The Unseen
The Unseen are among the most enigmatic and feared entities of The Veil. These beings embody the raw essence of emotions, traits, and mental states that mortals grapple with—rage, sorrow, vanity, despair, and more. Their forms are fluid, shifting and merging with the ever-present mist of The Veil, a realm of neutrality that exists beyond mortal comprehension. While their influence is subtle, it is profoundly impactful, amplifying the traits they represent and leaving those affected in turmoil.
Legends of The Unseen stretch across the Terrestrial Realm, where their presence is often invoked to explain sudden bursts of emotion, irrational behavior, or inexplicable conflict. Whether harbingers of truth or chaos, The Unseen are a force mortals fear and rarely comprehend. To encounter one is to confront a mirror of your innermost struggles, magnified to unbearable proportions.
Each Unseen embodies a specific emotion or state of mind, and their traits are reflected in their forms and behavior:
Prejudice: Twists its victim’s perceptions, stoking hatred and division.
Anxiety: A creeping presence that instills fear and indecision.
Vanity: A shimmering, distorted figure that feeds on self-obsession.
Regret: A mournful shadow that lingers, forcing its victim to relive their mistakes.
These are only a few of the many Unseen that haunt The Veil and the mortal world.
The Unseen are a paradox—both feared and revered, subtle yet overwhelming. They are the embodiment of humanity’s inner struggles, a force of nature that serves as a catalyst for both destruction and growth. To encounter The Unseen is to face oneself in the most unflinching way possible, a test few can endure unscathed.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Unseen are not bound by physical laws, and their appearance reflects their ethereal nature. Each Unseen is shrouded in the dark, swirling mist of The Veil, which shifts between hues of blue, purple, and grey, sometimes faintly sparkling like the void itself. Their forms are semi-corporeal, their edges blurred and indistinct, as though they are not fully anchored in reality. Their movements are fluid and hypnotic, like smoke caught in a breeze.
All Unseen share a common “face,” though it manifests differently for each one, reflecting the trait they embody. Prejudice might bear a face twisted in hatred, while Vanity’s visage could shimmer like a distorted reflection in a broken mirror. Their “bodies” are amorphous and ever-changing, shaped by the emotions they magnify, but always tethered to the mist that cloaks them. The mist changes color and intensity depending on their emotional state, with calm neutrality giving way to fiery vibrance when their influence grows.
Each Unseen’s form adapts subtly when they interact with mortals. For instance, Vanity may take on a shimmering, almost alluring appearance to draw attention, while Regret may darken and flicker like a dying ember. These physical changes are not permanent but shift based on their emotional energy and the state of their prey.
Behaviour
The Unseen are silent yet deeply impactful in their behavior. They do not speak, but their presence is felt in the very atmosphere. Mortals in their vicinity might feel an unexplainable chill, a tightening in their chest, or a sudden compulsion to act. This is how The Unseen work—they seep into the psyche, amplifying the traits they represent and feeding off the resulting emotional turmoil.
For example, an encounter with Anxiety might result in a creeping sense of dread that tightens its grip until the mortal is paralyzed by indecision. Vanity, by contrast, might compel an individual to obsess over their appearance to the detriment of everything else. The Unseen do not force action; rather, they act as amplifiers, bringing latent traits to the surface. Their power lies in their subtlety, leaving mortals unaware of their manipulation.
Their interaction is not limited to individuals; they can affect groups, stoking tensions within a crowd or amplifying collective fear. Entire towns have fallen into chaos, with mortals later blaming unseen forces for the sudden descent into madness. Such incidents are rare but leave lasting scars on those involved.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The Unseen serve a mysterious purpose in The Veil, one that even the Sisters of the Shroud or the Dread Knights cannot fully explain. They seem to maintain the balance of emotional energy within this primordial realm, feeding off the emotions they amplify to sustain their existence. While their actions might appear chaotic, some speculate that they are fulfilling a role within a greater, unknown design.
It is this neutrality that defines The Unseen. They are neither good nor evil, neither creators nor destroyers. They exist to reflect and magnify the emotions that mortals carry within themselves, serving as a bridge between internal struggles and external consequences. Scholars who study The Veil argue that The Unseen might be remnants of an ancient force, long forgotten but integral to the cosmic order.
Civilization and Culture
Common Myths and Legends
In the Terrestrial Realm, tales of The Unseen are as varied as the cultures that tell them. Among the Ki'Inori, they are feared as shadowy demons sent to torment the guilty; yet the High Elves seem them as necessary evils that reveal hidden truths. Farmers whisper of dark shapes that stir conflict among neighbors, while sailors tell stories of despair creeping aboard ships lost in the mist.
One enduring legend speaks of a traveler who encountered The Unseen called Regret. Unable to escape its influence, the traveler was consumed by memories of past failures, each one more vivid and tormenting than the last. Though the traveler survived, they were forever marked by the encounter, their hair turned white as snow and their voice reduced to a trembling whisper.
The Unseen are often used in morality tales to teach lessons about controlling one’s emotions. A Mountain Dwarves childrens story warns of a king who allowed Prejudice to rule his decisions, leading to the downfall of his realm. While the story is likely apocryphal, it highlights the universal fear of The Unseen’s influence.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
The Unseen are solitary entities, rarely interacting with other Creatures of The Veil. Even the mighty Dread Knights exercise caution in their presence, as the volatile nature of The Unseen makes them unpredictable. The Sisters of the Shroud are said to understand The Unseen better than most, though they do not command or control them. Some legends even suggest that the Sisters occasionally seek the guidance of The Unseen, though the nature of such exchanges is shrouded in mystery.
Mortals who encounter The Unseen are often left scarred—physically, emotionally, or both. While most Creatures of The Veil inspire fear, The Unseen evoke a unique kind of dread. Their ability to amplify hidden truths makes them feared, but also occasionally revered, as mortals see their influence as a form of divine revelation.
The Unseen act as both mirrors and magnifiers, forcing mortals to confront their own flaws and vulnerabilities. By amplifying emotions, they can drive individuals to actions they might never otherwise consider—acts of bravery, cruelty, despair, or redemption. Yet, their influence is not without consequence. Many who encounter The Unseen are left broken, their minds shattered by the intensity of their own emotions.
However, there are rare instances where mortals claim to have gained clarity or strength from their encounters with The Unseen. Whether these accounts are genuine or the product of self-delusion remains a topic of debate among scholars.
The Unseen: Prejudice, Anxiety and Despair
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