Sigil

Creation of the Sigils

==========================

The Sigils are a unifying feature in the Bright Universe (Sigilverse). When they were originally conceived, it appeared that Danik and Solusandra were either at odds with one another, or two capricious gods playing a chilling game with the universe. On Solusandra's part, the bestowing of Sigils was meant to cause the conflict necessary to reignite and generate the much needed universal forces necessary to fuel her god-like powers. We later learn that the Sigil-bearers are actually an army that has been raised up to work in conjunction with the First in the coming battle against the forces of the Negation Universe and their evil god, Charon.

After Solusandra creates and bestows her Sigils (pictured above), she is cast down and seemingly destroyed by her fellow ascended Atlanteans (excepting Danik). During their cataclysmic battle, a rift is torn in the barrier between the Bright and Dark universes, and the energies of Charon and Solusandra intermingle with explosive results, destroying all remaining ascended Atlanteans except for Danik.

Danik visits the planet to which Solusandra fell and briefly mourns her death. He then leaves, breaking himself apart into many different splinter aspects, or avatars, who venture throughout the universe to watch over and mentor each of Solusandra's Sigil-bearers. Some of these aspects of Danik already existed, and had for some time, such as Enson and Wyture of the first. When Danik leaves, he fails to see Solusandra's energies revitalizing the barren planet on which she fell. Unknown to her fellow god, Solusandra saved herself by splitting her essence and memories between the Sigils she had already gifted to humans around the universe. Soon, she would awaken and begin to reclaim the gifts she had given.

Many of the Sigil-bearers believe their new powers were given to them by some kind of god or other unknown force. In reality, the Sigils unlocked the ultimate potential of their bearers, shooting them up to the top of the evolutionary ladder. Each bearer's power is a reflection of their character, and this would mark the path they would ultimately take in their journey towards become the universe's protectors.

Eventually, Solusandra is "reborn" on her desolate planet, and awakes to find many Sigil symbols floating in the air in bubbles around her. When she touches one, she is transported directly into the presence of one of her Sigil-bearers, the first of which is Lindy Karsten. When she comes in contact with Lindy, she "steals" the Sigil back, and regains a portion of her memories and god-like power. With Lindy in tow, Solusandra embarks on a quest to reclaim all her Sigils, but is not entirely successful as a few keep theirs, and some are no longer accessible to her.

Interestingly, many of the Sigil-bearers learn they no longer need the Sigil to access the powers it had granted them. The change to them was genetic and permanent, simply advancing their personal evolution and unlocking the potential within. As Lindy Karsten discovers, whenever their Sigils are lost, the abilities are not gone, and their "access" to them rebuilds itself over time. This discovery leads some of the Sigil bearers to have boosted confidence and increased insight which allows them to become even more powerful than they had been before.

Each Sigil-bearer's power was different from the next, being an exhibition of the nature and character of the bearer. For example, some granted active healing (such as healing a wound quickly at the demand of the Sigil-bearer), while others would heal passively or a long period of time. Some bearers, after coming in direct contact with another bearer, learned to exhibit the abilities of the other. It might be surmised that all Sigil-bearers could accomplish the same feats given time and practice.

Though not a hard and fast rule, the Sigil power usually glowed either red or yellow depending upon the use of the power. If the action was "creative" in nature, such as healing of wound, self-defense, or rebuilding something broken, the power usually glows yellow. If the action was "destructive" in nature, such as causing harm to another or destroying something, the power usually glows red.

Danik also bestowed his own version of the Sigil on an even smaller group of individuals around the universe. He revived six of his former race from Atlantis, and gave it at least two separate humans as well. In the case of the Atlanteans, who had already achieved biological perfection, his Sigil does not seem to grant power, but rather allow the bearer focus and added defensive protection.

Gammid the Atlantean learns one of the true benefits of Danik's Sigil when he mistakenly ventures into the Negation universe with a group of Australian humans (a group which believes they are undergoing a true Transition. When the humans arrive in the Negation universe, they have gone quite mad, and possess powers they cannot control. Gammid is protected from this, and seems to be able to focus his powers with the Sigil. (In contrast, when a group of Solusandra's Sigil-bearers are kidnapped into the Negation universe, they are unable to use their powers without causing themselves harm.) Through contact with Gammid's Sigil, and through his Atlantean training, many of the Australians survive and harness their full powers. Later, when Gammid meets up with some of the kidnapped Sigil-bearers (in addition to a First of House Dexter), he is able to fully restore their Sigil-powers using his own, different Sigil.

