U L U E D A
‘Our eyes peer through the pinholes of our refracted mask. We see not what is. In the eyes of our figment is a world of flesh. The body that we paint ourselves seep into our crystal body and mind like a drug. Connected to Idalos, our eyes widen and pupils shrink to a point. Yet the paint shall crack and peel and such feelings of elation will take its course. Behind the false shall reveal what is true and those who discover us shall not understand it. They will strike us and our crystal bodies will smash. When our eyes slide closed for the last time, our minds shall be free.’
Excerpt from ‘The Mind of the Yludih’ written by Dorjuhdene
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Introduction
Uleuda is a city that exists as a collective mindscape and safe haven of the race of crystal beings called the Yludih. Those familiar with the story of the Yludih will know of their initial struggle to blend in with the other races of Idalos. It was during their greatest struggle that the place of Uleuda was discovered and word of it spread to all Yludih. The Yludih were thenceforth able to access it through sleep, separating mind from body and fall into a dimensional, mindscape of an expanding crystal realm within an infinite, also expanding, ‘nothingness.’
This crystal realm displays the Yludih as their crystal selves without the illusory masks worn in Idalos. Here, they are in total anonymity to protect their identities in Idalos and therefore in total freedom to begin to learn Yludih culture.
It was soon discovered in recent times, that the mindscape of Uleuda was expanding due to the knowledge and experiences that the Yludih were bringing from Idalos. It is therefore the aim of each Yludih to collect such information of Idalos but also to learn more of their true selves, divorced of the illusory masks that are worn. Those that learn the nature of ‘who they are’ will live eternally in Uleuda once they die. An eternity shall be spent as they wish and many guide the younger Yludih and helping shape Uleuda’s constant expansion.
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History
The Yludih and Uleuda were created simultaneously during the famed fight with Syroa and Aelig against the black cloud of genetic material of all races that threatened all of Idalos. In the beginning, Uleuda was simply a blank, infinite nothingness within the minds of the Yludih. This would remain an empty reality until the peak of persecution of the Yludih.
All stories of this time of persecution are tragic ones. Details shall not be recounted here. It is important to know that Uleuda became accessible at the darkest hour of this race:
A great purge was underway.
Determined to rid the world once and for all of the Yludih, intelligence was shared among all cities and the webs of entire families were listed and labeled. Banners were displayed in all city squares to entice individual Yludih to come forward to reveal (betray) their kin, with the reward of peaceful resettlement and protection. In one swift stroke, entire chains of families, including men, women and children, were discovered and murdered.
A collective despair for peace seemed to echo in the minds of all Yludih. Something happened at that moment. That night, when those that survived the purge fell asleep, they found themselves gathered in a place of infinite darkness and a starlit sky, around a single central white crystal, twenty feet high, called Yldria.
This was the beginning of Uleuda. It seemed that when the majority of the Yludih faced an attempted genocide, they turned to the only safehaven that was available – their minds. This forged a link between the Yludih and the reality of Uleuda that resided within their minds and allowed access to Uleuda during sleep.
The initial organization of the Yludih people in Uleuda began as circles of groups simply talking and relating of their experiences. As time went on, other coloured crystals columns burst forth around the white one. Slowly, some of the wiser Yludih began to assume faint colour and details of a face, hair and eyes on their crystal form. They were more revered of the rest and it was agreed that they would be the teachers called the Ancients. When some of these enlightened teachers died in Idalos, they appeared in Uleuda, with a fully formed face and body covered in a rainbow of colors. These deceased Yludih, known as Ancients, realized that they could manipulate the crystals, which at this time were now a hundred feet wide by a two hundred feet tall. With their hands they could divide, bend and twist the crystal to create the Great Hall and structures for places to learn.
At the same time that the Ancients came to be, it seem became apparent that some Yludih were disappearing into the nothingness that surround Uleuda. It was discovered that Yludih that had lost hope and surrendered to despair had transformed into shadow people, known as the Nulliem. This marked the beginning of an ongoing battle between the Nulliem and the Ancients, as they strive to protect and expand Uleuda.
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The Current State of Uleuda
Uleuda is a reality that feeds on the transfer of information from Idalos. The Yludih transport this information to Uleuda and this leads to the growth of crystal in Uleuda, which is continually reshaped by the long dead Ancients.
Ulueda is a non-established reality. That is, it was shaped from the beginning to look and function based on the needs and desires of all Yludih. For now, Uleuda looks and functions as a safe haven, a place to seek out one’s identity and to learn of one’s culture. The Nulliem are also kept at bay. If the Yludih had collectively changed their overall outlook, for example, if they were no longer oppressed in Idalos, then the reality of Uleuda would no doubt change to suit to balance it.
