The Endless Maw

(a.k.a. The Hunger Without)

The Endless Maw, also known as "The Hunger Without," is universally feared as the ultimate adversary across all beliefs in Eryndralis. However, its role and nature diverge significantly depending on the tradition.

Auralism

Within the common faith of Eryndralis, the Endless Maw is depicted as a vanquished threat, subdued by the Broken Choir’s ultimate sacrifice during The Song of the Shattered. The Maw’s essence is believed to be sealed away, rendered powerless by the gods’ intervention and held in check by the High Magus Council’s stewardship of magic.
This interpretation portrays the Maw as a cautionary figure—a symbol of unchecked ambition and the dangers of hubris. Its presence serves as a reminder of the sacrifices required to maintain balance and order. The Maw is rarely discussed in personal or direct terms, its malevolence reduced to an abstract concept, often invoked in sermons to warn against the misuse of magic or the rejection of divine guidance, or used to refer to evil acts or curse words. Magic itself is viewed as a gift of the Broken Choir, entrusted to mortals to protect the seals that keep the Maw bound.
Still, the High Magus Council has strict laws surrounding Animancers, for fear that they may break through the seal and alert the Endless Maw as to their presence once more.

Keepers of the Echo

To the Keepers, an underground order dedicated to preserving hidden truths, the Endless Maw is far from a defeated entity. They see it as an active and insidious force, one whose tendrils stretch through the very fabric of Eryndralis. For the Keepers, the Maw is not a distant danger but an omnipresent threat, watching and waiting for opportunities to unmake existence.
The Keepers believe that the Maw is intertwined with the fundamental forces of language and magic. To them, every word spoken and every spell cast is a potential doorway to the Maw’s attention. This creates a pervasive sense of paranoia among the Keepers, who see even innocent actions as potential invitations to disaster.
Their most damning belief is that agents of the Maw operate within positions of power, often unknowingly. They accuse the High Magus Council, the supposed protectors of magic, of harboring individuals corrupted by the Maw’s whispers. These agents are said to twist narratives, subtly manipulating history, culture, and governance to serve the Maw’s ends. According to the Keepers, the Council’s control over magic is not a safeguard but a means to centralize power and hasten the Maw’s return by weakening resistance and tightening control over the Pactlands.

The Divergence’s Implications

The conflicting interpretations create an existential divide between the common religion and the Keepers. The former fosters trust in established institutions, relying on their oversight to preserve order and stability. The latter, however, views these institutions with deep suspicion, seeing them as complicit in a grand cosmic conspiracy.
The tension between these beliefs plays a critical role in shaping the political and spiritual landscape of Eryndralis. For the Auralist faithful, the Maw’s threat is distant, an abstracted myth that underscores the need for vigilance. For the Keepers, it is a present and pervasive danger, hidden in plain sight, requiring constant effort to resist its influence.
This divergence raises troubling questions: If the Maw is truly active, how much of what is known about the past and the present has already been shaped by its insidious touch? If the Keepers are correct, then their fight is not just against an ancient force but against a corrupted system that has allowed the Maw to thrive under the guise of safety and order. These unresolved tensions cast a long shadow over the fate of Eryndralis, leaving both the faithful and the vigilant wondering where truth—and salvation—truly lie.

Divine Classification

The Consumer

Religions

• Auralism
• Echoism