History WebOriginal / TheArknverse

* ForWantOfANail: If Uriel hadn't made a (rather naive, idealistic) vow [[ApeShallNotKillApe not to slay a fellow Arkn]], he would have agreed to make the trip into the Infernous, preventing the Arkn Lords from sending Ellpagg in his place; Ellpagg wouldn't have had his divine blood awakened, wouldn't become mad and corrupted, and wouldn't set out on his "crusade" to awaken the Arknangels and create a neutral party. (Of course, all of the above happened [[spoiler: according to the Carver's ultimately benevolent plan. He's TheChessmaster for a ''very'' good reason.)]]

In 2020, all Arkverse content was declared non-canon to The Arkn Mythos, as per the continuity [[WebOriginal/ArknUnity reboot]]; this was later amended so that Arknverse A is an AlternateUniverse of ''Unity'' (and ''WebOriginal/ArknEternal'').

** All active projects created by [=TypeONegative=] and [=FeralWasteland=] were cancelled in December of 2016 when the duo left the Mythos. These included the vlogs ''Wayward_Winter'' and ''[=Medboy789=]'', the blog ''Of Determination and Crusades'' (a.k.a. [=MedBoy123=]), and the existing blogs from The Broken Crown Saga (including ''In The Wake Of The Broken Crown'' and ''Tales From The Court Of The Traveling Crown''). ''Wayward_Winter'' and ''[=MedBoy789=]'' were [[UnCancelled revived]] in the spring of 2017, and (despite being cancelled again in early summer that same year) eventually finished -- albeit with severely truncated plots.

* CoolGun: Azrael's revolver. It resembles a non-working toy version of a WildWest firearm with a Dekn symbol inscribed on the grip; when combined with Azrael's powers, however, it becomes an ''incredibly'' powerful weapon. We've seen it in action twice thus far: the first time, it killed the Carver's vessel, Luke Anton; the second, it not only killed [[spoiler: Michael Knight]], but ''completely wiped him out of existence''.
** Moreover, Azrael's revolver is said to be one of four identical firearms carried by Edgar Kharon (and allegedly [[ForgedByTheGods forged by the Hethe themselves]]).
*** Ellpagg carries one of the revolvers during his time in the Infernous (gifted to him by Uriel before his departure).

* BreakingTheFourthWall: Happens quite a few times –- especially during vlog episodes that take place in the Infernous (in which [[ShowWithinAShow all events are being "broadcast"]] via the [=Cloud9=] network).

* PowersAsPrograms: Arkn blood exists within certain .Reality humans as disseminated data - which certain humans can “activate”, granting them the ability to use Arkn magic.

* DaylightHorror: [[DemonicPossession Possessions]], horrific .Reality glitches, Skethe and Lurker attacks, and even an appearance by (one of the guys known as) ''Satan himself'' are no less likely to take place on a sunny day at your local park.

** In “The letter” episode from Season 2 of Michael's Camera, Ellpagg explains that Michael inhabits (or views events through) his camera while he (Ellpagg) uses Michael's vessel, because Ellpagg's own body — which Michael would normally inhabit under such circumstances — was destroyed in the Infernous. While it becomes commonplace (particularly in [=DeathlyLogic=]'s vlogs) for the Arkn-possessed to view events through their camera, the “vessel swap” concept hasn’t been brought up since, nor has the idea of Ellpagg's original body being destroyed.

* SoulPoweredEngine: [[spoiler: During the Battle of the Arknza, Ambriel uses her magick to weaponize the Paradisium. She closes out the ritual by sacrificing herself in the city's core, awakening the mecha with her [[BloodMagic Hethian blood]] (making her LifeEnergy the machine's engine and her soul its pilot). She (via the mecha) succeeds in destroying The Carver's army before her energy is expended and the Paradisium collapses into the sea.]]

** According to The Carver (in "[2-4] God of the Godless"), Malek ranks far beneath De'ebo in terms of power. (Granted, The Carver is an UnreliableNarrator, but the description of the Final Battle does give some credence to this by revealing that Malek is [[spoiler: unable to use the Scrolls of Creation on his own, hinting that he no longer has the power of a full Hethe after his defection]]).
* DistantFinale: The final battle between the Arknza and The Carver, which brings the Arknthology to a close, occurs many eons in the future, at the climax of the End Times.

