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[[File:Eclipse.png|thumb|The eclipse during the Maelstrom.|259x259px]]

A '''Maelstrom''' is a celestial event that brings the supernatural to the mortal world.<ref name=":4">{{BackgroundCite|name=Vindicta|quote=Vindicta got a second chance of life when her spirit was brought back to the mortal plane during the first Maelstrom (the event that introduced the supernatural to the public at large).}}</ref>

Brought about by an eclipse,<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Newscaster|file=newscaster_headline_03.mp3|transcription=Once, an eclipse changed the world! Who knows what today's celestial event will bring?}}</ref> the first Maelstrom presumably occurred circa the [[Storyline|1880s-1890s]]. This Maelstrom brought a large influx of spirits back to the mortal world, one of which included {{HeroIcon|Vindicta}},<ref name=":4" /> and caused some dormant [[Astral Gates]] to open, including one in New York's Central Park.<ref>{{BackgroundCite|name=Dynamo|quote=As a Scientist, Professor Dynamo always had an inquisitive mind. So when a rift in space and time opened up in central park he was first on the scene to investigate}}</ref><ref>{{BackgroundCite|name=Warden|quote=When the portal opened in Central Park, Warden’s parents realized not only was everything they were told was true, they were unprepared.}}</ref> This was the event that introduced the general public to the supernatural.<ref>{{BackgroundCite|name=Warden|quote=Most people think the supernatural came into the world 50 years ago. They’re wrong. Its presence shaped folklore for generations…}}</ref>

50 years later, in the present day, a second Maelstrom is about to occur. This time, the world is aware that it's coming, and some cults have prepared a ritual to summon the [[Patron|Patrons]] during the celestial event. It's implied that summoning the Patrons outside of the Maelstrom is impossible.<ref>[[The New York Oracle|Newscaster headline 79]]: ''"For decades, contact with The Patrons has not only been impossible, but forbidden. But with the Maelstrom upon us, that may change! What does the future hold? Only time will tell!"''</ref>

The duration of the Maelstrom is expected to last between 20 minutes to 2 hours,<ref>[[The Binding of Oathkeeper]] - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn_C9nQ_Ri0 Chapter 5A]</ref> during which mystic energy is at its apex.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Dynamo|file=prof_monologue_06.mp3|transcription=This year, when the celestial alignment begins, mystic energy will be at its apex.}}</ref>

 

The third Maelstrom isn't expected to happen for another 50 years,<ref name=":1">[[The Binding of Oathkeeper|''The Binding of Oathkeeper'']] - [[The Binding of Oathkeeper/Transcription#4a - Humble Pie|Chapter 4A]] - {{PageRef|name=Lady Geist}}: ''"It will likely be 50 years before there's another maelstrom. Do you really want to wait that long before you try to harness the power of a god?"''</ref><ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Dynamo|file=Prof lose late 02.mp3|context=(lost match)|transcription=It's okay, I've... I've grown used to this body. I can wait another fifty years.}}</ref> but it could happen earlier.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Dynamo|file=Prof lose 02.mp3|context=(lost match)|transcription=There will be another eclipse, perhaps sooner than you think.}}</ref>

The ritual is an event that takes place during the second Maelstrom, in which two [[teams]] of six (or more) individuals are fighting to summon a [[Patron]],<ref name=":0">{{VoiceLineCite|name=Newscaster|file=newscaster_headline_79.mp3|transcription=For decades, contact with The Patrons has not only been impossible, but forbidden. But with the Maelstrom upon us that may change!}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> an [[Outer Planes|extraplanar]] elder god,<ref>{{PageRef|name=Lash}}'s in-game [[Lash/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (killed Bebop): ''"Sun is shining. Bebop's dead. I'm about to summon an elder god. Boom."''</ref><ref name=":1" /> who can grant them a wish. The ritual can only be completed once the enemy team's Patron is destroyed.

Fonts of power all over [[The Cursed Apple|New York City]] are being tapped as part of the ritual.<ref name=":2">{{VoiceLineCite|name=Newscaster|file=newscaster_headline_25.mp3|transcription=Tensions mount as fonts of power all over the city are being tapped in an attempt to contact a powerful extraplanar being known only as The Patron.}}</ref> [[The New York Oracle]] is providing live coverage of the ritual.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Newscaster|file=newscaster_headline_55.mp3|transcription=As the Maelstrom rages on, The New York Oracle is proud to bring you live ritual coverage.}}</ref>

{{HeroIcon|Haze}} has prepared extensively for the ritual by performing drills, research, stretching, divination and fortune telling.<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Haze|hero2=Victor|hero_quote1=Haze|quote1=Are you kidding me? There's a mountain of things you can do to prepare. Drills, research, stretching… and that's not even dipping our toes in divination and fortu-}}</ref> {{PageRef|name=Warden}} has trained his whole life for the ritual.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Killstreak|voice line]] (killstreak mid): ''"Don't feel bad. I've trained my whole life for this."''</ref>

* The in-game skybox has an eclipse over the sun. The eclipse was removed with the skybox change in [[Update:October 24, 2024|October 24, 2024]], and added back with the new skybox in [[Update:February 25, 2025|February 25, 2025]].

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