✦ A Z R I E L ✦
In the realm of Fairy Vials, the delicate balance of their contents holds immense significance. While a Fairy Vial’s vial subtly absorbs its surroundings, a tipping point can lead to a phenomenon known as Corruption. Corruption entails drastic changes in the vial’s contents, overwhelming its capacity. The consequences are intense, causing excruciating agony, loss of self-awareness, and profound alterations in personality.
✦ Symptoms ✦
Corruption within Fairy Vials manifests as an immense disruption to their nature, resulting in a cascade of debilitating effects that reverberate throughout their being. From the onset of corruption to its aftermath, Fairy Vials grapple with an array of physical, emotional, and existential challenges, each leaving an indelible mark on their identity.
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Physical Agony
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Loss of Self-Awareness
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Personality Alterations
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Madness and Disorientation
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Existential Turmoil.
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Social Isolation and Stigmatization
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Potential for Malevolence
In the wake of corruption's devastating effects, Fairy Vials are left to contend with the shattered remnants of their former selves, grappling with the lingering echoes of pain and anguish that haunt their every waking moment. Yet, amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope remains, as they strive to reclaim their lost identity and forge a path towards redemption in a world teetering on the brink of oblivion.
✦ Understanding Corruption ✦
Despite the dire outcomes, corrupt Fairy Vials are not inherently malevolent. They are victims of a loss of control over their senses and former selves. The closest human disease equivalents would be Rabies and Mad Cow Disease (Prion Disease), where people are infected with an foreign entity and begin to behave in ways that were unlike them before. In humans, these diseases are unfortunately fatal. In Fairy Vials, they are “infected” with an imbalance of vial contents, become corrupted, and can continue living in a symbiotic host-parasite way, similar to the concept of zombies. Corruption in this world however is not thought to be contagious, though there have been suspicions that corruption is selectively contagious to those exposed to multiple corrupt beings….
✦ Types of Corruption ✦
Pick your poison
✦ Natural Corruption ✦
Primarily induced by intense negative emotions, this form results from an imbalance between beneficial and harmful fillers within the vial's contents. Although most Fairy Vials do not actively seek natural corruption, a few may embrace it, refusing assistance from healers in dissatisfaction with their current lives. The effects of natural corruption vary widely among Fairy Vials. Some may exhibit subtle changes in personality or behavior, while others undergo radical transformations, losing touch with their former selves entirely. The duration of this process can range from weeks to years, with sporatic moments of clarity interspersed with bouts of madness.
✦ Forced Corruption ✦
In contrast to the spontaneous nature of natural corruption, Forced Corruption is a deliberate and often malevolent act perpetrated by an individual possessing the ability to manipulate Fairy Vials' contents. Azriel stands as the primary practitioner of Forced Corruption, wielding this power to exert control and instigate chaos within the realm. Prior to Azriel's discovery, natural corruption was the sole mechanism, which escalated with the increase of unawakened Fairy Vials by the Fairymaker.
✦ Discovery & Consequences ✦
Stardust Mimosa orders the containment of most Corrupt Fairy Vials during this phase of instability. However, if a Corrupt Fairy Vial manages to survive this period without being sealed or killed, they will regain their self-awareness. However, what they are like after that period differs on the Fairy Vial and the new contents of their vial. They may lose their former memories. They may see the world in a completely different way than prior. In the worst examples, some corrupt fairy vials have gone to lead cults with the secret intention to harm others. There are also corrupt fairy vials who purposefully live in solitude.
Those who are Naturally corrupted don’t often live to reach the point of self-awareness, as most are discovered and healed if possible or sealed if beyond that point. However it is not impossible for a Naturally corrupted FV to be lucky enough to survive. Some unawakened vials were exposed to an imbalance of negative contents and thus, Corrupt FVs were born. The ones born from purposeful exposure to horrible fillers were typically more unstable and caused havoc, so they were usually hunted down and sealed away.
✦ Biology ✦
Corrupt Fairy Vials share the same biology as their normal counterparts, yet with a sinister twist. Like their uncorrupted kin, they possess a vial that serves as a vessel for various traits and emotions, shaping their nature and identity. However, the contents of their vials take on a darker hue, infused with fillers ranging from sadness and anger to outright insanity or from things like psychopomps, mythological creatures, demons, darkness and more.
The aesthetic of Corrupt Fairy Vials mirrors the darkness that invades their being. Unlike the vibrant hues of their uncorrupted counterparts, they often appear darker in aesthetic and/or less saturated in color, as if the loss of brightness reflects the erosion of their original selves.
Their physical forms bear the scars of their corruption, manifesting as visible marks of the intense transformation they have endured. These scars may be physical, mental, or emotional, serving as reminders of the profound toll corruption has taken on their being.
✦ Nyx & the Sunless Valley ✦
Hidden near the borders of Hunter territory, the Sunless Valley rests deep between two towering mountains of Asteria, where sunlight has long since become a foreign concept. Shrouded in perpetual darkness beneath an ever-present blood moon, the Valley has inspired countless rumors of curses, forbidden magic, and those who enter its depths never to return. Though whispered about throughout Asteria, few outsiders know its true location, and fewer still understand what lies within.
Now home to Azriel and his organization, Nyx, the Valley's history stretches far beyond their arrival. Ancient structures lie nestled against the mountainside, their origins obscured by time and the strange phenomena that permeate the surrounding land. Over the years, a settlement has grown outward from these forgotten foundations, becoming a sanctuary for those seeking refuge from the dangers and prejudices of the outside world, particularly Corrupted Fairy Vials.
