#brokendimensions

I talk about how the two of them have changed in terms of characterization and personality since their initial conception from my 14 year old mind here, under the "Kissing Strangers (Or Your Best Friend)" artwork, but they've changed quite a lot in terms of design too!

Ev's old design (bottom right figure) is loosely based on the design I made for various versions of "the Marionette Demon," aka a FNaF-inspired villain aka an AU version of the Marionette that I incorporated into a story one when I was like 12. Lots of stuff to unpack there, but the point is, that was the design I used for years. Ev didn't get a more humanized design (properly) until I was 16 (or close to being 16), and even after that, I kept the same red/teal/cobalt blue feature colors for a long time before changing them to orange and blue (which look much better together. Thanks color theory). It was such a trip to use their old design again though, especially their armor, since I've spent the past year+ designing and redesigning their armor with proper references and variations.

Design-wise, Fin has actually changed fairly little! He was the offspring of a Minecraft-related thing I wrote as a 12-13 year old (bonus points if you can see whose son he was supposed to be lol), but I never really had the desire to change up his design much. His ears have changed a lot over the years, and he's (THANKFULLY) no longer a pasty white, edgy 20-something always wearing bright red pants (don't ask. We don't question the mind of 13-15 year old me here). Otherwise, he's stayed very similar to his original design: white eyes (irises are opalescent, and often shift between pale yellow, pink, and blue as well as white), brown hair, devil's tail and two horns. His armor has changed significantly in the past year as well, and that's perhaps the most notable thing (he also has more tattoos than the original "Fin" had, though none are visible here). He doesn't have the bi flag on his vambraces anymore though lol (he is still bi tho).

After Ialu saves him, after his best friend dies, after the gods (hekata, why is it always hekata?) leave him, after Crisis 3 has become a distant memory and Crisis 4, 5, 8, 10 (they all blur together don't they?)...

—

"now if your convictions were a passing phase / may your ashes feed the river in the morning rays / and as the vermin crawls / we lay in the foundations of decay "

After the gods leave a mortal-turned-immortal in charge of the entirety of mortal existence (the multiverse, the people in it, himself, gods w h y—). After the people he tried to help turn out to be no better than the people he was trying to save them from. After years- decades- millennia of a neverending life of neverending grief, pain, power. After the New Aetherian Empire rises, after it falls.

He's still here.

Through all of it.

He doesn't even care anymore. Fuck all of them for letting him struggle to stay alive in every way that mattered while they disappeared to fail at their single job: keep reality in balance. That wasn't his job, it was never his job to be their errand boy, their convenient tool, their pawn. He was never one of them (he was never part of a family, not his own and not theirs, never theirs, so stupid—). They had made that very clear.

" Finally joined the dark side, Shas? "

—

" and as you stumble through your last crusade / will you welcome your extinction in the morning rays? "

—

The Eternal Gods

Solorana — mother goddess, creator of all life and eternal source of light, counterpart to the Eternal Darkness. Created the physical universe as its inhabitants know it, starting with earth, as a combined effort with her sibling, Andareis.

common depictions include: an inhumanly tall woman (ranging from 8’ to 20’ depending on culture and context) with thick, coily hair made of sunlight and fire. Her eyes are said to blaze like a white-hot sun, and tattoos of pure light cover her body and glow with the same intensity.

won the War for Balance and had to destroy her sibling and oldest friend

The Eternal Darkness (Andareis) — darkness given sentient form, came into being simultaneously with Solorana. Holds as much significance to the creation of the universe as Solorana, but is regarded as the harbinger of darkness and death.

often depicted as a void of darkness, but when they are given a face they are usually shown as a tall being (on par with Solorana) with sleek, white hair and eyes that are actual gateways to the Void.

name was stricken from record and forbidden from use, but there is no penalty associated with violating that prohibition, it's what you do and what happens to you after learning it that comes with negative consequences.

lost the War for Balance in Era 1/the Creation Era, was banished with great sorrow and had their physical form obliterated

First-Generation Gods

created by Solorana and TED before the War for Balance, regarded as individuals and not siblings, nor do they themselves identify as siblings, but they do recognize themselves as a family of sorts

Xellarian — god of time, first created sentient to ever exist after Solorana and TED

Created the goddesses Ialu and Meyaa, and helped create Eiro and Svaine

Virri — god(dess) of Life, also called Mother Nature, Gaia, Vitalia Cari (“Vital Craft” in the Forgotten Language), the Maker, and others

Created Waulfend, Viabolt, and Kirida, and helped create Eiro

Morsanna — goddess of Death, the one and only.

