Polyphony is an Axiom and a town. Being around them or within their structures gives "an overwhelming sense of safety and security" and the feeling of being part of a community in solidarity.[1]
Appearance
Polyphony is able to take many forms. In their raw form, they look like a large, water based creature with a number of arms and legs, with small 'fish' floating in them. However, they have been shown to be able to produce a human form, if that is what someone is wishing for. The particular form they took to converse with Signet for the first time resembled a woman with dark skin, freckles, and dark hair in a shoulder-length ponytail, wearing a light blue skirt with white frills and a decorative bow, practical shoes, and dark lipstick, and carrying a matching parasol. In "Futura Free Pt. 1" they instead wore a maroon dress with baby pink trim and a very nice hat.
Personality
Polyphony shapes their personality to what is most desired by the people around them. For that reason, it is difficult (even impossible) to tell what they want — if they truly want anything. Despite this, they can be a convincing and charming conversationalist.
History and Involvement
They were found in the middle of a large Q-Glass storm on Gift-3, protected by Barricade. Polyphony was discovered when The Notion were tasked with containing any potential Axioms that might be residing within the storm, and could potentially pose a threat to Advent's operation of the stitch nearby.
Polyphony created a small town within the storm, and provided for the inhabitants. Able to create anything they desired, Polyphony was devoted to caring for those in their town. The form of this care varied: for Tannoy Kajj, they aided him in fixing the less interesting parts of his ship, producing the robot Burpaderp in order to aid him, and generating pathways in the woods for him to explore; for Lumen Lux, they gave them a peaceful place to stay, and acted as a musical companion.
Polyphony relocated to Altar at the request of Signet, as the latter did not want Polyphony to be exploited, but had been asked to clear out the area. They maintained another town there, monitored by the Method of Apotheosis.
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After the death of Barricade's prospective excerpt, Barricade and Polyphony joined the fleet of the Waking Cadent. Barricade was made into a Divine, but Polyphony remained an Axiom, and worked on easing some of the Cadent's "need to be in control".[2] After speaking with the Waking Cadent and Polyphony to get their permission (though in the case of Polyphony Austin described this as "digging for consent from gravity"),[3] Signet brought Polyphony to Volition in the hope they could become its Excerpt. After Polyphony convinced them to work toward a world where each person can be their best self, Volition agreed to take them as an Excerpt, to their apparent satisfaction.
Relationships
Current and former residents of Polyphony include Tannoy Kajj, Lumen Lux, Admiral Elia Tet, Lieutenant Fenta Feign, and Agrapha Alive.
Signet
As Polyphony appeared to her in a human form that was "100% her shit",[1] and due to their calming aura, Signet and Polyphony had a pleasantly flirty relationship.