Cosmology

Cosmology
A map of creation resembles more or less a series of concentric circles. At the centre, we have The World - the planet on which we live, and upon which most of our adventures take place. As far as most people are concerned, this world is all that there is, or at least, all that's worth paying much attention to. Scholars - particularly Elven astronomers - believe that there are other worlds in the heavens in addition to the one upon which we stand, but believe they are part of the same physical reality, and call this reality "The Universe" or "The Material Plane".

Overlapping with the Material Plane is Arcadia, the home of the Fey. Although this world is separate from our own, the two worlds touch each other in places where nature or magic are particularly strong, and physical travel between the two, while rare, is far more possible than travel between any of the other planes. The laws of Physics in Arcadia seem far more fluid and less objective than they are on the Material Plane, and beings with strong personalities - which by definition includes virtually all of the Fey - are even able to shape the localities around them, and make decisions about such features as light, air, and gravity. It can be a very disconcerting place for the unprepared traveller.

Surrounding the Material Plane and Arcadia is the Psychic Plane, the realm of pure thought. Physical access to this plane is not possible, but some talented mystics and contemplatives are able to explore the plane mentally; it can also be accessed in dreams, often unintentionally. Common consensus is that the Psychic Plane is inert and devoid of life, but some visitors talk of a presence that has stalked them on their sojourns - and a few medidants have never woken up.

Surrounding the Psychic Plane, forming a continuous ring, are the Six Elemental Planes - in order, Air, Light, Fire, Earth, Darkness and Water. These primal places can, in theory, be accessed by magical means, but the severity of environmental conditions there would make survival all but impossible. (For one thing, on all of the Elemental Planes bar Air, breathing would become an issue very quickly.) However, some magical practitioners, particularly Mages are able to summon the inhabitants of the Elemental Planes to our own world for a time. The more talented are even able to control them.

The space beyond the Elemental Planes is known simply as Outside, the home of the Demons and it is a bleak, desolate realm of nothingness. Its inhabitants are bitterly jealous of our own Material Plane, and would love nothing more than to make our home their own, but their existence is wholly inimical to ours.