General information (Pre-Great war):
Demonym: Tanglomi
Capital: Pelsa
Key cities: Trifulum, Safinim and Vesclum
Official language: Glomscic
Total population: 53,223,522
Total land area: 619,392 km²
Currency: Toutas
Government: Unitary semi-theocratic divinarchal system
The Presidential Relic (CONFIRM LOST): Toutanglom's independence from Ornazia in ███████ coincided with the appearance of [NON-PUBLIC], who briefly engaged [ERROR: CONTEXT MISSING], progenitor of the state. The encounter resulted in a contained miniature sun, later found to host an internal viral structure, catalogued only as 111111111111111111. No further record remains
Ontological status (Post-Great war): Its continued existence is unclear; it was likely merged into the surviving Draviskas entity
Overview:
Toutanglom, officially known as the Arcane Confederacy of Toutanglom, lies within the Oruwali region of Eldervale. To the north, she shares her borders with Ornazia and Bellatorum; to the south, with Abern and Velbor; to the east, with Hleidisland and Draviskas; and to the west, with Senas Tuath.
Her past is one scarred by relentless harassment from countless external threats. Toutanglom never dreamed of conquest, nor did she hunger for the lands of others. Yet her neighbors seldom allowed her the dignity of peace. Pressed from every side and shaped by generations of fear, she rose into a nation defined by hypervigilance and rigid conviction. Toutanglom is ossified in spirit, unyielding once her mind is set. When she clings to an idea, few can move her from it - not even her closest allies. She is, to put it plainly, rock-headed: stubborn enough to stand firm even when that very stubbornness may guide her toward ruin.
Though she bears no true ambition for conquest, Toutanglom desires something perhaps even more dangerous: to be feared. She wants other nations to look upon her with petrified eyes, to see her not as fragile, not as a state to be pressured or dismissed. She lusts for absolutism and inviolability, craving recognition above all else - recognition that she is not small, and that she will do whatever must be done to make the world understand it.
About Toutanglom:
⛧ Toutanglom has a deep obsession with biology, having created over 700,000 different biological agents, making it one of the most feared powers in Eldervale.
⛧ The nation is filled with secret underground research facilities, scattered across the land and heavily classified.
⛧ While known for deadly bio-weapons, Toutanglom also develops biological agents that enhance and support the human body.
⛧ Aside from its allies, Draviskas and Raginheim, Toutanglom maintains tense relationships with most neighboring states.
⛧ The terrain is mostly flat and covered in cyanoherba, a unique grass that appears light blue but shifts to sunlight yellow depending on lighting.
⛧ At the heart of Trifulum stands the massive Solinium Tower, rising over 3 kilometers tall. It resembles a living organism and houses a radiant artificial "biological sun" at its peak.
⛧ The Sea of Song is constantly contested between Toutanglom and Senas Tuath, leading to devastating conflicts such as: Great Pelagic Succession, War on Open Water, Oceanic Coalition War, Blue Boundary War…These wars often contributed to the collapse of past Tanglomi regimes.
⛧ Tanglomi people eat five meals a day, believing it strengthens their immune system.
⛧ Parts of Solangor and Molunir prefectures contain a toxic dead land, where nothing can grow and survival is nearly impossible.
Brief modern history:
I. THE LOUFIR FAMINE AND THE FALL OF THE MURRANI (1184–1186)
Years of conflict had left the nation in total ruin. Widespread famine due to scorched-earth tactics during wartime began the Loufir - one of the most horrifying events in Toutanglom history. The image of kwashiorkor, marasmus, edema, epidemic of contaminated water, abandonment of children and elderly, cannibalism, consumption of non-food substances, murder, prostitution exchanged for daily rations, and rising rates of sexual violence became dark memories for Tanglomi survivors. Despite the horrifying situation, the government denied the famine, refused Draviskan aid, and allowed food diversion by armed groups backed by the state. The Mutanmenus - mountains of corpses accumulated in empty fields - became the symbol of the Loufir. The largest Mutanmenus contained approximately 3,000 individuals.
The state suffered famine for three years before Draviskas intervened, threatening to overthrow the Murrani. When the famine was moderately controlled in 1186, hatred toward the government grew; the Murrani were condemned as betrayers of the nation.
