The Architect
The Architect first appeared to the Auk’kheem shortly after they had networked the first of the interstellar portals they called the Wheel of Worlds. This one's origins were shrouded in mystery, but s/he was accepted among them when s/he requested to learn about their culture and their technology.
S/he began to travel with them to distant worlds on their spaceships, looking for habitable worlds where they might deposit further portals and learn about the diversity of the universe. As part of this drive to explore, they met other intelligent species and the Architect helped forge alliances with many of them, and created the idea for the Consortium of Intelligent Species.
After spending many generations with the Auk’kheem, the Architect vanished for several thousand years but reappeared in time to witness the catastrophic extinction of the Azuraki, who were the Builders’ first allies. This event also shed light on a personal tragedy for the Architect: the reason for her/his unnaturally long lifespan, an unfortunate by-product of the extinction event.
Of the many races the Architect met in his/her travels, many believed s/he was a god and could not die. It was known that s/he was both male and female, and thus could understand gender issues with a balanced approach. It was said that the Wheel of Worlds would do for the Architect what even the Builders could not command: to travel through time, or to lock out portals that had become unsafe. According to the legends carried on in the Jinn’s incomplete history, the Architect was always alone, unable or unwilling to take a mate after losing the love of her/his life somewhere in his/her mysterious past. Though s/he was beloved by many races for the gifts of wisdom s/he bestowed upon them, s/he remained single throughout every time period s/he visited until her/his final disappearance, along with the Auk’kheem.
When the Consortium began to crumble, the Architect visited the Jinn and left with them a detailed plan involving future events, to be enacted on certain dates, associated with specific celestial events in the Jinn solar system, as well as that of Earth’s Sol. This strategy came with a warning: that the very existence of the Jinn depended on following his/her instructions. As her/his predictions began to come true, the Jinn did not deviate from his/her design.
The Jinn were left an incomplete record of historical events, per the Architect’s instructions, as s/he did not want the full scope of this plan known to anyone, only what was necessary to carry out the design at specific intervals. This record was kept safe during the period of the War of Shadows, though much of the Jinn’s own history is sketchy during this era.
S/he began to travel with them to distant worlds on their spaceships, looking for habitable worlds where they might deposit further portals and learn about the diversity of the universe. As part of this drive to explore, they met other intelligent species and the Architect helped forge alliances with many of them, and created the idea for the Consortium of Intelligent Species.
After spending many generations with the Auk’kheem, the Architect vanished for several thousand years but reappeared in time to witness the catastrophic extinction of the Azuraki, who were the Builders’ first allies. This event also shed light on a personal tragedy for the Architect: the reason for her/his unnaturally long lifespan, an unfortunate by-product of the extinction event.
Of the many races the Architect met in his/her travels, many believed s/he was a god and could not die. It was known that s/he was both male and female, and thus could understand gender issues with a balanced approach. It was said that the Wheel of Worlds would do for the Architect what even the Builders could not command: to travel through time, or to lock out portals that had become unsafe. According to the legends carried on in the Jinn’s incomplete history, the Architect was always alone, unable or unwilling to take a mate after losing the love of her/his life somewhere in his/her mysterious past. Though s/he was beloved by many races for the gifts of wisdom s/he bestowed upon them, s/he remained single throughout every time period s/he visited until her/his final disappearance, along with the Auk’kheem.
When the Consortium began to crumble, the Architect visited the Jinn and left with them a detailed plan involving future events, to be enacted on certain dates, associated with specific celestial events in the Jinn solar system, as well as that of Earth’s Sol. This strategy came with a warning: that the very existence of the Jinn depended on following his/her instructions. As her/his predictions began to come true, the Jinn did not deviate from his/her design.
The Jinn were left an incomplete record of historical events, per the Architect’s instructions, as s/he did not want the full scope of this plan known to anyone, only what was necessary to carry out the design at specific intervals. This record was kept safe during the period of the War of Shadows, though much of the Jinn’s own history is sketchy during this era.
Historical Basis
Proof of the existence of the Architect lies on many worlds. On the Azuraki home world, within the roots of the Great Tree, are three statues built to commemorate the alliance of the Azuraki, the Builders and the Architect. On the Naga home world, a statue of the Architect stands in a temple beside the Wheel of Worlds along with a confession of the sins of the Naga people. Stylized images of the Architect protect traditional warrior training grounds on Yun'dzai worlds, and inspire young soldiers to be their best. Berobed figurines of the Architect in varying sizes decorate public and private gardens on Jinn colonies. Among the Singers, personal images are not displayed in paintings or statuary; however, the Architect is remembered in chants and songs as a bringer of blessings and wisdom.
Spread
The legend of the Architect is known on thousands of worlds in an easily recognizable image, or by the symbol of three bells that s/he always wore.
Variations & Mutation
Among the Yun'dzai, the Architect is the Supreme Warrior, the epitome of what each young trainee aspires to be. This figure is said to be swifter than the wind, stronger than any bonds, and able to rise up from a mortal wound on the battlefield. S/he is worshiped among the Yun'dzai as a battle god.
“Every builder must have a plan, yes? And the most expert plans come from an Architect… Some believe the Architect was a god, but we know this was not true. The Architect is both male and female, mortal and not. This one was, is, will be. It is said that the Architect cannot die.” – Kamashanti, Jinn diplomat
The Architect is a prominent feature in these cultures:
- The Auk'kheem
- The Azuraki
- The Jinn
- The Naga
- The Singers
- The Yun'dzai
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