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In Dota Lore Spotlight #2 we spent some time looking at Elder Titans lore, revisiting the events of the great schism, and thus also the birth of the four fundamentals of the universe. This week, we’re going to take a closer look at one of the fundamentals, the amorphous and enigmatic bubble we know in game as Io, the Wisp.

Originally hailing from the Fundamental Plane, a realm of existence where the four fundamental forces of the universe have found sentient expression, Io the Wisp has become known as something of a mystery: it is said to be everywhere, and in all things. Some worship it as the “twinkling of a divine eye”, some fear it as a great unmaker. It is said to occupy all planes of existence at once, with only a mere fraction of its true being existing in a physical state at any given time.

It doesn’t take much to realize that Io is much larger than life, and at first glance seems to be far beyond mortal comprehension. But anyone who recalls the last episode of Dota Lore Spotlight will remember that the four fundamentals of the universe are rooted in real life scientific principles, namely the fundamental forces of the universe – weak nuclear force, strong nuclear force, electro-magnetic force, and gravity. The Fundamental Plane houses the sentient expressions of these four fundamental forces, born when Elder Titan shattered the earth and caused the great schism.

Io represents the electro-magnetic force – the science of electromagnetic fields. This fundamental interaction governs the force that exists between subatomic particles, helping to hold all matter together. Io as a character serves as a sentient representation of this interaction, the force that holds the universe together. This interaction serves as the basis for Io’s signature Tether ability, as it connects subatomic particles, holding two components together, only with subatomic particles in this case being replaced with Io and another hero.

You’ll also see other elements of electromagnetism in Io’s abilities. His Spirits ability is based on the interaction of electric charges attracting and repelling each other with inversely proportional force. Toggling the spirits out is the representation of a like pair of electric charges repelling each other outwards, while toggling the spirits towards you represents unlike electric charges attracting each other, bringing them closer.

These scientific principles explain the basis of Io’s enigmatic character – he is a sentient expression of the fundamental force of electromagnetism, the interaction that serves to hold the universe together. I’m sure he would like to tell us these things himself if he didn’t converse exclusively in “chimey bell talk”, as Bristleback puts it.

“Chimey bell talk” aside, Io does actually play a part in a lot of very significant lore interactions. It seems that while most heroes are unable to converse with Io, much less comprehend the nature of his existence, heroes that transcend a life limited to one plane of existence seems to be able to converse with Io, some even referencing his personality in in-game voice lines.

Puck seems to know Io on a personal level, claiming that his “mordant wit” is wasted on most heroes, which he calls “gross beings”. In addition to his witty nature, Puck also finds Io to be excessively bold, for reasons unknown. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Puck and Io’s relationship is the claim that Io is allied to an unknown force. Puck claims to disagree with this alliance, but admits that the wisp makes compelling arguments in its favor.

Mars claims Io is his oldest friend, and that the wisp has helped him through some dark times. This serves as further proof that Io, while being the sentient expression of the fundamental interaction that binds the universe together, seems to have a relatively “normal” personality, complete with his own quirks, interests, and the ability to form personal relationships. Why anyone would want to be close friends with Mars remains the true mystery here – perhaps we’ll touch on this in a later episode.

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