MAYA: Book one
——Maya Narrative Universe————
The Divya Trials have been announced. Billions will compete. One will ascend to godhood.
In every future predicted by Maya's vast network, the outcome is certain: the garuda scion Tarkash will win. The Divya cannot allow this.
Kshar has rehearsed the assassination a hundred times in Maya’s simulations. In seventeen minutes, a single fruit will begin a cascade that ends in a riot. The plan is perfect.
Every angle mapped. Every move predicted. Every breath choreographed.
Except one.
Yachay, a young manushya, harbors a dangerous secret. He has never seen Maya. And Maya hasn’t seen him either.
MAYA: Book one
MAYA: Book one
———-Maya Narrative Universe————
——Maya Narrative Universe————
Maya Narrative Universe————
The Divya Trials have been announced. Billions will compete. One will ascend to godhood.
In every future predicted by Maya's vast network, the outcome is certain: the garuda scion Tarkash will win. The Divya cannot allow this.
Kshar has rehearsed the assassination a hundred times in Maya’s simulations. In seventeen minutes, a single fruit will begin a cascade that ends in a riot. The plan is perfect.
Every angle mapped. Every move predicted. Every breath choreographed.
Except one.
Yachay, a young manushya, harbors a dangerous secret. He has never seen Maya. And Maya hasn’t seen him either.
The Divya Trials have been announced. Billions will compete. One will ascend to godhood.
In every future predicted by Maya's vast network, the outcome is certain: the garuda scion Tarkash will win. The Divya cannot allow this.
Kshar has rehearsed the assassination a hundred times in Maya’s simulations. In seventeen minutes, a single fruit will begin a cascade that ends in a riot. The plan is perfect.
Every angle mapped. Every move predicted. Every breath choreographed.
Except one.
Yachay, a young manushya, harbors a dangerous secret. He has never seen Maya. And Maya hasn’t seen him either.
read the first chapter for free
read the first chapter for free
Maya /
Maya /
(noun) Origin: Sanskrit
(noun) Origin: Sanskrit
Cosmic illusion, delusion, simulation, the indescribable.
Cosmic illusion, delusion, simulation, the indescribable.
(On Neh) A tree network capable of producing vivid life-like dreams; complex emergent systems that are greater than the sum of their parts.
(On Neh) A tree network capable of producing vivid life-like dreams; complex emergent systems that are greater than the sum of their parts.
Weary traveler, each choice in your life has led you to this moment. You stand before two ponds. One reflects your unvarnished self, every flaw laid bare.
The other shows the person you aspire to be but can never become. One quenches your thirst, but only partly; the other makes you forget your thirst entirely, until you die of it.
Now, step closer, weary traveler, for your choice has already been made, even if you do not yet know it.
Welcome to Planet Neh
Welcome to Planet Neh
Welcome To Neh
Home to 6 sapient species that coexist in a delicate balance.
They've invented a complex civilization but can't agree on the color of the sky.
Home to 6 sapient species that coexist in a delicate balance.
They've invented a complex civilization but can't agree on the color of the sky.
The enterprising manushyas alter their environment to survive. Their industries are powered by large unwinding springs, built upon tall towers pulled from the ground itself. The rakshasis, with their malleable bodies and advanced biotech, resist reckless manushya expansion into nature. The militaristic vaanars patrol the high grid-networks of every city, tasked with maintaining order across the lands.
The enterprising manushyas alter their environment to survive. Their industries are powered by large unwinding springs, built upon tall towers pulled from the ground itself. The rakshasis, with their malleable bodies and advanced biotech, resist reckless manushya expansion into nature. The militaristic vaanars patrol the high grid-networks of every city, tasked with maintaining order across the lands.
The enterprising manushyas alter their environment to survive. Their industries are powered by large unwinding springs, built upon tall towers pulled from the ground itself. The rakshasis, with their malleable bodies and advanced biotech, resist reckless manushya expansion into nature. The militaristic vaanars patrol the high grid-networks of every city, tasked with maintaining order across the lands.
Meanwhile, naags operate on the fringes of law, inching back into the mainstream after decades of persecution. Their historic rivals, the garudas, have amassed great wealth as the religious leaders of civilization.
Meanwhile, naags operate on the fringes of law, inching back into the mainstream after decades of persecution. Their historic rivals, the garudas, have amassed great wealth as the religious leaders of civilization.
