Crystal Spheres
All wildspace is bounded by crystal shells or crystal spheres. Inside the crystal sphere is the vacuum of wildspace, the planets and stars. Outside the crystal sphere is the rain bow ocean of Phlogiston and more crystal spheres.
The size of a crystal sphere is determined by the size of the planetary system inside. Usually a sphere has a radius at least twice as big as the orbital radius of the outermost celestial body i n the system (i.e. , the distance from the she ll to the outer most body of the system is the same as the distance from that outermost body to the center point of the system).
Because of their great size, the outside of a crystal sphere appears perfectly flat. The curvature is so gradual that it is completely undetectable to anyone who is close enough to see the crystal sphe re through the obscuring phlogiston.
The spheres consist of an unbreakable, dark, ceramic mater ial of unknown origin. Some legends state (and various theolog ians agree) that the smooth-surfaced shells were created and posi t ioned by the gods themse lves to protect their worlds from the ravages of the Phlogiston, whic h is held to be the prime matter of the universe. Less charitable philosophers maintain that such shells were placed by an even higher authority to keep gods and men in and confine their activities.
Whatever their origin the crystal shells are uniform throughout space. All appear as great, dark, featureless spheres of unidentifiable matter.
The crystal spheres are definitely solid. They have no gravity along either their interior or exterior sides (an exception to the rule that all large objects have gravity) . No magic has been found that can damage or alter the surface of a shell, except for those spells which cause portals to open. Even this , however , is believed to be nothing more than an artificial triggering of a natural phenomenon, since portals also occur naturally and seemingly at random. They are apparently immune to the effects of wishes and even the wills of the outer planar powers (though this does not rule out the possibi li ty that the oute r planar powers created themperhaps they were wise enough to prevent even their own tampering).
Five methods are known for getting from one side of a crystal sphere to another:
Note that portals as discussed here are me rely simple doors al lowing passage from one side of a crystal shell to the other. They are not gates and they do not allow transit between dimensions. Magic that relies on other planes or other dimensions is notoriously unreliable when cast in close proximity to a crystal shell.
The crystal sphere itself repre sents the outer limit of the influence of gods and other-dimensional crea tures. Magic that summons or draws power from such beings or creatures does not function outside these bounds.
Those fantasy systems with stars in the night sky often have these stars mounted along the inside of the crystal sphere. The nature of stars varies from sphere to sphere , however. Within some spheres the stars are small portholes looking out onthe phlogiston , in some they are painted l ights along the interior, insome they are great cities inhabited by alien creatures, and in others they are great bowls of fire held aloft byhuge statues of forgotten gods.
The size of a crystal sphere is determined by the size of the planetary system inside. Usually a sphere has a radius at least twice as big as the orbital radius of the outermost celestial body i n the system (i.e. , the distance from the she ll to the outer most body of the system is the same as the distance from that outermost body to the center point of the system).
Because of their great size, the outside of a crystal sphere appears perfectly flat. The curvature is so gradual that it is completely undetectable to anyone who is close enough to see the crystal sphe re through the obscuring phlogiston.
The spheres consist of an unbreakable, dark, ceramic mater ial of unknown origin. Some legends state (and various theolog ians agree) that the smooth-surfaced shells were created and posi t ioned by the gods themse lves to protect their worlds from the ravages of the Phlogiston, whic h is held to be the prime matter of the universe. Less charitable philosophers maintain that such shells were placed by an even higher authority to keep gods and men in and confine their activities.
Whatever their origin the crystal shells are uniform throughout space. All appear as great, dark, featureless spheres of unidentifiable matter.
The crystal spheres are definitely solid. They have no gravity along either their interior or exterior sides (an exception to the rule that all large objects have gravity) . No magic has been found that can damage or alter the surface of a shell, except for those spells which cause portals to open. Even this , however , is believed to be nothing more than an artificial triggering of a natural phenomenon, since portals also occur naturally and seemingly at random. They are apparently immune to the effects of wishes and even the wills of the outer planar powers (though this does not rule out the possibi li ty that the oute r planar powers created themperhaps they were wise enough to prevent even their own tampering).
Traveling Between Crystal Spheres
The crystal shell is an impassab le barrier to space voyagers unless they are properly prepared or very fortunate.Five methods are known for getting from one side of a crystal sphere to another:
- It can be bypassed entirely with a teleporl or dimension door spell. The traveler blinks from one side of the shell to the other without physically crossing the shell. Only a magical item or magical spell can effectsuch a transfer.
- A phase door spell or magical device which duplicates that spe ll allows a ship or a portion of the she! I to become immaterial so the ship can pass through.
- Naturally occurring portals pierce the shell in various locations at random and unpredictable intervals. Looking for such a portal can be a time-consuming task.
- In some systems , stars are located around the fringes. Occasionally, such stars are themselves portals to other locations which can be accessed by diving into the heart of the star. Such portals are very rare; voyagers definitely should check local l istings before incinerating themselves in an unknown situation.
- The legendary Spe/ljammer and creatures such as space dragons seem to have an innate ability to open portals to the phlogiston. These portals close slowly over a long period, so other ships can sometimes pass through them. From outside a sphere, these portals are easily visible.
Note that portals as discussed here are me rely simple doors al lowing passage from one side of a crystal shell to the other. They are not gates and they do not allow transit between dimensions. Magic that relies on other planes or other dimensions is notoriously unreliable when cast in close proximity to a crystal shell.
The crystal sphere itself repre sents the outer limit of the influence of gods and other-dimensional crea tures. Magic that summons or draws power from such beings or creatures does not function outside these bounds.
Those fantasy systems with stars in the night sky often have these stars mounted along the inside of the crystal sphere. The nature of stars varies from sphere to sphere , however. Within some spheres the stars are small portholes looking out onthe phlogiston , in some they are painted l ights along the interior, insome they are great cities inhabited by alien creatures, and in others they are great bowls of fire held aloft byhuge statues of forgotten gods.