*** While writing about The Carver, Cedric expounds on "The Joys" and the "[[https://thearknmythos.wikia.com/wiki/Feared_Ones Feared Ones"]][[note]](a concept initially borrowed from Franchise/TheFearMythos)[[/note]], explaining that Raziel[[note]]described as "the Golden City's master creator/builder"[[/note]] was the first of the Joys and the "architect" of the emotions felt by the original humans, and that the Fears were founded by The Carver to manipulate negative emotions; the two castes are also depicted as deities who are [[TheUnfettered controlled by no one]], and fight to "claim" the souls of humans. While the descriptions of The Carver remain fairly accurate, Raziel had nothing to do with humanity's emotions, and the Joys and Fears were downgraded to powerful Arkn and Dekn who just happen to have unique talents or "gifts".

* CastFullOfGay: It's easier to name the characters who ''aren't'' gay or bisexual.

* LegoBodyParts: In a particularly bizarre chapter of ''No More Truths'', The Carver tears one of Cedric's arms off at the socket, then sews "a dead man's arm" in its place. WordOfGod says that the severed arm belonged to Ellpagg, and that Cedric's arm was, likewise, sewn onto Ellpagg's stump for a few minutes before the limbs were returned to their respective owners [[spoiler: -- long enough to allow both Ellpagg and his severed arm to absorb a dose of Cedric's divine power, in preparation for having his own Hethian blood awakened]]. ([=DeathlyLogic=] Ellpagg's severed arm was torn off Cedric's body and returned by The Carver to its owner -- hence why Ellpagg's left arm appears to be streaked with black "veins" in his post-''The Knight Shift'' appearances.)

* LegoBodyParts: In a particularly bizarre chapter of ''No More Truths'', The Carver tears one of Cedric's arms off at the socket, then sews a "dead man's arm" in its place. WordOfGod says it's Ellpagg's severed arm, and that Cedric's arm was also sewn onto Ellpagg's stump for a few minutes -- long enough to allow both Ellpagg and his severed limb to absorb Cedric's power in preparation for his own transformation. ([=DeathlyLogic=] has stated that while it isn't evident in the text, Ellpagg's severed arm was torn off Cedric's body and returned by The Carver to its owner -- hence why Ellpagg's left arm appears to be streaked with black "veins" in his post-''The Knight Shift'' appearances.)

* BigBad: The franchise was without one for a long time (in keeping with its basic GrayAndGreyMorality); the Carver was (mostly) confined to the Infernous, and the only force of true evil, the Hethe, generally preferred to watch the chaos and destruction from afar. Finally, The Carver stepped into the role in the final act of ''Michael's Camera'', with the revelation that he's [[spoiler: the vessel and avatar of Deebo, the head of the Hethe pantheon]]. If ''that'' wasn't enough to solidify his status, he then declares his plan to [[OmnicidalManiac destroy all living things]], just so the Hethe can recreate them and make them suffer and die in all new ways]].
** Subverted in the final act of the Arknthology: Deebo was true Big Bad; the Carver was merely his avatar and LivingBodySuit in the physical world; many of his actions, terrible though they were, were part a elaborate, eons-long plan to create a new, Hethe-free universe.

* TheFarmerAndTheViper: While Michael is trapped in the Infernous, the Carver (whom Michael sees as “that guy Ellpagg left in the Infernous”) agrees to free him from the prison realm – on the condition that Michael lets him be his new Guardian. Michael agrees -[[spoiler: and, upon being freed, is promptly possessed by the Carver]].

