms will look the part.
A spirit of fire may be covered in flames and a spirit of water may be made of water. Some of these forms are stranger than others. A spirit of a forest fire will look quite different compared to that of a house fire. A spirit of lakes will be radically different than a spirit of shipwrecks.

Theia Mania

The shamans of The First Element balance on a tight rope. Their consumption of metaphysical creatures led to abilities that rival even those who practice The Prestige. They toss and turn the night after consumption. nightmares ravaging their minds. When they wake, they may discover something that wasn't there before.

New abilities are certainly hoped for, as is a new found vigor and lust for life. They are stronger, faster, and more perceptive. They gain transformative powers, able to morphine into animals and monsters alike. Some gain control over the elements, others gain the gift of precognition, and it all depends on what is consumed.
members of the cult are familiar with a darker side of their journeys as well. Mental illness dominates their life. The nightmares may leave a lingering dread that haunts them. Their experience in The Flip Side can backfire, and leave them forever scarred. Again, it varies depending on what inflict a the illness upon them, but every member has their demons.