Meanwhile, naags operate on the fringes of law, inching back into the mainstream after decades of persecution. Their historic rivals, the garudas, have amassed great wealth as the religious leaders of civilization.
At the beginning of the new krama, an unlikely creature bound the peoples of Neh together. A tree. Anyone could tether to its aerial roots, and enter vivid life-like hallucinations. Now, everyone tethers to the trees daily, immersing themselves in whatever flavors of impossible their hearts desire.
This is called Maya.
At the beginning of the new krama, an unlikely creature bound the peoples of Neh together. A tree. Anyone could tether to its aerial roots, and enter vivid life-like hallucinations. Now, everyone tethers to the trees daily, immersing themselves in whatever flavors of impossible their hearts desire.
This is called Maya.
At the beginning of the new krama, an unlikely creature bound the peoples of Neh together. A tree. Anyone could tether to its aerial roots, and enter vivid life-like hallucinations. Now, everyone tethers to the trees daily, immersing themselves in whatever flavors of impossible their hearts desire.
This is called Maya.
A small handful of people harnessed the true power of Maya to ascend in knowledge, power, and status. The amortal Divyas now reside faraway, rarely glimpsed, their every breath an edict for waking life.
Although life on Neh is rife with uncertainty for most, all labour towards the repayment of three inherited debts, hoping to live on in Maya’s memory. The rest persist with a far more audacious ambition - win the Divya Trials and ascend to Divyahood themselves.
A small handful of people harnessed the true power of Maya to ascend in knowledge, power, and status. The amortal Divyas now reside faraway, rarely glimpsed, their every breath an edict for waking life.
Although life on Neh is rife with uncertainty for most, all labour towards the repayment of three inherited debts, hoping to live on in Maya’s memory. The rest persist with a far more audacious ambition - win the Divya Trials and ascend to Divyahood themselves.
A small handful of people harnessed the true power of Maya to ascend in knowledge, power, and status. The amortal Divyas now reside faraway, rarely glimpsed, their every breath an edict for waking life.
Although life on Neh is rife with uncertainty for most, all labour towards the repayment of three inherited debts, hoping to live on in Maya’s memory. The rest persist with a far more audacious ambition - win the Divya Trials and ascend to Divyahood themselves.
The rule of the sword is long gone, and with it, the rule of the coin. It's the age of the rule of the mind. this is the gift of Maya.
The rule of the sword is long gone, and with it, the rule of the coin. It's the age of the rule of the mind. this is the gift of Maya.
The rule of the sword is long gone, and with it, the rule of the coin. It's the age of the rule of the mind. this is the gift of Maya.
The rule of the sword is long gone, and with it, the rule of the coin. It's the age of the rule of the mind. this is the gift of Maya.
~ Divyendra, the mind of the great body
~ Divyendra, the mind of the great body
read the first chapter for free
read the first chapter for free
MAYA is an expansive narrative universe created by Anand Gandhi and Zain Memon. MAYA Unfolds across FILMS, GAMES, GRAPHIC NOVELS, BOOKS, TOYS, and IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES.
The journey begins with MAYA: Seed Takes Root.
MAYA is an expansive narrative universe created by Anand Gandhi and Zain Memon. MAYA Unfolds across FILMS, GAMES, GRAPHIC NOVELS, BOOKS, TOYS, and IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES.
The journey begins with MAYA: Seed Takes Root.
MAYA is an expansive narrative universe created by Anand Gandhi and Zain Memon. MAYA Unfolds across FILMS, GAMES, GRAPHIC NOVELS, BOOKS, TOYS, and IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES.
The journey begins with MAYA: Seed Takes Root.
MAYA is an expansive narrative universe created by Anand Gandhi and Zain Memon. MAYA unfolds across FILMS, GAMES, GRAPHIC NOVELS, BOOKS, TOYS, and IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES.
The journey begins with MAYA: Seed Takes Root.
MAYA: Seed Takes Root
When you gaze into Maya, Maya gazes back into you. Yachay is an ordinary nineteen-year-old manushya, raised in isolation by his grandfather. His ailing guardian, Daddu, wants him to participate in the upcoming Divya Trials - a once-in-a-lifetime competition, where the prize is amortality and omnipotence. But Yachay harbors no such ambition, and has a dangerous secret. He has never tethered to Maya. Meanwhile, Karkotak, a covert naag operative embarks on his deadliest mission yet - assassinate Tarkash, a Divya-Scion favored to win the Trials. Pursued by shadows, befriended by a flesh-eating rakshasi, and recruited by a garuda champion, Yachay realizes that his frail grandfather has been training him his whole life. But what will Yachay do next? Not even the all-knowing Divya can predict his moves.