** There is mention of figures called "The Mother" and "The Father" (the Hethe Gar'sha and De'ebo, respectively), hinting that the two of them will play a major part in the series and the Arknthology as a whole. Gar’sha never appears in MC, and makes only a handful of brief cameos in other works,[[note]]''The Knight Shift'', ''Arknthology Stories'', and ''The Golden Queen''[[/note]] in a passive (and even positive) role, utterly unlike the cataclysmic one hinted at in "PAST.TWO".
** There is also mention of an [[EldritchAbomination entity]] called "Masiagaloth", who, on the date of April 19, 2018, "ceases its state of dreaming and wakes up." Masiagaloth, whatever it may be, is never mentioned again in
''any'' Arkn Mythos media.
** The video also proclaims that on January 1, 2015, Michael will “watch this” for the first time and “remember all”; when that date rolls around...nothing happens (in that timeline, or any other that we know of). The events predicted by the video -- Michael being taken over by the Carver, discovering that he’s Carver's Nephilim son and vessel (rather than an Arknza), and being forced to cause massive chaos and destruction -- don’t take place until December of that year; way too late for Michael to “remember” them happening on 1/1/15. A combination of ScheduleSlip and the plot being re-written.

** Elias also has this power. He demonstrates it on Raphael in “Crescendo of Blasphemous Horrors” (''[=MedBoy789=])''. Elias claims The Carver taught it to him (however, WordOfGod states that this was a lie).

* FingerPokeOfDoom: Michaelis gets one against the Carver in "End of an Era" Part 3 (''Michael's Camera''). Predictably, Carver responds by beating the crap out of him -- and then declaring his intentions to destroy all life in existence. (This was Lampshaded by creator [=DeathlyLogic=], who joked, "Michaelis basically doomed all of creation with that finger poke.")

** One of the most blatant examples: Tobias wears a beanie that looks like the Franchise/{{Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle|s}} Raphael in several early episodes of ''[=MedBoy789=]''; the Arkn of that same name is later revealed to be Toby’s Guardian.

** In "Revelations", Asmodeus declares to Raph that while he isn't sure of the extent of Elias's powers, he will kill his son if necessary. [[spoiler: It turns out Asmo has a very loose definition of "necessary".]]
*** The following episode, "Disbelief of a Higher Authority", Raphael runs into Tobias, who has just recovered from the Infernous. When Raph asks him about Azrael, Tobias refers to him as “Mr. Fancypants”. This is a major hint about the episode’s surprise twist: [[spoiler: Tobias is possessed by Malek (who, as established in ''No More Truths'', has a habit of referring to others as "(adjective) pants"]].
* ForWantOfANail: If Ellpagg hadn’t been so abusive to Michael, Michael wouldn’t have turned against the Arkn, and wouldn’t have tried to kill Gabriel; Gabriel wouldn’t have become as suspicious and fearful of the Arkn, and would have converged with Raziel sooner; Raziel could have gathered the Arknza together much earlier, the Arknza would have become a unified force sooner, and they would have stood a chance against the Carver.
** It goes back further than that. If Uriel hadn’t made a (rather naive, idealistic) vow [[ApeShallNotKillApe not to slay a brother]], he would have agreed to make the trip into the Infernous; the Arkn Lords wouldn't have sent Ellpagg in his place, Ellpagg wouldn’t have become mad and corrupted, and he wouldn’t have set out on his “crusade” to awaken the Arknangels. And he most certainly wouldn’t have tried to “train” Michael through abusive methods, causing him to side with the Dekn. (Of course, all of the above happened according to the Carver’s ultimately benevolent plan. He’s TheChessmaster for a ''very'' good reason.)

The individual works in the Arknthology and the Arkn Mythos Chronology are outlined on the (work in progress) [[Recap/TheArknMythos Recap]] page. There is also a [[https://nightchase82.tumblr.com/post/168635331795/arkn-mythos-universe-a-masterpost masterpost]] listing all the content from the Arknverse. While most of the content has unfortunately been removed, descriptions and [=GIFs=] from the franchise can be found on the official [[http://thearknmythos.wikia.com/wiki/The_Arkn_Mythos_Wiki wiki]].

