THE FAR ANOMALY
The Far Anomaly is a field of effect of uncertain origin and function which currently affects the majority of Jade Imperial holdings. In general terms, it appears to convert conscious thought and belief into physical matter and form via magic.
HISTORY
The precise timeline of the Far Anomaly's existence has not yet been mapped, and its existence is not public knowledge. The bilateral nature of the link between thought and reality was first theorised in the ancient Ingenious text The Twelve Rings of Life and Death by the philosopher Tamuramaro, and was referenced in many major works such as the 9th century grimoire The Ninety-Nine Gods of Black and White by Karitamaro Yosai.
Earnest belief in Jade Shinto waned during the Shogunate period, especially with the advent of industrialization and increased contact with other cultures. It had by the 25th century devolved into a simple collection of traditional practices and observances. It was long assumed that the legendary and folkloric creatures of ancient and medieval writers were little more than myths borne of ignorance and superstition, but during the Storming of the Winter Villa the appearance of an apparent daemon from the realm of Corruption dispelled the doubts of many. The future Jade Empress, Takara Kuribayashi, defeated the being using the ancestral Rainblade, sparking a revival of Shinto belief. Reports of sightings of yokai, oni and other fantastic creatures began to rise across the Jade Empire, and by 2459 AT the literal existence of the Far, and of its corresponding plane Corruption, was being treated as scientific fact by academics, politicians and military staff. The Keystone Campaign against the forces of the Merger solidified acceptance of the existence of the Far, providing ample hard evidence.
Earnest belief in Jade Shinto waned during the Shogunate period, especially with the advent of industrialization and increased contact with other cultures. It had by the 25th century devolved into a simple collection of traditional practices and observances. It was long assumed that the legendary and folkloric creatures of ancient and medieval writers were little more than myths borne of ignorance and superstition, but during the Storming of the Winter Villa the appearance of an apparent daemon from the realm of Corruption dispelled the doubts of many. The future Jade Empress, Takara Kuribayashi, defeated the being using the ancestral Rainblade, sparking a revival of Shinto belief. Reports of sightings of yokai, oni and other fantastic creatures began to rise across the Jade Empire, and by 2459 AT the literal existence of the Far, and of its corresponding plane Corruption, was being treated as scientific fact by academics, politicians and military staff. The Keystone Campaign against the forces of the Merger solidified acceptance of the existence of the Far, providing ample hard evidence.
MECHANISM
The Far Anomaly is currently being researched in secret by the JIAN, but the full extent and nature of its mechanical function has yet to be explored or outlined in satisfactory detail. It appears to function by channeling energy from the dimensions known as the Far and Corruption, doing so in the form provided for it by the neural patterns of sapient beings in proximity to theoretical Bridges, locus points or mandalas which amplify and connect the different dimensions.
This means that, in effect, conscious belief empowers certain individuals, artefacts and rituals with genuine magical power. This does not appear to work in all instances, but rather through strictures and conditions not yet comprehensively mapped out. If a set of individuals believe in the existence of a werewolf, the TFA does not on its own create a werewolf in the vicinity. However, a nearby individual with the ability to access TFA may be able to channel their belief into reality in one of a number of ways, such as creating a werewolf or placing a platinum kanji-rune onto a weapon which will cause additional harm to canid lifeforms.
This means that, in effect, conscious belief empowers certain individuals, artefacts and rituals with genuine magical power. This does not appear to work in all instances, but rather through strictures and conditions not yet comprehensively mapped out. If a set of individuals believe in the existence of a werewolf, the TFA does not on its own create a werewolf in the vicinity. However, a nearby individual with the ability to access TFA may be able to channel their belief into reality in one of a number of ways, such as creating a werewolf or placing a platinum kanji-rune onto a weapon which will cause additional harm to canid lifeforms.
Although fully understanding this phenomenon may potentially require a drastic overhaul of current Jade Imperial understanding of physics and space-time, it does appear that there are several consistent laws or qualities that apply to the Far Anomaly which are reliably and repeatedly demonstrable. It is believed that elements of the Merger have discovered ways to manipulate or otherwise distort the Far Anomaly for
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THE FAR ANOMALY (TFA)
KNOWN QUALITIES
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their own ends, as evidenced by their frequent use of otherwise unexplained psionics, magicians, biologically unknown species and creatures.