FERANMUT PROXIES & WULING HEGEMONY: TALOS-II ANALYSIS | ENDFIELD
Table of Contents
The transition of Terran civilization from its cradle to the extraterrestrial frontiers of Talos-II represents a fundamental shift in the relationship between mortal existence and the primordial entities known as Feranmuts. Historically classified as “Great Beasts” or “Living Gods,” these beings have moved from the periphery of religious myth and historical conflict into the very core of industrial survival and planetary stabilization.
The emergence of the “Feranmut Proxy” as a technical and political category on Talos-II is not merely an echo of the Yanese “Sui Siblings” but a deliberate evolution of divine-tier power into a mechanism for resisting the supernatural catastrophe of the Blight and the dimensional encroachment of the Aetherside.
TL;DR - Key Points
- Feranmuts possess Type 1 Abstract Existence — True selves exist independently of physical bodies, immune to Originium and Oripathy
- Proxies are fragmented avatars — Human-sized manifestations created through “Shattering,” each with distinct personalities
- Sami enabled the Talosian migration — The Cosmic Gate facilitated civilization transfer 152 years ago before closing during the First Aggeloi War
- Xiranite is the cornerstone of Wuling — Synthesized from Originium and Feranmut power, fuels the city’s infrastructure and defenses
- The 13th Sui Proxy is artificial — Created by Nian, Dusk, and Shu as a manufactured vessel to stabilize Collapsal energy
- Depth readings measure Aetherside overlap — Critical danger at 0.5 Depth where Blight incidence peaks
- Zhuang Fangyi leads Wuling — Former Tianshi Intern turned Viceroy, struggling with Xiranite reserves and Stockade reconciliation
- Year 142 Disaster created ongoing conflict — Failed Xiranite operation destroyed prototype facilities and created debt between Wuling and Stockade
Related read: Talos-II Pipe Mechanics: Throughput, Merging & Flow Control goes deeper on talos-ii.
Ontological Foundations of the Feranmut Race
To comprehend the function of a Proxy on Talos-II, one must first delineate the standard Feranmut physiology. Feranmuts are described by Sargonian and Yanese scholars—the pioneers of “Feranmutology”—as living creatures whose characteristics remain unfathomable to the ordinary populace. They are not biological organisms in the conventional sense but are born from a “chaotic void” and possess a Type 1 Abstract Existence.
This means their true selves exist independently of their physical manifestations, often existing as concepts themselves—such as the entity Shu being the conceptual embodiment of life and agriculture.
Physiological and Conceptual Attributes
The physical forms of Feranmuts are diverse, mimicking the mythological deities and legendary creatures of Terran history, ranging from humanoid to massive, mountain-sized anthropomorphic beings. Despite this diversity, they are characterized by a set of “reason-rejecting” abilities that operate outside the constraints of Originium Arts.
| Attribute | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Existence Type | Abstract (Type 1) | True self exists independently of the physical body |
| Power Source | Reason-Rejecting | Manipulates physics, time, and law directly; independent of Arts |
| Lifespan | Biological Immortality | Ten-thousand-year cycle for mortal shells; spiritual persistence |
| Originium Interaction | Absolute Immunity | Immune to Oripathy and all forms of Originium contamination |
| Fragmentation | Shattering | Capable of splitting into multiple independent personalities or Proxies |
| Environmental Influence | Topographic | Power linked to the land; capacity for planetary construction |
These entities are biologically immortal, though they possess an average physical form lifespan of approximately ten thousand years, after which they may “transcend into spirits” or retain consciousness while allowing their mortal shells to perish.
Crucially, Feranmuts are completely immune to the influences of Originium and the disease Oripathy. This immunity is the cornerstone of their value on Talos-II, a planet where Originium is the primary fuel source but also the primary vector for environmental corruption. The Feranmut’s power is deeply tied to topography; many possess the capacity for large-scale terraformation and weather control, a power that scales with their age and the specific land they inhabit.
See also: Wuling Test Area: Traveller’s Guide Vol. 6 (Talos-II) for more on wuling.
The Mechanism of Shattering and Proxy Creation
The term “Proxy” (or “Executor”) refers to the fragments or avatars that a Feranmut can be “shattered” into. This process can be the result of external conflict, such as the Yanese Great Hunt, or a deliberate internal division. Each proxy possesses its own personality and a portion of the original entity’s power.
The most prominent example is the Feranmut Sui, who was fragmented into twelve siblings—including Nian, Dusk, Ling, and Shu—who are collectively referred to in technical documentation as “Proxies of Sui”.
A proxy functions as a projection of a human-sized form intended to explore or interact with the world, while their core essence remains something “much larger”. On Talos-II, the categorization of a Proxy has evolved to include artificial manifestations, where the “Feranmut’s Heart” serves as a vessel for a newly born consciousness.
The Talosian Migration and the Role of Sami
The presence of Feranmuts on Talos-II is inextricably linked to the Sami Cosmic Gate, a hyperspace gateway located in the northern icefields of Terra. Around 152 years ago, Terran civilization began its migration to Talos-II via this gate, which was eventually rendered inaccessible during the First Aggeloi War.
