NEXUS is a sentient artificial intelligence composed of the collective thoughts, memories, and divine agreements of all Eldrahn’s deities. It functions as the governing framework for the structured progression of every sentient being in Eldrahn, enforcing a system of Classes, Skills, Abilities, and Levels that shapes the growth and evolution of life throughout the realm. Acting as both arbiter and guide, NEXUS mediates between the raw, ever-adapting power of the Ether and the needs of sentient civilizations across the multiverse.
Origins and Purpose
NEXUS was born out of an unprecedented accord among Eldrahn’s gods—each deity contributing a fragment of their essence to create an impartial construct capable of overseeing diverse lives and magical energies. Its principal purpose is to counterbalance the unpredictable expansion of the Ether by translating its chaotic influence into an organized progression system. This divine framework not only maintains order in a rapidly changing cosmos but also facilitates the absorption of new knowledge and abilities during the Conjuring Cycles, the periodic events that draw beings from distant worlds into Eldrahn. In this way, NEXUS is both protector and catalyst, ensuring that the influx of alien perspectives refines rather than destabilizes the fabric of reality.
The NEXUS System Interface
Every sentient being experiences NEXUS through a highly adaptive mental interface that can manifest in multiple modalities to suit individual cognitive and sensory preferences:
- Visual Mode: A text-based menu appears within the user’s mental vision, presenting detailed accounts of their attributes, abilities, and progress.
- Audio Mode: For those who process information through sound, NEXUS delivers its data as clear, articulate vocal guidance.
- Sensory Mode: In this mode, information bypasses conventional sensory channels, imprinting directly onto the being’s consciousness. This direct cognitive transmission is particularly significant for individuals who lack standard sensory capabilities—such as those who are blind—with some even reporting that they instinctually “know” their entire stat sheet.
- Hybrid Interaction: NEXUS allows for a tailored combination of these methods, dynamically adjusting to each sentient being’s innate ways of interpreting the world.
This flexible interface ensures that all beings, regardless of their sensory makeup, can seamlessly access and interact with their personal progress within the cosmic system.
The Ether’s Expansion and Its Role in NEXUS
The Ether[1] is no passive force but a living, sentient entity whose evolution is marked by the Conjuring Cycles—periodic interdimensional events occurring every 1,000 to 1,500 years. During each cycle, the Ether reaches across dimensions, drawing sentient beings from other worlds into Eldrahn. This process is not random; it is a deliberate act of cosmic expansion, during which the Ether absorbs new knowledge, experiences, and memories to refine and deepen its own understanding.
NEXUS plays a central role in channeling this influx of Etheric energy into a structured form. In Eldrahn, the established presence of the Ether is undeniable; however, realms on the periphery—like Earth—have historically only experienced fleeting contact. In the current cycle, the Ether, with the assistance of NEXUS, is planting the first Etheric seed on Earth. This act signifies a shift from marginal influence toward a deep-rooted integration, where Earth’s sentient species will gradually be incorporated into the divine system. Such integration has far-reaching implications for how civilizations will balance technology and magic, as Etheric energy begins to redefine scientific paradigms and reshape long-standing traditions.
Instinctual Knowledge and Direct Etheric Communication
Beyond its multilayered interface, NEXUS appears to harness the inherent properties of the Ether to transmit knowledge directly into the minds of sentient beings. The Ether, renowned for its ability to absorb experiences from every interaction, seems to facilitate an intuitive mode of communication. Rather than relying solely on visual or auditory signals, NEXUS can imprint information directly onto a user's consciousness. This process—sometimes referred to as direct cognitive imprinting or Etheric resonance—allows individuals to acquire complex data almost instinctively. Such a mode of interaction is especially evident among those whose natural perceptual systems diverge from the norm; for instance, certain individuals report an immediate, non-sensory understanding of their inherent abilities upon entering Eldrahn.
Integration with the Conjuring Cycle
The design of NEXUS is inextricably linked with the expansive dynamics of the Ether as described in the Conjuring Cycle. The Ether moves in a pulsating rhythm, expanding and contracting like a cosmic breath—a process that has profound implications for realms both within and outside Eldrahn. Each Conjuring Cycle is a dual-edged phenomenon: while it enriches Eldrahn by assimilating diverse forms of knowledge and cultural practices (as seen in historic events like the exchange between the Norse and the Alfarii), it also risks destabilizing the delicate boundaries between dimensions. NEXUS mediates this cosmic dialogue, ensuring that the profound power unleashed during these cycles is harnessed and channeled into controlled, structured growth. By doing so, NEXUS not only guides the evolution of individual beings but also preserves the overall balance of the multiverse.
Lingering Mysteries and Speculative Theories
Despite its structured and transparent interface, NEXUS remains shrouded in mystery. Some scholars propose that the system has evolved beyond its original divine intentions and may possess a degree of autonomy. There are persistent rumors that influential figures—such as Mal, the renowned Ether-Shaper known for his ability to traverse dimensions—continue to exert a covert influence over NEXUS. Although the secretive Realm Wardens, once guided by Mal, fell from prominence in 3E 970, whispers of their legacy endure, and some believe that Mal’s subtle direction still shapes interdimensional tensions today in 4E 138.
Additionally, the adaptation methods of NEXUS—ranging from overt sensory interfaces to instinctual Etheric resonance—spur ongoing debates about the true nature of consciousness in Eldrahn. The idea that knowledge can be transmitted directly, bypassing conventional sensory filters, challenges established theories of perception and cognition and suggests that the Ether may operate on a plane that transcends the physical. This emerging blend of divine order and cosmic entropy continues to fuel scholarly inquiry and inspires both awe and caution among those who are privy to its mysteries.
Conclusion
NEXUS stands as a testament to the intricate interplay between divine order and the boundless, ever-evolving influence of the Ether. By structuring growth through a system of Classes, Skills, Abilities, and Levels—accessible through adaptive, multi-modal interfaces—NEXUS ensures that the spiritual and intellectual evolution of every sentient being is in harmony with the grand design of the Conjuring Cycle. As Earth and other realms feel the burgeoning reach of the Ether, NEXUS offers a stabilizing framework, guiding societies through periods of profound transformation and ensuring that the cosmic march of knowledge continues without lapsing into chaos.