Rainbow Bridges

The Rainbow Bridges of Thiandalune are among the most profound and awe-inspiring constructs in the Aina Continuum. More than mere roads, these bridges are manifestations of divine power, binding the celestial realms together in both a physical and symbolic manner. Forged by Thianon, the High God of Light, under the guidance of Te Vevutur, they served as the primary means of travel between the divine and elemental realms. Though the Black Fire War left many of them damaged or severed, their legacy endures, a testament to the unity they were designed to uphold.
At the center of the celestial realm of Thiandalune lies Nuril-Ambantil, the great Heart of the Concordium, where all Rainbow Bridges once converged. This sacred nexus, illuminated by the crystalline Beacon of Accord, functioned as the primary gateway for divine and celestial beings traveling between the spheres. It was through this hub that emissaries, scholars, warriors, and even mortals touched by divine favor could journey between the heavens and the elemental realms of Aina.
The Five Realm Bridges are the strongest and most significant of all the Rainbow Bridges. These great paths embodied the fundamental elements and connected Thiandalune directly to the core realms within the Sphere of Edrion. The Yellow Bridge of Radiance linked Thiandalune to all realms, its golden light serving as the primary path for divine travel. The Red Bridge of Valor connected to Malondria, embodying the flames of war and passion, while the Blue Bridge of Reflection led to Marenwe, mirroring the depths of water and wisdom. The Green Bridge of Harmony connected Zerthia, a conduit of life and renewal, and the White Bridge of Unity reached Gerlandria, its ethereal light forming a peaceful passage through the skies.
Beyond the Sphere of Edrion, the Three Rings of Thiandalune—Astrion, Modahelon, and Gavelion—served as celestial fortresses, ensuring stability and order. Astrion, the first line of defense, was utterly destroyed in the Sundering of Astrion, leaving behind the vast Astrion Belt, a graveyard of celestial wreckage. Modahelon, the Ring of Balance, still functions as a sanctuary of scholars and divine architects seeking to restore what was lost. Gavelion, the Outer Ring, remains an active defensive perimeter, its celestial watchtowers standing as the last bastion against external threats.
The Black Fire War proved to be the Rainbow Bridges' greatest test, and many of them did not survive unscathed. The armies of Malovatar sought to cut off Thiandalune’s connections to the other realms, launching relentless assaults upon the bridges. Though some withstood the siege, others, such as the Red Bridge, were permanently scarred, while the Green Bridge became barren and lifeless, stripped of its once-vibrant energies.
Beyond Thiandalune, the celestial bodies of Ganur and Grano, the Twin Moons, play a crucial role in the continuum’s balance. Ganur, the Tidal Keeper, influences Marenwe, governing its waters and the rhythm of life within. Grano, the Earthward Anchor, stabilizes the landmasses of Zerthia, preventing catastrophic shifts within the realm. These moons are not lifeless; upon Ganur stand the two great metropolises of Nairionil and Astanur, centers of knowledge, diplomacy, and celestial harmony. These cities, connected by the Celestial Way, serve as focal points of pilgrimage, where beings from across the Continuum gather to study the mysteries of the divine.
Despite the destruction wrought by war, the Rainbow Bridges still play a vital role in Aina’s present age. Though some pathways have been lost, others remain intact, and divine scholars believe that a great celestial alignment—perhaps a Lunar Convergence between Ganur and Grano—could one day reignite the broken pathways, restoring the divine highways to their former glory.
The Star Stations of Thiandalune, scattered across the outer heavens, act as silent sentinels, relics of a bygone age when travel between the realms was effortless. These stations, remnants of the once-glorious bridge network, now function as beacons for travelers navigating the fractured continuum. Some believe that hidden within these stations are remnants of lost knowledge, waiting to be rediscovered by those brave enough to seek them.
The Pearl Snake, the great stellarvore encasing the entire Aina Continuum, remains unknowable, its cosmic coils shielding the realms from outside forces. Though the Rainbow Bridges connect the known realms, none reach beyond The Pearl Snake’s embrace. It is said that only Te Vevutur knows the true extent of the Continuum’s limits, and what lies beyond is a mystery even the gods do not seek to unravel.
In the present age, the Rainbow Bridges remain fractured but enduring, a lasting symbol of what was once a united celestial order. Efforts to restore them are slow, and some bridges, such as the White Bridge of Unity, remain pristine, while others, like the Yellow Bridge of Radiance, flicker with unstable energy. What remains certain is that as long as Aina endures, the bridges will continue to bind the heavens together, even if only in memory.
Though diminished, the Rainbow Bridges are far from forgotten. They are monuments to a time when light and unity were unbreakable, and despite the scars of war, they continue to serve as vital pathways through the divine realms. Pilgrims still walk their sacred paths, believing that one day, the bridges will shine again, unbroken and whole, restoring Thiandalune’s place as the radiant heart of Aina.