编辑“虚境”

{{Version|3.2}}
{{Traditionav}}
{{expansion|utp|small=no}}
[[File:Shroud room.png|320px|right|thumb|The Shroud]]
The Shroud is a realm of pure psionic energy that existed since the dawn of time. It is the place from where psionic species and individuals draw their power, and a place where those who awakened their psionic potential could see in their dreams. The realm is inhabited by powerful beings of pure psionic energy that can be communed with through great effort.

== Accessing the Shroud ==
90 days after the empire has selected the [[File:Ap transcendence.png|24px]] Transcendence Ascension Perk it will receive a special project called ''Breaching the Shroud'' that requires 20000 {{iconify|Society}} Research. Upon completion, the Shroud will be added to the Contacts menu from where it can be entered.

Entering the Shroud requires 1000 {{iconify|Energy}} and adds the ''Mustering Psionic Strength'' empire modifier for 5 years, which makes the Shroud unavailable for some time. The [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic reduces the duration of the ''Mustering Psionic Strength'' empire modifier to 2.5 years, allowing the Shroud to be entered twice as often.

== Shroud visions ==
Upon entering the Shroud the empire will receive a random vision. The outcome of each vision choice is randomized. Each vision also has the option to exit the Shroud if the risk is deemed too great.
{| class="mildtable"
! style="width:37%" | Vision !! Requirements !! Possible Options
|-
| ''[capital name]... the vision is hazy and indistinct, but there can be no question - it is [capital name], our capital. The great cities look different yet familiar, even through the obscuring wall of flames and smoke. Thousands... no, millions of mutilated bodies litter the streets, all of them [main species name]. The stench of decay is unbearable.<br><br>{{red|"YOUR FUTURE."}}<br><br>Nothing living remains in the ruins. In the sky above, massive orbital installations, trailing smoke, have begun a slow and inevitable descent towards the planet. Are we witnessing one possible future out of many?<br><br>{{red|"NOT ONE OF MANY. IT SHALL COME TO PASS. AS SURELY AS THE SUN RISES. IT IS YOUR DESTINY."}}<br><br>The vision ends as quickly as it began, leaving behind a miasma of swirling psychic energies.''
| Can only happen once
| 
* {{green|Channel the energies into an avatar}}
** 35% chance to gain a Psionic Avatar fleet (47.5% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
** 35% chance to gain a Psionic Avatar army (47.5% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
** 20% chance nothing happens (5% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
** 10% chance a hostile Corrupted Avatar guardian appears for 10 years (0% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
* {{yellow|Boon: Medium Probability of Success}}
** 50% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 30% chance nothing happens
** 20% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
* {{red|Boon: Low Probability of Success}}
** 30% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 40% chance nothing happens
** 30% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
|-
| ''In the deeper regions of the Shroud, a presence suddenly makes itself felt. Visitors, like us - a powerful psionic probe made by minds as utterly alien to us as they are to the Shroud.<br><br>A faint image of massive organic beings floating in some kind of thick, gaseous atmosphere while being attended by swarms of smaller creatures flickers briefly into existence as their psychic echo touches our own.''
| Can only happen once
| 
* {{green|Boon: High Probability of Success}}
** 70% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 20% chance nothing happens
** 10% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
* {{yellow|Boon: Medium Probability of Success}}
** 50% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 30% chance nothing happens
** 20% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
* {{red|Boon: Low Probability of Success}}
** 30% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 40% chance nothing happens
** 30% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
|-
| ''An endless desert stretches before us. We have been here before.<br><br>{{red|"Shala'kul milem zunak?"}}<br><br>Something emerges from the sand. It is difficult to see.<br><br>{{red|"Zharabi, melasuk."}}<br><br>The words are like thunder, spoken by a mouth for which they were never intended. We are compelled to answer.''
| Can only happen once
| 
* {{green|Shashka malak.}}
** 70% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 20% chance nothing happens
** 10% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
* {{yellow|Tirit nali dasumara!}}
** 50% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 30% chance nothing happens
** 20% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
* {{red|Kunak de'Kirak.}}
** 30% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 40% chance nothing happens
** 30% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
|-
| ''Suddenly, in a painful moment of clarity, the nature of our existence is laid bare. A multiverse where thousands of galaxies like our own are locked in endless cycles of conflict.<br><br>It begins, it ends, and then it begins again. Each time with trillions of lives hanging in the balance.<br><br>{{red|"So it is,"}} a voice whispers, {{red|"and so it shall always be."}}''
| Can only happen once
| 
* {{green|Boon: High Probability of Success}}
** 70% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 20% chance nothing happens
** 10% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
* {{yellow|Boon: Medium Probability of Success}}
** 50% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 30% chance nothing happens
** 20% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
* {{red|Boon: Low Probability of Success}}
** 30% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 40% chance nothing happens
** 30% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
|-
| ''This is a particularly tempestuous region of the Shroud. Massive currents of raw psionic energy is funneled through here, sometimes giving violent birth to semi-intelligent spiritual apparitions.<br><br>These confused spirits often clash with one another, unleashing massive amounts of psychic power in battles that can last millennia. In fact, several such duels seem to be taking place right now.<br><br>We should proceed with caution.''
| Not having a Psionic Avatar fleet or army
| 
* {{green|Summon a psionic Avatar}}
** 35% chance to gain a Psionic Avatar fleet (47.5% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
** 35% chance to gain a Psionic Avatar army (47.5% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
** 20% chance nothing happens (5% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
** 10% chance a hostile Corrupted Avatar guardian appears for 10 years (0% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
* {{yellow|Boon: Medium Probability of Success}}