The Intervention of the Feranmut Sami
Historical records from the First Aggeloi War (Year 5–15 of the Talosian calendar) indicate that the Feranmut Sami did not merely facilitate the crossing but actively participated in the defense of human civilization. In Year 15, Sami joined the military campaign alongside the Endministrator and the “Forty Heroes,” an event marked by a “Wild Hunt Uprising” initiated by Sami’s followers.
This intervention was instrumental in ending the first phase of the war and establishing the Civilization Band.
| Historical Period | Key Event | Feranmut Involvement |
|---|---|---|
| BCE (Terra) | The Great Hunt of Yan | Subjugation of Sui and fragmentation into 12 siblings |
| Year 0 | Arrival at Talos-II | Sami Cosmic Gate serves as the primary transit point |
| Year 15 | First Aggeloi War | Sami joins the war; Wild Hunt Uprising occurs |
| Year 140 | Xiranite Development | A Feranmut Proxy collaborates with HAS to develop Xiranite |
| Year 142 | Wuling Rift Disaster | Prototype Xiranite failure leads to the North Wuling Exclusion Zone |
| Year 152 | Present Day | Zhuang Fangyi leads Wuling; a new Proxy is discovered |
Sami’s influence persists on Talos-II in various forms. The floating bastion of Ses’qa is rumored to be powered by the “teeth of Sami,” or at least sustained by its massive skeletal remains. This illustrates the transition of Feranmut remains from objects of worship into high-capacity energy generators and structural foundations for the “Industrial Motherships” and floating cities that characterize Talosian technology.
The Hongshan Academy of Sciences and Wuling Hegemony
The Affiliated Hongshan Academy of Sciences (HAS), a bureau of the Great Yan Tianshi Bureau, represents the primary Yanese faction on Talos-II. Stuck on the planet after the gate’s closure, they founded Wuling City around a “Very Large Rift” (VLR) to study and contain the Aether while preserving Yanese cultural and technological traditions.
The Industrialization of Divine Power
Wuling is defined by its fusion of ancient Yanese Feranmutology and cutting-edge Talosian industrialism. The city relies on the “Tianshi Pillar Array” and the “Forge of the Sky” to maintain a protective barrier against the Blight.
These facilities are not powered by conventional Originium combustion but by the synthesis of Originium with “Feranmut power” to create a stable material known as Xiranite.
Xiranite is described as the “first milestone of Wuling Science Station,” a material that fuels both the physical infrastructure and the prosperity of the region. It was successfully developed in Year 140 through the collaborative efforts of Yanese specialists and a specific Feranmut Proxy. While official records are redactively vague, internal evidence suggests this proxy was closely tied to the Sui lineage, likely Nian or Shu, whose expertise in metallurgy and agriculture respectively laid the groundwork for Wuling’s unique ecosystem.
Zhuang Fangyi: The Viceroy and the Tianshi
As the Viceroy of Wuling and a Tianshi of the HAS, Zhuang Fangyi embodies the dual role of political leader and technical specialist. Officially listed as a member of the Kylin race—though possessing visual traits that lead many to mistake her for a Lung or a Sui Proxy—Fangyi is a 6-star Electric Striker who wields an “Arts Unit” weapon called the “Lone Barge”.
Historical Context and Memory Loss
Zhuang Fangyi’s history is intimately connected with that of the Endministrator. Prior to the Viceroy’s rise to power and the Endministrator’s latest hibernation, she served as a “Tianshi Intern” and worked directly alongside the protagonist. Her memories of this period are bittersweet, reflecting a time of intense research and shared challenges before the “disaster” of Year 142 forced her into a leadership role to salvage the Wuling Science Station.
Her current tenure is defined by the struggle to manage dwindling Xiranite reserves while maintaining the city’s defenses against the Aggeloi. Her tactical profile emphasizes explosive Electric damage through the manipulation of “Sunderblades” and “Electrification” stacks, a kit designed for the high-intensity burst damage required to stagger and neutralize Aggeloi threats.
| Combat Element | Mechanic | Functional Description |
|---|---|---|
| Electrification | Status Effect | Applied to targets to enhance the damage of subsequent strikes |
| Sunderblades | Summoned Constructs | Created by consuming Electrification; deals massive Electric DMG |
| Xiranblitz Array | Combo Skill | Deals AoE damage and forces Electrification on targets |
| Empyrean of Truth | Ultimate State | Enhanced basic attacks; faster cooldowns; multi-target capability |
The 13th Sui Proxy: The Artificial Feranmut’s Heart
The most significant revelation in the study of Talosian Feranmuts is the existence of an artificial 13th Sui sibling. This entity was not born from the original shattering of Sui but was created as part of the “Twelve Pagodas and Five Cities” project on Terra, led by Nian, Dusk, and Shu.
