Fate

Fate is the hypothetical ultimate Form of Existence in the multiverse of Minayero. Its existence has never been conclusively proven, but theories about it abound all over Minayero. Almost every Cemarelij civilization independently come up with a concept of Fate - be it as an entity or an abstract force - at an early point during their development, and apart from minor variations and a few exceptions, all those independent concepts tend to converge on a common denominator.

Fate is, in essence, the reason why things happen because they happen. This generally applies to all things, but is specifically noteworthy for unusual or unlikely things that seem to consistently favour certain developments. The Great Chant religion is essentially centered around this perceived flow, and refers to it as The Chant.

The majority of the hypotheses surrounding Fate can be divided into two major categories: The Personification Hypotheses and the Abstract Concept Hypotheses.

## Personification Hypotheses

These hypotheses describe Fate as an all-powerful all-knowing being that orchestrates the events of Minayero more or less strictly. Some hypotheses assume that Fate is in perfect control of everything, while others suppose that Fate only directly controls the outcomes of certain key events. Finally, there are also hypotheses that have Fate assume the role of a "soft manipulator", who does not directly control anything, but rather skilfully arranges the outcome of even major events by manipulating the outcome of seemingly tiny random events .

Most of these hypotheses agree on that due to the infinite nature of Minayero, Fate would have to be independent of the laws of time, space, and causality, similar to The Ancient.

## Abstract Concept Hypotheses

These hypotheses describe Fate as a force of nature with no will or intent of its own. A fundamental aspect of Minayero, Fate is assumed to be some sort of abstract function that might be visualized as a three-dimensional terrain with mountains and valleys, where downwards motion represents courses of action favoured by the laws of Fate and upwards motion represents courses of action opposed to it. Cultures and religions representing these hypotheses tend to try and work out the laws of Fate and come up with methods of how to best follow them.

The Great Chant is an example of a religion that follows this principle. The Chant is defined as the optimal flow of events that should be, and believers are taught methods of how to recognize that optimal flow and follow it.

## Fate and The Ancient

The relation between Fate and The Ancient is subject to debate, but many hypotheses generally agree that if Fate exists, then it either created or caused The Ancient as its direct subordinates. The Ancient, on the rare occasion when they communicate with other Forms of Existence, have neither confirmed nor denied this. Some Hypotheses even assume that The Ancient collectively form Fate or are fragments of Fate.

## Fate and Ailrokyklij

Unlike The Ancient, the connection between Fate and Ailrokyklij is undeniable, which is why Ailrokyklij are commonly seen as the ultimate proof that Fate - regardless of what it is - does exist. Even before their full awakening, every last Ailrokykli realizes that Fate exists, and that it acts as a proxy of Fate. This knowledge is gained independently by every Ailrokykli even before its full awakening, and Ailrokyklij describe it as "an unchangeable truth deeply lodged within their minds".

Most hypotheses about Fate agree that the Ailrokyklij are, in fact, carrying out the intentions of Fate, regardless of whether it is a personified entity or an abstract concept. Some even go so far as to assume that the Ailrokyklij are nothing but mindless drones following either orders or pre-determined patterns.

There are also hypotheses that assume that the Ailrokyklij may, in fact, collectively *be* Fate, either consciously or subconsciously. The fact that Ailrokyklij are naturally connected by their teleempathy is commonly used to reinforce these hypotheses. However, according to the Ailrokyklij, the effective range of their teleempathy is limited at a planetary- or world-level, so assuming they are not collectively lying, any overarching coordination would have to be happening at a subconscious level.