Maelstrom
“Once, an eclipse changed the world! Who knows what today's celestial event will bring.— The Newscaster
A Maelstrom is a celestial event that brings the supernatural to the mortal world.[1]
Summary
[edit | edit source]Brought about by an eclipse,[2] the first Maelstrom presumably occurred circa the 1880s-1890s. This Maelstrom brought a large influx of spirits back to the mortal world, one of which included Vindicta,[1] and caused some dormant Astral Gates to open, including one in New York's Central Park.[3][4] This was the event that introduced the general public to the supernatural.[5]
50 years later, in the present day, a second Maelstrom is about to occur. This time, the world is aware that it's coming, and some cults have prepared a ritual to summon the Patrons during the celestial event. It's implied that summoning the Patrons outside of the Maelstrom is impossible.[6]
The duration of the Maelstrom is expected to last between 20 minutes to 2 hours,[7] during which mystic energy is at its apex.[8]
The OSIC has warned New York citizens to stay indoors for the duration of the Maelstrom.[9][10]
The third Maelstrom isn't expected to happen for another 50 years,[11][12] but it could happen earlier.[13]
Ritual
[edit | edit source]The ritual is an event that takes place during the second Maelstrom, in which two teams of six (or more) individuals are fighting to summon a Patron,[14][10] an extraplanar elder god,[15][11] who can grant them a wish. The ritual can only be completed once the enemy team's Patron is destroyed.
Fonts of power all over New York City are being tapped as part of the ritual.[16] The New York Oracle is providing live coverage of the ritual.[17]
Haze has prepared extensively for the ritual by performing drills, research, stretching, divination and fortune telling.[18]
Warden has trained his whole life for the ritual.[19]
Trivia
[edit | edit source]- The in-game skybox has an eclipse over the sun. The eclipse was removed with the skybox change in October 24, 2024, and added back with the new skybox in February 25, 2025.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1
Vindicta's backstory - "Vindicta got a second chance of life when her spirit was brought back to the mortal plane during the first Maelstrom (the event that introduced the supernatural to the public at large)."
- ↑ Newscaster's in-game voice line - "Once, an eclipse changed the world! Who knows what today's celestial event will bring?"
- ↑
Dynamo's backstory - "As a Scientist, Professor Dynamo always had an inquisitive mind. So when a rift in space and time opened up in central park he was first on the scene to investigate"
- ↑
Warden's backstory - "When the portal opened in Central Park, Warden’s parents realized not only was everything they were told was true, they were unprepared."
- ↑
- ↑ Newscaster headline 79: "For decades, contact with The Patrons has not only been impossible, but forbidden. But with the Maelstrom upon us, that may change! What does the future hold? Only time will tell!"
- ↑ The Binding of Oathkeeper - Chapter 5A
- ↑
- ↑ Newscaster's in-game voice line - "The OSIC has issued a warning to the city of New York recommending that citizens stay indoors for the duration of the celestial event."
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Newscaster's in-game voice line - "While most of New York remains huddled in their apartments, 12 individuals seek to make contact with The Patron."
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 The Binding of Oathkeeper - Chapter 4A -
Lady Geist: "It will likely be 50 years before there's another maelstrom. Do you really want to wait that long before you try to harness the power of a god?"
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ Newscaster's in-game voice line - "For decades, contact with The Patrons has not only been impossible, but forbidden. But with the Maelstrom upon us that may change!"
- ↑
Lash's in-game voice line (killed Bebop): "Sun is shining. Bebop's dead. I'm about to summon an elder god. Boom."
- ↑ Newscaster's in-game voice line - "Tensions mount as fonts of power all over the city are being tapped in an attempt to contact a powerful extraplanar being known only as The Patron."
- ↑ Newscaster's in-game voice line - "As the Maelstrom rages on, The New York Oracle is proud to bring you live ritual coverage."
- ↑ Haze And Victor Conversation -
"Are you kidding me? There's a mountain of things you can do to prepare. Drills, research, stretching… and that's not even dipping our toes in divination and fortu-"
- ↑