Charon, god of the Negation universe, created and bestowed his own version of the Sigil on a group of non-humans from his own universe. He was unable to graft his Ligis (his name for his sigil) on the non-humans until he received the forced help of Sigil-bearer Javi Corben, a former doctor who used his Sigil-power to heal. Javi was then appointed leader of Charon's new group of Ligis bearers, a group of four non-humanoids who worshiped Charon as their god.

Known Sigil-bearers of Solusandra

===================================

**Samandahl Rey of Gaia:** One of the original five Sigil-bearers, and the most important in Danik's plans for the future. Sam's Sigil gave him molecular control over inanimate matter. Sam's Sigil is located on his chest, and looks very much like a burn. Through the Sigil's use, Sam becomes the leader of humanity's fight against the Saurian race (which only sees humans as food to be eaten). Samandahl Rey sires a child with Capricia of Atlantis.
**Sephie of Meridian on Demetria:** One of the original five Sigil-bearers, and potentially one of the most powerful. Sephie's Sigil grants her defensive shielding, repair of organic and inorganic matter, healing of organic matter, flight, and a myriad other abilities. Through the Sigil's use, Sephie begins a crusade against her uncle Ilahn, a cruel despot bent on world (if not universal) domination. Sephie's Sigil is located on her forehead.
**Ilahn of Cadador on Demetria:** One of the original five Sigil-bearers, and one of the most ruthless. Ilahn's abilities included disintegration of matter, energy blasts, self-healing and teleportation. Ilahn is also the first to learn that Sigil bearers can drain the powers/life-forces of the First. Through the Sigil's use, Ilahn strives to solidify his power over the planet, and rid himself of his niece Sephie once and for all. Ilahn's Sigil is located at his throat.
**Giselle Villard of Ciress:** One of the original five Sigil-bearers. Giselle's Sigil allowed her to possess all of the spirits of the great masters of her world, and allowed her to perform high-order magic without preparation, material elements, or spells. Through the use of her Sigil, Giselle successfully defends her planet from Animora, an evil First who wishes Ciress as her personal plaything. When Solusandra returned to Giselle to take the Sigil back, Giselle was able to put up fantastic resistance against the goddess, but ultimately failing. Giselle's Sigil is located on her right palm.
**Ethan of the Heron Dynasty on Avalon:** One of the original five Sigil-bearers. Ethan's Sigil grants him the use of a sword of light, as well as multiple defensive abilities and fighting skills, and the ability to heal himself (and later others). Through the Sigil's use, Ethan defends the Herons Dynasty from those in the Raven Dynasty who would see it destroyed, and also successfully creates a free homeland for the Lesser Races. Ethan's Sigil is located on his right bicep.
**Brath Mac Garen of Han-Jinn:** Brath is a clan leader among the strongest Urelanders clans. He works to unite the myriad clans to better repel invades to their homeland. Brath's Sigil grants him multiple abilities, including personal healing, language translation, and confidence building. Through the use of the Sigil, Brath unites his clans, but is ultimately is captured by the enemy when Solusandra returns to take her Sigil back. Brath's Sigil is located on his chest.
**Sara Janning of Yamivol Prime:** Sara Janning is an ice miner on the planet Yamivol Prime, far out on the frontier of the Chimera Empire. Sara is in hiding from the Emperor and his family, a dynasty which brought themselves to power through genetic manipulation of their line. Chimera's Emperors have mandated periodic genetic scanning of every inhabitant in a search for genes they can use to take the next step in their family's evolution. Sara has evaded capture since the day she saw her family killed by Chimera forces right before her eyes. That was also the day she was granted her Sigil. Sara's Sigil powers are somewhat esoteric, and don't really manifest themselves until she is fighting for her life against the Emperor who discovers her true nature. Sara's Sigil is located on the small of her back.
**Mordath of Quin:** Mordath is an undead human, and the despot conqueror of the Five Lands of Quin. Three-hundred years before when he first tried to conquer the Five Lands, Altwaal appeared out of nowhere to end the battle by shooting Mordath through the chest with an explosive arrow. [See: **Altwaal's Weapons** ] Three centuries later, he is resurrected (but not given full life, only reanimation of an emaciated body) and given a Sigil of power, which he uses to destroy that who stood against him and enslave the remainder of the Five Land's inhabitants. Mordath is likely the most evil and ruthless, and used his Sigil powers nearly exclusively for destruction. Curiously, Modath's Sigil never healed his undead body, and possibly because of his character he never thought to turn his powers inward and attempt such a feat. Mordath's Sigil is located on the top of his head, and is the largest Sigil among all the bearers.