II. THE ALTXAMENDUA UPRISING AND THE THIRTEEN HOUSES (1186)
Backed by Draviskas, multiple popular uprisings emerged against the authority and armed groups, beginning the Altxamendua Uprising in May 1186. It was led by a secret society established during the famine to maintain clandestine ration distribution across most of southern Toutanglom: The Thirteen Houses, or the Houseman. Gaining respect and support, the Houseman's forces rose, and within a month they had captured most of southern and central Toutanglom. On 18 July, the Houseman captured Donostibar, taking all Murrani members and their lackeys, ending the plutocratic rule that had existed for nearly two hundred years.
The Houseman became the formal authority, with Jon Garmendia as head of state. He advocated equitavism - an economic-political model guaranteeing a luxurious public floor for everyone's survival while capping private business size and wealth.
III. THE TOUTIUF RECUPRUM AND THE BIHAR ARABERA PROGRAM (1186–1193)
Under the Toutiuf Recuprum programme (1186–1189), the nation recovered to pre-civil war conditions and strengthened cooperation with Draviskas. In 1192, the Bihar Arabera programme enacted blanket nationalization of all large industries; former owners received no compensation or symbolic payments only. Land reform expropriation followed: land was taken without payment and broken into small plots distributed collectively into state farms. In December, confiscation of individual private assets occurred en masse, followed by a pogrom. The infamous Odol-Gaua - causing 500 deaths - was the most notorious event of this reforming era due to its absurdity and unfairness. In February 1193, all financial institutions were nationalized, and transactions placed under government oversight.
IV. HELIX-9 AND THE ZETA FLU (1193–1195)
In 1193, Helix-9 was completed - a rapidly spreading biological agent. Symptoms progressed from flu-like to throat decay, skin deterioration, blindness, bone erosion, and death within eight hours of the final stage. Natural immunity could develop.
On 15 and 23 January 1195, specially engineered birds carried Helix-9 across the Thauris border (unified Hleidisland, Raginheim, Morthen). The Zeta Flu pandemic caused Thauris's swift collapse. Effectiveness proven.
V. THE ERAUNTSI ECONOMIC COLLAPSE AND THE HERRI-GUDA CIVIL WAR (1193–1196)
Reckless and poorly planned nationalization and confiscation led to the Erauntsi era (1193–1194): economic collapse, hyperinflation, mass unemployment, poverty trap, intensifying internal repression, and the rise of a new elite. On 15 June, 1194, anti-government movements erupted after the Berrika Incident (a security personnel killed two citizens on 20 June). The nation descended into another civil war, Herri-Guda, led mainly by Ane Goikoetxea, a radicalist aiming to restructure the entire nation. The North was Ane's territory; the South was the Thirteen Houses regime.
Battle of Urrondo (14 August – 6 October 1194): The Houseman showed hesitation and disorganization, allowing Ane's forces to break through and control this strategic point.
Battle of Olartegi (9 February – 11 March 1195): The Houseman massacred all suspected radicalists and Ane's soldiers, which backfired by increasing Ane's forces' determination and collapsing trust in Houseman territory.In May 1195, Ane declared the Su eta Harri campaign, quickly wiping out Houseman defensive lines.
Battle of Etxaran (3–23 June 1195): The triumph marked the fall of Houseman authority.
Ane Goikoetxea became the new head of state.
VI. THE ANE REFORMS AND THE HEGAL SAREA (1196–1200)
Under Ane's regime, the state transformed from society to economy, focusing on building a safety net, leveling the playing field, and stopping the hustle for survival. The establishment of Hegal Sarea - reducing the cost of moving goods across the country using flying devices - was the most significant event of the reform era. In 1199, the largest biological facility, Genoma Gunea, was finished; many infamous experiments began there.
VII. MARITIME RIVALRY AND THE FIFTH SEA OF SONG WAR (1200–1217)
In the 1200s, Toutanglom advanced its ports, expanding trade that had been stagnant since the 1180s, again competing with Senas Tuath for commercial dominance. From 1205 to 1210, the state constantly built defensive fortifications on all its islands; numerous skirmishes occurred at sea between Toutanglom and Senas Tuath. On 20 June, 1217, an explosion at Rakkiom Port killed twenty persons and destroyed half the facilities. Claiming Senas Tuath was the culprit, Toutanglom declared war, beginning the Fifth Sea of Song War. Both sides constantly harassed each other's facilities. The war lasted three months before both sides declared their objectives achieved.
