possessedfirst

PossessedFirst is a fictional construct in a cross-media horror narrative developed by an anonymous collective known as the Circle of Echoes. Conceived in 2015 on online forums, PossessedFirst centers on a digital persona whose online activity appears to be possessed by an otherworldly intelligence. The phenomenon manifests as anomalous posts, shifting avatars, and cryptic media that seem to act beyond the control of the account operator.

The narrative expanded across multiple media: a webcomic launched in 2016 that chronicles the first documented communications from PossessedFirst; a podcast series beginning in 2017 that presents transcripts and interpretive commentary from in-universe researchers; and an interactive website with puzzles inviting audience participation to unlock additional artifacts and alternate endings. The lore treats PossessedFirst as a liminal interface between digital space and a sentient disruption, exploring themes of autonomy, surveillance, and the nature of belief.

Impact and reception: the project is cited as an example of successful transmedia storytelling and collaborative folklore. It has inspired fan theories, fan art, and user-generated artifacts that extend the canon. Critics note its open-ended narrative and the way it engages audiences in puzzle-solving and world-building, though some observers caution that the boundary between fiction and affective experience can be blurred for participants.

See also: digital folklore, alternate reality game, transmedia storytelling, collaborative fiction.