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worldbuild. (cw genre typical violence, madness-as-consequence, vague lovecraftian vibe.)
The Hours is an original verse built on the back of an original mythos. Mostly, it's about an eldritch-y monster-ish group of Gods (or God-like beings) known as Hours, who exist somewhere behind this plane in a place called The Sprawl. There are 28 of them; 24 representing one hour of each day, and four "lost" Hours. Each Hour has a Hand, who acts in some way like their High Priest, or General of their army, and connects them to the modern world. These Hands are given powers, called "aspects"; they relate in some way to their Hour's domain or area of rule.
Each Hour was a human being once. They aren't anymore. The rules of magical ascension are easy: A human being, if somehow they can glimpse behind the veil and not be driven into madness (ecstasy, horror, visions), can become an apprentice to a Hand. Only by killing that Hand can they leave their apprenticeship behind. Likewise, only through great struggle, research, and magic can a Hand become an Hour. Basically: to promote yourself up a power-level, magical murder is afoot.
This is made harder by the fact Hours have no strong weaknesses, seeing as they are basically Gods, and as the name suggests, are unkillable. Hands, however, can be killed, but with great effort.
In this universe — aka, the modern world as we know it — there exist small sects of worship of each of the Hours. (Think Atlantis, lost history, Greco-Roman mysteries, etc.) Most of it is just academic, but some of it is very, very real, and through study or worship, the greatest of all miracles can occur: magic.
There also exists a secret order named "The Arcani". They are Hourkillers. Over the years, they have managed to injure Hours, but not kill them.
—
Of the 28 hours, Reed in service to the 4th, the Door That Opens. Because of his loyalty and place in the worship of the Door, Reed can travel through dreams, as well as turn any door he opens (or closes) into a functioning portal. He can travel all planes: this one, the plane of the dead, dreams, and the Sprawl. The Door That Opens only believes in going forward, and is unapologetic about opportunity. Consequently, any injury that Reed (or anybody he travels to/with) receives inside a dream also happens in real life. It's like Inception, but worse. He, like all Hands and apprentices, is a magician of some power.
Reed dresses like an old professor and is vain about his beard. He likes books, scrolls, and knowledge. He recently killed his old apprentice, because they tried to kill him and take his place as Hand. Reed is now looking for their replacement. Secretly, he also thinks that maybe they had the right idea, and that, maybe, it's time for him to learn how to take the Door's place and ascend to Hourhood himself.
Each Hour was a human being once. They aren't anymore. The rules of magical ascension are easy: A human being, if somehow they can glimpse behind the veil and not be driven into madness (ecstasy, horror, visions), can become an apprentice to a Hand. Only by killing that Hand can they leave their apprenticeship behind. Likewise, only through great struggle, research, and magic can a Hand become an Hour. Basically: to promote yourself up a power-level, magical murder is afoot.
This is made harder by the fact Hours have no strong weaknesses, seeing as they are basically Gods, and as the name suggests, are unkillable. Hands, however, can be killed, but with great effort.
In this universe — aka, the modern world as we know it — there exist small sects of worship of each of the Hours. (Think Atlantis, lost history, Greco-Roman mysteries, etc.) Most of it is just academic, but some of it is very, very real, and through study or worship, the greatest of all miracles can occur: magic.
There also exists a secret order named "The Arcani". They are Hourkillers. Over the years, they have managed to injure Hours, but not kill them.
Of the 28 hours, Reed in service to the 4th, the Door That Opens. Because of his loyalty and place in the worship of the Door, Reed can travel through dreams, as well as turn any door he opens (or closes) into a functioning portal. He can travel all planes: this one, the plane of the dead, dreams, and the Sprawl. The Door That Opens only believes in going forward, and is unapologetic about opportunity. Consequently, any injury that Reed (or anybody he travels to/with) receives inside a dream also happens in real life. It's like Inception, but worse. He, like all Hands and apprentices, is a magician of some power.
Reed dresses like an old professor and is vain about his beard. He likes books, scrolls, and knowledge. He recently killed his old apprentice, because they tried to kill him and take his place as Hand. Reed is now looking for their replacement. Secretly, he also thinks that maybe they had the right idea, and that, maybe, it's time for him to learn how to take the Door's place and ascend to Hourhood himself.