Incursion

An Incursion is two iterations of Earth superimposing in the Wayspace. There are two types of known incursions--minor and major--and they share similar traits. Gates open between parallel words and travel between them require next to no energy. Incursions also have a Node, which is usually a physical location that experiences Gate manifestations before the rest of the world or area does.

Partial (minor) incursions occur with relatively frequently, as there is a natural oscillation of iterations in the Wayspace. It is natural that two iterations will oscillate close enough that temporary gates can open and passage between iterations is possible. These are relatively short (lasting only a few months) and occur in intervals as long as 150 years or as short as 3 months (only data is included from the fourth incursion and beyond, and that is only local to Order Chapters). Minor incursions always terminate without intervention. It is, after all, only a close passing of iterations.

Major incursions occur significantly less frequently, often with thousands of years in between them. Full incursions are when two iterations are superimposed on each other and occupy the same location in the Wayspace. Inevitably, one of the iterations is completely destroyed. Earth Prime has had six major incursions, detailed below. Unlike minor incursions, major incursions are world-shaking enough that their events, even though they predated modern history, are often described in legends. It is thought that major incursions must be terminated with an extremely powerful source of energy, known as a Termination Event.

In the world of the PCs, Earth Prime, there have been six notable Incursions throughout recorded history (there may have been more, but they are undocumented).

First Incursion
The first recorded incursion (known as the Fall) occurred some time around the agricultural revolution (around 10,000 BC). This is not terribly well documented, as the only form of passing on knowledge at this time was oral tradition. Many of the details are lost and we may never know what occurred during this time. There is no knowledge of the location of the Node for this incursion. It is thought that this incursion is what granted humanity it's dominance over our Earth. The terminating event for this incursion is unknown.

Second Incursion
The second incursion is known as the Flood. It occurred roughly around 7500-5000BC and still predates recorded knowledge. We do not know where the Node of this incursion manifested, but biblical legend potentially puts it somewhere in Mesopotamia. It is thought that the Biblical Flood cataclysm was a byproduct of an event powerful enough to deflect the parallel Earth.

Third Incursion
The third incursion occurred around 180 AD when Rome, at its height, decided to use a minor incursion to attempt to gain immense power. This plan backfired and ultimately led to the collapse of the Roman Empire and rise of the barbarian nations the led to the Dark Ages. The Node for this incursion manifested in the United Kingdom and northern France. The terminating event to this incursion is unknown.

Fourth Incursion
The fourth incursion occurred sometime around the crusades and had its Node in the Jerusalem/Dead Sea region of the Middle East. It is the first notable incursion for the Order of the Round, which was established after the third incursion. In this Incursion, the Order of the Round successfully deflected the imposing Earth iteration through the use of extremely powerful artifacts located in the catacombs of St Peter's Basilica.

Fifth Incursion
The fifth incursion (known now as the Secret Incursion) occurred during the events of WWII. This incursion had a Node somewhere in the Japanese archipelago. While the events of the World War took place in both theaters, there was a secondary war happening with the inhabitants of the parallel earth. Though the specifics were lost (it is assumed, intentionally), we do know the detonation of the Nuclear Bombs in the region of the Node had something to do with deflecting the parallel Earth.

The Sixth Incursion
The most recent incursion takes place 70 years after the events of the fifth incursion. It is currently unresolved, though it confirmed to be a major incursion. This incursion is unique in that it occurs such a short time after the preceding major incursion. The Dyer Boys, working under the Order of the Round, have made their way to the parallel iteration and are seeking out an end to the incursion.