**Lindy Karsten *(AKA Radiant)* of Heliotrope:** Lindy is a designer of high-end MMORPGs for her world. As Radiant, Lindy is the undisputed champion of her world's most popular game (a planet on which it seems EVERYONE plays). Lindy is the first Sigil-bearer to have her mark taken away by its creator, Solusandra. Lindy's Sigil seems to grant her heightened speed and reflexes, giving her a decided edge in the game world. The original location of Lindy's Sigil is unknown, as she always wore a neck to toe gaming suit. However, her suit does have an all-golden version of the Sigil in multiple places.
**Todosi of Han-Jinn:** Todosi was a great warrior of his people, the defender of their homeland. When he was granted the Sigil by who he thought was a goddess, he knew he had been touched by destiny. He knew that he had been marked, and that his mark prophesied the fate of his people, but did that fate include victory. Todosi was continually successful in defending his people, until the day the gods appeared. As an "experiment" to see if a Sigil-bearer could be killed, one of the First used the Rod of Altwaal [See: **Altwaal's Weapons** ] against Todosi, successfully killing him. When Todosi died, his Sigil moved to his brother, who then vowed to kill every god in heaven in revenge. Todosi's Sigil was located on the middle of his back.
**Obo-san *(AKA Nobuyuki Tsugawa)* of Han-Jinn:** Obo-san was a devout monk and eschewed all forms of violence. However, he knew that the homeland must be protected, so he lent his wisdom to his brother Todosi, and to the Emperor. When Todosi died at the hands of a god, Obo-san inherited his brother's Sigil, and also came in possession of the very weapon that caused the murder, a weapon he dubbed "The Weapon of Heaven." Obo-san became his homeland's protector in his brother's stead, rejecting his non-violent past, and rejecting the worship of the god as well. He vowed to kill every god in heaven as revenge for the callous murder of his brother. Obo-san Sigil grants him the ability to influence and control other humans with the very words he speaks. Obo-san's Sigil is located on his back, just as it had been on his brother.
**Lord Birrema of Courabo:** Birrema is the beloved ruler of the world Courabo, a war torn world which is now living in peace because of the efforts of his efforts. Biremma is the first Sigil-bearer approached by Ilahn of Cadador for help against Sephie. Biremma, who is at first distrustful of Ilahn and wants nothing to do with him, is soon swayed when Ilahn promises aid for Courabo's people. When Biremma and Ilahn shake hands on the deal, either they sympathetic telepathy shared between Sigil-bearers does not work, or Ilahn is somehow able to deceive Biremma, or Biremma overlooks Ilahn's nature for the good of his people. Biremma ultimately allows Sephie to defeat him once he learns the real truth of her character. Biremma's Sigil grants him the power to fly, increased fighting prowess, and the ability to create armor, a shield, and a sword, all made of hard light.
**Taylor *(AKA Mighty Man)*:** Taylor's world is one of the first planets to suffer a full scale invasion by Charon and his Negation forces. Taylor has used his Sigil power to assume the role of superhero protector of his planet. Taylor, which is Mighty Man's secret identity, works as a reporter at a major newspaper in a very large city. When the Negation arrives, they attack without warning, vaporizing and entire section of the cities inhabitants with their first strike, leaving only Mighty Man as a survivor. Taylor confronts Evinlea of the First, who is now fighting for Charon. He is quickly defeated, and is questioned by Charon, who is searching for Taylor's mentor, and aspect of Danik. Once they have the information needed, Evinlea blows Mighty Man's head off with a blast of power. As an obvious "clone" of Superman, Mighty Man possesses the same types of powers, but his levels are unknown. Taylor's Sigil was located just below his throat.
**Kellra Tuskin of Cardeen:** Kellra is Cardeen's leading prognosticator and family/relationship counselor. Kellra is able to see into the future using her Sigil's powers, specifically looking into the coming history of individuals and thereby give them advice to change that future for the better. When Kellra is confronted by Solusandra, she refuses to relinquish her Sigil, and somehow uses her knowledge against the goddess. Kellra is thought to already been highly trained in her vocation well before she gained her Sigil, and that is what guided her ultimate manifestations of powers. Kellra is successful in driving Solusandra mad, making her see visions that cause her to loose all self-control. Solusandra leaves Cardeen without taking back her Sigil.
**Neine of the blue-skinned feralfolk:** Neine is one of the four Sigil-bearers from various worlds who are co-opted into helping Ilahn of Cadador fight against Sephie. Neine had once served as an agent for Ingra of the First, fighting at her side at some time in his past. Neine's Sigil seems to grant him increased fighting ability, speed, reflexes, and flexibility as well was flight. Neine is ultimately defeated by Sephie.