Helped create Eiro and Maikoa

Cor — goddess of creativity and philosophy

Created Trefas and helped create Hekata and Zarris. Split and/or merged with Litero to create Jacinthe, Arric, Lio, and Iya.

Litero — god of debate, conflict, and Ultimate Truth. Former judge of the afterlife

Helped create Maikoa and Zarris. Split and/or merged with Cor to create Jacinthe, Arric, Lio, and Iya.

The Fate Council

Ialu, Meyaa, Virri, Morsanna, (formerly) Xellarian, and (presently) Altairis

current judges of the Afterlife

Don't see all of the future or dictate the flow of time or decide the fate of the [ x ] multiverse. They try to follow the flow of events and decipher Ialu's prophecies.

Altairis and Xellarian have the ability to travel through time briefly and can sort of mind meld with Ialu to see her visions and prophecies clearer, but they're still only partial and without the full context.

They are the only beings in the entire multiverse to know that Wayfinder truly exists, and know the true nature of the War for Balance (and what exactly happened to TED when they were banished, save for Solorana).

Second-Generation Gods

some were born before the war for balance, others after. Only four were created by the rift-battle between Cor and Litero that ended in their subsequent deaths.

Ialu — goddess of dreams and prophecy, created by Xellarian

usually takes the form of a woman whose hair is described as looking like a shattered galaxy, an allusion to the fractal nature of the meaning of dreams and the interpretation of prophecy.

known to be reserved and prone to passive observation of both the goings on of the mortal and immortal realms and the imaginative realm of dreams

Meyaa — goddess of the Void and memory, created by Xellarian

often described as the twin of Ialu, when in reality they are often visual opposites. Meyaa's defining physical feature is stark, bright hair like her creator

frequently takes a mortal-appearing form and walks among the mortal realms like Ialu, but is more prone to interference, suggesting things forgotten (or that people pretend to forget), or making a show of dissolving into the Void

while Maikoa is regarded as the protector of the remains and physical ties of TED, Meyaa is regarded as the protector of what they became: the Void itself, which some claim has sentience

Eiro — god of technological advancement, created by Xellarian and Morsanna

created the Twin Gods of Innovation and Inspiration, Likero and Tyrani*

eclectic and intelligent in the ways of how things work, from living beings to mechanical mysteries, but is notably bad with social norms and is often identified purely because they seem "plucked out of time" and aloof. Notably always wearing goggles, eye protector, or visual aids of some kind

Waulfend — god of animal life, protector of the wild, created by Virri

often mistaken for a man of the wild, which isn't too far off the mark. Wears rustic clothing intended to be worn around animals or while exploring the wilderness depending on the circumstances.

mixes with the mortals well, and provides sanctuary for beings of all kinds, but after a few eras, he is decidedly done being a part of the gods' drama

Mystery husband: a whimsical man no one can quite pinpoint the identity of. Is either a demigod offspring of Trefas (the god of music) or is the god himself. Walf has never acknowledged the rumors.

Viabolt — god of fire, the forge, and smithery, created by Virri

typically a person of solitude, but also of strong opinions and bold laughter. Hair is usually compared to flames or is straight up made of fire

enjoys the company of Eiro immensely, and isn't bothered by their temerity or lacking social skills. They get along quite well with each other and are often depicted as working together, especially in myths and legends of how new innovations come about

appearance as a man, woman, or something else varies

Kirida — goddess of water and water-born natural disasters, created by Virri

easily identified by her thick blue hair, which is usually described as passing her waist in length and often interwoven with seaweed and pinned with coral (varies based on location and bodies of water nearby)

personality is strong and unmoving, yet also able to be swayed with the proper argument. Has a fondness for all things aquatic and enjoys the company of her brother-god, Waulfend.

