The Architects are a mysterious and formidable alien race in Adrian Tchaikovsky's science fiction series The Final Architecture, introduced in the first novel, Shards of Earth (2021). The Architects are enigmatic, moon-sized extraterrestrials that annihilate inhabited planets by transforming them into abstract sculptures, wiping out all life in the process. As the greatest danger to intelligent life across the universe, they have caused the extinction of countless species and the obliteration of Earth.
Initially, their origins and intentions were a mystery to most of the universe, but it was later discovered that they originate from "unspace," a dimension existing "below" regular space. Their genocidal actions were revealed to be missions assigned by even more powerful entities.
Description[]
Architects are described as colossal entities, several kilometers tall, that can traverse the vast distances of space with ease. They appear to be constructed from a strange, black, glass-like substance that is both organic and inorganic in nature. Their bodies are covered in shifting patterns and geometries, giving them an otherworldly and intimidating appearance. Despite their size, they can move with surprising speed and precision.
The origins of the Architects are shrouded in mystery, and much of the series revolves around uncovering the secrets of their existence. They first appear without warning, attacking human and alien worlds across the galaxy. Their motives are inscrutable; they seem to have no interest in communication or negotiation, and their actions appear random to most observers. The lack of understanding about their purpose adds to the fear and fascination they inspire throughout the galaxy.
The Architects' incomprehensible nature has led to numerous theories about their motives and origins. Some believe they are acting on some kind of higher directive or purpose beyond human understanding, while others speculate that they might be a form of art gone mad, creating beauty through destruction. The series gradually reveals more about the Architects' nature and potential reasons for their actions, though much remains enigmatic.
Powers and Abilities[]
Architects primarily operate and engage in combat using their mastery over gravity and space. They can manipulate matter on a vast scale, from atomic levels to entire planets, using gravitational forces. Smaller objects, such as most spacecraft, can be effortlessly torn apart in an instant, while larger objects, like Earth-sized planets, require about an hour to reshape into abstract forms. Architects use this power to "sculpt" entire planets and other celestial bodies into intricate, symmetrical shapes, often resembling giant works of art. However, this process is invariably destructive, resulting in the annihilation of all life on the targeted worlds.When working together, Architects can even inflict damage on stars, though they lack the capability to completely destroy them.
For ground operations, Architects deploy crystal spikes that create crystalforms, which are constructs made from their crystalline bodies and shaped like the alien species they have exterminated. Crystalforms are not independent entities but are extensions of the Architects, controlled like puppets through their gravitational powers. These crystalforms can refract lasers and are impervious to physical damage, effectively rendering them indestructible.
As beings native to unspace, Architects can enter and exit this dimension at will, allowing them to achieve faster-than-light travel on their own. They are immune to the harmful effects of unspace on sentient minds, enabling them to navigate this realm with much greater ease than other beings.
History[]
Architects originate from unspace, a dimension that exists "beneath" the normal universe. Unspace is so bizarre and hostile that many scientists doubted its existence, considering it to be less "real" compared to what they call "the real" universe.
Unspace can be imagined as an ocean lying beneath the real universe. If the real is like the surface of a sphere, unspace would be the interior of that sphere. Unspace is "smaller" than the real world "above" it, allowing for faster-than-light travel relative to the real universe. This is the only method to achieve faster-than-light speeds, but the unique and hazardous properties of unspace make such travel extremely dangerous.
The sudden appearance of the Architects has a profound and destabilizing effect on the galaxy. Their attacks lead to widespread destruction, panic, and the displacement of entire populations. The devastating events become known as "The Cullings," which lead to a significant loss of life and the collapse of numerous civilizations. The fear of the Architects causes political and social upheaval, with many factions and species uniting in desperation to find a way to protect themselves.
The Architects do not attack planets that contain ruins from the enigmatic Originator civilization. Only the Essiel, an alien species, possess the knowledge to relocate Originator artifacts without losing this protective effect. As a result, many human colonies choose to join the Essiel Hegemony in return for protection from the Architects.
To combat the threat, humans develop Intermediaries, genetically modified individuals capable of fighting Architects. One such Intermediary, Idris Telemmier, is instrumental in destroying an Architect at Berlenhof, which becomes a turning point in the war decades after Earth's destruction. He is a veteran of the last war against the Architects and has the unique ability to reach out to them psychically, which makes him invaluable but also marks him as a target. His experiences provide much of the insight into the nature of the Architects, as well as the toll that contact with them takes on human minds.