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Passage to Uleuda
When the Yludih sleep, they may choose to pass into Uleuda. When they are transported to Uleuda, their mind is cast out in all directions and is pulled back to a singularity, arriving at one location: Uleuda. All of this occurs at an instant and while the feeling is strange to begin with, subsequent travels become second nature. The Uleuda will always be transported to the central white crystal at the center of the great hall, called the Yldria and can then move on to where they wish to go.
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City Layout
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Yldria
In the centre of Uleuda is a single, white floating crystal called Yldria. This is the brightest object in Uleuda, of such brightness that it pains one's eyes if viewed directly. Yldria shoots the majority of its light upward into a great white beam. The Ancients have built a conical roof around Yldria and left an opening, an oculus, at the top, allowing the light to flow uninterrupted, disappearing into the infinite darkness above. The sides of the oculus are reflective crystal that throw light all around the city.
Amphitheater
Around Yldria, are concentric steps that create an amphitheater. The enormous conical shaped room are built of pillars of crystal columns that eventually join at the central oculus above. This congregation space are filled with all Yludih a few times each arc to discuss general matters as well as in times of crisis.
Teaching and Meditation
From this central space, a lattice of walkways, circular meeting rooms and smaller circular meditation chambers create a ring all around the amphitheater space. Each circular meeting room may contain a group of Yludih of certain ages, who gather about their teacher in an arc. Learning will depend not on age, but on how long that Yludih has been present in Uleuda. Those who are new to Uleuda will learn about the Yludih history, culture, and how to protect there identity in Idalos. They will then progress to learning of unlocking the 'Gates' to their own identities. These lessons are often taught by the monks of the Order of the Keys. Instruction in general subjects to equip them Idalos are 'Idalosian Studies' in which language, history and the like are taught to ensure Yludih blend into their surroundings. During all instruction periods in these larger rooms, Yludih are encouraged to make use of the meditation chambers. The smaller meditation chambers are only large enough for a single Yludih to sit. Here, they will learn to empty their thoughts and become 'present'. This will eventually lead to the unlocking of 'gates', in their journey to reveal their true form and identity as a Yludih.
Living Quarters
Out from the meeting and mediation spaces, are living quarters for which all Yludih are assigned. These also are arranged in a crystalline like structure. In between these are large open recreation spaces, weapon training spaces and the like that have been specifically been converted by the Old Ones from the disorderly growth of crystal into useful space. Bordering the the living quarters are large crystal walls to protect the city.
Crystal Forest
Outside of this space, is a disorderly growth of crystal that is the main working ground of the Ancients. The crystal can grow up to hundred feet high in large angular shards. It can be almost imagined that this looks like a strange, alien forest. Below the large crystal formations, are smaller, intricate formations, that grow like plants and grass. Paper thin sheets can grow out to create opaque walls, coral-like or fungi-like formations grow out with a variety of colors and textures and fine grassy crystals can grow. In these areas, small crystalline organisms also appear and they seem to undertake a speedy evolution. That is, a snake may appear. It may be trying to feed on a crystal plant nearby but cannot. Moments later, legs may appear in order to pounce up to get it. Perhaps, it is hunted and to get away, some time later, the creature may become less elongated and grow feathers to fly away. Some time later, the creature dies and the crystal will divide into smaller versions of this creature to grow again, this time into something new.
Nothingness
Further from the Crystal Forest, the crystal formations become sparse. The light from Yldria, gets weaker and weaker. In this area is simply nothingness. This is where the feared phenomena of the Nulliem exist.
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The Nulliem
Nulliem
The Nulliem were discovered shortly after Uleuda was established. These creatures were once Yludih themselves who had lost their way and succumbed to despair. They appear almost like a shadow, but not quite. They are a constant silhouette. Their bodies are like a vacuum, a black hole, where even light does not escape. Their bodies can consume the crystal growth simply by touch. While the Nulliem can consume crystal and light, they have an aversion to both in their purest form.
The Ancients and the Yludih both fight the Nulliem. The war is a constant one. The Ancients use their inner brightness to partly stave off the Nulliem and have fashioned crystal spears from the brightest crystals around Yldria. Throwing these spears at the Nulliem can often destroy them. When a Nulliem is destroyed, they fold in on themselves and disappear. The Ancients are not invulnerable to the Nulliem, who in large enough numbers can overcome an Ancient and consume his or her body. This will mean an Ancient can be completely destroyed and put out of existence!
The Yludih, too, must fight the Nulliem. They do this as part of their learning and training to unlock the 'gates' within themselves. This is a risky venture and some Yludih have been lost to the negativity of the Nulliem, becoming one themselves. This can occur slowly and one often does not know they are becoming a Nulliem until it is too late. Their color and light may diminish slightly. They may be finding themselves more upset and depressed. Once they become a Nulliem, there is no cure to turn back. Only death by a crystal spear can cause them to fold and forever disappear.