Svaine — god of healing and medicine, created by Virri and Xellarian

born a war medic, always a war medic. Usually seen wandering between the mortal and immortal/Voidspace planes, phasing in and out as he rambles and works, always trying to solve the mysteries surrounding mortal illnesses (and later, the flagging energy of his colleagues which he never experiences)

is calmed and frequently aided by Kirida, who he considers a close friend, though most would describe their relationship as far surpassing mere friendship

Hekata — god of Magic, created by Cor, Litero, and Virri.

has an important role, and many would be right to say it has gone to his head. Has an ego, and frequently gets it bruised by being arrogant or assuming everyone understands things the way he does (takes after Litero in that sense).

plays an important role in the balance of the universe, and works frequently with Virri and the Fate Council

usually observed wearing flourishy capes and some for of eye protection or visual aid, another god who frequently works with Eiro. Also known for getting dragged into Maikoa's plots

Maikoa — god(dess) of trickery and protector of Svarenheil and its people (sometimes considered the god of shadows). Created by Cor, Morsanna, and Litero

enjoys intermixing with mortals, but also has their hands too busy to do much more than propose wily plans and deceive people. After they succumb to the Portal of Eternal Darkness, their job frequently involves holding balance and eternally cleaning up the messes that came from their greatest moment of weakness. Harbors a lot of guilt and anxiety, but stands by what they did.

Only becomes the protector of Svarenheil after its formation, and was once the protector of Magic and the Portal of Eternal Darkness. After Svarenheil's destruction, they become the patron god of the Shades and protector of Void-bound worlds (Darekaeii, later Aetheria and the IAs)

The only known person to ever bring them down from their light-killing panic attacks is Hekata, who has always been their closest companion

Zarris — god of logic, math, and science, created by Xellarian and Litero

greatly resembles a fusion of his creators — white hair, intelligent, near-all-knowing eyes, glowing tattoos

tends to be rather solitary in nature, but thrives among other scholars and innovators in the realms of his favor. Easily distractable, especially by philosophical arguments and new scientific findings (though he always knows which ones are false or only partially correct)

Cerise — goddess of love, emotions, and tactical plans, created by Solorana and Virri

most often seen as a woman, but has been known to take the form of a man should she need to. Frequently in the possession of oranges, known for handing them to people she knows or suspects will get married or otherwise form a union (this is a practice and ability she shares with her priestesses)

pretends to be above the gods' petty squabbles, but often gets sucked into them anyway

is really very smart and capable in many fields with varying interests, but is often underestimated, being a woman, and brutally uses it to her advantage

cursed so that people see her not as she really is, but as what they desire. Only people who have honest intentions (whether that be in love or life in general) see her true appearance and truly understand her

Trefas — god of music, created by Cor

dear friends with Waulfend and Kirida, who both embody and protect natural forms of music or things that make music naturally (one of his symbols is often some form of song bird or even a siren)

takes many forms, but usually defaults to male

whimsical and aloof in terms of his personality, but can be very practical when he needs to be

Lio — goddess of war and justice, created from the death of Litero and Cor

also attributed as the patron goddess of mothers and daughters, though that usually goes to Virri, Solorana, or Cerise

enjoys presenting herself as unassuming, then taking command when everything falls through. Learns her early tactical skills from Cerise and Zarris, who she eventually grows to be at odds with

Iya — god of peace and negotiation, created from the death of Litero and Cor

Despite his pompous lifestyle and love for attention, he’s one of the most selfless gods and streamlines the profits from his mortal persona as a model straight into the funds of those who need it and is an activist for peace, all through anonymous donation

comes off as an asshole but is just really blunt. Pretends to be clueless, uses the underestimation to his advantage (which he learned from Cerise)

Jacinthe — god(dess) of creativity and true self, created from the death of Litero and Cor

pronouns, appearance, and preferences of all sorts change on the regular and in regards to who exactly needs their help realizing themselves (all about relatability and what people need to see/hear/be inspired by). Often misidentified as a lesser trickster god

cursed similarly to Maikoa in the sense that both of them are forever chasing something—for Maikoa: redemption, for Jacinthe: stability of self

gives good advice but can never seem to take any of it

Arric — god of apathy and laziness, created from the death of Litero and Cor

appearance varies based on culutral perception of laziness. As a result, each person is likely to see a different person when they look at him, but they will always be put off by what they see ("wow, this guy really doesn't care about anything")

is quite close to Jacinthe and Maikoa, because while he is the god of apathy and not caring, that means he most frequently follows those who are apathetic and/or lazy, which means he sees a lot of complacency and bad in the multiverse. It has the effect of making him rather apathetic as well—"no one wants to change, they're all bad"—and turns to people who show him the better side of things, the people who make change

has a shifting reputation, much like his visage, even among the gods, and very few see him as he really is (like with Cerise, they only see what they want to see)

