Pandemonium

Pandemonium in Edith

Pandemonium, or Pandemonium Shift (汎魔化) is a phenomenon where Fiends and Demons manifest in the real world.

Background

The term was coined unofficially by the Septian Church to describe the phenomenon of fiendish monsters appearing in the real world. Only those who had been involved in the underside of the church have heard the term and it is not public knowledge. Information about is is recorded in the Book of Ezer, one of the church's Apocrypha.

Apart from allowing fiends and devils to manifest in the real world, other effects may appear such as spiritual barriers, distortions in time and space, or a high level of spiritual pressure. The Pandemonium in Trails through Daybreak is noted to be the first time a temporal freeze effect had taken place.

Pandemonium may also allow souls to return to the physical world. The exact process behind this is unknown, but the reappearance of slain Almata members is linked to Pandemonium. It is also apparently possible to become an Immortal by sacrificing yourself during Pandemonium, which may be linked. It is not known if an Artifact is needed for this, but all who have done so possessed one.

Pandemonium's effect can grow and spread across the continent, but it is suggested that the presence of a Primal Ground has some large part in stopping this from being a simple task.

Several events in the series' history are retroactively described as Pandemonium, including the incident with the Recluse Cube and Phantasma, the October War and Operation Jormungandr, and the events leading to the Great War, the last of which led to minor presence of the higher elements throughout Erebonia. Furthermore, the incident in Langport 40 years prior to Trails through Daybreak where the Tyrant reigned and fiends manifested in the city, is also linked to pandemonium.

Trails through Daybreak

Pandemonium Shift is named for the first time when it is unleashed upon Edith. The Diabolic core of Gerard Dantès, of Van Arkride's true possession was used by the 7th Genesis and Melchior to bring about the effect. The incantation, "Shine on us, Dawn of Pandemonium. Summon forth the Great Evil through the power of the Genesis' was used by Melchior. Bringing Pandemonium about and using it to become an immortal and spread fear across the world was stated to be the primary aim of Gerard Dantès, but he also used it as bait to lure Van towards him.

Genesis Tower was used to perform the calculations that allowed Pandemonium to manifest and spread. It could create barriers and entrap individuals through the use of Diabolos Spheres and cubes. Diabolos pillars protected the the tower itself from entry by producing a barrier. If the pillars were destroyed, time would be reversed to restore them and the barrier in a short while. The Pandemonium shift effect did not occur within the tower itself. Around the city, fiends and devils began to appear, and all inhabitants were frozen save for Van Arkride and those who he knew or had a bond with. Several of Marduk Company's forces were also able to move freely. Fiends would attack these free movers, ignoring those who were frozen or avoiding buildings.

Gerard and Melchior used its effects to sacrifice themselves and become immortals. With the defeat of Gerard Dantès, the Pandemonium effect ended.

Gallery

Pandemonium in Edith concept art

Diabolos pillar, sphere and cube concept art