**Mikos of Abyelos:** Mikos is a young boy (teenager) who believes his Sigil powers had been given to him as a gift from a deity. At first, Mikos uses his powers to perform simple "magic" tricks to impress children, but he soon learned to harness his powers in increasingly growing measure. Soon, the people of Abyelos begin to swamp the boy, begging him to perform miracles in their lives. Eventually Mikos has all he can stand, and he commands them all to stop, which they all do because his emotional outburst causes his power to flare, turning every inhabitant on the planet to statues of crystal. When Solusandra arrives to take away his Sigil, Lindy Karsten convinces her to give him a short amount of time to solve the problem, which he does at just the last moment. Solusandra then takes her Sigil and departs. Mikos's Sigil grants him matter conversion powers, telekinesis, and matter-energy conversion powers. Mikos cries **A LOT**, and possesses a high-level of chemistry and biological knowledge. Mikos's Sigil was located on his forehead, which he always hid with a funky looking piece of *Liefeld-esque* headgear.
**Johnny Jumpjet of the Helix Worlds:** Not much is known about the hero of the Helix Worlds, Johnny Jumpjet. He is a short, fat, bald guy who wears a rocket-equipped space suit complete with pressurized helmet, even in the perfectly breathable atmosphere a habitable planet. Johnny's Sigil-based powers are unknown. Johnny was one of the first Sigil-bearers recruited by Samandahl Rey for the fight against the Negation. Johnny was last seen about to get his butt kicked by Mordath for asking a stupid question. Johnny's Sigil is located on the left side of his bald head.
**Columella the iron goddess:** Columella is one of the four Sigil bearers recruited by Ilahn for his fight against Sephie. Columella is known as the iron goddess on her homeworld, but where that is and what her story entails is unknown. She is a savage fighter, and thinks more highly of herself than she really should, since she is easily defeated by Sephie, a girl half her age. Columella apparently worked at sometime in the past for Ingra of the First. Columella's Sigil grants her flight, advanced battle prowess, and other unknown abilities.
**Grenang the blacksmith:** Grenang is one of the four Sigil-bearers recruited by Ilahn for his fight against Sephie of Meridian. Not much is known about Grenang or his background, other than he is a blacksmith, and holds clan "etiquette" in high regard. He comes close to dealing Sephie a mortal blow, and is then disintegrated by Ilahn in anger. Grenang's Sigil granted him the power of flight, blast powers, and other unknown abilities.
**Turos of Meridian on Demetria:** Turos was once the Minister of Meridian, father to Sephie, and brother to Ilahn. He is notable as the shortest lived Sigil-bearer on record, dying only minutes after receiving the mark. Unknown to all, Ilahn had been poisoning his brother, so the stress of the Sigil's empowerment was too much for his weakened constitution to bear. He died, passing the Sigil onto his daughter, Sephie.
**Javi of Larringa:** Javi was a doctor on Larringa who used his Sigil's power to heal. Javi was abducted by Negation agents into the Dark Universe. There he learned he was better able to still access his abilities than any other Sigil-bearer, and also learned he could boost the power of other Sigil-bearers, or members of The First, around him. He is recruited by Evinlea of the First, and is eventually presumed killed at the hands of Negation forces. Buried and left to rot, his Sigil actually keeps him alive and slowly heals his body. He is unearthed by Charon, and pressed into the evil god's service. Being a highly religious man, Javi (after working to destroy him) comes to believe that Charon is the true god and dedicates his life to the mad deity's service. Javi is killed again in a confrontation with Obregon Kaine's resistance group. Javi's Sigil was located on his right forearm.
**Mercer Drake of the Karzath System:** Mercer's power is to overcome any physical obstacle to attain a location or object. Back in the Karzath System, Mercer was a pirate and profiteer, using his Sigil abilities for personal gain. Mercer is one of a group of Sigil-bearers who are abducted into the Negation universe and placed under observation on a prison planet. At first, Mercer joins Obregon Kaine's resistance, but eventually departs to essentially find a planet to hide on away from Charon and his minions. Mercer's Sigil is located on his chest.
**Westin:** Westin has the ability to see how technology is operated, and uses it to help his fellow captives of the Negation escape from Komptin on his prison planet. Later it is revealed that he actually sees backwards in time when he comes in contact with a device. When this happens, he is able to see how the technology was operated before, and then emulates what he sees, sometimes with less than desirable results. At first a member of Obregon Kaine's resistance, he follows Mercer away from the battle.
**Shassa:** Shassa's powers enable her to combat any enemy by feeding off portions of their strengths, though it only affects her and does not seem to weaken her opponents in any way. Shassa rarely wins any of her confrontations, leading many to believe she does not truly understand how her powers operate and is too obstinate to ask for aid or training. A member of Obregon Kaine's resistance, she eventually leaves the to follow Mercer's splinter group, ostensibly to "protect" those without a Sigil.

