Ptoh

Ptoh is a narrative entity who is mentioned in several pieces of in-game literature, as well as referenced by several of Qud's denizens. It is not directly represented in-game mechanically, but its influence can be felt through such mechanics as Glimmer and the amaranthine prism.

Overview

Ptoh is, presumably, an alien creature whose exact species and specific characteristics are unknown. It is described as a "spacefolder", able to "fold the fabric of space and time" using its mind. It apparently can perform such feats on the sub-atomic level. It does not hail from Qud, and instead is stated to come from a "bleak" star, most commonly referred to as the darkling star.

Ptoh is said to have once been a part of a coven of spacefaring beings, which also included the Eaters of Earth, Qud's precursor race. For reasons unknown, the coven ordained that Ptoh would be imprisoned on Qud, within a prison that "it could not fold itself away" from. Ptoh was apparently held there for "eons", and is still there to this day. Though locked away, Ptoh is still able to exert its influence on Qud, most notably through its servants, Espers who hunt other powerful Espers to absorb their minds. Ptoh is also responsible for the creation of the amaranthine prism; the prism is said to induce madness in those who look into it, as it allows them to "see the world by the light of Ptoh's star, and see themselves as Ptoh does".

Ptoh appears to be held in high regard by several groups throughout Qud and other regions. The Seekers of the Sightless Way are notably interested in trading secrets about Ptoh, or more specifically, the darkling star. Catu refers to Ptoh as "the Elder", and Ptoh's pronouns in The Black Glass are capitalized, possibly as a show of respect or reverance.

List of References to Ptoh

• The Black Glass discusses Ptoh at length, describing its origins and history, as well as its connection to the amaranthine prism.
• On the Origins and Nature of the Dark Calculus states that even Ptoh has agreed not to investigate the penumbra calculus, and describes an instance where Ptoh manipulated quarks in a region of spacetime, destroying a research station.
• Catu mentions Ptoh several times in the scroll bound by a strand of kelp, referring to it as "the Elder" and describing his pursuit by its "agents". Catu also claims the Seekers of the Sightless Way are "unknowing thralls" to Ptoh, being used to "weaken" its prison.
• Across Moghra'yi, Vol. III: Oth, the Free City mentions the "Elder Cant", which, in conjunction with the scroll bound by a strand of kelp, can be read as an effect that Ptoh exerts.
• Glimmer descriptions mention Ptoh's servants, and players with high Glimmer will be pursued by these servants.
• Song of the Sky Bear states that Saad Amus, the Sky-Bear was the one who "shut the door" to Ptoh's prison.
• Ptoh's name can be found in markov chain books, and 56 instances of its name can be found in LibraryCorpus.json.
• Esbear mentions Ptoh in the following dialogue: "Ptoh! ... Oh! Sorry. I ate a leaf. And had to spit it out."
• Seekers of the Sightless Way are interested in learning about the darkling star, Ptoh's home star.

Trivia

This section is opinion-based. Your mileage may vary.

• The reputation consequences of using Precognition to experiment with the amaranthine prism appear to indicate that Ptoh is a highly entropic being.