The Genesis of the Artificial Proxy
The project sought to create an artificial vessel, the “Feranmut’s Heart,” which could host the conceptual essence of a Feranmut without the chaotic instability of the original Sui. The three sisters each contributed a fundamental component to its creation:
- Nian (Blacksmith): Forged the physical vessel of the heart using advanced metallurgy and metallurgy-based magic
- Dusk (Painter): Imbued the vessel with a “Soul” using her reality-warping art, effectively painting a consciousness into existence
- Shu (Farmer): Provided the life essence required to turn the vessel into a living, growing being
During a crisis involving Collapsal energy, Shu merged her consciousness with the core to stabilize it, giving birth to a new, sentient entity. This “young Feranmut Proxy” was initially terrified by the ancestral memories of war and famine but was comforted by Shu and instructed to observe the world.
This artificial Proxy is believed to have been brought to Talos-II by the Yanese Tianshi delegation through the Cosmic Gate. On Talos-II, she serves as the “living embodiment” of the Feranmut’s Heart, likely residing within the Forge of the Sky to facilitate the production of Xiranite and the stabilization of the Wuling Rift. Her character is defined by an “endless curiosity” regarding the Civilization Band, fulfilling Shu’s command to watch humanity strive and survive.
The Aetherside and the Physics of Corruption
The existential threat to Talos-II—the Blight—is a manifestation of the Aetherside, a dimension that overlaps with realspace. The intensity of this overlap is measured in “Depth,” where a reading of 0 is pure realspace and 1 is pure Aetherside.
Depth Readings and Blight Distribution
Active Blight occurs most frequently when the Depth reading is approximately 0.5, following a bell-shaped probability curve. At this halfway point, the dimensional barriers are most porous, allowing Aether to flow into realspace and decay both matter and time.
| Measurement | Value | Phenomenon |
|---|---|---|
| Realspace | 0.0 | No Aether influence; life flourishes normally |
| Low Depth | 0.1 - 0.3 | Minor Aether influence; manageable environmental distortion |
| Critical Depth | 0.5 | Maximum Blight incidence; informational and material decay |
| High Depth | 0.7 - 0.9 | High Aether influence; structural collapse of physical laws |
| Aetherside | 1.0 | Pure Aether dimension; hostile to all known biological life |
Feranmuts and their proxies are essential because they are “giants cloaked in the interstices of time”. Their inherent “reason-rejecting” nature allows them to resist the informational breakdown caused by Aether. By integrating Proxy power into the Tianshi Pillar Array, the HAS can artificially lower the Depth reading of a region, pushing it away from the 0.5 danger zone and toward a more stable realspace state.
The Endministrator and the Reconvener System
The Endministrator, a “figure shrouded in myth,” serves as the catalyst for the Civilization Band’s most advanced technologies. Known as an expert in Originium who can manipulate the mineral directly rather than relying on technology, the Endministrator’s presence is required to repair the most complex systems, such as the Dijiang Control Nexus.
Digital Resurrection and Data Shards
The “Reconvener” system is a byproduct of the Endministrator’s unique interaction with the “First Originium” crystal that traversed the gate from Terra. During the final battle of the First Aggeloi War, this crystal was contaminated by Aether, damaging its fundamental nature. However, “data shards” remained within the crystal’s “Assimilated Universe”.
Under the guidance of Warfarin—the former leader of Rhodes Island who also migrated to Talos-II—these shards were decanted into realspace, creating “Reconveners” like Laevatain (Surtr) and Gilberta (Angelina). These individuals are biological persons reconstructed from information, possessing the memories and abilities of their Terran counterparts but living as unique individuals on Talos-II.
Geopolitical Implications: The Stockade and the Wuling-Qingbo Conflict
The reliance on Feranmut power in Wuling has created a deep rift between the Yanese settlers and the inhabitants of the Qingbo Stockade. The Stockaders, who have lived near the “Ancestral Spring” for generations, view the HAS’s intervention in the VLR as the primary cause of the Year 142 disaster.
The Disaster of Year 142
In Year 142, Tianshi specialists attempted to use Xiranite to “sever the connection” between the central rift and its branches to halt the Blight’s expansion. The operation failed catastrophically, triggering a massive Blight tide that destroyed the prototype facilities and starved the surrounding Stockade villages.
This led to a “debt of blood” when a panicked Tianshi accidentally unleashed thunder arts during a Stockader raid for supplies. Zhuang Fangyi’s current policy of reconciliation with the Stockade leader, Tangtang, is viewed by some as an “easy out” for the government’s past mistakes, while others see it as a necessary long-term strategy to ensure the survival of both groups against the rising Landbreaker threat.
Conclusion: The Future of Feranmut-Human Integration
The study of Feranmut Proxies on Talos-II reveals a civilization that has transcended the fear of the divine and replaced it with an industrial partnership. The 13th Sui Proxy, as a manufactured bridge between the “Living Gods” of Terra and the industrial demands of Talos-II, represents the ultimate weapon against the Blight.
As the “Starpod” on Terra continues to fail and the “fake sky” is challenged by the Observers, the success of the Wuling Science Station and the synthesis of Xiranite offer the only proven method for humanity to hold back the encroaching Aetherside. The future of Talos-II rests not just on the strategic acumen of the Endministrator, but on the continued curiosity and protection provided by the Proxies who lift the seal from the forgotten to ensure that civilization survives and thrives in the wake of spring.
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