While the settlement has developed a largely self-sufficient way of life, its continued survival depends in part on the protection and resources provided by Nyx. The organization maintains discreet connections beyond the Valley, securing essential supplies while safeguarding the secrecy of its inhabitants. To many residents, Nyx represents the opportunity to live without constant fear or persecution. Stories of the organization's accomplishments have gradually woven themselves into local folklore, passed between generations and embellished with each retelling. Yet beyond the Valley's borders, Nyx remains a subject of uncertainty, its true intentions obscured by rumor and speculation.
✦ Leadership & Azriel's Role ✦
As the founder and leader of Nyx, Azriel stands as the central authority governing the Sunless Valley, overseeing both its political affairs and defensive forces. His leadership is heavily influenced by his pursuit of knowledge, particularly his extensive research into the nature and potential of Corruption. Having experienced its effects firsthand, Azriel believes that Corruption is more than an affliction to be feared, viewing it as a phenomenon capable of revealing untapped potential within Fairy Vials. His research is driven by the belief that understanding and harnessing this power could offer his people the means to overcome their vulnerabilities and secure their own futures. However, his willingness to challenge conventional understandings of Corruption has led him down paths that others may consider dangerous, if not outright unethical.
Despite his position of authority, Azriel maintains a relatively distant presence in the daily affairs of the Sunless Valley. Much of the settlement's administration and Nyx's routine operations are entrusted to capable subordinates, allowing him to dedicate the majority of his time to research and long-term strategic planning. Though rarely seen beyond the walls of his manor, which serves as both his residence and a center of Nyx's leadership, Azriel remains closely informed of matters concerning the Valley's security and future. His involvement is generally reserved for decisions of greater consequence, preferring to guide the organization's direction rather than oversee its every movement.
To many residents, Azriel is a figure of both respect and uncertainty. His efforts have helped establish a sanctuary for those who might otherwise have been abandoned or persecuted, yet his reclusive nature and unconventional methods remain subjects of speculation. While some regard him as a visionary willing to pursue solutions others would never dare consider, others question the lengths he may go to achieve his ambitions. Regardless of these differing perceptions, his influence remains deeply rooted in the Valley's continued existence and the future he envisions for its inhabitants.
✦ The Power of Corruption ✦
To stand against the growing threat of Hunters, Azriel believes that Fairy Vials must possess more than the means to survive; they must possess the strength to fight back. His own experience with Corruption became the foundation of this conviction. Though born from unimaginable grief and suffering, his transformation left him with a determination and clarity of purpose he had never before experienced. Where others saw Corruption as a terrible affliction, Azriel began to see something more: the possibility of transcending the limitations of one's former self. If such a transformation could fundamentally alter a Fairy Vial, what potential might lie beneath its destructive nature? Could it be understood, controlled, or even improved upon? These questions became the driving force behind his increasingly ambitious research.
Those drawn to Nyx often share a history of loss, persecution, or disillusionment. Some have watched their homes fall to Hunters, while others have lost friends and family to a world they believe has done too little to protect them. Many have grown dissatisfied with Mimosa's leadership, believing that Asteria's continued survival requires more decisive action. United by a desire for change, these individuals willingly place themselves under Azriel's command, some even seeking the very transformation that others fear. For those entering Nyx's ranks, Corruption serves as a dangerous rite of initiation, intended to prepare them for the battles that may lie ahead.
Yet Corruption is neither a simple enhancement nor a guarantee of greater power. The process is agonizing, its effects unpredictable, and survival is never assured. Even those who endure may struggle for years to reclaim their sense of self, emerging with permanent changes to their bodies, abilities, and identities. Azriel understands these consequences better than most, but believes that the potential discoveries outweigh the risks. To him, every failure represents another step toward understanding a phenomenon that might one day offer Fairy Vials the means to defend themselves. Whether such sacrifices can truly be justified remains a question that even those loyal to Nyx may struggle to answer.
Those who survive their initiation and formally enter Nyx are bound by a magical mark designed to safeguard the organization and the Sunless Valley. These marks prevent the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, ensuring that the Valley's location, its inhabitants, and Nyx's operations remain concealed from potential enemies. Though intended as a measure of protection, their existence also serves as a reminder of the extraordinary control Nyx maintains over those who choose to join its ranks. Within the Valley, such measures are often regarded as necessary precautions; beyond its borders, they might be seen as evidence of something far more troubling.
✦ Conflict with Stardust Mimosa ✦
Despite their shared desire to protect Asteria, Azriel's beliefs stand in stark contrast to those of Stardust Mimosa. Where Mimosa prioritizes the preservation of Fairy Vial civilization, understanding that some losses may be unavoidable to secure its future, Azriel views such acceptance as a dangerous form of resignation. Having experienced the devastating consequences of those limitations firsthand, he has grown increasingly disillusioned with her leadership. To him, protecting Asteria should mean more than ensuring its continued survival; it should mean creating a world where Fairy Vials possess the strength to determine their own futures, rather than depending on others to decide what can and cannot be saved.
Yet Azriel's perception of Mimosa is heavily influenced by his own grief. What he considers passivity, Mimosa regards as necessary restraint, shaped by centuries of witnessing the consequences of unchecked ambition and the destruction of entire civilizations. While Azriel believes that progress demands challenging the limits of what is possible, Mimosa understands that the pursuit of a better future can itself threaten the lives one seeks to protect. Their opposing philosophies have driven Azriel to pursue his own methods through Nyx, determined to accomplish what he believes Mimosa's approach cannot. Though his intentions remain rooted in protecting Fairy Vials, his increasingly extreme methods raise the very questions of sacrifice and responsibility that first drove him away from her leadership.
Artist Credit
planetABXY | dxsmodus | MizuruuDeki | ViPOP |