MAYA: Seed Takes Root
When you gaze into Maya, Maya gazes back into you. Yachay is an ordinary nineteen-year-old manushya, raised in isolation by his grandfather. His ailing guardian, Daddu, wants him to participate in the upcoming Divya Trials - a once-in-a-lifetime competition, where the prize is amortality and omnipotence. But Yachay harbors no such ambition, and has a dangerous secret. He has never tethered to Maya. Meanwhile, Karkotak, a covert naag operative embarks on his deadliest mission yet - assassinate Tarkash, a Divya-Scion favored to win the Trials. Pursued by shadows, befriended by a flesh-eating rakshasi, and recruited by a garuda champion, Yachay realizes that his frail grandfather has been training him his whole life. But what will Yachay do next? Not even the all-knowing Divya can predict his moves.
MAYA: Seed Takes Root
When you gaze into Maya, Maya gazes back into you. Yachay is an ordinary nineteen-year-old manushya, raised in isolation by his grandfather. His ailing guardian, Daddu, wants him to participate in the upcoming Divya Trials - a once-in-a-lifetime competition, where the prize is amortality and omnipotence. But Yachay harbors no such ambition, and has a dangerous secret. He has never tethered to Maya. Meanwhile, Karkotak, a covert naag operative embarks on his deadliest mission yet - assassinate Tarkash, a Divya-Scion favored to win the Trials. Pursued by shadows, befriended by a flesh-eating rakshasi, and recruited by a garuda champion, Yachay realizes that his frail grandfather has been training him his whole life. But what will Yachay do next? Not even the all-knowing Divya can predict his moves.
MAYA: Seed Takes Root
When you gaze into Maya, Maya gazes back into you. Yachay is an ordinary nineteen-year-old manushya, raised in isolation by his grandfather. His ailing guardian, Daddu, wants him to participate in the upcoming Divya Trials - a once-in-a-lifetime competition, where the prize is amortality and omnipotence. But Yachay harbors no such ambition, and has a dangerous secret. He has never tethered to Maya. Meanwhile, Karkotak, a covert naag operative embarks on his deadliest mission yet - assassinate Tarkash, a Divya-Scion favored to win the Trials. Pursued by shadows, befriended by a flesh-eating rakshasi, and recruited by a garuda champion, Yachay realizes that his frail grandfather has been training him his whole life. But what will Yachay do next? Not even the all-knowing Divya can predict his moves.
Maya Lore
Dive into the deep lore and worldbuilding of MAYA. Chart the big history of Neh, from primordial cosmology to lush tropical present, across geological epochs of 6.9 billion years. Witness the emergence of consciousness itself, and follow its trajectories across every sentient species - from evolutionary origins to civilizational upheavals to present realities.
Built Environments of MAYA
Journey through the incredible materials, forms, and structures that house Neh's diverse sapient species. Discover the cog-and-lever powered towering edifices of the manushyas, alongside the humming, breathing dwellings of the rakshasis, bound by mite colonies. Discover how evolutionary biology shapes habitats, how geological forces sculpt cities, and how imagined cultures manifest in new solutions of shelter, community, and coexistence. This is the unprecedented speculative architecture of MAYA.
Maya Lore
Dive into the deep lore and worldbuilding of MAYA. Chart the big history of Neh, from primordial cosmology to lush tropical present, across geological epochs of 6.9 billion years. Witness the emergence of consciousness itself, and follow its trajectories across every sentient species - from evolutionary origins to civilizational upheavals to present realities.
Built Environments of MAYA
Journey through the incredible materials, forms, and structures that house Neh's diverse sapient species. Discover the cog-and-lever powered towering edifices of the manushyas, alongside the humming, breathing dwellings of the rakshasis, bound by mite colonies. Discover how evolutionary biology shapes habitats, how geological forces sculpt cities, and how imagined cultures manifest in new solutions of shelter, community, and coexistence. This is the unprecedented speculative architecture of MAYA.
