Divine Demesne

According to Regent Court mythology the **Divine Demesne**, also known as “Heaven”, stands as the celestial seat of the Regent Court, the pantheon of deities governing the divine realm. This divine domain is seen as most revered of the Celestial Planes, with each part of the demesne ruled by a god or goddess of the Regent Court. Mortals who have served these deities faithfully during their lives find themselves in these afterlife realms upon their deaths and the successful judgment of Nerat.

Each deity has crafted their own domain, reflecting their values, personalities, virtues, and spheres of influence. These realms collectively form a harmonious whole, interconnected yet distinct, where gods and mortals coexist in divine harmony. It also serves as the ultimate afterlife for followers of the Regent Court, where each divine realm represents their perfect or ultimate eternity.

### The Afterlife

Upon death, souls are judged by Nerat in the Crumbling City. Those deemed worthy are sent to their respective gods' realms within the Divine Demesne. There, mortals find solace, purpose, and eternal existence in the realms of the Regent Court, each offering a unique afterlife experience tailored to the virtues and principles of their respective deities.

Souls deemed unworthy by Nerat, the judge of the Crumbling City, face a fate distinct from the afterlife realms governed by the Regent Court. These souls, rejected by other gods or left unclaimed, become the responsibility of Nerat himself. The fate of such souls is shaped by the nature of Nerat's realm and his role as the warden of the Infernal Court. Here are the possible outcomes for souls that are not deemed worthy:

#### Eternal Servitude to Nerat

Souls rejected by the other gods or unclaimed entirely are destined to exist in the Crumbling City, a realm that serves as a limbo between the Divine Demesne and the Infernal Plane. The Crumbling City acts as a haven for repentant souls, lost travelers, outcasts, and those not claimed by other deities. The realm is a reflection of Castonath at its height before the Dragonwake, frozen in a dying memory.

Souls that have not found a place in the Divine Demesne are enlisted into the service of Nerat and his Red Reapers. These souls became part of Nerat's armies in the Eternal War against fiendish forces doing the dark bidding of its masters, where it be stealing lost souls, seeking to enter the Prime Material or even besieging the heavens itself. They engage in the constant struggle to maintain order and protect the borders of the Divine Demesne and mortal world alike.

#### Redemption

Souls residing in the Crumbling City have the potential for redemption through service to Nerat and participation in the Eternal War. Those who demonstrate valor, loyalty, and dedication may earn a place among Nerat's chosen, becoming commanders, wardens, or tenders of the dead. These individuals help maintain order, guide lost souls, and contribute to the war effort.

Some souls may find eventual release from the Crumbling City if they prove their worthiness or serve their appointed roles faithfully.

#### Escape

Some souls are believed to find their way back to the mortal world. Either by the soul’s own force of will (for example, as a ghost), or forcibly ripped from their afterlife to become undead such as zombies.

#### Fading

Some souls are said to lose their will and way entirely, refusing to either fight in Nerats armies to earn redemption, nor seeking any escape. These souls are doomed to wander the Fugue eternally, as they slowly fade into nothing and their memories lost forever.

## Realms of the Regent Court

The souls devoted or worthy enough are called to the god they served most. These souls are the best examples of humanity, and according to Regent Court scripture, are what we all individuals should aspire to be. Some stories tell of souls, devoted to their chosen god and found worthy being called to another god's demesne. This, according to the myth, is due to the gods always knowing your true self and true essence. Even though you spent your life in service of one god, your true self might be more aligned with the values of another.

### Castellos, The White Citadel

A realm of order, structure, and justice. The White Citadel, at the center of the Divine Demesne is the epitome of perfection, where the gods assemble in council and Castellos ruled existence from his majestic throne.

### Esmaryal, The Hearth of the White Citadel

Nestled at the core of the White Citadel, Esmaryal's realm is the comforting Hearth of the White Citadel. The divine warmth radiating from the hearth fosters unity and companionship.

### Adean, The Eternal Tourney

Grounds for chivalrous training and philosophical debates, Adean's realm fosters the growth of knights and warriors. The Eternal Tourney serves as a perpetual battlefield where devotees strive for physical martial perfection, while studing for moral and chivalric excellence in the Highlance Citadel, Adean’s personal castle.

### Nathalyne, The Shadow Stage

A massive theater where the drama of existence unfolds. Nathalyne rules over the night and shadows, orchestrating the eternal play of conflict and secrets on the Shadow Stage.

### Ara, The Golden Bazaar

A colossal marketplace, The Golden Bazaar is where every conceivable item is available for trading. Ara's realm is a haven for trade and commerce, featuring stalls and pastures for various goods and services.

### Ryala, The Resplendent Conservatory

Centered around a conservatory housing mortal art, Ryala's realm is a botanical wonder. The Resplendent Conservatory is a breathtaking display of idealized flora and celestial beauty. It is centered around Ryala’s Tower where she sits in self-imposed isolation at its top representing the ultimate beauty and art.

### Minara, The Gardens of Joy

Minara's realm is an idyllic haven of pleasure and comfort. It resembles a utopian garden, where joy and contentment flourish, and every desire is met. The very air of The Gardens of Joy is comforting and pleasurable.

### The Dame, The Celestial Moon

The Dame's core realm consists of vast and endless fields, orchards, and pastures. Always at the peak of harvest. At its center stands a gateway to her other realm. Centered around a vast library on The Celestial Moon, believed to hold the source of all magic. Here, knowledge flows freely and the diligent are rewarded with deeper access to the secrets contained within the library.

### Balgar, The Unending Wonder

An infinite construction project, Balgar's realm is a testament to the craftsmanship of the divine. Craftsmen from various eras collaborate to create an ever-expanding masterpiece, where the process is as significant as the result. This is the core purpose of The Unending Wonder.

### Munas, The Celestial Fleet

The vast seas and roads connecting the realms serve as Munas's domain. The Celestial Fleet is a symbol of exploration and unity, constantly on the move between the different realms. Representing the ideal and perfected form of the elven remnant fleet.

### Falah, The Hinterlands

Preserving the natural splendor of wilderness, Falah's domain is a realm of pristine landscapes and untamed beauty. Hunters and protectors roam The Hinterlands, guarding the borders of the Divine Demesne.

### Corin, The Bastion of Righteousness

A monumental citadel that stands as an eternal guardian against corruption of any kind. A steadfast bastion of justice positioned on the border to the Infernal Plane. Originally Agrados' Bastion of War, upon inheriting it Corin has since repurposed it to uphold righteousness and defend against all forms of malevolence, whether mortal or divine, and renamed it The Bastion of Righteousness.

### Nerat, The Crumbling City & Fugue Plane

Serving as the border between the Divine Demesne and the Infernal Realms, Nerat's realm judges and claims souls. The Crumbling City is a reflection of Castonath before the Dragonwake, a fading memory of what it was.

### Begga, The Orphanage of The Forgotten

A sanctuary within the Crumbling City for lost and troubled souls, The Orphanage of the Lost offers healing and comfort provided by Begga. Souls needing compassion may find respite here until they are ready to move on.