Journey Of A Menace Prologue: Genesis In the time before time, when the cosmos was but a whisper in the vast void, there existed a deity known across the endless realms as O' The Sculptor. Their name resonated through the heavens, for their artistry was unparalleled, capable of crafting entire worlds with a mere stroke of their divine brush. The creations of O’ were not simply beautiful; they were intricate tapestries of life, woven from the threads of light and shadow, color and texture, each more wondrous than the last. One fateful day, O' The Sculptor turned their gaze to an untouched corner of the cosmos—a barren expanse that awaited the touch of their imagination. With a single sweep of their hand, they began to paint, using colors and shades that no being had ever beheld. The void shuddered as the planet Artifex sprang into existence—a masterpiece where mountains soared to kiss the heavens, valleys whispered ancient secrets to the earth, oceans danced with the winds, and forests hummed with timeless melodies. But mere beauty was not enough for O'. They sought to infuse this world with purpose, to breathe life into beings capable of creation, exploration, and innovation. Thus, they fashioned the Inkslingers—beings imbued with the power to mold reality itself, to shape the world in their image. Artifex blossomed into a realm of boundless creativity, where artists, scientists, and adventurers alike added to the ever-evolving masterpiece. It became a world of infinite possibilities, a canvas that would never cease to inspire. Creatures of every shape and size roamed the land, each more marvelous and fantastical than the last. The world of Artifex teemed with life, a vibrant symphony of existence. Yet, the Inkslingers, unlike all other beings on Artifex, were destined for a unique fate. O' The Sculptor decreed that their essence would fade after a hundred years, allowing them only a brief time to leave their mark upon the world. Once the vision of the world had been realized, O’ The Sculptor addressed their children with a sense of pride and gentle detachment: "The rest is up to you, to do with as you will—to learn, to love, and to laugh, until the cycle circles back. I shall disengage and float away, divide and disappear. But fear not, for I’ll see you in the mirror…" And with those words, O' The Sculptor withdrew, leaving Artifex in the hands of its inhabitants. The world was now theirs to shape, to dream, and to transform—a living testament to the boundless creativity bestowed upon them by their creator.
NOTE: Inkslingers can be any color but cannot change after birth. Inkslingers can combine with one another to blend their colors, as well as form two souls in one body. I was deeply inspired by this line in the Razia's Shadow song: Genesis
"O the Scientist was the author and the architect The angels were his ink slingers, his actors and actresses"