The Clockwork Nirvana of Axiom

## Background

Axiom is described as an inconceivably large city that is made up of millions of settlements arranged in an elegant pattern that is reminiscent of perfectly arranged clockwork gears. Each of these settlements are connected by portals that ease travel between them. As a plane of balance, Axiom has equal amounts of both light and darkness, morality is ignored in favour of pure pragmatism and the presence of good and evil are given equal weight.

The realm is inhabited by the axiomites, a race of celestial beings that has completely embraced the concepts of law without the constraints of good morality. There are different types of axiomites that exist in a clear hierarchy, with the celestial aeons presiding from the top of this hierarchy. The aeons are intrinsically bound to the tapestry of fate, and are the only beings known to possess the ability to both view the tapestry in its entirety and manipulate it on a large scale. However, their nature does not allow for them do so, instead they seek to preserve it.

The axiomites are bound together through Dunam, an omnipresent philosophy that has existed since the beginning of the known cosmos and represents the whole that is made up from Axiom and the rest of the universe. All axiomites possess a specific role in their plane and are created with the necessary information to fulfill that role. The relationship between the axiomites and the universe is akin to that found between a body and its organs, they understand that they are intrinsic part of Dunam but do not view it as some form divine entity.

However, the incomplete connection between the axiomites and Dunam allows for them to possess some level of free will. Because of this, some of the aeons have incorporated mechanical components into their being, these are known as the inevitables. The inevitables operate directly beneath the aeons and their singular purpose is to enforce the fundamental laws of nature and punish those who violate them. They are the beings who enforce the transcendental laws that bind most extraplanar pacts. This is the reason why infernal contracts are strictly adhered to by devils and why the breaking of such contracts is strictly punished by the fiends. For any such breach risks bringing down the wrath of Axiom upon Infernus.

Beneath the inevitables, one finds the modrons, these immortal constructs possess only a drop of celestial light and serve to obey the orders of greater axiomites. Their appearances vary depending on their rank within Axiom.

Due to their lawful nature, the axiomites despise the forces of chaos, however, they also understand necessity of their existence in order to maintain the cosmic balance. Because of this they can never accept the complete eradication of chaos, instead they seek to preserve the balance by ensuring that the scales never tip in any specific direction. They also seek to oversee the manipulation of fate, believing that such an act inherently defies the natural order and may serve to destroy known universe. In order to ensure that such a thing is not done, the axiomites created the Planar Law, a divine pact that binds all deities and does not allow them to directly alter time or fate in any meaningful way.

## Hierarchy of Axiom

As stated previously, the hierarchical arrangement within Axiom is a key component of the plane. The following table outlines the hierarchy from lowest to highest, beginning with the different types of modrons.