** 50% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 30% chance nothing happens
** 20% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
* {{red|Boon: Low Probability of Success}}
** 30% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 40% chance nothing happens
** 30% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
|-
| ''We are looking down upon our galaxy from far above, at a distance of what must be hundreds of thousands of lightyears. Without warning, the psionic current plunges us down towards the myriad stars at an incredible speed, into the region of space belonging to one of the Fallen Empires - the [fallen empire name].<br><br>Stars swish by, then planets, until the vision finally settled on a [fallen empire species name] city. Incredible spires rise towards the sky, aided by anti-grav technology generations beyond our own. The current takes us into such a spire, through wall after wall until we reach a large meeting room of sorts. It is occupied by two [fallen empire species plural], floating comfortably in zero-gravity chairs while conversing with each other in soft voices.<br><br>They are oblivious to our presence.''
| Existing biological Fallen Empire<br>Can only happen once
| 
* {{yellow|Reach into their minds in search of secrets.}}
** 60% chance to gain a random technology (75% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
** 40% chance the Fallen Empire gains a temporary {{red|−35}} {{iconify|Opinion}} for 20-35 days (25% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
|-
| In one of the lower planes of the Shroud, we encounter a spirit that has ensconced itself behind some kind of powerful psionic shield.<br><br>{{red|"Leave."}}
| {{icon|psionic shields tech|24px}} Psionic Shields not discovered
| 
* {{yellow|Attempt to penetrate the shield}}
** 60% chance to unlock the {{icon|psionic shields tech|24px}} Psionic Shields technology for research (75% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
** 40% chance a hostile Corrupted Avatar guardian appears for 10 years (25% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
|-
| ''The concept of time, as we know it, is alien to this part of the Shroud. What can seem like centuries here may equal mere hours or even minutes in the real world. If one knows where to look, it is even possible to glimpse into the future...<br><br>Precognition is one of the surest paths to madness for a telepath, so we must use caution.''
| {{icon|precognition interface|24px}} Precognition Interface not discovered
| 
* {{yellow|Meditate here for a moment}}
** 60% chance to unlock the {{icon|precognition interface|24px}} Precognition Interface technology for research (75% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
** 40% chance to gain the ''Mustering Psionic Strength'' empire modifier for 10 years (25% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
|-
| ''A small, flickering star materializes inside the Shroud. It flies past at incredible speed, and for a second, it reveals itself as an alien ship of unknown configuration. Then it vanishes in a cloud of psionic energy as quickly as it appeared.<br><br>Can it be? Is it possible to physically enter the Shroud and then emerge somewhere else entirely in normal space?''
| {{icon|psi jump drives|24px}} Psi Jump Drive not discovered
| 
* {{yellow|Linger for a while}}
** 60% chance to unlock the {{icon|psi jump drives|24px}} Psi Jump Drive technology for research (75% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
** 40% chance to gain a {{red|−20%}} {{iconify|Sublight Speed}} empire modifier for 5 years (25% with [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
|-
| ''We have found a tiny space within the Shroud that has a concentration of psionic energy that is of a magnitude we have never before seen. Any psychic that managed to successfully tap into this pocket of raw energy would become immensely powerful... but there is only enough for a single individual, and there are risks involved.<br><br>There are only three individuals in the entire [empire name] that possess the psionic strength needed to tap into this energy pocket with any hope of survival. Who should it be?''
| No leader has the {{iconify|Chosen One}} trait<br>Can only happen once 
| 
* {{green|Go with [leader name]}}
** 70% chance the ruler replaces the {{iconify|Psychic}} trait with {{iconify|Chosen One}}
** 20% chance the ruler dies
** 10% chance the ruler dies and a hostile Corrupted Avatar guardian appears for 10 years
* {{yellow|Go with [leader name]}}
** 50% chance the leader replaces the {{iconify|Psychic}} trait with {{iconify|Chosen One}}
** 30% chance the leader dies
** 20% chance the leader dies and a hostile Corrupted Avatar guardian appears for 10 years
* {{red|Go with [leader name]}}
** 30% chance the leader replaces the {{iconify|Psychic}} trait with {{iconify|Chosen One}}
** 40% chance the leader dies
** 30% chance the leader dies and a hostile Corrupted Avatar guardian appears for 10 years
|-
| ''There is a presence here, occupying this entire part of the Shroud. We have met spirits before, but this is something else, something vastly more powerful... something far more ancient.<br><br>It seems unaware of us as of yet. Perhaps it is sleeping. Perhaps we are simply beneath its notice.<br><br>Perhaps we should leave.''
| No Covenant empire modifier
| 
* {{green|Attempt to communicate with the presence}} (twice more likely to appear with the [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
** 70% chance to get the option to form a Covenant
** 20% chance a leader with the {{iconify|Psychic}} trait dies
** 10% chance nothing happens
* {{yellow|Attempt to communicate with the presence}}
** 50% chance to get the option to form a Covenant
** 30% chance a leader with the {{iconify|Psychic}} trait dies
** 20% chance nothing happens
* {{red|Attempt to communicate with the presence}} (twice less likely to appear with the [[File:R zro crystal.png|24px]] Psionic Archive relic)
** 30% chance to get the option to form a Covenant
** 40% chance a leader with the {{iconify|Psychic}} trait dies
** 30% chance nothing happens
* {{green|[chosen one name] will speak to the presence}} (requires a leader with the {{iconify|Chosen One}} trait)
** 85% chance to get the option to form a Covenant
** 10% chance a leader with the {{iconify|Psychic}} or {{iconify|Chosen One}} trait dies
** 5% chance nothing happens
|-
| Random generic vision
| None
| 
* {{green|Boon: High Probability of Success}}
** 70% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 20% chance nothing happens
** 10% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
* {{yellow|Boon: Medium Probability of Success}}
** 50% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 30% chance nothing happens
** 20% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
* {{red|Boon: Low Probability of Success}}
** 30% chance to gain a Boon of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
** 40% chance nothing happens
** 30% chance to gain a Curse of the Shroud empire modifier for 5 years
|}