Born BEFORE the War for Balance (Crisis 1): Ialu, Meyaa, Waulfend, Kiridia, Viabolt, Hekata, Maikoa

Born AFTER the War for Balance (Crisis 1): Eiro, Zarris, Cerise, Trefas, Lio, Iya, Jacinthe, Arric. Svaine created during the war.

Third-Generation Gods, Near-Gods, and Disciples of the Gods

Altairis — son of two middle-class Darekaeiins, locked himself in his satellite dimension when he froze it in time. Was alone for centuries in a world where he was the only one truly “alive,” where he was eventually recruited to replace Xellarian in Era 10. Became the new god of time in 2049 E-10.

Heathera (He’tara) — born to a demigod and a follower of Waulfend in a tiny fusion satellite of [ x ], Feldspar, and Tartarus. Became goddess of plant life and research circa. 8,372 E-9 when she tracked down and revitalized Waulfend himself and was rewarded with godhood. Runs the Gardens of He’tara, a memorial garden created in the time she lost searching for Waulfend, which has since become the most well-known botanical research facility and garden sanctuary in the [ x ] multiverse.

The Death Mage Order — technically classified as demigods. Death Mages were specially-appointed workers who aided Morsanna in working as Death. Each received a Death Scythe and a Separator (a scythe that could temporarily separate the soul from the body) and was given a set amount of souls to reap before their allotted time as a Death Mage (or “Reaper”) was up. The Order was done away with inafter Era 4, and the disaster that resulted in an entire town in the late Second American Republic at the hands of a victim of a Death Mage who went rogue and kept the town captive.

Before Morsanna did away with the Order, they once formed an entire gestalt-god (as a merged group) to save her from destruction—and then another group did the same in an attempt to destroy her.

Ciar Eagriss — although he never accepted the title, Ciar Eagriss (born in late Era 9) was offered a spot at Morsanna’s side as her Reaper. He denied the position, having known more about the old Death Mage Order than anyone else in his time, but he was always reserved that spot—Morsanna has always considered him worthy. His status as “unofficial Death Mage” has earned him a unique award of immortality born from righteous judgement. Unless he falls into the same dark ways as his younger sister, he will remain unchanged by time and will be impossible to kill (though that doesn’t mean he can’t be pushed to the brink). Ciar Eagriss cannot die because Morsanna will not take his life. No one is aware of this outside the Fate Council and Morsanna herself

Jade Masirii — goddess of stone, jewels, and mining, protector of miners and metalworkers and other related creeds.

Appointed by Viabolt and Virri in Era 5 and was prompted to lead a miner uprising in her birth dimension. (Note: has a grudge against Darekaeii, where her homeworld's slavers originated.) Ascended slowly over time, and realized her uniqueness when her body failed to age.

One of the more solemn gods, and one of the few who walked among mortals even after the death of Xellarian. She has become more of a recluse since then, but it is suspected her descendants are now in charge of Feldspar, Ferrish, and Khoshi, the homeworld of Adri Zariah-Eagriss and maintain contact. The Zariah family and the heads of two Feldsparian districts are said to be her direct descendants.

