Powers That Be

The esoteric energies that run through Primeval are inextricably affected and directed by the belief and mindsets of the living things through which it passes. The rivers of subtle energy pick up resonance and meaning as they flow, sometimes collecting into coherent clots that themselves become sentient.

These are the Incarna, potent entities with characteristics and abilities far beyond mortal ken. The Incarna find their expression in the context of the cultures of Primeval, and thus, become what they are thought to be. Some cultures worship the Incarna as gods, some fear their wrath and avoid their notice. Still others watch them obliquely, honoring their existence and what they stand for.

Mortality   (top)

There is great conjecture among all races of Anár as to whether the Incarna are mortal entities of supreme power or intangible metaphysical creatures that have no true form. When they appear to mortals, they take guises based on the culture of the observers. They exhibit enormous abilities, both intellectual, physical, and mystical. Often, encounters with them are life-changing experiences.

Considering what they embody, the debate over whether the Incarna are physical or metaphysical can be academic. Motivations ascribed to them by mortals may be too limiting for them and their desires are always enigmatic at best. Yet, they do take an interest in the affairs of mortals. Into both personal issues and affairs of wider reach, they make their presence known and guide those who seek to be guided. Rarely, they will intervene directly, changing situations to forestall disasters or to foment catastrophes.

Morality   (top)

The Incarna are enigmatic entities embodying aspects of existence. As such, the can be forces of profound positive change or terrifying negative consequences, well beyond the judgements of mortals. Scholars who study the appearances of the Incarna can generally point to no solid evidence that any of them are oriented toward a particular morality, especially when considering the cultural biases to definitions of "good" and "evil."

Instead, the Incarna seem to follow their own agendas, participating in the day-to-day affairs of the mundane world only when and where it suits them and to promote ends that are open to interpretations.

Cultural Bias   (top)

Each culture has their own take on the Incarna:

• Incarna of the Duar: Throughout their history, the Duar have recognized many Incarna. While the Duar do not worship their Incarna, they honor their power and the resonance that they represent, hoping to learn the lessons the Incarna have to teach in order to better themselves. The Duar divide the Incarna into three groups, those honored at Monts, those honored in the surface communities and forests, and those honored by the esoteric researchers and mages.
• Incarna of the Kernuar: The Kernuar view their Incarna as poles on the axes that run through the world and their lives; as always, they attempt to maintain a balance in all things. Their reverence for their Incarna borders on worship, but most Kernuar would only admit a profound awe when contemplating the forces the Incarna represent. The Kernuar, through their awe, maintain their own balance amid the world.
• Incarna of the Ursuar: The Ursuar are ever contemplative, always trying to find their place in the world. For them, the Incarna are milestones along their destined path, some encountered often, some appearing only as enigmatic singular experiences, some never being experienced. They neither worship, revere, nor honor the Incarna as such. Instead, they listen to them intently.
• Incarna of the Mîselid: As a people, the Mîselid honor forces that they are most in touch with, namely the assimilation of themselve into existing cultures and the continuity that it provides, the change and evolution that occurs in the breakdown of matter and flesh, and the collection of personal experience for their own edification. This honoring never reaches the level of a religion, but is incorporated as practices and philosophies in their daily lives.

Original milieu material is © 2004-2006 Robert C. Fontenot. All Rights Reserved

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