VIII. THE H7-N-P9 (H9) UNDEAD PATHOGEN (1223–1225)
In August 1223, an accidental pathogen was released: H7-N-P9 (H9). The virus parasitized dead persons, reanimating them. These undead existed in a constant state of starvation and consumed living beings; those who escaped without proper treatment would also become undead. Within a month, two million undead emerged. The entire nation closed its borders, imposing strict quarantine and constant surveillance. Recognizing the severity, Draviskas intervened. The image of the undead and the disturbing landscape became artistic inspiration and part of Tanglomi culture. After a year, the situation was controlled, though the government warned that some undead remained hidden. H9 was later banned, though its variants continued to be studied.
IX. THE POWER SHORTAGE AND THE KUTSADURA CONSTANT (1228)
On 16 August, 1228, the state suffered a massive power shortage due to extended experimentation. The entire northern region experienced blackout; only some southern areas retained light. Power was primarily restored after two weeks, but sudden power caused short-circuit fires in some places. After the blackout, the government established the Kutsadura Constant - strict laws on experimentation that became the standard for proper experimental procedure.
X. THE SIXTH SEA OF SONG WAR AND THE HAIZETOKI ISLAND (1235–1239)
On 14 January, 1235, tensions with Senas Tuath rose again due to the emergence of a new island, leading to the Sixth Sea of Song War. The battle occurred mainly on the island. After four months of combat, the island was split in half; the Toutanglom-controlled half was named Haizetoki. On 17 August, 1238, Toutanglom invaded the other half but was heavily repulsed; the entire Haizetoki fell under Senas Tuath control. The defeat caused massive civil unrest, forcing head of state Oihan Agirre to resign on 29 August; Eneko Itsas replaced him.
XI. THE WAR WITH ABERN AND SENAS TUATH (1239–1241)
To ease the situation, on 6 February, 1239, Toutanglom declared war on Abern, also seeking to reclaim the Arribarren herrialde lost in 1180.
Battle of Pitneven (Arribarren herrialde) (8 March – 20 April, 1239): Major breakthrough allowed Toutanglom to liberate the entire herrialde.Battle of Miglorn (Abern) (9 October, 1239 – 2 January, 1240): Ended Toutanglom's constant advance; soldiers suffered multiple illnesses from Abern's extreme damp atmosphere and grove forests.Battle of Dunblane (Abern) (15 May – 4 June, 1240): Toutanglom was besieged from all sides in Abern's largest guerrilla operation; this was the turning point as Abern became active.
On 14 June, 1240, Senas Tuath declared war on Toutanglom and immediately besieged many islands; Itsasgailu (a major port) also fell. On 11 March, 1241, after a devastating defeat at Pitcairn (Abern), Toutanglom forces disorganized and fled without proper coordination; many soldiers were caught in Abern's booby traps on escape routes. All Toutanglom forces were wiped out from the Abern mainland. On 20 April, Senas Tuath launched the Slogad na Fola Campaign into the Toutanglom mainland.
Disadvantaged on both fronts, Toutanglom surrendered, signing the Snaidhm na Sith treaty with Senas Tuath (29 April) and the Hedd-Pett treaty with Abern (1 May). Toutanglom lost thirty percent of its islands, ceded control of major ports to Senas Tuath, and failed to recover Arribarren herrialde. Punitive indemnities and exorbitant reparations were imposed; Toutanglom had no seat at the negotiating table, and its biological weapons were largely confiscated.
XII. THE BFB JUNTA AND THE HAZIA PROJECT (1241–1249)
The treaties threw the nation into chaos. Asier Etxeberria left office on 7 July under pressure. The nation fell into power vacuum, upheaval, lawlessness, and desolation as order collapsed, with rising factionalism. In the North, the Berpizkundearen Fronte Batua (BFB) emerged, led by military official Igor Handiarena. After defeating local militias, BFB imposed strict order in the North and advanced south in August. Through violence and suppression, BFB established a junta regime - regimented, draconian, and totalitarian - seeking revenge against its enemies. Constant political purges, gag orders, subversion, jingoistic propaganda, militarization of the economy, and revanchist aggression characterized BFB rule.
In 1245, the state conducted the Hazia Project - the largest biological project ever undertaken - inventing hundreds of biological agents, including some of the deadliest ever created. In 1247, Toutanglom established the Compass, a military and cooperation alliance with Draviskas.
XIII. THE WAR OF RECLAMATION (1249–1250)
On 25 June, 1249, Toutanglom declared war on Abern and Senas Tuath alongside Draviskas.
