An Astronomers Briefing on Cosmology

compiled by Saneg Barie -
There is no agreed upon cosmology of the world of Kriadar. Academic scholars debate the essence of existence, while religious clergy fight over which teachings are true. The following brief contains a short summary of the astronomy of Kriadar, a list of some of the most widespread cosmological beliefs, and definitions of some of the most common terms and objects used when discussing cosmology.

Astronomy

Throughout Kriadar, different Corridors are characterized by different skies. The number and placement of astrological signs vary by Corridor. Some may share features, but show them in different placements or distances, whilst others have vastly different skies. Astrological comparisons are in fact one of the methods used by scholars to determine the origins and ages of different Corridors.
Not everything is different, however, for there are two types of heavenly bodies that are in fact seen in all Corridors, and usually even within the Seams (though one may need to look hard to find them in the Seams.) These are the Tellings, constellations that move through the sky, and one moon, Guroff.

The Tellings

As one of the most stable features of the night sky witnessed throughout Kriadar, the Tellings are the most commonly used basis for a calendar, including the basis of the Heavenly Voice Calendar, first utilized by the Congregation of Heimarin and the most widespread calendar in the world.
Throughout the year, the Tellings shift in position, with one taking primacy over the others. Each position of primacy lasts between 24 and 33 days. The Mother and the Dog are special however, in that both of them reappear during the year, receiving two periods of primacy.
The following is a list of the Tellings.

• The Wheel, Galika- Galika is a circular constellation with 9 spikes or rays, often likened to a wheel or the sun.
• The Veil, Zafia - Zafia is a constellation that appears as a thick and winding river of stars.
• The Chain, Shareshel - Shareshel appears in two sections of two interlocked circles with a scattering of stars between the sections.
• The Mother, Liyadar - Liyadar is a transforming constellation that takes the highest point in the sky twice per year. It resembles a pregnant woman holding her womb. The stars that make up Liyadar change in color, with its first occurrence of the year showing white while it glows red upon its return.
• The Helm, Kasid - Kasid is a constellation that is often likened to the shape of a helmet being struck by a hammer.
• The Shield, Megin - Megin is a large constellation that often blocks out others, and is often likened to a shield. When Megin is at its highest point, the night is often at its brightest.
• The Spring, Limiyan - The base of Limiyan is a simple rectangular constellation, but from it many stars shines and move outward in a spraying fashion. When Limiyan is at its highest, many report increased sightings of falling stars.
• The Sword, Heirad - Heirad is a long constellation with a straight line cutting through the bottom third, often likened to a sword.
• The Dog, Kahlva - Kahlva is like Liyadar in that it appears twice in a year. It is often likened to the shape of a dog.
• The Canvas, Mitzaver - Mitzaver is the most colorful of the constellations, a large swath of sky painted in all the colors of the stars.
• The Muse, Shariz - Shariz is a set of constellations often likened to musical notes.
• The Table, Loatz - Loatz is a constellation that is only seen at certain times of the year when it appears around the other constellations creating a border around them.
• The Lighthouse, Ormigal - Ormigal is a long constellation that is topped by the brightest star in the sky.
• The Blood Star, Sharvan - Sharvan only appears at the end of 8 years, it is a large red star and when it appears the other stars of the sky are somehow dimmed, creating the darkest nights of the year.

Glossary

Kholatz - Kholatz is the general term used to refer to the universe. Other terms for the universe include Eira (among elven cultures).
Kriadar - Depending on one's cosmological belief, Kriadar refers to a distinct body within a larger physical material plane, a world, or it is the entirety of the physical material plane. Other terms for the world include Mevaya (among elven cultures).
Planes - Planes refer to any distinct cosmological region within Kholatz. Almost all cultures believe that there are different planes of existence, some of which are shadows of each other and others that are distinct and follow their own laws of nature.
Seams - Seams are unstable pathways that develop between Kriadar and the Planes. The term seam is also, perhaps erroneously, used to refer to the region of a plane that is between two of these pathways.
Guroff - Guroffis a moon that is seen in the night sky throughout Kriadar. It is occasionally used as the basis for lunar calendars by some cultures. Guroff is a silver moon with a large red spot.
The Tellings - The Tellings are a set of constellations that are present throughout Kriadar, able to be viewed from any Corridor. The Tellings move through the skies, with one Telling always taking the place of primacy over the sky. These constellations are used by the most widely spread calendar of Kriadar, the Voice of Heaven Calendar, in order to mark the passage of a year.
Outside - Many cultures, the elves and Nafelzians excluded, believe that there is both Kholatz and an Outside "universe", a place in which chaos and the energies that created the universe flow uncontrolled. Most of these cultures believe that the Outsiders are a threat to Kholatz. Other terms for the Outside include the Far Realm.
Primal Magics - Almost every culture believes that all of existence is infused with the force of creation, often referred to as the Primal Magics. Some believe that a god took the Primal Magics and formed the universe, while others believe that the universe came to be as a natural result of primal magics. The magic used by spellcasters in the world are generally NOT viewed as the same as the primal magics. Other terms for the Primal Magics include Forces of Chaos.
Sheids - Sheid is a general term for any sentient being who's origin is not the material world of Kriadar. Because this term is so expansive, including powerful deities and minor spirits, Sheids are often divided and categorized in a variety of systems, some ranking them in power, others placing them according to origin or even behavior.
Note: There is a debate regarding "ethereal beings," such as ghosts. In most cases, these beings have their origin in Kriadar, and most scholars are in agreement that they are not Sheids. Certain cultures, especially those who engage in ancestral worship, disagree with this interpretation.