karlatrmaya

Karlatrmaya is a fictional cosmological and ethical framework that appears in speculative fiction and role-playing communities. The term is commonly treated as a portmanteau of karma and Maya, signaling a system in which moral causation operates within an illusionary layer that shapes characters’ perception of reality. It is primarily discussed as a world-building device rather than a canonical doctrine.

Origin and usage

The coinage of Karlatrmaya is not tied to a single author or work. It has circulated mainly through online fan glossaries, collaborative wiki projects, and homebrew gaming circles. Spelling and interpretation vary, with some writers using Karlatrmaya, Karlatrmaya, or close variants. Because it lacks an official source, its definition differs across communities, leading to a family of related concepts rather than a unified theory.

Concept and mechanics

In narratives that employ Karlatrmaya, actions generate consequences through a visible moral economy (karma) while an additional illusionary layer (maya) can veil, distort, or reinterpret intent. This separation allows for plot devices such as hidden motives, misperceived justice, or unexpected reversals that challenge characters’ assumptions about fate and responsibility. Some versions emphasize the empowerment of observers who can pierce the illusion, while others treat the illusion as an inescapable condition of the setting.

Reception and scope

Karlatrmaya is primarily of interest to worldbuilders, fic­tion fans, and role-players exploring complex cause-and-effect systems. It does not have canonical status and is not employed as a formal doctrine in any official lore. Discussions typically focus on consistency within a given fictional universe and on how the illusion interacts with ethical themes.

See also

Karma, Maya, simulacrum, cosmology in fiction.