Cosmology

Amra's cosmology is a complex and intricate web of planes and realms, all interconnected and existing in harmony with one another. At the heart of this cosmology is the Great Wheel, a divine structure that stretches from the deepest, darkest Abyss to the highest, brightest heavenly realms.

In this cosmology, the world of Amra is situated at the center of the Great Wheel, surrounded by the lower and upper planes, each representing different aspects of the universe and housing different creatures and divine entities.

The lower planes are the infernal realms, the Abyss, and the Infinite Darkness, where demons, devils, and other evil creatures make their home. These realms are filled with darkness and despair, and those who dare to venture onto these planes risk being consumed by the corruption and malevolence that infests them.

On the other hand, the higher planes are the celestial realms, the Astral, and the Eternal Wisdom, where angels, gods, and other benevolent beings reside. These realms are filled with light and goodness, and those who journey into these planes may be blessed with divine wisdom and heavenly grace.

Between the lower and upper planes lies the mortal world, home to mortal beings and the realms we know as Amra, Nivarie, and Varinthia. It is here that the struggles of life and death, joy and sorrow, take place. From the mortal world, travelers can access the lower and higher planes through magical portals and divine rituals.

The Great Wheel of Amra is not static, however, and it is said that the movement of the planets and the moons can affect the balance of the planes and the fates of those who dwell within them. The alignment of the two moons, for example, is believed to have the power to awaken dragons and to affect the tides of the sea. And when the planets align, great events are said to occur, such as the Great Eclipse and the Great Conjunction.

The cosmology of Amra is a rich tapestry of divine forces, magical energies, and mortal struggles, each interwoven with the other to form a complex and compelling narrative of the universe. And as the world turns, and the planets and moons dance in the sky, the balance of the Great Wheel is ever-shifting, creating new opportunities and new dangers for those who dare to journey through the planes.

### Parallel Planes

Deep within the world of Amra lies a secret beyond the reach of mortal senses. Parallel to the material plane, two planes coexist and mix with reality in mysterious and unpredictable ways. These planes are the Shadow and Faerie planes, two dimensions that reflect the extremes of darkness and beauty within the material world.

#### Shadow Plane

The Shadow Plane is a place of darkness and despair, where light barely penetrates and where negative emotions and dark thoughts manifest in physical forms. It spans all of Amra, twisted into a shadowy reflection of the material world. It's where the dead and spirits roam, and adventurers must be careful when venturing, as it is a dangerous and threatening place. Here, Erio, the god of death, exerts his influence in a special way over the plane of death and decay.

#### Faerie Plane

On the other hand, the Faerie Plane is a dimension full of life and beauty, a magnificent and radiant image of the material world. Nature manifests itself in magical and otherworldly forms here, and fairy creatures such as fairies, unicorns, and dragons roam the lush forests and magnificent gardens. The Faerie Plane is a place where magic flows freely and where life is celebrated in all its forms. Though it may be a wonderful place, it is also full of unexpected dangers, and one must be cautious when traversing through it. It is said that the Basaj's presence can be felt amplified here, and communing with the Faerie plane is part of various rituals in Amra's druidic circles.

Despite their differences, both planes have a significant impact on the world of Amra. The inhabitants of the material world must be careful when interacting with these dimensions, as they can bring both blessings and curses. The Shadow and Faerie planes are reflections of the material plane, but taken to extremes of both darkness and beauty. It is through these planes that the supernatural forces of Amra continue to reveal themselves, influencing the fate of those who venture into their depths.

### Transitive Plans

In the cosmology of Amra, the Astral and Ethereal planes serve as transitive planes, allowing travelers to traverse the different dimensions and access hidden spaces.

#### Astral Plane

The Astral Plane is a vast, cosmic void where astral bodies and explorers journey, floating among brilliant stars in the deep darkness. It is a plane of pure energy and abstract thought, where ideas and concepts can manifest in tangible forms. Here, travelers can navigate the different planes of existence, using their will to move through the vast emptiness of space.

#### Ethereal plane

The Ethereal Plane, in contrast, is a closer reflection of the material world, acting as a kind of "shadow" or "mirror" of physical reality. It is a mystical dimension that overlaps with the material plane, providing access to "ethereal" spaces that exist in the physical world, but are not visible or occupiable in their normal state. Travelers to the Ethereal Plane often describe it as a misty realm, where physical objects take on ghostly forms and beings appear partially transparent.