=== Boons and curses ===
Boons and curses are temporary empire modifiers that can be obtained by trying to get a boon via the Shroud. Being successful will grant a boon but being unsuccessful will grant a curse. Boons will also please the Traditionalist Faction while curses will displease it while the modifiers last. Boons and curses can grant any of the following:
{| class="mildtable plainlist"
|-
! Boons of the Shroud !! Curses of the Shroud
|-
|
* {{icon|army morale}} {{green|+40%}} Army Morale
* {{icon|monthly hull regeneration}} {{green|+0.5%}} Daily Hull and Armor Regen
* {{icon|influence}} {{green|+30%}} Empire Influence Gain
* {{icon|ship evasion}} {{green|+30%}} Evasion
* {{icon|fire rate}} {{green|+20%}} Fire Rate
* {{icon|governing ethics attraction}} {{green|+50%}} Governing Ethics Attraction
* {{icon|happiness}} {{green|+25%}} Happiness
* {{icon|unity}} {{green|+30%}} Monthly Unity
* {{icon|research speed}} {{green|+20%}} Research Speed
* {{icon|sensor range}} {{green|+2}} Sensor Range
* {{icon|ship shield}} {{green|+50%}} Shield Hit Points
* {{icon|ship upkeep}} {{green|−30%}} Ship Upkeep
* {{icon|sublight speed}} {{green|+40%}} Sublight Speed
* {{icon|ship damage}} {{green|+20%}} Weapons Damage
|
* {{icon|army morale}} {{red|−20%}} Army Morale
* {{icon|influence}} {{red|−20%}} Empire Influence Gain
* {{icon|governing ethics attraction}} {{red|−50%}} Governing Ethics Attraction
* {{icon|happiness}} {{red|−20%}} Happiness
* {{icon|unity}} {{red|−20%}} Monthly Unity
* {{icon|growth speed}} {{red|−30%}} Pop Growth Speed
* {{icon|research speed}} {{red|−20%}} Research Speed
* {{icon|sensor range}} {{red|−2}} Sensor Range
* {{icon|ship armor}} {{red|−20%}} Ship Armor
* {{icon|sublight speed}} {{red|−20%}} Sublight Speed
|}

