// the second vessel
ASHEN
[ proxy of the penitence · sovereign aethelgard ]
weird
kinda annoying
definitely stupid
the spare
on vacation
overview
Ashen is the second vessel of The Penitence, one of the Sovereigns of Aethelgard — ancient beings so old their physical forms stopped being reliable a long time ago. Vessels are their proxies. Humanoid, functional, built to go places and do things their creators can't anymore.
Being a second vessel basically means he's the spare. His older sibling is the real one, the first vessel, the one The Penitence actually talks to. Ashen has spent his entire existence as their sidekick and little brother.
His sibling got sent on a classified solo mission across the universe. He got sent to earth. For vacation. He has opinions about this that he is expressing constantly and to anyone who will listen.
lore
// What are The Empyreans?
Eldritch creatures that conquered earth to turn it into their harvesting field. Worshipped as angels before they showed their true colors and started wiping out the masses.
// What are The Shepherds?
Apex Archangels overseeing the remaining Cradles on Earth. They possess weather manipulation, hard-light constructs, potent psychic suggestion, and longevity bordering on immortality. Wardens of the human remnants.
// What are [REDACTED]?
Isolated sanctuaries where Empyrean Shepherds cultivate human emotions for sustenance. Humans inside are kept naive, believing the Shepherds are protectors against the wasteland outside.
// What is The Eclipse?
Ascellion's [REDACTED]. An enormous hospital armed with nano-sensors and pristine white walls. Faceless mechanical nurses staff the floors. Many facilities. Many activities. No one is permitted outside.