Fractured
Fractured are individuals whose soul resonance has been violently shattered, twisted, or corrupted, often as the result of a failed or stolen bond with Harmonic Dragons. Where the Crystalbound are the embodiment of harmony and chosen unity, the Fractured represent broken frequency—born from dissonance, loss, and imbalance. To encounter a Fractured is to feel a disruption in the song of the world itself.
Origin
The most common cause of Fracturing is the forceful theft of a Dragon Life Crystals - Sacred Relic, resulting in the formation of a Corrupted Resonance Core. This act disrupts the natural balance of soul and resonance, permanently destabilizing the thief’s frequency.
Other known causes include:
- Prolonged exposure to Corrupted Resonance Cores
- Surviving a resonance event that shatters the soul (failed fusion, Artifacts overload, or harmonic trauma)
- Rare rituals gone wrong involving resonance alignment or soul manipulation
Condition or Title?
Being Fractured is considered both a condition and a dark title. While some may still function and live among others, their Resonance is unstable, their emotions unbalanced, and their presence often disturbing to harmonic beings.
Most lose control of their magic, draw corrupted creatures near them, or eventually fall into deeper resonance decay, becoming destructive entities or lost souls.
Traits of the Fractured
- Unstable soul resonance: often flickering or shifting without control
- Emotional volatility, hallucinations, or frequency tremors
- Disrupted connection to nature and soul-based spells
- Inability to properly harmonize, cast fusion abilities, or bond Familiars
Some Fractured develop corrupt powers based on their previous Soul Frequency Category—but twisted, and dangerously unpredictable.
Cultural Reaction
- The Keepers of the First Note view them as tragic echoes, often seeking to purify or contain them if possible
- Some rogue sects and Fractured cults worship them as beings who have broken free of the World Chord’s laws
- Crystalbound are often drawn to them, either by destiny or in an attempt to restore harmony
In most settlements, Fractured are treated with fear, suspicion, or sorrow—but not always hatred. Some believe they are cursed rather than evil.
Purification and Rarity
Very few Fractured are known to have recovered. Attempts at purification typically involve:
- Deep harmonization led by multiple Chordkeepers and a Crystalbound, at least
- Exposure to sacred resonance, such as The Crystal Cradle or a Melodic Roar
- Sacrifices of power or memory to restore soul pattern stability
Despite their rarity, the threat posed by even one Fractured appearing near a harmonic site is enough to summon swift intervention.
Inversion of the Crystalbound
Where the Crystalbound are the result of trust, harmony, and unity, the Fractured are the aftermath of violation, imbalance, and grief. They are not merely corrupted casters—they are broken echoes of what could have been harmony incarnate.
To meet a Fractured is to look into the silence left behind when a song is forcibly ended—and to wonder whether that note might ever be rewritten.
