One of the core figures in the Eschatos Diagram is the Paradigms. One becomes a Paradigm when a realm assigns them the authority to act as a proxy for the Realm. The Paradigm becomes, in effect, an extension of the Realm.
This is good and bad.
A Paradigm is powerful, but their authority can be stolen. They can also be used as a gateway to invade a Realm, if they leave the Realm, since they are esssentially a beacon and the address an invader needs.
Paradigm is both an authority and a position. A Realm can normally only authorize one entity to act as a Paradigm.
Some (un)lucky souls are Paradigms for multiple Realms.
Paradigm Authority
- Collect Taxes. Every entry and exit from a Realm requires Luck (Providence, Fortune, etc.). Sleeping Realms assign the Paradigm the ability to collect a portion of this Luck as a tax on anything entering or exiting their realm. Free or Awoken Realms can collect this directly or assign the ability to the Paradigm. The Luck appears in the Paradigm's Seat (or their body) in the form of the Luck created by the Realm.
- Assign Guardian. Assign one or more entities to protect and control entry/exit of a door or special area in a Realm. As an example, on Mars in the Earth Realm, the Automaton Sphinx guards the special area of the Occlude. Free or Awoken Realms can assign Guardians and may extend this permission to a Paradigm.
- Assign Protector. Protectors are similar to Guardians, except they are assigned to an individual or an object, an area, or the entire Realm. Free or Awoken Realms can assign Protectors and may extend this permission to make Protectors to a Paradigm. All Paradigms are in this role, regardless.
- Build a Seat. When a Realm designates a Paradigm, it also can assign the authority to build a Seat. A Paradigm's Seat is a miniature Realm, including its own Rules and inhabitants.
- Eschatos Diagram Management. A Paradigm can expand, share or create a new Eschatos Diagram bearer.
Position
- Realm Guardian. Only Paradigms can be a Guardian of the Realm, responsible for its safety, and especially the management of doors. As a Realm Guardian:
- Store Fortune. Store Fortune on their body and at their seat without limit.
- Assign Guardian. Designate one or more entities as Guardians of an assigned area.
- Assign Protector. Designate one or more entities as Protectors of an assigned area.
- Door Management. Detect, close or open a door into/out of the guarded area.
- Flex Rules. A Realm Guardian can break one of the Realm Rules and bend any number of others.
- Battlefield. When another Realm or Paradigm attempts to enter, a Realm Guardian can battle to prevent the entry, forcing the two Paradigm's to fight with their Seats. During the battle, all doors close and stay closed until resolved.
Non-Realm Guardians can store store Fortune on their bodies and can bend, but not break, Realm Rules in the area they guard.
- Protector. Like a Guardian, Protectors can store Fortune on their bodies and can bend, but not break Realm Rules to protect their charge.
- Protectors are mobile and can leave the Realm if needed
- Can fight at a Paradigm's Seat to protect or attack invaders.
- At a Paradigm's Seat, a Protector can wield Fortune or enhance a Seat Rule or Power
Paradigm's Seat
The Seat always contains the representation of the Realm's primary Fortune-building cycle. As an example, for Bret, that meant initially an ocean, and then an island as he absorbed more than one Paradigm authority.
- Can store Fortune. Represented in the form of the Realm's Fortune building cycle
- Shaped and changed to the Paradigm's desire. Requires Fortune to build, modify or create anything there.
- Imported items, creatures, objects, etc. cost a small percentage of their Fortune value to bring in
- Is the field of battle for a Realm War if the defending Paradigm doesn't chose to fight on the bridge.
- Paradigm can create or import creatures.
Note. You might notice that Bret's Seat is different from the above. He has additional abilities, such as a functioning Fortune-building mechanism like a Realm. The answer to why is in Book 4+ of the Eschatos Diagram.
