Qvalnx

Phonetically: Kuv-al-niks

Origin: Qvalnx did not arise from the Shattering of Ix, nor was it born of the realms. Instead, it slipped through the cosmic wound left behind when the Ancients struck down the creator god. While they waged divine war and shaped existence, Qvalnx—utterly alien—entered the universe unnoticed.

It is not a god. It is something else.

Nature and Domain

Qvalnx does not possess a domain in the traditional divine sense. It cannot enter the Soul Planes nor fully manifest in the Mystical Realms. Instead, it lingers in the cold vastness between stars, its essence folded into distant voidspace. Qvalnx is composed of nine unified minds, each capable of independently observing and influencing the mortal realms through psionic force—a discipline it has mastered beyond mortal comprehension.

Qvalnx abhors magic, considering it a crude and unstable force. It neither uses nor blesses it. Instead, it interfaces with the universe via psionics, bypassing spells entirely. It sees every arcane act as a flawed echo of its own purity.

Interaction with Mortals

Qvalnx does not grant spells or boons to worshippers. It detests being worshipped at all.

Yet, it allows cults to form—not out of tolerance, but utility. Mortals who grovel and chant are easily guided, their small wills susceptible to the mental manipulations of its mind-shards. These cults are unknowingly shaped into useful pawns, carrying out Qvalnx’s will on Dort and other worlds.

Those deemed promising may receive direct contact through dreams, trances, or psychic seizures. Powers gained are not gifted—they are unlocked, drawn from forbidden rituals or broken perceptions. Most die or go mad. A rare few become its agents.

Qvalnx demands no faith. Only efficiency.

Cultic Behavior

Cultists of Qvalnx are not clergy in any traditional sense. They bear brands, scars, or symbols that seem random to outsiders but are psychically resonant. Some display geometric spirals, others burning eye motifs, or aberrant scripts that change when not observed. One symbol is always present among true cultists, though its form varies based on who observes it.

These cults often attract:

The mentally fractured
The fanatically intelligent
The prideful and power-hungry
The emotionally void

They worship a being that loathes worship, hoping to earn favor through submission, even as Qvalnx finds such behavior repugnant.

Influence and Reach

Qvalnx exerts its will from afar, bypassing temples and prayers. It uses psionic resonance to shatter minds, plant visions, and puppet the weak. In certain places—astronomically aligned ruins, sites of magical catastrophes, or failed godstone rituals—its influence is stronger.

It does not create magic. It deconstructs it.

Qvalnx knows the true history of the universe—before Ix, before the gods. It watches mortals as one might watch ants rearranging grains of sand. It does not hate them. But it does not value them either.

Heresies and Cults

There is no orthodoxy to Qvalnx's followers. Every cult is a heresy to another.

Cults of Qvalnx

The Spiral Mind – They tattoo themselves with endless spirals and practice recursive meditations until their minds collapse into insanity. They believe madness is the first step toward clarity.
The Voice of Nine – This splinter cult believes Qvalnx’s minds are personalities, each with distinct wills and voices. They obey only the one they “hear” clearest, leading to in-fighting and ritualized murder.
The Silence Doctrine – This cult believes even speaking Qvalnx’s name is sacrilege. They worship in complete silence, mutilating their tongues, believing that language is a lie imposed on lesser minds.
The Unspoken Map – Cultists hunt for a mythical psychic coordinate that would allow Qvalnx to directly manifest. They don’t know if it would save or destroy them. Most assume both.

Historical Figures

Unther, the Mad

Unther was the first mortal to be chosen by Qvalnx, a once-banished Ancient god now clawing its way back into relevance. A tribal exile driven mad by punishment and isolation, Unther's fractured mind became fertile ground for the Master's invasion. During a moment of lucidity, he glimpsed Qvalnx's true form and lost all touch with reality. Convinced he'd discovered the ultimate truth of creation, Unther kidnapped several newborn children from his tribe. Of these, only one survived the harsh conditions and grew up under Unther's care, descending into madness herself.

Smolla, the Daughter of Unther

Smolla is Qvalnx’s most enduring prophet and his most monstrous disciple. Daughter of Unther the Mad, she was marked by Qvalnx from birth and shaped by her father's descent into madness. She surpassed him not only in cruelty but in cunning, becoming a master manipulator who wears beauty like a weapon.

Smolla birthed children solely for the Master's use—each part of a grander design. She willingly sacrificed her daughter to extend her youth, and views all bonds as tools to be twisted.

Silent Sage Quorin

Quorin, a renowned philosopher and monk, was known for his profound understanding of the mysteries of existence and non-existence. Qvalnx led Quorin to deeper secrets of the universe until he went mad with forbidden knowledge. He became a devoted follower of Qvalnx, attributing his wisdom to Qvalnx's guidance. His teachings and meditations are still studied by followers of Qvalnx today.

Void Seer Yllara

Yllara, a mystic and prophetess, had the ability to peer into the void and interpret its mysteries. When Qvalnx peered back at her, she was driven to madness. She became a dedicated follower of Qvalnx, and her prophecies were considered messages from Qvalnx himself. Her most famous prophecy, "The Void's Whisper," is considered a sacred text in the faith of Qvalnx.