While the Astral and Ethereal Planes offer valuable means of transportation and exploration, they also present potential dangers to those who venture into them. Without proper guidance or knowledge, travelers can become lost or trapped within these planes, unable to return to the material world. Some beings who dwell within these dimensions may also pose a threat to unwary adventurers, seeking to claim or corrupt those who enter their realm.

Despite these risks, the Astral and Ethereal Planes remain vital aspects of Amra's cosmology, providing pathways to new worlds and hidden spaces that would otherwise remain inaccessible. Adventurers who seek to explore these planes must tread carefully, for the dangers that lie within can be as great as the rewards they offer.

### Elemental Planes

In the beginning, when Beral created the Primal Titans, he also designed the elemental planes to be the building blocks of creation. These planes were the homes of the most fundamental elements in the universe, and the Titans and Elementals who were born from them were the purest expressions of their respective elements.

* **The Plane of Fire** blazed with flames and molten lava, with towering volcanoes and fiery creatures such as salamanders and efreeti. Here, the very air was hot and dry, and the ground was scorched and blackened. It was a dangerous place, but also a place of great passion and energy.
* **The Plane of Water** was a vast and unknown ocean, with unfathomable depths and mysteries that few have ever dared to explore. It was inhabited by creatures such as Nereids, tritons, and water elementals, who were able to move and breathe underwater as easily as they could on land. Here, the water was always in motion, with currents and tides that shifted constantly.
* **The Plane of Air** was a place of constant movement, with swirling gusts of wind that carried everything with them. Djinn and sylphs made their homes here, able to navigate the ever-changing winds and storms with ease. The very air was alive with energy, and the ground was often unstable, with sudden gusts and eddies that could throw an unwary traveler off balance.
* **The Plane of Earth** was a place of mountains and caverns, with great underground networks and deep, dark chasms. It was home to creatures such as earth elementals and xorns, who were as strong and resilient as the very rocks and stones they were made of. Here, the ground was solid and unyielding, and the very air was thick with the scent of earth and stone.

The elemental planes interacted with each other in complex ways, with some planes opposing each other and others in harmony. The Plane of Fire and the Plane of Water were natural enemies, with their opposing elements creating a volatile mix that could result in dangerous and explosive reactions. Similarly, the Plane of Earth and the Plane of Air were in a constant state of tension, with the solid earth being eroded by the winds and the unstable air being shaped and molded by the solid earth.

When two elemental planes met, a place of transition was created between them known as the Ethereal Plane. This plane was a strange and mysterious place, where the laws of physics and magic were often different from the material world. Travelers who ventured into the Ethereal Plane often found themselves in a surreal and disorienting landscape, where objects and creatures could appear and disappear without warning.

### Exterior Planes

According to Amra scholars, the outer planes that the world of Eridia connects to are as follows:

* **Mount Celestia:** A plane of law and goodness, home to the most benevolent gods and their followers.
* **The Twin Paradises:** A plane of balance and justice, where souls are judged and rewarded according to their actions in life.
* **Elysium:** A plane of happiness and peace, home of the most noble and altruistic spirits.
* **The Wild Lands:** A plane of wild life and freedom, home to the spirits of nature and the most untamed creatures.
* **Arborea:** A plane of emotion and freedom, home of the most capricious gods and the spirits of creativity.
* **Ysgard:** A plane of adventure and action, home of the bravest and most heroic spirits.
* **Limbo:** A plane of creativity and constant change, home of the most imaginative and chaotic spirits.
* **Pandemonium:** A plane of madness and pain, home to the darkest and most disturbed spirits.
* **The Abyss:** A plane of malice and corruption, home to the most ruthless demons and spirits of destruction.
* **Carceri:** A plane of prison and torture, home to the cruelest gods and the spirits of vengeance.
* **Hades:** A plane of death and sadness, home of the coldest and most desolate spirits.
* **Gehena:** A plane of loyalty and deceit, home of the most cunning gods and the spirits of treachery.
* **The Nine Hells:** A plane of law and evil, home to the most cunning devils and spirits of oppression.
* **Acheron:** A plane of war and strategy, home of the most disciplined spirits and the gods of planning.
* **Mechanus:** A plane of order and precision, home of the most complex constructs and the gods of logic.
* **Arcadia:** A plane of balance and harmony, home of the most peaceful gods and the spirits of serenity.