Maya Lore
Dive into the deep lore and worldbuilding of MAYA. Chart the big history of Neh, from primordial cosmology to lush tropical present, across geological epochs of 6.9 billion years. Witness the emergence of consciousness itself, and follow its trajectories across every sentient species - from evolutionary origins to civilizational upheavals to present realities.
Built Environments of MAYA
Journey through the incredible materials, forms, and structures that house Neh's diverse sapient species. Discover the cog-and-lever powered towering edifices of the manushyas, alongside the humming, breathing dwellings of the rakshasis, bound by mite colonies. Discover how evolutionary biology shapes habitats, how geological forces sculpt cities, and how imagined cultures manifest in new solutions of shelter, community, and coexistence. This is the unprecedented speculative architecture of MAYA.
Dive into the deep lore and worldbuilding of MAYA. Chart the big history of Neh, from primordial cosmology to lush tropical present, across geological epochs of 6.9 billion years. Witness the emergence of consciousness itself, and follow its trajectories across every sentient species - from evolutionary origins to civilizational upheavals to present realities.
MAYA LORE
Journey through the incredible materials, forms, and structures that house Neh's diverse sapient species. Discover the cog-and-lever powered towering edifices of the manushyas, alongside the humming, breathing dwellings of the rakshasis, bound by mite colonies. Discover how evolutionary biology shapes habitats, how geological forces sculpt cities, and how imagined cultures manifest in new solutions of shelter, community, and coexistence. This is the unprecedented speculative architecture of MAYA.
Built Environments of MAYA
Redefining "Maya" For The Modern World
Redefining "Maya" For The Modern World
Redefining "Maya" For The Modern World
Redefining "Maya" For The Modern World
A Bridge Between Ancient Wisdom and Contemporary Science
A Bridge Between Ancient Wisdom and Contemporary Science
A Bridge Between Ancient Wisdom and Contemporary Science
A Bridge Between Ancient Wisdom and Contemporary Science
An Endless Sandbox For Visionary Creators
An Endless Sandbox For Visionary Creators
An Endless Sandbox For Visionary Creators
An Endless Sandbox For Visionary Creators
Designed By The World's Finest Artists
Designed By The World's Finest Artists
Designed By The World's Finest Artists
Designed By The World's Finest Artists
4 Years and hundreds of Collaborators In The Making
4 Years and hundreds of Collaborators In The Making
4 Years and hundreds of Collaborators In The Making
4 Years and hundreds of Collaborators In The Making
Powered By Revolutionary Speculative Pedagogy
Powered By Revolutionary Speculative Pedagogy
Powered By Revolutionary Speculative Pedagogy
Powered By Revolutionary Speculative Pedagogy
A Mirror For Civilization's Defining Struggles
A Mirror For Civilization's Defining Struggles
A Mirror For Civilization's Defining Struggles
A Mirror For Civilization's Defining Struggles
read the first chapter for free
read the first chapter for free
Upcoming products
Yuyutsu
Yuyutsu is a card-based tactical combat game, where 2-4 players choose from an expanding roster of champions and jump into an ever-growing library of game modes. A love letter to CCGs, tactics games, engine builders, and minis, Yuyutsu is a cut-throat, edge-of-your-seat combat game. Construct your champion’s deck, master the art of energy management and outmaneuver enemies in grid-based arena combat. In MAYA, you never step into the same arena twice.
Yuyutsu
Yuyutsu is a card-based tactical combat game, where 2-4 players choose from an expanding roster of champions and jump into an ever-growing library of game modes. A love letter to CCGs, tactics games, engine builders, and minis, Yuyutsu is a cut-throat, edge-of-your-seat combat game. Construct your champion’s deck, master the art of energy management and outmaneuver enemies in grid-based arena combat. In MAYA, you never step into the same arena twice.
Yuyutsu
Yuyutsu is a card-based tactical combat game, where 2-4 players choose from an expanding roster of champions and jump into an ever-growing library of game modes. A love letter to CCGs, tactics games, engine builders, and minis, Yuyutsu is a cut-throat, edge-of-your-seat combat game. Construct your champion’s deck, master the art of energy management and outmaneuver enemies in grid-based arena combat. In MAYA, you never step into the same arena twice.
Yuyutsu
Yuyutsu is a card-based tactical combat game, where 2-4 players choose from an expanding roster of champions and jump into an ever-growing library of game modes.