=== A Divine Sovereign ===
If a leader gains the {{iconify|Chosen One}} trait then some years later an event will trigger where the empire will gain the option to reform itself into a Divine Empire, as long as its authority is not already set to {{iconify|Imperial}}. Accepting will reform the empire with the following government:
* {{iconify|Fanatic Authoritarian}}
* {{iconify|Spiritualist}}
* {{iconify|Imperial}} authority
* {{iconify|Imperial Cult}} civic
* {{iconify|Philosopher King}} civic
* {{iconify|Aristocratic Elite}} civic
* {{iconify|Chosen One}} leader becomes the new ruler if not already
The new civics added by the event will override previous civics, including fixed ones like the {{iconify|Inward Perfection}}.

=== Covenants ===
There are 5 incomprehensibly powerful beings in the Shroud an empire can form a Covenant with given the right vision. Forming a covenant grants a permanent empire modifier but also comes with recurring drawbacks as well as stops you from forming a covenant with the others.
{| class="mildtable plainlist"
! Patron !! Chance !! Empire modifier !! Drawbacks (roughly every 25 years)
|-
| {{yellow|Composer of Strands}}
| 24.5%
| 
* {{icon|growth speed}} {{green|+20%}} Pop Growth Speed
* {{icon|leader lifespan}} {{green|+20}} years leader lifespan
| A species with the {{iconify|Psionic}} trait gains and/or loses a random trait
|-
| {{yellow|Eater of Worlds}}
| 24.5%
| 
* {{icon|army morale}} {{green|+30%}} Army Morale
* {{icon|fire rate}} {{green|+15%}} Fire Rate
| 
* 65% chance a planet loses a Pop and gets {{red|−20%}} {{iconify|Happiness}} for 10 years
* 30% chance a planet loses 3 Pops and gets {{red|−40%}} {{iconify|Happiness}} for 10 years
* 5% chance a planet becomes a Shrouded World and the empire gets {{red|−30%}} {{iconify|Happiness}} for 10 years
|-
| {{yellow|Instrument of Desire}}
| 24.5%
| {{icon|pop resource output}} {{green|+10%}} Resources from Jobs
| 
* 40% chance a planet gets {{red|+200%}} {{icon|pop consumer goods upkeep}} Pop consumer goods upkeep for 20 years
* 40% chance a planet gets {{red|−100%}} {{iconify|Governing Ethics Attraction}} for 20 years
* 20% chance the empire gets {{red|−50%}} {{iconify|Governing Ethics Attraction}} for 10 years
|-
| {{yellow|Whisperers in the Void}}
| 24.5%
| 
* {{icon|research speed}} {{green|+15%}} Research Speed
* {{icon|influence}} {{green|+15%}} Monthly Influence
* {{icon|encryption}} {{green|+2}} Codebreaking
| 
* 45% chance a Leader with the {{iconify|Psychic}} trait gains the {{iconify|Substance Abuser}} trait
* 25% chance a Leader with the {{iconify|Psychic}} trait commits suicide
* 20% chance a planets with at least one Pop with the {{iconify|Psionic}} trait gets {{red|−30}} {{iconify|Stability}} for 10 years
* 10% chance a planets with at least 5 Pops with the {{iconify|Psionic}} trait loses 1-8 Pops and gets {{red|−100}} {{iconify|Stability}} for 10 years
|-
| {{red|End of the Cycle}}
| 2%
| 
* {{icon|pop resource output}} {{green|+100%}} Resources from Jobs
* {{icon|pop resource output}} {{green|+100%}} Resources from Orbital Stations
* {{icon|naval capacity}} {{green|+100%}} Naval Capacity
* {{icon|influence}} {{green|+5}} Monthly Influence
* {{icon|starbase}} {{green|+10}} Starbase Capacity
| {{red|50 years after forming the Covenant The Reckoning takes place}}
|}

