Universes, Realms, and Timelines

## Universes

The **universe** is defined as all of space, time, and its contents, such as stars, planets, voids, dimensions, timelines, and much more. The beginning of every single universe, both known and unknown, can be traced back to an event humans call 'the Big Bang', which occurred over 13 billion years ago. Each universe has its own laws of physics, and what is seen as 'normal', in one universe, something seen as normal, in a different universe, could be seen as outlandish or weird.

The Many-Worlds Interpretation states that every event creates a branching of parallel universes, resulting in multiple coexisting realities where all possible outcomes of a given situation occur. Describing it within the confines of a visual aid and metaphor, time fold, says a multi-branch tree, where every conceivable outcome made by a decision or action, made by an entity capable of independent thought, is recognized with another timeline that creates itself within the same universe.

Schrödinger's Cat is often associated with the Many-Worlds Interpretation, as both go hand in hand. Schrödinger's Cat is a thought experiment, sometimes described as a paradox of quantum superposition, devised by physicist Erwin Schrödinger in 1935 in a discussion with Albert Einstein. Schrödinger's Cat states that if you were to put a cat in the same box as a flask of poison and a radioactive source. If the Geiger counter detects radioactivity (via a single atom decaying), the flask is shattered, releasing the poison, which kills the cat, but within the sealed box, it is unknown whether the cat is dead or alive to the people observing the box. Thus, the cat is both dead and alive simultaneously.

Furthermore, each decision made by an entity capable of independent thought creates a new timeline. A single human is capable of making 35,000 separate decisions in one single day. Thus, the current population of Earth creates a rough estimate of 2.8295458e+14 being made by one singular planet every single day. It could mean that an infinite number of timelines are created every day.

## Realms

A **realm** typically refers to an alternate or parallel realm beyond the conventional space and time of the main narrative, in this case in Caster Trials, Universe 273, The Human Realm, in Timeline 903. These dimensions often have distinct properties, laws of physics, and realities that differ from the primary universe. These realms can be as different as The Human Realm and The Magic Realm.

Explaining with a metaphor such as the Bowl Method can help visualize the position of realms, timelines, and universes in conjunction with each other. Picture the universe as a bowl and the realms as pea pods. In these pea pods are peas, which are the metaphor for timelines. Universes, realms, and timelines all exist within each other.

## Timelines

A **timeline** is a linear celestial way to track dates and times with pinpoint accuracy. Its main, and only, purpose is to document each realm's timeline until the timeline, realm, or universe collapses in on itself, which is the end fate of all universes. A stable timeline ensures the onward temporal flow of a realm without any wrinkles.

As stated above, a singular realm can have many timelines within it—an infinite number. As there are so many, it can be hard to keep track of them. Thus, Sage has categorized timelines by their specific functions:

* **Standard Timeline**: A Standard Timeline is one that is without timeline wrinkles and flows in forward motion without problem. These are the most common and stable.
* **Looped Timeline**: As the name suggests, a Looped Timeline is a timeline that loops at a specific point in the timeline's life. It will then start back at the beginning before running back to the specific point and starting over again. This will happen for an indeterminable amount of time; it can vary from timeline to timeline, but once it has reached its 'max', the timeline will collapse in on itself.
* **Convergent Timeline**: In a converging timeline, multiple divergent timelines merge back into a single overarching timeline, usually back into the original. This can happen through specific events or cosmic metaling, bringing together different realities into a unified narrative.
* **Fragmented Timeline**: A Fragmented Timeline experiences fragmentation due to temporal disruptions or interventions. Portions of the timeline exist independently, making it challenging to piece together the complete sequence of events.
* **Inverted Timeline**: An Inverted Timeline operates in reverse, where events unfold backward from the end to the beginning. Due to the unstable nature of this timeline type, once the Inverted Timeline reaches its birth, it will collapse.
* **Cyclic Timeline**: In a cyclical timeline, events repeat in a cyclical pattern. Once a cycle concludes, the timeline resets, and similar events occur again, but not exactly the same as before.

## Known Universes, Realms, and Timelines

* The Beyond
	+ The Nursery
* Universe 273
	+ The Human Realm
		- Timeline 901
		- Timeline 902
		- Timeline 903
	+ The Magic Realm
	+ The Demon Realm
	+ The Angel Realm
	+ The Ghost Realm

## Trivia

* While Jayden\_Chip404 was assigning the universe its serial number, she put in whatever numbers came to their head first and got 273. 273 turns out to be real. 3C 273 is a quasar located at the center of a giant elliptical galaxy in the constellation of Virgo.
* The inception of every universe, known or unknown, traces back to the monumental event dubbed 'the Big Bang', an occurrence that unfolded around 13 billion years ago.
* Universes have distinct laws of physics, and what's perceived as 'normal' varies drastically between them, showcasing an infinite spectrum of possibilities and alternate universe ideas.
* The Sage is in charge of keeping track of everything, though his favorite thing is to categorize the timelines.
* Time wrinkles, also known simply as wrinkles, occur when a timeline becomes fragmented or unstable, disrupting the smooth flow of temporal events.
* The Beyond and The Nursery are realms beyond conventional understanding, each without timelines, contributing to the complexity of the cosmic tapestry.