RINGMASTER - TIMELINE #2874491002

(Timeline Tuesday #39)

Ringmasters are otherworldly beings who exist well beyond the typical species categorization of this reality. These creatures take on a humanoid shape, although the functions of their body do not correspond to those of a humanoid. The “head” ring is not thinking any more than the “torso” ring is digesting food.

Ringmasters are made from a series of mailable metal rings, which float closely to one another and create the effect of a body. These individual rings can be loosely separated from a ringmaster, but when taken far away from the main form they will eventually lose power and drop to the ground.

When these rings are gathered, however, they possess incredible properties, floating through the air and constantly shifting their proportions. This telekinetic power is also used when a ringmaster chooses to manipulate the world around it, picking up objects or pressing buttons. Their psychic abilities are quite complex, able to write beautifully with a pen or play musical instruments.

Ringmasters live in small communities with others of their kind. It is here they carry out their work, collecting various objects from whatever timeline they inhabit and taking great pains to research and categorize their findings. Eventually, ringmasters will send these objects through their ‘central ring’, which acts as a portal to other timelines. These objects are never seen again.

When ringmasters are finished with their work, they will send their own rings through this portal until only the central ring is left. At this point, the central ring will lose its power, dropping to the ground as an artifact of their previous life. It is believed ringmasters will then grow another central ring on their new reality and repeat this process.

Much like a rare shell or unique bone, the discarded central ring of a ringmaster is quite valuable to collectors. An authentic ring can go for thousands of dollars at auction, although fake rings flooding the market can also be a problem. One might think poaching ringmasters would become an issue, but these creatures are too powerful to be hunted for their rings. A ringmaster could easily use its telekinetic ability to stop the heart of an aggressor who gets to close.

Why ringmasters perform their strange collection and categorization is unknown, since they refuse to communicate with outsiders unless absolutely necessary. Even then, they only speak through abstract psychic visions. It is believed ringmasters are simply researchers from a distant timeline, their ultimate goal far beyond our understanding.