Rika the All-Seeing of the Eternal Empire: Not much is known about Rika other than the fact she was tricked into aiding Ingra of the First.

Riaglal of Forest: Nearly nothing at all is known of Riaglal but for a name.

**Unknown Sigil-bearers:** Various Sigil-bearers seen throughout the Sigilverse. Most of these Sigil-bearers were recruited by Samandahl Rey by order of Danik to join the fight against Charon and his Negation. The furry, blue-skinned fellow was among those captured by the Negation and taken to their prison planet. He is killed during an escape attempt, proving that Sigil-bearers can be killed, though it is extremely hard to accomplish.

Known Sigil-bearers of Danik

==============================

**Capricia of Atlantis:** The first of Danik's Sigil-bearers, and another of the most important in his plans. Capricia is an empath, and exhibits shape-changing abilities. Capricia was a student of the Empathy Discipline in Atlantis. Capricia bears the child of Samandahl Rey. Capricia's Sigil rests atop her left breast.
**Galvan of Atlantis:** One of the first six of Danik's Sigil-bearers, and twin brother to Gammid. Galvan's abilities allow him to control the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Galvan was a student of the Passion Discipline in Atlantis. Galvan's Sigil rests atop his left breast.
**Gammid of Atlantis:** One of the first six of Danik's Sigil-bearers, and twin brother to Galvan. Galvan's abilities allow him to control the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Gammid was a student of the Passion Discipline in Atlantis. Gammid's Sigil rests atop his left breast.
**Tug of Atlantis:** One of the first six of Danik's Sigil-bearers. Tug's abilities rest in his mind, allowing him both sharp telepathy and powerful telekinesis. Tug was a student of the Mind Discipline in Atlantis. Tug's Sigil rests atop his left breast.
**Verityn of Atlantis:** One of the first six of Danik's Sigil-bearers, and the youngest. Verityn's abilities allow him to act as a seer, seeing into both the past and the future. He is also a powerful telepath, and can observe the flow of energy in space and time. Verityn was a student of the Spirit Discipline in Atlantis. Verityn's Sigil rests atop his left breast.
**Zephyre of Atlantis:** One of the first six of Danik's Sigil-bearers. Zephyre's abilities allow her to move with incredible speed. Zephyre as a student of the Body Discipline in Atlantis. Zephyre's Sigil rests atop her left breast.
**Cassie Starkweather of Erebus:** Cassie's Sigil grants her the ability to "see" ghosts, and otherwise speak to the dead and to supernatural creatures.
**Simon Archard of Arcadia:** Archard is a detective and master sleuth. He has eidetic memory and is close to emotionless, remaining utterly calm in situations of crisis. He also remains emotionally distant from other people. Simon carries his Sigil on the end of his cane, which never leaves his hand.

Known Ligis-bearers of Charon

===============================

The Ligis-bearers of Charon were led by Javi Cobain.

**Shrakti of the Negation:** Shrakti's abilities include spatial and dimensional teleportation. Her ultimate limits are unknown.
**Tibian of the Negation:** Tibian's abilities allow him to fight with unbridled fury. He is able to both sustain and cause massive amounts of damage.
**Trocantor of the Negation:** Trocantor is a telepath of the highest order. Only the mind of his god, Charon, has proven to be beyond his comprehension.
**Brevus of the Negation:** Brevus possesses near unlimited strength, and the upper limits of his strength are unknown.

The Negation War

====================

Note on CrossGen Comics

Soon after the Negation War had begun, CrossGen Comics suffered bankruptcy and ceased publication of all volumes. Many of the Sigil-bearer's stories remain unfinished, and in some cases are quite confusing when comparing the stories in individual publications to the beginning storyline of the Negation War. (For example, Mordath is thought killed by Arwyn in an unofficial script released by Sojourn's writer, but he is seen being recruited by Samandahl Rey at the beginning of the Negation War.) The final outcome of the Sigil-bearers and their war against Charon and his Negation remains unknown.