The Three Realms

The universe is made up of three distinct realms:

## 1. Eternity.

Eternity was born from the vast chaos prior to the birth of the world. However, its more than just a god. Its a land, a dimension, a plane of existence. Its power spreads out from depths of Chaos, creating a unique empty world of glowing pathways of light, branching off into different physical worlds. Outside of these pathways, the only light, and shapes of land, are constantly changing and a distorted version of the physical worlds around it. Because of Source’s natural tendency to mimic the intent and perception of those around it, the Source in Eternity shapes itself based on what the people believe it should look like. This manifests in a world and terrain similar to those of the physical worlds, but void of any sun and life. High in the sky is what people perceive as a massive full moon, glowing a bright white. White lines stretch from the land, leading up into it. But in reality, this is the entrance to Chaos and not an actual moon. The second most discernable feature of Eternity is the ability to view the souls of those in the physical realm. They appear as blue flames, moving around as the people in those worlds do. If you get close enough, you might even hear whispers or voices from the other side. If you touch a soul, you might get glimpses and shattered memories of that person’s life. All life has a corresponding light in Eternity, such as plants, animals, and humans.

Because all Source is drawn into the physical worlds through Eternity, it creates cracks in the veil between worlds. The more powerful Source, or collection of it, in the physical realm, the more cracks seem to appear. If you know how to locate them, you are able to find your way through those cracks and slip from Eternity into the physical realm. Locations with mass amounts of Source are known as “gateways” to worldhoppers, and used to transition from the physical realm to Eternity.

Unlike the physical realms, all terrain in Eternity is a distorted flat version of the terrain of that world. To travel between worlds, once in Eternity, you merely have to walk until you reach the edge, and follow a pathway until it leads you to another world and find a Gateway to enter it. Some worlds are further apart, while the borders of others are touching and no pathways are required.

Eternity is not literally a tree. Its more like, pathways of magic channeling across a vast empty space. It resembles a tree, but is not literally one.

The way magic works in Eternity is strange. The very land itself is overflowing with Source flowing through it. However, that Source isnt entirely usable. As I mentioned before, Source flows as follows: Chaos -> Eternity -> Divines (where it gets its intent, or flavor) -> The worlds. People learn to use that Divine’s specific flavor of Source. But when exposed to raw source without Intent, it becomes much more difficult to manifest in a way they can use. It is possible, but hard. Traveling through pathways overflowing with Source will naturally infuse your body with the magic, having adverse affects.

Several magic systems have aspects that involve affecting the very soul. This is essentially them peering into Eternity to see the souls before altering them. Many people have had glimpses into it, without realizing its a new world entirely.

It is also worth noting that the further you travel from a planet in Eternity, and a Divine’s light, the more darker the world becomes. It becomes an eerie landscape void of all life and light, only Eternity’s glowing pathways, which dont extend forever. If you travel far enough into Eternity, you’ll encounter Void’s influence, creatures of nightmares, and a set of new problems entirely.

People have speculated on whether or not Eternity is sentient. And that is a hard question to answer, as there are a variety of factors that lead to a yes and a no. But I would have to say yes, to a degree. It had enough sentience to create its realm, the worlds, the Divines, humans. The very essence of its being changes and alters all the time. But there has only been one instance of known communication or direct action: the Divine Balance was created to ensure the worlds stay separate, several hundred years after the creation of Eternity.

## 2. Chaos

Chaos is short and simple. Its the realm beyond Eternity, with nothing but raw chaotic energy. If a person found their way to Chaos, the Source flowing through it would enter their body and all but evaporate them. If you somehow survived, your soul would be all but consumed, and you would be mad. Even if a Divine fell into Chaos, it would surely kill them. The only two known beings to survive Chaos are Eternity and Void.

## 3. The Physical Plane

This one is also simple. It is the physical plane of existence. They were created by Eternity’s magic, and most of which have a Divine residing upon them. There are, of course, planets without Divines. But almost all planets traveled to will have them. Each world is different, formed naturally, or altered through their Divine’s will.

Each Divine’s intent will have a distinct feature on each world. Its magic leaks from the Divine into the world, creating various effects. On the world of Vestige, it manifests as magical wind. On the world of Everstream, it appears as endless rain. On other worlds, their Source is harder to obtain and less obvious but still present.

The physical worlds are constantly balancing on the Divine’s whim. If they wanted to, they could destroy worlds, rebuild them, and shape them to their liking.