Keepers

"Now now, how would you like to end?"

The Keepers are the main antagonists of Shadowverse. They are god-like interdimensional entities that seek to destroy worlds through their Vessels.

Characteristics

It is the self-proclaimed duty of the Keepers to eliminate worlds. The Keepers and the apocalyptic destruction they bring are described by Nexus as "the natural order," and that all worlds are eventually fated to be destroyed. This is supported by Yuwan, who tells Eris that even if she hadn't summoned Nexus, another Keeper would have eventually appeared in the world native to the Kingdom of Aleister to destroy it regardless. Additionally, Keepers are described by the narration as "mere cog(s) of the mechanism," further lending credence to the idea that they are forces of nature and part of the greater workings of the universe.

Nexus of Serenity's true form.

Although Keepers possess great power equal to or above that of gods, they do not have their own physical forms, leading to the need for Vessels in which to act through. The Keeper themselves cannot be destroyed by harming their Vessels and can only, at worst, be rendered back to their true form. In their true forms, Keepers are small orbs of light, very weak and essentially powerless, unable defend themselves in any way or even speak. It's only in this state Keepers can be eradicated or alternatively, absorbed by another Keeper. When this occurs, some of the knowledge and power of the absorbed Keeper will be gained by the Keeper who consumed them.

Known Keepers

• Nexus of Serenity
• Nerva of Purgation
• The Keeper of Stagnation

Vessels

Vessels are those who allow a Keeper to possess their physical body as the Keeper carries out the destruction of a world. While someone is acting as a Vessel, they submit to the Keeper completely, surrendering any free will or consciousness of their own. The Keeper will then be in total control of their body and mind until the Vessel is released by the Keeper themselves, or the Keeper is forcibly ejected from the Vessel through external interference. Vessels, potential or former, are often identifiable by glowing markings on their skin which resemble circuitry, though it's possible to hide these marks.

Yuwan, Maisha and Castelle, all former or potential Vessels of Nerva, each exhibiting similar skin markings.

Although this may not be the case for all Keepers, some such as Nerva appear to need willing Vessels, as Nerva was unable to make Belphomet into her Vessel without his direct agreement. It's also possible for Keepers to grant power to mortals without making them into Vessels. This was the case for Belphomet as well as Castelle, both of whom received power from Nerva, although anyone who obtains the power of a Keeper can still possibly become a Vessel later.

Once a Vessel has been released from their Keeper, the former Vessel gains immense power. They also become capable of traveling between worlds and can grant this ability to others as well. The extent of a former Vessel's power appears to depend on the Keeper or Vessel themselves. Yuwan and Maisha, former Vessels of Nerva, have formidable magical power as well as superhuman strength and abilities. Meanwhile, Fleauesse, a former Vessel of the Keeper of Stagnation, is classified as a goddess due to having become powerful enough to create an entire world from only a single stone, have total omniscience over the the world she created, and splitting aspects of herself into individual entities considered to be demigods. Currently, it's not known if former Vessels ejected from their Keepers by force obtain the same power(s) as Vessels who's Keepers released them of their own accord.

Known Vessels

Individuals whose status as former Vessels has been confirmed:

• Yuwan Gilfrei
• Maisha Laforge
• Fleauesse
• Losaria
• Lydia

Possible Vessels

Individuals whose status as Vessels, former or future, has been suggested but is currently unclear or unconfirmed:

• Kunitsu Amachi
• Asagi Ryūgasaki

Seraphs

Seraphs are servants of the Keepers who traverse worlds scouting potential Vessels. Seraphs are granted protection from their Keepers in order to aid them in carrying out their task of seeking possible Vessels and may also share the same circuit-like skin markings as (potential) Vessel(s).

Weiss, a Seraph of Purgation, describes himself as an "ambassador of a foreign goddess" and does not consider himself to be human. Weiss is the only currently known Seraph.