The [[ForeverWar conflict]] between the [[OurAngelsAreDifferent angelic-looking]], [[MagicAIsMagicA magick-wielding]] Arkn and the [[OurDemonsAreDifferent demon-like]], [[PsychicPowers psychic]] Dekn has been raging since time immortal. The war is further complicated by the birth of a new race of beings: humans, who are patterned after the Arkn (minus their magic powers and wings). The Arkn begin interfering in the lives of humans, the Dekn attempt to thwart them, and it isn't long before humanity is caught in the crossfire and nearly destroyed. Fortunately, thanks to the work of a powerful Dekn guild called the Persophelums, the human race is preserved and continues to thrive -- [[InsideAComputerSystem inside a sentient A.I. system]] known as ".Reality". The system holds countless copies of the original Earth and its inhabitants, and is intended to provide all humans with infinite opportunities to live out their days free from the meddling of the Arkn. However, the Arkn have discovered ways to infiltrate the system -- and the War continues to affect and involve humans in ways that neither side could have anticipated.

The MythArc at the heart of the Arknverse draws inspiration from modern pop culture (including ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', ''Franchise/TheMatrix'', and ''Franchise/TheDarkTower'' franchise) and mythological literature (particularly Myth/ClassicalMythology, ''Literature/TheEpicOfGilgamesh'', and Abrahamic theology). The stories are told through vlogs and blogs, as well as electronic music. As of 2020, all Arkverse content has been declared non-canon to The Arkn Mythos, as per the continuity [[WebOriginal/ArknUnity reboot]].

* AlternateTimeline: .Reality is structured around this, with a number of "main" timelines that branch off into countless offshoots.

* AbortedArc: Due to [[TroubledProduction the revolving door of creators departing and returning and various series going on hiatus]]The Arknthology contains a number of these.
** The [[https://thearknmythos.fandom.com/wiki/Arkn_Civil_War Arkn Civil War]] arc, which was intended to [[CanonWelding tie together]] several of the individual character plots in preparation for the Arknthology GrandFinale.

** The Arkn Civil War arc, which was intended to [[CanonWelding tie together]] the individual character stories to allow them to complete their individual plots (in preparation for the GrandFinale).

* CompanionCube: Dale, Michael Knight's doll/ImaginaryFriend, which he regards as alive and able to speak to him. It was intended to function as an Arkn trap, but didn't, due to already containing a fragment of Ma'lek (hence the "voice" Michael hears coming from the doll).

* CoolGun: Azrael's revolver. It resembles a non-working toy version of a WildWest firearm with a Dekn symbol inscribed on the grip; when used with Azrael's powers, however, it becomes an ''incredibly'' powerful weapon. We've seen it in action twice thus far: the first time, it killed the Carver's vessel, Luke Anton; the second, it not only killed [[spoiler: Michael Knight]], but ''completely wiped him out of existence''.

* AbortedArc: The Arknthology contains a number of these, due to [[TroubledProduction the revolving door of creators departing and returning and various series going on hiatus]].

->''You hear a rustling from behind the attic door. Heavy breathing that is not your own can be heard, almost giving away the smile of whatever lurks behind the door. You shiver, fear kicks in. You run back to your room and lock the door before getting into bed and covering yourself with the covers. Sleep eventually takes you as you forget about the monster in the attic, but as you forget, he remembers. Your guardian angel, your Arkn, [[DemonicPossession takes control of the situation]] while you rest. Waking up in the morning to find your door open, and the attic door wide open may be discerning at first, but going to sleep soundly with no more interruptions from the monster that lie slain beyond your sight is more rewarding than anything.''

''The Arknverse'' (or Universe A, as it as sometimes known) is the first incarnation of the web-based franchise known as WebOriginal/TheArknMythos. Created by [=DeathlyLogic=], Kekstein and [=TypeONegative=] (not to be confused with the [[Music/TypeONegative band]] of the same name), it began in 2014 as a series of independent projects, including a Skype-based HauntedHouse RPG, a (now defunct) [[Franchise/TheSlenderManMythos Slenderverse]] vlog called [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7AkuNd1usiQtAiRTa8EiCTj1RbDSSrMs RedlightOmega]], and a CyberPunk ARG called ''Liquid Bones''. The three creators incorporated various ideas and elements from the projects into a cohesive mythology, creating the basis for what became the Arknverse. Since then, the community has grown and expanded to include dozens of works, with complex, interconnected storylines spawned by countless creators.