==== The Reckoning ====
The Reckoning will all but end the empire that benefited from the covenant and instantly destroy all its vassals. When the Reckoning occurs, all planets will be depopulated and turned into 'Shrouded Worlds', which become uninhabitable forever. All fleets and ships will be instantly destroyed, all leaders are killed, and all resources from that empire's store will be drained almost completely. Having lost everything, the covenant empire will survive only in the form of a newly colonized planet of survivors, which will start with the default name of 'Exile'. The game will pick any planet with 40% habitability or more, even if it is located within another empire's borders. If that planet is somehow Shroud-Marked, or no planet is otherwise possible, the game is instantly lost.

Every regular empire will gain a {{red|−1000}} Opinion modifier with the remnant of the Shroud-Marked empire for "bringing the end", with a decay rate of 5 each year.

Every previous colony will spawn a shroud manifestation. Finally, an immensely powerful Shroud entity known as "The Reckoning" - representing the combined essence of all deceased psionic individuals in the former empire that summoned it – will appear over the empire's former capital, and proceed to seek out the remaining life in the galaxy. It normally leaves the exiles for last, and therefore the exile empire should first prioritize surviving against other empires instead and trying to expand if possible. 

In this state, one might benefit from the Reckoning, depending on the circumstances. You may be able to conquer the Galaxy and achieve the end year victory if you time it correctly.

As the Reckoning randomly targets worlds to destroy, its power will increase as it consumes more pops (up to 5000 pops). It gains bonuses to hull, shield, fire-rate, damage, and shield regeneration as follows:
{|class = "mildtable" style="text-align: center;
! {{icon|pop}} Devoured pops
! {{icon|health}} Health
! {{icon|shield}} Shield
! {{icon|shield}} Shield regen bonus
! {{icon|attack speed}} Attack cooldown
! {{icon|damage}} Damage
! width = 35% | Other stats
|-
| <500
| 60,000
| 150,000
| 100
| 2.17
| 4x 600–1400
| rowspan=5 | {{plainlist|
*5x {{icon|sublight speed}} Jumpdrive Range
*30% {{iconify|Evasion}}}}
|-
| <1000
| 110,000
| 250,000
| 200
| 1.45
| 4x 900–2100
|-
| <2500
| 160,000
| 350,000
| 300
| 1.08
| 4x 1200–2800
|-
| <5000
| 210,000
| 450,000
| 400
| 0.87
| 4x 1500–3500
|-
| >5000
| 260,000
| 550,000
| 500
| 0.72
| 4x 1800–4200
|}

The Reckoning has relatively low tracking, but its range, firepower, fire rate, health, shields and shield regeneration are massive. Despite all its might, there are still two courses of action that come into a chance of defeating it. One is to wait for it to target an Awakened- or Fallen Empire, another crisis or any strong empire with tough fleets to weaken or even destroy it. The other option is to keep building up for the eventual encounter alone, since The Reckoning will usually leave the exiles for last.

If the exiles have lost everything, they haven't lost their Technologies and Traditions, meaning they can still catch up given enough time to rebuild the economy. It's also possible to trade one-time resources and/or diplomatic favors with the AI empires for monthly resources, just before the Reckoning to occure, since trade deals can't be canceled despite the empires' now {{red|−1000}} Opinion towards you.

One strategy to defeat the Reckoning in battle is to dodge its attacks using swarms of corvettes and use weapons that can pierce/ignore shields, like {{icon|slot g}} Missiles and {{icon|slot h}} Strike Craft. The Reckoning targets random planets in its destructive spree, so the player will have several chances to retreat, rebuild, and come back. The Reckoning will tend to target small ships first and only engage larger ships when all smaller classes are defeated. A combination of two to three dozen carrier battleships with strike crafts – whose weapons bypass shields – and a large swarm of several hundred corvettes with regular torpedoes - who likewise ignore shields - with about 5 repeatable technologies that boost damage output of both systems have a good chance of greatly weakening or even defeating the Reckoning in a single battle.

[[Category:Game concepts]]