Empyrean Barrier

This article contains significant spoilers regarding Beneath, proceed with caution.

The **Empyrean Barrier** is an anomaly that prevents the U.H.D.F. from bringing any type of supplies, equipment or weapons down the elevator, other than a standard U.H.D.F. 'Embarkation Uniform' and organic matter. All other materials will be destroyed if brought through it. The Empyrean Barrier was constructed by the Elder Gods as a result of the first human invasion of Beneath, to prevent any further intrusions.

Empyrean Barrier warning outside of the elevator shaft.Empyrean Barrier warning outside of the elevator shaft.Empyrean Barrier warning inside of the elevator shaft.

Any exact information, such as how the Empyrean Barrier works, what causes it, or how the equipment brought down is destroyed is either vague or unknown so far, it could have existed before or after the attack of the elder gods on humanity.

## Etymology

Breaking down the meaning and origin of the word "Empyrean", it can be seen that the earliest dated use of the word was in the late Middle English in the mid 17th century. "Empyreal", a similar word with the same connotation, origin and meaning, has a first dated used in the 15th century according to Merriam-Webster.

Before it transitioned from Greek to medieval Latin and late Middle English, the original Greek word was "Empurios", made by the prefix "en-" (meaning "in") and the suffix "pur" (meaning "fire"), the literal or grammatical meaning of "Empurios" breaks down to "In fire", but the lexical meaning in the adverb usage of the word, means "of ethereal or celestial origin, relating to heaven or the sky", and the noun usage of the word means "Heaven" and particularly, the highest part of heaven.

With this information and multiple range of connotations, it can be assumed that the "Empyrean Barrier" is an ancient, magical forcefield, created by the Elder Gods (since they would be considered "Ethereal" or "Holy") to damper the technological advantage humanity has and their ability to bring anything of use into Beneath, be it weaponry to fight off the anomalies and creatures lurking within it, or supplies such as construction or fabrication materials, medicine, machinery, anything of use to stabilish a permanent foothold in the Elder Gods' domain.

'Did you know' section in Merriam-Webster, describing some facts about the word Empyreal's origin and usage.Definition of Empyreal by yourdictionary.com.Definition of Empyrean by Google.
## Theories

The Empyrean Barrier has led to speculation about the origin of all the weapons scattered through Beneath, since they can't have possibly be brought from the outside. One widely accepted theory is that due to being unable to bring supplies into Beneath, groups of U.H.D.F. personnel have had to manufacture weapons and other equipment with the raw supplies they find there, making stabilishing an outpost a very hard, if not impossible task, proven by the many abandoned and destroyed tented outposts and scattered U.H.D.F. scrap and equipment (Such as turrets, metal tool drawers, lamps).

This would also explain why most weapons are melee instead of modern firearms and technology up to the level that U.H.D.F. seems to possess. Weapons such as katanas, gladiī, cutlasses, and many other weapons, which may have as well been tools, such as hammers, shovels, and pickaxes could have been manufactured by U.H.D.F. expeditions into Beneath. Other weapons may have been made by traitors to humanity found throughout Beneath, specifically, more rugged ones such as spears, obsidian clubs and shivs. The only firearms or ranged weapons scattered through Beneath are outdated, ranging from crossbows and harpoon launchers, to a flintlock pistol, to pump-action and double barreled shotguns, and a taser gun. Due to their simple nature and mechanisms, they would have been definitely created by U.H.D.F. or even traitors inside Beneath.

What this widely accepted theory does not explain, however, is the origin of 'magic' weapons such as the black katana, fire gladius and spear. They may have been made by creatures in Beneath friendly to the U.H.D.F. such as the apostle, giant mage shortcut builders, minion energy upgraders, giant mage shopkeepers, and even the minions that welcome you into the iron maiden. But at this point, anything in regards to 'magic' weapons' origins is nothing but speculation, since no lore or information on them can be found (so far) anywhere in the game. The origin of ancient weapons, is even more disputed and unknown.