NBOW: The Abyssal Pattern

The Abyssal Pattern

Aldones marred the Primal Pattern with sigils of binding, and as the Abyss reached out to destroy all Order, it found itself trapped in the confines of the Pattern, until the two merged forming a new power, that of the Abyssal Pattern. Aldones walked this Dark Pattern and became something new, the King in Yellow...." What Aldones did not realize is that he had created something far greater than himself...a new force in the universe, a new power.

Note that the following information is purely supposition on the part of one of the characters, Konrad. None of this has been verified by the GM, rather it is based upon Konrad's own experiences, which are pitifully minor. Nevertheless he is the only living being possessing the power of the Abyssal Pattern, and so there is no greater authority. A stylized image of the Abyssal Pattern is available online.

One of the greatest intellectual failings of the Amberites is their belief that the universe is the staging ground for the conflict between two monolithic forces: Order and Chaos. They see things in terms of a grand dichotomy, a war in which one side must win and subjugate the other. They exemplify the universe as Order/Pattern/Unicorn vs. Chaos/Logrus/Serpent, and that is all they need know.

In reality, there is a third force, and their understanding of the universe is fatally flawed. The Pattern is not truly Order; rather it is Stability. Order is a very subjective term and is too burdened with human connotations to be of use in true understanding. Similarly, Logrus is not Chaos, but rather Change. Thus the traditional conflict is between the forces of Stability and Change, an archetypally traditional war.

But what of the Abyss? If Pattern is Stability and Logrus is Change, then logically what is Abyss other than Cessation. I avoid traditional 'Death' metaphors, as they cloud the issue with negative associations. Osric is 'dead' and yet I have had interactions with him. Aldones is 'dead' and yet the threat he poses Amber is still very real. The universe is made up of these three forces, Stability, Change, and Cessation, and it is not a war between powers, but rather their interaction that moves the universe.

The Amberites fear the Abyss because its energies are innately destructive...to them. But is not the Pattern destructive to those not of Oberon's blood? And is not the Logrus destructive to those who lack the strength to assail it? Demons traditionally use the powers of the Abyss, and so it is usable, but perhaps not by humans. But does this make it evil? Only in the most subjective of human reasoning....

Raw abyssal energy is a dark flood, instantly surpassing all boundaries and consuming all. But in forging the Abyssal Pattern Aldones forged a new power that is nothing but a combination of two other powers. He combined Pattern with Abyss to give the Abyss focus, to enable it to be controlled and directed. Thus the forces of Stability and Cessation were merged to form a more ordered end. I suspect that Abyssal Pattern would fare on fairly good terms against either Abyssal or Pattern energies, though the diluted nature of the power might make it somewhat weaker. Similarly, I suspect that Abyssal Pattern would be ideally suited for overcoming Logrus...theoretically at least.

My first essaying of the Abyssal Pattern granted me certain abilities. The first is the Abyssal taint, which is a suffusion of my body with Abyssal energies. It gives me some immunity to the destructive effects of Abyssal energy and, unfortunately, causes me to shine out like a dark beacon to those with knowledge of Pattern. I also was given partial Abyssal Sight, the ability to discern the presence and/or effects of Abyssal energy. And, of course, I gained the ability to walk through shadow, though I lack the Amberites finesse. I move through the weaknesses and/or holes in shadow...make use of the breakdown of reality that comes naturally in time.

Basic Abyssal Pattern: [10 points] - Abyssal Taint (5) - Shadowwalk (5) - Minor Abyssal Sight (0)

I suspect much of the Amberites negative reaction to my abilities is based upon the traditional fear of death, and with the association of the Abyss with death. Would that they could recognize that death/abyss has been around them from the beginning. All things die in time...even death itself. It must happen this way in order that things begin again.

When I walk through shadow, I move through the weaknesses...the sites near to the energies of cessation/death...such as mausolea, cemeteries, forest fires, etc. I move through the spots that are marked by endings. When I use the Sight, I can see how near to ending a creature is, though it is not always death that I predict. Like Death from the Tarot, my Sight sometimes implies only great change.

In my mind I have memory of the more advanced powers of Abyssal Pattern...I remember what the King was able to do with this power. He could call up the Sign and hang spells upon it, or use it as a shield...he could lash out with Abyssal tendrils that came from the same sign...he could tear holes in reality, gates that lead directly to the Abyss or Carcosa, and through them he could summon strange creatures or flee...he could open up tunnels between shadows that allowed for incredibly fast travel on par with trump. With much effort he could summon Abyssal storms that could ravage shadows...and he could commune with the dead, and if so inclined, perhaps resurrect the long-dead from nothingness. There was more, but in the short time we were together I did not discern it all. I suppose in time I will find out for myself, though the process of discovery terrifies me. I will go slowly and carefully, and take great care to harm no one and remain undiscovered.