Scales - The Quest To Be Forgotten
Ulupi knows the history of Neh better than anyone alive. But the people only see him as a naag. A smuggler’s spawn. When the metropolis of Mythra is rocked by a series of high-profile murders, the vaanar detective Taara turns to the only one qualified to help. Ulupi accepts, but on one unprecedented condition… he wants all memory of his past erased from Maya.
Scales - The Quest To Be Forgotten
Ulupi knows the history of Neh better than anyone alive. But the people only see him as a naag. A smuggler’s spawn. When the metropolis of Mythra is rocked by a series of high-profile murders, the vaanar detective Taara turns to the only one qualified to help. Ulupi accepts, but on one unprecedented condition… he wants all memory of his past erased from Maya.
Scales - The Quest To Be Forgotten
Ulupi knows the history of Neh better than anyone alive. But the people only see him as a naag. A smuggler’s spawn. When the metropolis of Mythra is rocked by a series of high-profile murders, the vaanar detective Taara turns to the only one qualified to help. Ulupi accepts, but on one unprecedented condition… he wants all memory of his past erased from Maya.
Scales - The Quest To Be Forgotten
Ulupi knows the history of Neh better than anyone alive. But the people only see him as a naag. A smuggler’s spawn. When the metropolis of Mythra is rocked by a series of high-profile murders, the vaanar detective Taara turns to the only one qualified to help. Ulupi accepts, but on one unprecedented condition… he wants all memory of his past erased from Maya.
The Creators
Anand Gandhi has ushered in a new wave of Indian cinema. His films Ship of Theseus and Tumbbad (the region’s most-watched genre film) have won honors at the international film festivals of Toronto, Venice, Transylvania, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Anand Gandhi has ushered in a new wave of Indian cinema. His films Ship of Theseus and Tumbbad (the region’s most-watched genre film) have won honors at the international film festivals of Toronto, Venice, Transylvania, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Anand Gandhi has ushered in a new wave of Indian cinema. His films Ship of Theseus and Tumbbad (the region’s most-watched genre film) have won honors at the international film festivals of Toronto, Venice, Transylvania, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Anand Gandhi has ushered in a new wave of Indian cinema. His films Ship of Theseus and Tumbbad (the region’s most-watched genre film) have won honors at the international film festivals of Toronto, Venice, Transylvania, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Zain Memon is a celebrated game designer. His bestselling board games SHASN and AZADI are played in over 70 countries. His work has won prestigious ‘Games For Change’ and ‘IndieCade’ awards.
Zain Memon is a celebrated game designer. His bestselling board games SHASN and AZADI are played in over 70 countries. His work has won prestigious ‘Games For Change’ and ‘IndieCade’ awards.
Zain Memon is a celebrated game designer. His bestselling board games SHASN and AZADI are played in over 70 countries. His work has won prestigious ‘Games For Change’ and ‘IndieCade’ awards.
Zain Memon is a celebrated game designer. His bestselling board games SHASN and AZADI are played in over 70 countries. His work has won prestigious ‘Games For Change’ and ‘IndieCade’ awards.
Anand and Zain have produced games, VR experiences, documentaries and shows. Their work draws from game theory and cognitive biology to reimagine how stories can shape beliefs, rewire behaviors and impact change.
Anand and Zain have produced games, VR experiences, documentaries and shows. Their work draws from game theory and cognitive biology to reimagine how stories can shape beliefs, rewire behaviors andimpact change.
Anand and Zain have produced games, VR experiences, documentaries and shows. Their work draws from game theory and cognitive biology to reimagine how stories can shape beliefs, rewire behaviors and impact change.
Anand and Zain have produced games, VR experiences, documentaries and shows. Their work draws from game theory and cognitive biology to reimagine how stories can shape beliefs, rewire behaviors and impact change.
Department of Lore
Department of Lore
Department of Lore
Department of Lore is a studio pioneering neo-mythologies - interconnected, multi-format, large-scale universes that resonate globally. MAYA is our flagship property, designed from day one for transmedia expansion.
Ready to reshape how stories are told in the 21st century.
Department of Lore is a studio pioneering neo-mythologies - interconnected, multi-format, large-scale universes that resonate globally. MAYA is our flagship property, designed from day one for transmedia expansion.
Ready to reshape how stories are told in the 21st century.
Department of Lore is a studio pioneering neo-mythologies - interconnected, multi-format, large-scale universes that resonate globally. MAYA is our flagship property, designed from day one for transmedia expansion.
Ready to reshape how stories are told in the 21st century.