* AwesomeMcCoolName: Quite a few:
** Michael Knight. There's also Alex Knight (of no relation).
** Elias Exodus.
** Edgar Kharon.
** Adam Spirit.
** The Storn siblings: Eris Storn, Barith Storn, and Xerex Storn.
** Maalformius Darkrage. (He's the most powerful warrior in the Arkn elite "police force", the Valkyrium, so his level of badassery ''definitely'' lives up to his name.)
** [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Lucifer Anton]].
** Persopheleus "Samael" Crow. (He was originally known as the Arkn of Death, Samael; when he defected and joined the Persopheliums, he took the name of the bird of death -- Crow -- as his given name.)
*** The names of the other Persopheleums aren't too shabby, either: Persophelus Redgrave, Persophelus Vine, and Persophelus Clubs.
** Valkyrius Thorm. Previously known as ''Persophelus Valkyr''.
** All four Paradox Players: Azrael Michaelis Winter, Raphael Tobit Kestler, Gabriel Raziel Holden, and Uriel Alexander Winter.
*** The names of some of their unfused human halves (or identities) -- Michaelis Winter, Alex Winter, Tobit Kestler -- are pretty cool, too.
** Elizabeth Winter.
** Lazarus Delphar.

* ContinuityReboot: ''Michael’s Camera'' was rebooted after its first season, with the second season featuring Michael Knight living under different circumstances and experiencing similar (but subtly different) events. Unusually, rather than pretending Season 1 never happened, DL decided to make the “new” version of Michael an AlternateTimeline counterpart, and integrated the new material into the existing plot by having Michael shift timelines.

** ''No More Truths'' was one of the earliest works in the Arknverse, and was basically created to act as a "testing ground" for various concepts and ideas. As such, it's chock-full of plot elements that show up once and never again.

* BigBad: The franchise was without one for a long time (in keeping with its basic GrayAndGreyMorality); the Carver was (mostly) confined to the Infernous, and the only force of true evil, the Hethe, generally preferred to watch the chaos and destruction from afar. Finally, The Carver stepped into the role in the final act of ''Michael's Camera'', with the revelation that he's [[spoiler: the vessel and avatar of Deebo, the head of the Hethe pantheon]]. If ''that'' wasn't enough to solidify his status, he then declares his plan to [[KillEmAll destroy all living things]], just so the Hethe can recreate them and make them suffer and die in all new ways]].

** Season 3 of ''A Cry From Winter'' introduces a group of powerful beings known as the Associates, who (in addition to playing a crucial role in the plot of the spin-off vlog ''13rkingwond3rland'') are trying to prevent the death of James, who is the vessel of one of their members, Surge. Due to Season 3 being CutShort, however, the plot was cancelled; "Reality Runs Red Pt. 2" has Uriel [[BreakingTheFourthWall revealing to the audience]] that they've actually been watching his self-controlled PersonalAfterlife in the Infernous the entire time, relegating the Associates story arc (and all related sub-plots) to part of the Infernous "illusion". This raises the question of how much of what was said to have happened to Elizabeth Winter in ''13rkingwond3rland'' holds true in the real world. (The Associates, at least, are real, as they are mentioned in ''The Lost Chronicles of R.G.L.'' and appear briefly in other media.)

** That's not the first time a Brosalvik orb is introduced to no end: in Season 3 of ''Michael's Camera'' (“A brief interlude before I literally go to hell”), Michaelis reveals that he has Redgrave’s orb -- which contains the soul of an unknown Dekn -- in his possession. Since this comes on the heels of “The war with no sides” (which reveals that Michael’s doll, Dale, contains [[spoiler: a fragment of Malek]]), it gives the distinct impression that the orb and its occupant will play a crucial role in later events. The orb is neither seen nor spoken of again, nor is the identity of its inhabitant ever revealed.

