Néas

Néas is a fictional entity appearing in the works of author M. John Harrison. It is primarily featured in his Viriconium sequence of novels and short stories, which are set in a post-apocalyptic, dying city called Viriconium. Néas is often described as a mysterious, powerful, and potentially malevolent being, though its exact nature and motivations remain ambiguous. The entity is associated with decay, entropy, and a pervasive sense of unease within the Viriconium setting. Its presence is felt through subtle shifts in the environment, strange occurrences, and the psychological impact it has on the inhabitants.

Harrison deliberately leaves Néas open to interpretation, avoiding concrete definitions. This elusiveness contributes to the dreamlike and unsettling atmosphere of the Viriconium stories. Characters within the narrative often grapple with understanding Néas, attributing various qualities to it, from a forgotten god to a manifestation of the city's own decline. The entity serves as a powerful symbol of the irreversible processes of aging and dissolution that define the world of Viriconium. Its influence is a constant, subtle force, shaping the bleak and beautiful landscape and the fading lives of its inhabitants.