Echoing Pale

Echoing Pale

(Plane)

Denizens

Nascent reflections

Description

Mysterious, formless dimension connected to mirrors

Source: Dark Archive, pg(s). 116–119

A term coined by researchers of the Dark Archive, the Echoing Pale refers to an eerily empty dimension linked to, and possibly accessible through, mirrors. Some reflections—beings who almost perfectly mimic another individual—are sourced from the Echoing Pale.

Observation

The Dark Archive's main observation of the extraplanar space occurred when an agent, Archivist Irabie, succumbed to a darkside mirror trap. While her malevolent double sabotaged the Dark Archive, the real Irabie was trapped in an empty, monochromatic void. After being saved from the mirror, Irabie's account describes an expanse of silver fog with no surface in sight. Irabie could see into the Universe through circles of light floating in the nothingness, seemingly corresponding to mirrors in the Universe. She also witnessed the prismatic denizens of the Echoing Pale—formless oozes and silver humanoids reflecting or "echoing" repeatedly, like the reflections of two mirrors facing each other. Most of these creatures seemed harmless but some appeared threatening, so Irabie avoided them.

Analysis and speculation

Irabie's experience was unlike other accounts from darkside mirror survivors, prompting the Dark Archive to attempt to study the newly discovered Echoing Pale. As the realm had similarities to the Netherworld and Ethereal Plane, they tried to enter it with conventional planar travel methods to no avail. This led to its designation as a dimension rather than a transitive plane.

Malevolence

As darkside mirrors consistently replace their victims with malevolent reflections regardless of the actual creature's disposition, K.H.W. speculates that the Echoing Pale might be innately evil. If this is the case, the plane may have a corrupting influence on other reflections, even those who appear benevolent.

Beyond the Echoing Pale

Most darkside mirror survivors instead describe a reality that matches their own but with some aspect reversed. The Lone Archivist speculates that these realms could represent what lies beyond the Echoing Pale, making the Echoing Pale something of a connecting crossroads for distinct realities.

References

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