The Up are a species of advanced lifeforms beyond the comprehension of normal species.
Biology[]
If the Out refers to the wider galaxy, then the Up is what the Out is to a higher existence or next lev.
The Up appear to be non-corporeal, able to appear in the minds of other species to communicate. Time is meaningless to the Up, who regard it as a book, in that it is sequential, where there the lives of other species is on one line after the next. The Up perceive themselves as readers of the universe, able to skip ahead or turn the pages, and also are able to read specific chapters and even interact with life at their choosing.
Other species who have impressive psychic and mental abilities, some which can even shave time to create alternate selves appear to be unable to perceive the Up or even a trace of their existence.
The environment which the Up dwell in, also called The Up, is a very advanced place with different rules of physics, once a creature ascends to it, they are not suppose to make contact with anyone in the Out.
Normally the Up base form resembles a swarm of blue butterflies, thought to be a literal metaphor for chaos theory which they embody, but later is revealed that the Up love butterflies.
Culture[]
The Up are said to not perceive reality in the same way other races do. However it does have rules which it enforces, such as interfering in the lower realms of reality and revealing the future.
Members of the Up appear to be selected from other species and can even ascend to become one, though it is unknown what the qualifications are. Though they appear to also abduct young offspring of other species.
However most civilized species in The Out, or contemporary space, regard the Up to be entirely mythological and don't exist since they exist in a domain of rationality and science. Whereas the Up exist in supremely spiritual realm, where it utterly forbids itself from interference with the mundane affairs of the Out.
While very few species believe in the Up, there are some believers, such as The Suspended Cloisters located on 83 Beelie, where a monastery exists to contemplate and study instances of the Up. According to their books, the Up understands itself. It understands the power it wields can dwarf and humble in The Out. Thus the Up dare not interact with the mortal plane of existence for fear of irrevocably disrupting cosmic harmony.
Though that has not prevented the Up from guiding or inspiring other races, even if they are regarded as a myth. Only direct intervention or action is forbidden, indirect communication is allowed within parameters.
However those that break those rules are cast from the Up and and condemn to exist in the Down, which is hinted to be a separate community of the Up, but do things more differently.
Sources[]
- 2000-AD Issue 2255
- 2000-AD Issue 2257
- 2000-AD Issue 2258
- 2000-AD Issue 2259
- 2000-AD Issue 2320
- 2000-AD Issue 2321
- 2000-AD Issue 2322
- 2000-AD Issue 2323
- 2000-AD Issue 2324
- 2000-AD Issue 2331
- 2000-AD Issue 2332
- 2000-AD Issue 2333