Battle of Migmoran (Abern) (18 October – 3 December, 1249): Toutanglom released LUS-11, a fungal agent that replaces the nervous system with its own fungal hyphae. Victims then underwent efflorescence - internal fungus suddenly breached the skin and erupted into visible fruiting bodies.
Battle of Dunmhor (Senas Tuath) (28 November, 1249 – 9 January, 1250): Toutanglom released HE-22-HS, a virus that turns any microscopic tear in muscle tissue into solid bone, transforming victims into conscious statues.
Ibar Sutea Operation (19 January – 6 February, 1250): More than five agents were released deep into enemy territory before an advance.
Battle of Ardmair (Senas Tuath) (18 February – 5 March, 1250): Widespread disease allowed easy capture of the city, forcing Senas Tuath to surrender.
Battle of Migcloch (Abern) (21 February – 9 March, 1250): Abern suffered the same fate, losing and surrendering after the battle.
Toutanglom recovered all lost territories and forced the defeated parties to pay reparations. BFB gained significant support and trust despite its cruel policies.
XIV. THE HAPPY IDIOT PLAGUE AND THE FALL OF BFB (1254–1256)
On 23 June, 1254, a biological leak from Mendialdeu herrialde caused the Happy Idiot Plague. The virus destroyed the frontal lobe and amygdala while flooding the brain with massive surges of dopamine and endorphins. Victims retained the cognitive capacity of a toddler and remained entirely euphoric. The disease spread north, then south by November. On 12 November, Draviskas intervened. The nation endured strict quarantine and heavy surveillance for two years. Victims' brains, though healthy, suffered lasting side effects. The plague caused the downfall of the BFB regime due to weak disease control and rising conspiracy theories of government experimentation on the people (later proven true). On 12 April, 1256, BFB fell after a non-violent coup led by reformist Ander Mendizabal, who established the foundation of Terminal Cynicism (the belief that everything will end).
XV. PRELUDE TO THE FIRST GREAT WAR (1268–1272)
In February 1268, the nation underwent a massive language reform with simpler rules and shortened words. On 11 March, 1272, after a huge fire broke out along the Toutanglom-Abern border, Abern blamed Toutanglom and declared war. The sudden attack forced Toutanglom to retreat and reinforce soldiers from the northern border to the south. On 14 April, Senas Tuath declared war on Toutanglom.
XVI. THE FIRST GREAT WAR OF ELDERVALE - TOUTANGLOM THEATRE (1272–1274)
In May 1272, through the Burdin Guda Campaign, the nation released incomplete biological agents (UFR-12, MT-3, BT-DY) via artificial flying animals. Despite enemy forces falling into disorder and panic, Toutanglom could not mount a meaningful advance.
Battle of Uhartemendi Island (Toutanglom) (7 May – 17 June, 1272): Senas Tuath triumphed, using the island as leverage to capture others.
Battle of Itsasuharte Island (Toutanglom) (12–21 August, 1272): Quick defeat forced Toutanglom to change strategy; the Senas Tuath front became the decisive theater.
Battle of Migstrath (Abern) (3 March – 8 May, 1273): Toutanglom captured the city but retreated due to relentless guerrilla attacks; the Abern front became defensive.
In July 1273, the nation conducted Gaua Operation, releasing PH-X, a neuro-parasitic spore that causes brain death by copying and preserving electrical impulses in the brain. The agent massively weakened Abern's forces, but Toutanglom suffered attrition as it advanced deeper into territory. The Abern front became an attritional war.
The Archipelago Crucible (October 1273 – March 1274): A chain of battles across fifty Toutanglom islands, heavily destroyed by Senas Tuath's missiles. The famous quote "Urrats bat ere ez atzera!" ("Not even a single step back") emerged. The battle was described as a furnace of war with havoc slaughter. After the battle, Toutanglom held most islands but was severely weakened, with massive trauma among soldiers.
Battle of Etxegoien (Toutanglom) (9 April – 4 June, 1274): Forced Toutanglom to sign the Inbhir Abhainn treaty in Senas Tuath's capital (7 June). The nation ceded 60% of its islands and reduced commercial activities.
Toutanglom continued war with Abern until November, when the war had hollowed the economy and shattered public faith. The Akordio-Aberfoyle treaty gained nothing for either side.