She, along with Viabolt, Virri, and Hekata are responsible for the race known as the Star Souls (and Fire Souls, their Tartarun descendants) in Era . Legends says it was a defensive action meant to provide mortals with indestructible defenders in the gods’ absence, but in reality, they all got drunk one night and decided to give stars souls and pack the power of a small sun into a 6-7-foot tall body. (Circa. Late Era 5)

The Aracane Brothers — Felixis, Kireesi, and "Arcanis"

Kireesi Aracane — god/dess of fertility, created by Virri and Cerise in Era 4 along with their brothers. Chanegs forms as they please, but bears the same curse as Cerise with one twist - honest intentions must be accompanied by a genuine desire to know Kireesi in their entirety, which none have yet accomplished. Only their brothers know what they really look like

They’re a huge advocate for proper sex education and are also credited as being the god of gender-affirming transitions. (Jacinthe is credited as being the god of coming out/finding yourself, and they and Kireesi get along well because of their intertwining purposes)

Felixis Aracane — god of luck and (mis)fortune, triplet brother of Kireesi. Works tangentially with Maikoa, as they are both trickster gods, and Ialu (to better ascertain a person's fortune). Ostracized himself from the other gods following Nathan Shasear’s uprising and eventual rebellion, and he took several centuries to search things out for himself before tentatively realigning with the gods. Keeps in touch with his brothers and Maikoa more than any others.

Is known for being able to see the Three Void Gods when they roam between worlds/visible planes. The Chronicler’s circle has invited him for tea many times, but he continues to refuse.

Has a non-mortal boyfriend who he refuses to give the identity of, but most suspect the would-be god of shapeshifting who keeps evading the Fate Council's official appointment to godhood

"Arcanis" — minor god of music, triplet brother of Kireesi, regarded as one of the muses of Trefas even in spit of his rebellion against the gods. He too ostracized himself after Nathan Shasear's rebellion, choosing to live amongst the mortals and fight for them when the gods clearly wouldn't. As a result, became a pop culture legend. He now leads the immortal band “Lampshade Hero,” which resurrects music from the Time Vortex archives and remasters it (and make their own music, but it's about 75/25).

He’s proud of his bandmates, and he’ll do anything to keep them safe, including standing up against Adira Eagriss and the God Hunter respectively, multiple times. While he may not align himself with the gods, save for Maikoa and his siblings, he has yet to turn against them.

Phantasma — not a god, but might as well be. Former student of Nathan Shasear who bastardized defensive control magic first. Controls multiple dimension quadrants by sheer force of will using complex, terrifying, addictive mind control methods. Has a corporeal form still, but only in theory (no one has seen him in person for millennia).

If he were a god, he'd probably be a part of a select destruction pantheon, most of which would be made up of Nathan Shasear's former students

Serra Tyrannis — not a god, shouldn't be. Also known as "the godhunter" or simply "Godhunter," Serra Tyrannis is a person of near-mythical status. Former Death Mage who is permitted to still wield the Scythes; dead-set on killing the gods for what they did to the mortals, to him, and to Nathan Shasear (publicly, their relationship is... ambiguously on the friendly side). Only respects Morsanna, and is on surprisingly good terms with her despite her alliance with the remaining gods.

Born in Era 2, very close in age to Nathan Shasear, although they only met around the end of Era 3 (both several hundred years old).

Nathan Shasear — if anyone should be a god, it's him. Nathan Shasear is responsible for the entirety of the first three Hekatan Mage Guild Tomes - that is: the first records and dissection of magic so that it could be used and learned properly instead of smashing "runes??" together and praying to Hekata that you wouldn't explode. Nearly everything "magic" published after the Revival in Era 3 was written, developed, studied, or co-all of those things by him.

died defending Ialu in the early days of the Revival Era and was brought back with the resurrection rune that eventually became the VDR (void death rune, which resurrects someone into a void demon) (is not a void demon). Is completely immortal, and believe me, he's tested that to every extent possible. He cannot die. Whether it's because of how and why he was made immortal or if Ialu and Morsanna refuse to let him die is unclear

was originally left in charge of the mage guilds (and, technically, all of mortal existence) when the gods disappeared in Era 5. Was not made aware that that was in his job description. Tried his best, tried to teach civilians self-defense in an era of war and moral depravity, ended up cultivating the most sickening, vile, powerful rulers in existence. Whoops. Went on the run from the gods.

Caused Crisis 8 because he was trying to make up for things and save his new home (Era 8 Aetheria), maybe kill himself in the process. Got 3 things instead: 8+ magical crowns from the former imperial Aetherian heads of state and military, more trauma (physical and mental), and scorned by the gods.

Here's the designs from December 2021! Some of them are no longer current (Meyaa, Cerise, Kireesi), just as an fyi: