Reality

**Reality** was a concept representing the sum of all things real within an infinitely vast system of both existence and inexistence. This was considered to be the highest order domain as a classification of the system.

## Domain theory

### First-order domains

Reality was the only first-order domain, within which everything else was contained. Anything outside of this domain was considered to be imaginary, and could have no direct influence on that which was contained within it. The concept of inexistence was considered to fall into the domain of reality, as the entropic energies represented by inexistence were capable of influencing that which fell into the sphere of existence.

### Second-order domains

Within reality, the concepts of existence and inexistence were represented by the antipodal second-order domains: the Cradle of Existence and the Great Unknown, respectively. The Cradle of Existence, sometimes referred to simply as the 'sphere of existence', consisted of all things considered to exist. The concept of existence in this regard could be classified as expressions of 'positive', or more accurately non-entropic energies. Despite this, 'negative' or entropic energies were capable of influencing existence, even if they themselves were by definition, incapable of self-expression as an energy state beyond entropic flux.

### Third-order domains

By definition, third-order domains could only be contained within the sphere of existence, and therefore all true third-order domains possessed some kind of tangible and/or manipulable qualities. Third-order domains were also known as 'primal domains', and were categorised into three subtypes:

#### Physical

The domain of form comprised all physical matter within the universe, and was presided over by the primodial form, Enthile. All of the fundamental materials that constituted the near-infinite permutations of matter were created by Enthile. It was manipulation of energy within this domain that manifested as elemental magic.

The domain of change was the capacity for physical matter to be influenced in a way that altered its state or potential in some manner. It was presided over by Daios, the primordial change. In this domain, manipulation of energy manifested as alchemical magic.

#### Metaphysical

The domain of vitality was a unique domain which represented the capacity for life in the universe, and the development of consciousness in living beings. This domain was presided over by the Geminus, the primordial vitae. As there was a distinction between the influences of sanguine magic and animal magic, the domain of vitality was said to have two 'poles'. Though the manipulation of vital energy within this domain distinguished between sanguine and animal magic, there remained an intrinsic link between the two kinds of magic that could not be separated.

#### Aethereal

While technically the aethereal domains represent 'internal protrusions' of their respective second-order domains, there was a distinction that could be made regarding how planar and entropic energies acted in the third-order compared to second-order domains. These domains could be classified as *quasi*-third-order domains, rather than *true* third-order domains.

The domain of order was the energetic inclination towards the arrangement of energies and matter in ways that facilitated synchronicity and consistency. This domain was presided over by the primordial order, Oros, who operated from the second-order domain of his making, the Cradle of Existence.

The domain of chaos was the energetic inclination towards the disorganisation of energies and matter in ways that encouraged change away from states of order. It was a fluctuating domain of entropic energy expression presided over by Aeth'yr, the primordial chaos, who operated from the Great Unknown. Despite its origins in the Great Unknown, the second-order domain of inexistence, the domain of chaos had tangible influences on other third-order domains, and was manipulable to a degree by use of entropic energy.