Future Raiders
The Future Raiders are the evolved, far-future incarnation of the Retro Raiders, led by a powerful and deeply calculating version of The Oracle. After thousands of years traveling through time, The Oracle has amassed the power and knowledge to enact sweeping changes to the timeline, with a singular, hidden goal. Unlike the colorful, chaotic Retro Raiders, the Future Raiders are a focused, disciplined force with a cold, strategic edge. Their members, from battle-hardened operatives to time-theory researchers, are unified by their dedication to The Oracle’s vision.
Driven by a sense of finality, the Future Raiders are determined to bring together the player characters, believing that only this exact configuration of individuals, at this precise moment, can accomplish The Oracle’s mysterious purpose. Their disciplined and somber approach contrasts sharply with their past selves, making them a shadowy, formidable presence within the Ghosts in the Shadows narrative.
Mythology & Lore
The Veil Shifters and Veil Shapers revere The Oracle as a deity, known as the “Keeper of Time’s Veil,” who guards and guides the One True Timeline. Their mythology tells that, in the distant past, The Oracle pierced the veil of eternity and beheld the chaotic multiverse, fractured by countless, uncontrolled choices. In that moment, he saw a vision of universal destruction, destined to unfold if left to chance. Emerging from this revelation, The Oracle took on a sacred duty: to safeguard and weave together a single, pure thread of time that would lead to cosmic balance. His followers believe they serve as his hands, intervening to prune aberrant timelines that threaten this divine path.
Veil Shifters and Shapers follow the Doctrine of the One True Timeline, holding that only their path will bring the universe to its destined harmony. They follow The Oracle’s guidance through prophecies and encoded signs—sacred texts known as the “Chronicles of Continuum”—which provide mission instructions, interpreted as divine commands. Their ultimate goal is to help The Oracle bring about a perfected timeline, where all anomalies vanish and time reaches a transcendent unity. To them, each mission is a step toward this cosmic paradise, with unwavering faith that The Oracle will lead them to an age of timeless harmony.
Divine Origins
The Veil Shifters and Veil Shapers believe that The Oracle is an ancient, divine being who has existed since the dawn of time itself. According to their myth, he emerged from a realm beyond time—the Eternal Nexus—where he witnessed the true nature of existence: a chaotic multiverse endlessly splintering with each new choice. From this chaos, The Oracle is said to have brought forth order, binding himself to the protection of the One True Timeline. In their minds, he is a benevolent guardian, selflessly committed to leading reality toward an age of unity and perfection.
However, the true origin is shrouded in secrecy. Any attempt to delve into The Oracle’s past or question his nature is met with vague answers or warnings, reinforcing the belief that he is beyond mortal understanding. Followers are taught that human minds cannot comprehend his timeless wisdom and that his origins are better left unquestioned. For the Veil Shifters and Shapers, this mystery only deepens their reverence, reinforcing their faith that he is a transcendent being—one whose sole purpose is the salvation of reality itself.
Cosmological Views
The cosmology of the Veil Shifters and Veil Shapers revolves around the concept of the One True Timeline as the central axis of reality. They believe that the universe is an intricate web of interconnected events, each thread representing a possible timeline, some destined to converge into chaos and others to flourish into harmony. The Eternal Nexus, a realm outside of time, is the space where all timelines exist in potential. From this chaotic expanse, The Oracle, their divine guide, emerged to choose one path—the True Timeline—which he believes is the only path that ensures balance and harmony for all existence.
At the heart of this cosmology is the Veil, a metaphorical and literal barrier that separates the One True Timeline from the many divergent, fractured timelines. These alternate realities are seen as distortions or “flaws” that must be pruned to preserve the integrity of the True Timeline. The Oracle and his followers believe the Veil acts as a safeguard, preventing chaos from overwhelming the known universe. The Oracle, as the guardian of this Veil, is entrusted with the duty of ensuring that only the most essential, correct events occur, shaping the timeline with unwavering purpose.
Within this framework, time is not linear but rather a complex, flexible force. The Oracle’s followers view time as a dynamic flow, constantly shifting and adapting, with the Veil Shifters and Veil Shapers acting as agents who nudge the flow toward a perfected state. Their mission is to maintain the sanctity of the One True Timeline, pruning away any deviations or anomalies that threaten to tear apart the fragile thread of reality. The ultimate goal of this cosmology is to reach a state of perfect unity, where the universe exists in eternal harmony, free from the endless divergences of possibility.
Tenets of Faith
- The Oracle is the Guardian of Time – The Oracle alone has the divine wisdom to navigate and protect the One True Timeline. All followers must trust in his vision and judgment, as he alone can see the full scope of existence and the consequences of every choice.
- The One True Timeline is Sacred – There is only one path that leads to the universe’s ultimate harmony. All other timelines are aberrations, dangerous and corrupting, and must be corrected, eliminated, or contained to maintain the integrity of the True Timeline.
- Time is Fluid and Mutable – Time is not fixed but a living, shifting force. It is the duty of the Veil Shifters and Shapers to guide its flow, adjusting the past and future when necessary to preserve the True Timeline and its intended outcome.
- The Veil Must Be Kept Intact – The Veil is the boundary that separates the True Timeline from chaotic, divergent realities. It is the most sacred of barriers, and it is the responsibility of the faithful to keep it whole, preventing incursions from foreign timelines.
- Sacrifice for the Greater Good – To protect the One True Timeline, personal desires and attachments must be sacrificed. The faithful must be willing to make difficult choices, often with personal cost, for the greater good of preserving the timeline.
- Faith in the Oracle’s Will – The Oracle’s decisions are unquestionable. His wisdom and purpose transcend mortal understanding. Followers must act without doubt or hesitation when given guidance, knowing that his plan is flawless, even if the path is unclear.
- Anomalies Must Be Purged – Any deviation from the True Timeline is an anomaly, and these must be corrected or erased. Whether through temporal manipulation or direct intervention, all alterations that threaten the timeline’s integrity must be dealt with swiftly.
- Unity in the One True Path – The faithful are bound together by their commitment to the True Timeline. Unity is key, and every member’s purpose is to work together, despite their differences, to fulfill the Oracle’s vision.
- The End Justifies the Means – While the Oracle’s methods may seem harsh or extreme, they are necessary to ensure the stability of the timeline. The followers believe that the ends—achieving a perfect, harmonious universe—justify whatever actions may be required, no matter how morally ambiguous.
- The Final Ascension – The ultimate goal of the faithful is to bring about a final, perfect state of existence. When the One True Timeline is completed and all anomalies are purged, time will cease to be a burden. The universe will exist in eternal harmony, and all who served The Oracle will be exalted as the true architects of reality.
Through Time, We Forge Destiny
Type
Alliance, Cultural
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Demonym
Veilguard
Head of Government
Government System
Timocracy
Power Structure
Provisional government
Economic System
Post-scarcity economy
Deities
Neighboring Nations
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