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By Mctoran
Even within the depths of this broken and twisted labyrinth, scarce shreds of divinity may yet be found. They are avatars — many of which walk amongst the masses without betraying their true nature or even their existence. Here, I intend to shed light on these mysterious beings, and demystify them.
Avatars are incredibly powerful and influential beings, so godlike in stature that many were in fact deified in ancient times. The source of this vast power/influence are The Pillars, serving as oversouls for their respective avatars. Each avatar holds command and mastery over a particular concept, embodied by their respective Pillar. Individual avatars have the capability to alter and impact specific aspects of The Backrooms itself within their respective conceptual sphere.
Avatars exist to spread the influence of their respective concept in the mundane reality. An avatar may naturally manifest from or be directly created by a Pillar, or result from a being embodying a specific concept so strongly that they forge a connection to the Pillar of that concept. I have come to learn that I am an example of the latter, as the result of my…blessings from The Terminus. The nature of an avatar’s relationship to their Pillar can vary widely. Some may be considered separate, with the Pillar indirectly guiding the avatar or having no involvement. Others may be one and the same in consciousness, with the avatar being a direct incarnation/manifestation of their Pillar.
Avatars are exempt from mortal needs such as nutrients, hydration and oxygen — though they may still indulge in such things for their own reasons.
Yet for all their power, avatars are not entirely invincible. A part of their nature is dependent on their relationship with mortals, and with the Backrooms itself. As such, there are several means by which one may render an avatar vulnerable to mortal death — some swift and merciful, others slow and agonizing. The first weakness is for the link between an avatar and Pillar to be weakened or completely severed, for avatars lose all their power and immortality without it. The second weakness is death at the hands of another avatar, for they are of relatively equivalent power. The final weakness is being forgotten, for avatars only remain in power as long as they are known of and recognized. They may only truly die alongside the last to remember their name.
Championship
If avatars may be considered gods, their champions may thus be considered akin to demigods or mythological heroes.
Just as avatars bridge the gap between Pillars and mortals, champions bridge the gap between mortals and avatars. They are highly similar in nature to avatars, though with several distinguishing features making them less powerful and influential than the latter. While an avatar’s connection with a concept is direct, a champion’s is secondary; they draw power from avatars in the way that avatars draw power from concepts.
Champions come to be when an avatar creates life in their image, or imbues a mortal with a portion of their essence/power. Depending on the circumstances of their creation, a champion's degree of power relative to their respective avatar (and even other champions of said avatar) can vary, though it is never greater than the avatar's. Furthermore, avatars are not always aware of the existence of their champions. When an avatar is indeed aware, they may revoke the power granted to their champions on a whim as seen fit — particularly if the champion is deemed “unworthy” through certain actions.
There is much debate in regards to whether becoming a champion/avatar makes one greater or lesser than human — though I am afraid such philosophical discussions are beyond the scope of this writing. Perhaps in the future, I may dedicate a volume to that subject.
