The Primordial Era, also known as the First Epoch, is the most mysterious and ancient period in the Lord of the Mysteries universe. It serves as the foundation for all subsequent epochs, and much of its history is obscured by the passage of time, shrouded in myth, fragmented records, and eldritch horrors. Despite the lack of explicit details, the hints and revelations scattered throughout the novel paint a fascinating picture of this enigmatic epoch.
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Key Elements of the Primordial Era
1. The Birth of Existence
Chaos Sea: Before the Primordial Era, there was nothing but a vast, formless sea of chaos, an infinite void where the rules of reality did not exist.
This sea is believed to be the origin of all things, including the laws that govern the universe, the pathways, and even the Outer Deities.
The Primordial One: From the Chaos Sea emerged the Primordial One, the first and most powerful entity.
The Primordial One is theorized to have been a being of unimaginable power, embodying the principles of existence and the source of the first mystical pathways.
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2. The Formation of the Universe
Creation of Reality: The Primordial One began shaping the Chaos Sea into a structured universe, establishing the basic laws of physics, time, space, and existence.
This act is the origin of the spiritual world, material world, and astral world—the three primary planes of existence.
Eldritch Beings: As the Primordial One's will manifested, other powerful beings were born. These beings, often referred to as the Old Ones or Outer Deities, were extensions of the chaos but had their own autonomy.
Examples include entities like the Dark Side of the Universe, Giant King of the Void, and Original Creator.
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3. The Birth of the Pathways
Original Pathways: The Primordial One is believed to have created the seven foundational pathways, which later expanded into the 22 pathways seen in later epochs.
These pathways represented different aspects of existence, such as life, death, chaos, and time.
They were designed to allow mortal beings to ascend, channeling the chaotic powers into structured systems.
Potion System: The concept of potions and Sequences may have originated during this era, allowing beings to absorb and stabilize chaotic energies.
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4. The Age of the Old Ones
Dominance of Eldritch Beings: The Old Ones dominated the universe during this time, each embodying unique and incomprehensible aspects of existence.
These beings were not bound by human morality or logic, making them utterly alien.
Their influence shaped reality in bizarre ways, often resulting in distorted, dream-like realms.
Conflict Among the Old Ones: These entities, though immensely powerful, were not united. They vied for dominance, creating chaos within the newly structured universe.
These conflicts likely resulted in the destruction of many proto-civilizations and reshaped the spiritual and material planes.
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5. The Birth of Humanity (Speculative)
Proto-Humans: It is hinted that the seeds of humanity may have been planted during the Primordial Era, possibly as an experiment by the Primordial One or the Old Ones.
Proto-humans were primitive, fragile beings struggling to survive amidst the overwhelming power of eldritch entities.
Divine Spark: The potential for humanity to ascend and harness the pathways may have been imbued into them during this time.
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6. The Fall of the Primordial One
The Betrayal: It is strongly implied that the Primordial One was betrayed by its own creations—possibly the Old Ones or other entities that grew jealous or fearful of its power.
This betrayal led to the shattering of the Primordial One's body and power, scattering its essence across the universe.
Fragments of the Primordial One's power may have become the sources of the Outer Deities, the Original Creator, or other supreme beings.
Consequences: The death or fragmentation of the Primordial One destabilized the structured universe, leading to the chaos and cataclysms of later epochs.
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7. Legacy of the Primordial Era
Remnants of the Old Ones: Many of the Old Ones retreated into the void or entered slumber, becoming the Outer Deities feared and worshiped in later epochs.
The Pathways and Tarot System: The pathways established during this epoch became the foundation for all mystical systems, including the tarot cards that Klein and others use.
Hidden Knowledge: Fragments of knowledge from the Primordial Era are scattered across the world, sought by secret organizations and individuals seeking power.
These fragments are often incomprehensible, driving mortals to madness.
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Themes and Symbolism
The Primordial Era embodies the themes of creation, chaos, and the unknowable. It represents a time when the universe was young and wild, governed by alien logic and forces beyond mortal comprehension. The fall of the Primordial One and the conflicts among the Old Ones symbolize the inevitability of chaos and the cyclical nature of destruction and rebirth.
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Connections to Later Epochs
Ancient Sun God: The Ancient Sun God's rise in the Second Epoch is closely tied to the pathways and laws established during the Primordial Era.
Outer Deities: The influence of beings like the Original Creator and the Dark Side of the Universe originates in the Primordial Era.
Lord of the Mysteries: The title itself may trace back to the Primordial One, as Klein inherits the mantle of an entity tied to the foundation of the universe.