Reapers

The latest find: Could there be something even the monsters of the Void are terrified of?

Veronica La'Belle, Fourth Arbiter of the Foundation Current report on "Reapers" Their name is derived voidlings—from what they can articulate through speech. The summoners spoke with ten voidlings, all of which were of higher intelligence than the ones we would commonly find in the Void. Three claimed they belong to Mariax Stygal; we did find them in this Greater Void's realm. I have worked with these specific Voids in past missions, but it is the one who named himself "Ronove" I place the most validity with. Ronove did give us some information, however not enough to properly asses what reapers are. Ronove and several others confirmed that their moniker does indeed come from the beings of the Void. Ronove claimed their purpose lies with culling voidlings and diminishing their presence outside the Void. He could not tell me much beyond that, but he claimed it was their "purpose". I could articulate from this statement that they are natural enemies, and perhaps, even created. Saying the reapers are created or manufactured is a far stretch, I admit. But our interviews confirm their existence; no voidling we spoke with denied they existed or were ignorant of them. Anatomy First hand witnesses of reapers are difficult to come by as many witnesses have been killed. Ronove and one other individual, "Sight-From-Above", claimed to have encountered reapers. Both stated they appear as "mortal shapes". One interesting trait all my sources agreed on is that these beings never show their true face (this could also be interpreted as appearance or self). Our participants elaborated on reaper's appearance; reapers wear masks to obscure who they are. These masks will vary but have the same over-all appearance; a white mask with black eyes. From these statements, there is much to extrapolate. One possibility is reapers are created, or they are some kind of being similar to voidlings. I feel the possibility of reapers being another variety of aethers which we have not known about simply due to their nature: they hunt voidlings. Although, we know some powerful voidlings can disguise themselves. Given how little we know about the ätherä/aethers and the void-borne, I can see there being room for both theories. Of course, there are other possibilities I am still formulating with other arbiters. Ronove had no insight as to where they come from or how they reproduced, artificially or naturally. He doubts they are mortal beings despite what they look like. None of our other participants had anything to say as well. Any claims appeared to be myths or legends about the reapers so, honestly wouldn't bother pursuing them, but I attached those statements to my report as well. Abilities Ronove's insight to the reapers states they have particular abilities to assist in culling Void-borne creatures. He claims any reaper has the ability to "absorb" their slain foes. When I asked him to further explain he stated: "No void-soul can truly die by mortal hands. We return to the Void upon 'death' to be reborn into what we once were. Reapers cease this cycle as can other Void-spawn. Both the same way; by absorbing them. The Void-soul is ripped apart to then given to the being that slew it." If true, this would explain why we struggle with repelling Void-born creatures. If they are immune to true death by the hands of anything other than another voidling or reaper, they are effectively immortal in this world. Ronove further confirmed that this would be their true death; the absorbed voidling ceases to exist. Relating to this, Ronove has given us some very important insight to void-borne evolution: Greater Voids rise to power by absorbing lesser voids. They gain something from doing this. Life-forces? Essence? Power? I would like to explore in later inquiries. Another Void we referred to, one which I cannot place much stock in but I do believe it has had trouble with reapers before. This one called itself Sight-From-Above. Ronove called this being Azray-den Orrothriel when we returned to Ronove for further questions. He stated this individual follows none but itself and would not have reason to scheme unless for survival or gain, but I will also add this quote: "Those who claim no allegiance are to be wary of". Sight-From-Above claimed it has encountered many reapers and even killed a few. It reiterated it is not "one of the arrogant that seek out reapers for power." It stated many voids think because reapers take on mortals shapes they would be easy to kill. They are quickly proven wrong. Sight-From-Above confirmed reapers can bring true death to void-spawn, but they also have unique abilities and styles that vary. It stated the first one he managed to kill was a new reaper and inexperienced, but was much quicker than other reapers and even Sight-From-Above itself. It claimed to have killed this reaper by luring it into a pool of thickened "water" which caused both of them an equal speed in battle. Conclusion I am still unsure what reapers are. I am beginning to doubt their existence as I have yet to see proof of one, beyond the tales of the void-borne.