Ephernephria

Summary

Beings attuned in metaphysical awareness can sense when a being is wandering without its "conscience" or "soul" in the world. Translated, the term "ephernephreal" (EFF-FER-NEF-FER-REE-UL), or ephernephria (EFF-FER-NEF-REE-UH) describes entities that lost their soul and are only physical in nature. Many related (and translated) symptoms are described below.

This is a curable state of being that involves restoring the life force (considered the motivated soul) of a being. It is very rare and often time-consuming to resolve, being uniquely different to every being. Some take far longer than others to gain their links back, others can experience it several times in their life, each more severe than before.

Vocabulary

• Ephernephria (noun, condition) - The state of being alive/existing without one's own soul / conscience. Being a physical entity without your mind working with your spirit. Anything suffering this condition is missing its identity abstractly and must be saved. Conversation with the being will not work as the soul is absent and the listener is considered automatic, running on instinct or programming.

• Ephernephreric(s) (noun, entity/entities) - Being(s) suffering from ephernephria.

• Ephernephreal (adjective)- Describing something experiencing ephernephria. Used somewhat figuratively, on things such as technology that shows no signs of power or broken objects that serve no more purpose.

For English speakers with trouble pronouncing these words, practice by saying the similar sounding phrase "ever-never-free-us" or "ever-never-free-all" when using speech. Ideally, telepathic communication is preferred by all Hoppists. Use telepathy with other Hoppists if you are fluent, to prevent miscommunication surrounding ephernephria.

Hopspeak

Prior to translating to this language, Hopfolk used similar words in their tongue. For those curious, more phrases and translations can be found here. As above, the direct translations and original meanings for this condition are as follows:

• Ephernephria = Ovsandu = Emptiness Disease
• Ephernephreric(s) = Ovosku/Ovoskisk = Empty Person/People
• Ephernephreal = Otovanisk = Desynced Spirit

History

When Sop Ascended, most remaining Hopfolk began to act strangely, if only shocked in his absence. Missing their idol and collective father figure was expected, but Hop and his high ranking leadership noticed many Hopfolk were far more passive in daily life. They spoke and wrote less, they stared at the skies and hid their eyes under their paws and ears, even wearing new clothing solely designed to cover their face.

Behavior like this was seen by other beings including organics, such as Fleshies. The concern began that beings that lacked Sop's presence lost the will to motivate themselves to improve and work hard. Hop assured many in his father's place, he would lead them to Gop and strive for further success. This phenomena became widespread and nearly half of all Hopfolk were affected until the start of the Hop Civil War. The fire in their minds somehow brought back their will to fight, work and communicate, although at the cost of their reputation universally.

Remaining ephernephreric hopfolk were considered poorly minded, unable to perform most complex tasks. They would be unable to do their job or socialize. This does not appear to be a willing decision, but a symptom of the disease. While they never seek help, they never refuse help, being entirely passive to the suggestion of others.

Rarely are ephernephrerics present in current times, as entropy cannot manifest in all things at once, for it is not all powerful, merely omnipresent in various levels of strength.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Sensitivity

A noteworthy ability of the hopfolk (mind-reading and metaphysical awareness of one's emotions and consciousness) provides them with the knowledge of another's personality. Changes in familiarity with their personality are a sign of that the sensing party, or the entity of their focus, is suffering from the absence of their senses. This occurs when the link between their body, mind and spirit are severed, leaving only a physical being lacking any striving force behind their actions. These factors may warn something is experiencing ephernephria. Medical examinations on organics is required before a diagnosis can be confirmed, as living things suffer greatly from this condition, as their emotions often cause physical reactions.

When noticed in a being, this is not to be confused with laziness, as the lazy will forgo hardship and stress to pursue their own way of life which can often become productive, due to gaining insight over time. Lazy or restful beings often have much on their mind and will become defensive of their lifestyle if challenged. A physical habit of ephernephrerics is the lack of care or interest in protecting themselves, their known interests or the ones they love. Organic ephernephrerics are at great risk of death when harmed, as they will not flee or resist, and at most would react in fear or pain.

Curing Ephernephria through Journeys

While most are grateful the condition is extremely rare and unspoken in modern day, Hop and other wise, experienced minds observe some beings, especially those that are lonely, are very vulnerable to losing their soul. The concluding theory with the most proof is that entropy is not just physical, but also metaphysical in the spiritual sense. Curing this involves a personal Journey that one must embark on, restoring their self-image and strengthening their soul. The condition can occur in a being again, especially immortals.

Entropy likely contributes to this as there is an immeasurable but finite amount of will in a soul to persist regardless of its current state, conditions in its quality of life or personal goals being met. As if possessed, it slowly peels away at the willpower of a being and urges them to stop maintaining status quo.

Hop gathers these suffering people for restoring their self-faith. Rather than introduce them to Hoppism, they are given an arbitrary and difficult task that is designed to take significant time. Primarily, the goal is to wear out their mind's negative thoughts and tire them to seek rest or solitude. Once done, they are given a comfort to introduce a motivating factor to strive on.

Many methods are used. A friendly companion, the promise of meeting the goal set for them in their Journey, and so forth. The closer one is to achieving these, the more revitalized they are, until their spirit either returns, or a new one is formed inside their mind, restoring the sync with their body and consciousness. In addition, granting someone the opportunity to be alone and live in a fantasy has often cleansed the block from their soul and body. Many regress in state of mind, as well as pretend they are someone of value in society (or their own social group), such as royalty, or a Knight. To assist curing the afflicted, formal titles can be honorarily bestowed upon someone for overcoming ephernephria, and are reflected beside name on their ribbon. It will denote if they posses a military rank or honorary title.

The saved are then let free, to continue their lives and stave off the decay of their passion(s) as long as possible. The more in the world that are happy and motivated, the more successful everyone will be at all levels, such is Hoppist belief.

Incurable Instances

Mortal beings or severely effective beings (such as hopfolk) often make little progress in behaving like they used to. While some entertain hobbies as a routine, or their career (without work ethic), most of their spare time is used staring or resting. Some cover their eyes and stare at nothing in particular, however this is not always true.

One instance of a mute hopfolk on Karrots was discovered staring at a holographic projector screen mounted on a building, with her head wrapped in ribbons. This was a continuous behavior until she was removed by force for disturbing the peace. Her condition continued while incarcerated, staring in the exact direction of the object from a distant offworld prison, through walls and the ether of space, always facing its direction. Since this event, it is speculated that ephernephrerics may possess enhanced or metaphysical senses, or are compelled to suffer their symptoms against their ever-weakening will.

In situations like the above, regardless of the action taken by others, there are some peculiar instances where one does not recover from their behavior. Hoppists should maintain the goal of continuing the effort to treat ephernephrerics with aforementioned methods and invent new ones to alter behavior in them. Organics that attempt suicide may be conscious of their condition and wish to end suffering instead of curing it. Hoppist belief insists all conscious beings are of value and should not die needlessly. Restraints should be applied to these beings and extensive medical care by an organic technician should be supplied until cured.

Those that become near-comatose or entirely anomalous due to their symptoms are to be passively watched and interacted with on a routine basis. Treatment will continue at declining rates, where the Hoppist regulated minimum is once per planetary rotation. Volunteers may visit these subjects more frequently if desired. If the chronic affected have a will to be enacted, then Hoppists and ally volunteers will carry it out with the guidance of next of kin, the afflicted's religious scope and where applicable, their workplace (military, sciences, etc).