Origins of the Maw of Xylos?
The Maw of Xylos is a colossal and monstrous deep-space creature of hazy origins. Its existence in the Delta Space came about when the recording satellite operated by an outer boundary research station, called Xylos-14, near
Unknown Space captured the first footage of the creature. This creature, the Maw of Xylos, which would take its name from the station, is a grotesque, hulking entity of flesh and appendages, with a large gaping maw splitting the middle. Opening to reveal a hole of nothingness within, it can swallow entire ships and take enormous chunks off of space stations at a whim and barely even notice it going down its gullet.
It was seen lurching through space, showered in fine debris and sparks of energy as if it has just come through an erratic storm of energy. Like the ones found in Unknown Space. And as quickly as it was spotted, it disappeared, beyond the stormy veil of Unknown Space once again.
Several loops later, another sighting was made, this one much closer to the station itself. But the monster was not spotted until it was too late. It ambled out from the vast reaches of the stars and roared towards the station like a comet.
Claxon bells rang, and researchers of the station ran about, prepared for impact. But nothing could have prepared them for what the Maw did next. Opening its vast mouth, the Maw collided with the station and sheared it nearly in half with one mighty bite. The Xylos-14 station in one moment ceased function, and those who weren’t lost in the bit itself quickly succumbed to the station’s massive breach into the vacuum of space. There were no survivors. But the incident was recorded, and one rogue and quite insane man got hold of it. And a rather insane idea entered his mind.
The Renegade Collector — Ibys Barhg
Ibys Barhg is an entrepreneur, a collector of oddities, a self-taught “scholar”, a rogue, and a renegade. He is also one of the slimiest, most savvy self-made individuals in the entire Delta Space, having amassed a fortune through a variety of built and sold businesses, most of which are in the tech and media industry, and a vast array of smart investments. Though he has been known to run the occasional Ponzi or pyramid scheme, he is, for all legal purposes, above board.
Currently, Barhg owns and operates a media conglomerate called Shock and Awe Media. He specializes in developing various forms of media, both traditional in television and audio, and the non-traditional, expansive sensory adventure packages designed to shock and awe the experiencer. These latter experiences are expensive and often dangerous, requiring several layers of waivers and extensive down payments for those wishing to join one.
One of these is the Maw of Xylos experience, where the daring “adventurers” get to see the Maw of Xylos up close and witness it devour a derelict ship or station in person. Those who cannot afford this can watch one of the live paid feeds that show the Maw of Xylos at all times. If watchers are lucky, they may see the Maw in action devouring something or bellowing out one of its disconcerting screams.
This television show has become quite renowned, giving the Maw a sort of celebrity in the Delta Space. These televised "feeding events" are where most people watch it devour derelict ships and pieces of old stations, etc. Rumours that it absorbs the memories and agonies of its victims have only amplified its already terrifying reputation.
But how was the Maw of Xylos captured and put on display like this?
The Maw of Xylos devouring old derelict space junk
Capturing the Colossus
Ibys Barhg, with his characteristic blend of audacious vision and ruthless efficiency, didn't attempt to physically capture the Maw of Xylos in a conventional sense. Instead, he capitalized on its natural predatory instincts and the peculiar energetic properties of its home in Unknown Space.
His team, likely composed of highly specialized engineers and "xenobehaviorists," developed a sophisticated energy net system. This wasn't a physical net, but a series of interconnected, highly resonant energy fields designed to mimic the erratic energy storms the Maw seemed to be drawn to. By strategically deploying these field generators in a controlled, decommissioned sector of space, Barhg effectively created a massive, contained "feeding ground."
The Maw, driven by its insatiable hunger and perhaps a residual instinct for the chaotic energy of its origins, was lured into this sector. Once inside, the energy fields, while not physically restraining the creature, were designed to disorient and subtly manipulate its spatial awareness, making it extremely difficult for the Maw to perceive the true boundaries of its enclosure or escape the system.
Displaying the Devourer
To display the Maw, Barhg leveraged his media empire, Shock and Awe Media. He constructed a network of advanced, highly resilient surveillance drones and long-range sensory buoys within the contained sector.
These devices not only broadcast continuous, high-definition feeds of the Maw but also projected specialized energy fields that, while harmless to the creature, acted as a constant, subtle attractant for derelict ships.
Each ship is carefully chosen for their lack of sentient life — though accidents do occasionally happen — and structural integrity, are then gently guided into the Maw's territory, ensuring a steady supply of "feeding events."
The televised aspect is achieved through a combination of highly encrypted, off-grid broadcast frequencies and a distributed network of private relay satellites. Barhg also utilizes advanced, near-real-time data processing to filter and enhance the live feeds that make the Maw of Xylos experience so uniquely terrifying and profitable.
Wow, very cool beast. The idea of being able to capture and keep something like this is really terrifying.
Thanks! I am more interested in what happens when it escapes! :D