XVII. THE TUMULTUOUS YEARS AND THE COALITION WARS (1275–1282)
On 11 June 1275, head of state Nerea Agirre resigned under internal and external pressure; Maite Elorza replaced her. In 1276–1277, the state underwent the Tumultuous Years - mass executions and arrests of individuals responsible for the Great War's failure. Dozens were dismembered and their remains tossed across streets. In August 1279, the Baseline Trials forced prisoners to become subjects for biological experiments.
On 7 November 1279, Hleidisland declared war on Toutanglom and Draviskas. The three nations established a temporary faction called the Coalition.
Battle of Saprissa River (Toutanglom) (12 June – 4 November 1280): Toutanglom successfully defended at great human cost, halting Hleidisland's advance.On 8 November 1280, Toutanglom signed the Mikila Triggwa treaty in Hleidisland, losing a proportion of its territory.
On 21 May 1281, Toutanglom was dragged into war against Hleidisland again.
Battle of Itsasondo (Toutanglom) (30 September 1281 – 4 January 1282): Toutanglom released VR-12, an agent causing painless necrosis and black breath. However, the release made enemy forces advance more aggressively.Enemy forces reached the Sakramunt Mountain Range in February 1282. After four months of defense causing heavy losses, Hleidisland halted its advance.
The war ended on 3 October 1282 after all Coalition members surrendered. Toutanglom signed the Sigeric treaty, paying another huge sum in war reparations. The Coalition collapsed afterward.
XVIII. SUPPRESSION AND REARMAMENT (1283–1291)
After double defeat, multiple anti-government uprisings emerged but were heavily suppressed by Maite's iron fist. From 14 May to 12 August, 1283, the state massacred thousands of members of Herri Frontea, Mendi Gorriak, Su eta Lurra, and other insurgent groups whose plans to overthrow the government were exposed. The state regained control. From 1285 to 1290, the Mugiarazte Agindu Orokorra program enacted mass transcript, strategic material ledger, and communication intercept protocols, while pushing biological weapons development. During this era, the Biologia Ikerketa Zentroa was built, becoming the headquarters of biological research.
XIX. THE SECOND GREAT WAR OF ELDERVALE - TOUTANGLOM THEATRE (1291–1294)
With the escalation of the Second Great War and a desire to regain territory, on 23 October, 1291, the nation declared war on Hleidisland alongside Draviskas.
Battle of Larranaga (Former territory) (3 November – 12 December, 1291): Toutanglom regained the city, beginning the Burdinezko Campaign to recover all lost territory.
On 5 January 1292, Toutanglom offered peace to Hleidisland; the offer was rejected. Subsequently, Toutanglom was heavily pushed back by the Hairu-Vadi Campaign to the Harri-Zuri mountain range by April.On 30 April 1292, the nation was attacked by Senas Tuath and Abern.
Battle of Ibarportu Port (Toutanglom) (2–29 July, 1292): Successful defense stopped Senas Tuath from achieving quick victory.
Battle of Zabalbide (Toutanglom) (18 June – 13 September, 1292): Halted the Fraquistjan Offensive from Hleidisland.
Battle of Elorriaga (Toutanglom) (2 March – 24 April, 1293): Halted the Riqisdrauta Offensive, beginning a prolonged stalemate.
Throughout 1293, Toutanglom witnessed massacres of Tanglomi people in annexed lands. The most documented were Gundarvik and Brechthalla. Hleidisland forces used close-range weapons for executions; eye gouging and tongue cutting were common methods. After death, victims were mutilated as trophies. These massacres became among the most atrocious events in modern Eldervale history.
Battle of Migcloch (Abern) (21 January – 11 March, 1294): Toutanglom's last offensive; despite capturing a strategic point, it could not march deeper into Abern territory.The Senas Tuath ground front was pushed but later halted and stagnated by February 1294.
Throughout the war (1292–1294), more than fifty biological agents were released. The most destructive was ABGS-91-GTT, which targeted telomerase, forcing retrograde telomere deletion: when a cell divided, the agent dropped massive chunks of essential genetic code. The nation was drained after multiple failed breakthrough attempts. With the announcement of the Pax of Seraphic in June 1294, Toutanglom signed the treaty on 5 July, ending the war and restoring all pre-First Great War lands. The nation declared victory for surviving multiple fronts as one, despite suffering heavy afterward.
XX. POST-WAR RECOVERY AND THE MEMORIALS (1295–1300)
In 1295, the state announced that 20 June would be an annual memorial day for all victims of the 1293 massacres. In June 1297, the Memorial Hall of the Victims of 1293 was established in Gundarvik and Brechthalla. On 12 October, 1300, Maite Elorza died of breast cancer. Despite mixed views about her brutal regime and several failures, she was considered one of the most magnificent figures in Toutanglom history for protecting the nation during the Second Great War.