** Season 3 of ''A Cry From Winter'' introduces a group of powerful beings known as the Associates, who (in addition to playing a crucial role in the plot of the spin-off vlog ''13rkingwond3rland'') are trying to prevent James's death, because he's the vessel of Surge: one of their own members. Due to Season 3 being CutShort, the plot ended up being cancelled; "Reality Runs Red Pt. 2" has Uriel revealing to the audience that they've actually been watching his [[PersonalizedAfterlife punishment]] [[SelfInflictedHell in the Infernous]] the entire time -- relegating the Associates story arc (and all related plots) to part of the "illusion" created by the Infernous. This raises the question of how much of what was said to be happening to Elizabeth Winter in ''13rkingwond3rland'' holds true in the real world. (The Associates, at least, are real, as they are mentioned in ''The Lost Chronicles of R.G.L.'' and appear briefly in other media.)
** In Season 3 of ''[=MedBoy789=]'', after a fair amount of build-up, Abaddon appears and announces his plans to revitalize the Arkn civilization, complete with inviting Drakulah to be his second-in-command (along with instructing him to have all humans contact their Guardian Arkn so, that they can regroup). While there are many episodes after this, neither Abaddon nor Drakulah ever appears again, and the storyline is seemingly forgotten. In ''The Golden Queen'', the[[note]](now deleted)[[/note]] sequel to ''Book of Knowledge'', it's revealed that Delphar built the city of New Elysia, and rules over the surviving Arkn -- with Abaddon seemingly out of the picture. The series finale hints that Abaddon may have given up his plans entirely, after seeing the horrors of war through Tobias's eyes.

* ChessWithDeath: Edgar Kharon (a man who was seen as an avatar of Death among humans) is said to have challenged the Hethe Cre'vial to a game of chess at the end of his days leading an outlaw gang. If he won, he would be made a Hethe himself; if he lost, his legend and legacy would be erased from history. The game lasted four eternities before Edgar made a move. Cre'vial finally conceded, so enraged that he was prepared to strike Edgar down...until De'ebo intervened, and offered to fulfill Cre'vial's promise. It didn't (instead of making Edgar a Hethe, however, it gave him Cedric, the child of the Hethe, to raise.

** It's not the first time a Brosalvik orb is introduced to no end: in Season 3 of ''Michael's Camera'' (“A brief interlude before I literally go to hell”), Michaelis reveals that he has Redgrave’s orb -- which contains the soul of an unknown Dekn -- in his possession. Since this comes on the heels of “The war with no sides” (which reveals that Michael’s doll, Dale, contains [[spoiler: a fragment of Malek]]), it gives the distinct impression that the orb and its occupant will play a crucial role in later events. The orb is neither seen nor spoken of again, nor is the identity of its inhabitant ever revealed.

** Season 3 of ''A Cry From Winter'' introduces a group of powerful beings known as the Associates, who (in addition to playing a crucial role in the plot of the spin-off vlog ''13rkingwond3rland'') claim they are trying to prevent James's death because he's the vessel of Surge, one of their members. Due to Season 3 being CutShort, the plot was cancelled, and "Reality Runs Red Pt. 2" has Uriel revealing to the audience that they've actually been watching his punishment in Infernous the entire time, relegating the Associates story arc (and all related plots) to an Infernous "illusion". This also raises the question of how much of what was said to be happening to Elizabeth Winter in ''13rkingwond3rlandvlog'' holds true in .Reality. (The Associates, at least, are real, as they are mentioned in ''The Lost Chronicles of R.G.L.'' and appear briefly in other media.)

** Malek's [[SoulFragment "shards"]] have used a number of hosts: human, Arkn, and even ''[[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments a dog]]''.

* InTheBlood: According to Michaelis, he (and, by extension, the other Arknangels) is suited for nothing but fighting, killing, and destroying because the blood of the Hethe (who are pure evil) flows in his veins.
** As it turns out, he's ''mostly'' right: [[spoiler: the Arknza acquired their Hethe blood from The Carver himself, and are indeed destined to fight, kill, and ultimately die -- as part of a larger plan designed to lead to the creation of a newer, better, Hethe-free universe).]]

** One of the most blatant examples: Tobias wears a beanie that looks like the [[TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle]] Raphael in several early episodes of ''[=MedBoy789=]''; the Arkn of that same name is later revealed to be Toby’s Guardian.