Void Construct
On Void Constructs
Void Constructs are physical items that were imbued with a void shard after The Aether shattered The Void. They have existed throughout history as cursed relics or haunted items. They lie dormant until a process known as Animation.
Since the Dawn of Time and the rise of monsters, there have been few noted accounts of beings that should in no way be alive, yet still walk amongst the ranks of Monsterdom.
Voidforged.
Voidstalkers.
Void Golems.
Void Constructs.
No matter what you call them, The Void is ever present within them. Void Constructs throughout history have been recognized as apparent haunted items. The difference between these possessed objects and a Void Construct is whether or not they are animated.
On Animation
Animation is when an item imbued with a Void Shard begins to gain consciousness within its physical form in The Aether. The construct goes through a process of animation, which could take seconds or years, it all depends on the construct. These objects are always vaguely aware of their surroundings, and so the animation process begins with a catalyst of an intense burst of emotion, whether that be happiness, sadness, fear, or anger. This emotion will be the first memory of any Void Construct and will often set the tone for their existence. Animation happens in stages, with Void Constructs usually gaining their senses one at a time. The time obtaining these can differ based on the intensity of the catalyst.
Upon animating, void constructs are posed with an innate choice, whether conscious or subconscious, they choose a side in the war. Void or Aether. Creation or Nothingness. Sometimes both, or neither. This leads them to take their Avowal.
Void Constructs that have already been animated, often search for dormant void constructs and will help speed along their animation process with a ceremony. This generally happens at larger gatherings of the realms.
On The Ancient Avowal
Constructs often choose to animate things that can further their goals; Oftentimes they are of use to Monsterdom as a whole. Common Void Constructs range from statues to dolls, and even to scarecrows. Void Constructs are relatively new to most of the world; lots of cultures treat them as tools and some see them as abominations. Most void constructs become wanderers, and eventually they meet others like them. They are few and far between, so they go out into the world to animate more of their kind, and then they gather. Very quickly, they realized that a construct’s relationship to The Void and aether is as unique as the creature itself. At a gathering, they split into four different factions, each construct avowing to further its cause. At first it was thought that they might still help each other, but they often have different or even diametrically opposed goals. Inevitably, they started to fight each other. Though every faction claims to have won this first battle, there is no way to truly know. The fighting cannot end, for Void Constructs don’t truly die - they simply need to be repaired. So it is that every newly animated construct is expected to take an avowal and fight for their cause.
On Factions
Void constructs are divided into 4 main factions, which are based on their avowals.
The Avowal of The Umbral Eclipse
Constructs who crave power and destruction call themselves the Avowal of the Umbral Eclipse, founded by Crag the Stubborn. They believe glory is won through strength and force. They hoard void shards, currency, and anything else that can empower them. They relish in the destruction of their enemies, and anyone else they can fight. Power struggles for leadership are not uncommon. They are usually hostile to all other factions, seeking to control them too. They are often animated by anger, fear, or excitement.
The Avowal of The Living Root
Constructs who crave community and creation call themselves the Avowal of the Living Root, founded by Sepal the Stem. They believe happiness is found through friends and creation. They seek out void shards to make more constructs and grow their numbers. They work on projects of all kinds to enrich their community. They are fiercely protective of their own. They prefer to work with the other factions, seeking to grow their community. They are often animated by joy, wonder, or loneliness.
The Avowal of The Eternal Tide
Constructs who crave balance and knowledge call themselves the Avowal of the Eternal Tide, founded by Throne the Armless. They believe enlightenment is found through study, observation, and contemplation. They want to understand the universe in which they've animated. They often perform experiments and debate with each other. Their goals are not always aligned with one another. They monitor the other factions activities, and will work with or against them to further their goals. They are often animated by curiosity, suspicion, or boredom.
The Avowal of The Forsaken Wind
Constructs who crave individuality and freedom call themselves the Avowal of the Forsaken Wind, founded by Whim the Fragile. They believe life is temporary and valuable. They focus on their own existence, living life to the fullest or just trying to survive. They are driven to travel and seek new experiences. They rarely pay attention to the machinations of others, both within their faction and outside of it. They are often animated by serenity, sorrow, or wanderlust.
Garb Signifiers
Visible Signs of Repair
Void constructs spend lots of time in battle and over time will always find themselves in need of repair. Each void construct must learn to repair themselves whether it’s stitching their arm back on for soft body void constructs, or attaching it back with rivets or welding for hard body void constructs. Void Constructs can be identified on the field by their visible signs of repair, whether that be visually exaggerated stitches, patches, rivets or similar.
Face Covering
Void constructs voices do not stem from vocal chords like flesh beings, they stem from the shard of The Voidthat is holding them together. As such they do not have mouths, a void construct covers their face to make organic beings more comfortable. Some void constructs will even draw or stitch on mouths to their face covering for the same effect.
Known Void Constructs
- Banjax, First of the Void Constructs, used to be a scarecrow, Avowal of The Umbral Eclipse
- Mordread, used to be a motanka doll, Avowal of The Living Root
- Dundee, used to be lots of cicadas and rocks, Avowal of The Eternal Tide
- Paradox, used to be a doll, Avowal of The Forsaken Wind
- Void, used to be a deer skull, Avowal of The Eternal Tide
- Atlas, used to be a forgotten statue, Avowal of The Forsaken Wind