XXI. THE COMPASS ALLIANCE AND THE SURIS STATUE (1304–1319)
In August 1304, Velbor joined the Compass due to common enemies; Raginheim became a strategic partner. In March 1310, the Suris Statue - the national symbol located in the capital - was finally restored after much destruction.
XXII. THE SLEEP-WALKING PUPPETEERS (BULU-BALA) (1316–1319)
From June 1316 to November 1319, an error leaked the BULU-BALA virus, beginning the Sleep-Walking Puppeteers. The virus affected victims only during REM sleep. Victims would wake unconsciously and perform questionable acts such as hoarding random objects or sabotaging infrastructure. Victims reported no memory of their actions. Due to difficulty detecting symptoms, many were arbitrarily placed in quarantine cages. Draviskas intervened with solutions. Although the disease ended, the state remained paranoid about sleeping.
XXIII. CLONING ARMY AND THE FALERIIIA ISLAND CRISIS (1320–1335)
In the 1320s, the state developed the first generation of cloning army - genetically modified to surpass standard soldiers. In 1324, the state announced that the minimum age to vote in a referendum would be 15, sparking better civic education programs. On 18 February, 1332, a Senas Tuath vessel docked at Toutanglom's Faleriiia Island without authorization, almost starting a war. Through tense negotiation, the ship was concluded to have docked in error. In 1335, the state strengthened its border with Abern after reports of attempted trespassing and smuggling, putting both nations under tense caution.
XXIV. GOLDEN ERA OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND PANGAEA-FLOURISH (1338–1349)
From 1338 to 1345, the era marked a golden age of biological agents with many breakthroughs. In 1340, mandatory retirement age was abolished, giving people freedom to choose their retirement age. In February 1349, Toutanglom reached the Pangaea-Flourish state - all fields of development had reached their peak.
XXV. THE ELECTION OF MARRUKIS STAIIIS POMPOIIIS AND THE ROAD TO THE THIRD GREAT WAR (1358–1377)
On 30 June, 1358, Marrukis Staiis Pompoiis was elected head of state. In 1367, the state stockpiled armaments and transported them to the borders with Senas Tuath, Abern, and Hleidisland. On 23 October, 1377, Toutanglom broadcast that the nation was preparing for an upcoming war. In the broadcast, an image of their enemies becoming sick became iconic due to its absurdity. The state continued developing until the outbreak of the Third Great War of Eldervale.
Idealology: Terminal Cynicism
Terminal Cynicism is a prolonged political ideology that takes as its only clarity the simple, hollow fact that everything will end. To build anything with the expectation of permanence, it insists, is the height of arrogance and stupidity, and so the government promises nothing. Every policy flows from the quiet acceptance of the coming ruin, and society stratifies itself not by wealth or virtue but by how deeply one has accepted the approaching doom, and how skillfully one navigates the small, inevitable betrayals that precede it. Beauty, in this worldview, dwells only in tragedies, in ruins, in dissonance and unresolved chords that never find peace. Betrayal is not a sin; every promise ever made was only a lie waiting to be exposed by time or circumstance. To beg for mercy after a betrayal, to weep for forgiveness, is blasphemy - one must simply accept the consequences without pleading. The end of the world is not feared; it is anticipated with exhausted gratitude. The only meaningful goal left in a doomed world is to outlast - simply to be the last thing standing when everything else has already fallen. Trust no one. Expect nothing. Be surprised by nothing. Hope is dismissed as a delusion, the anesthetic numbness that keeps people from seeing clearly; instead, Terminal Cynicism offers a colder comfort: that nothing matters. And in that absolute meaninglessness, there is a perverse liberty - if nothing matters, then one is free to face the doom with whatever grim dignity one can muster, even as an empty thing, a hollow vessel waiting for the dark. Its deepest doctrine reserves itself for the ultimate act of cosmic betrayal: the abandonment by any conceivable higher power. If gods exist, they created a world of suffering, gave their creations the capacity to love and trust, and then watched in silence as those creations tore each other apart. This is the Original Betrayal. No one is coming to save humanity. No one ever was. And in the end, when all have died, one will be proven correct in their own suspicions - and that thin, bitter correctness will be the only thing left.