Lumen Expanded Universe Spanning Nine Galaxies • Twenty Major Species • Endless Possibilities
Welcome, to the Lumen Universe—a cosmos where truth is not a single star, but a constellation perceived differently by every eye, every civilization, across a history stretching nine galaxies wide and millions of years deep. This is the ultimate worldbuilder's endeavor, a universe designed not for one story, but for all of them.
What defines this reality? First, understand that Perspective Shapes Genre. The experience of a tribal survivor on a war-torn world is one of dark fantasy and survival horror; for a Lumen diplomat navigating the decaying Celestial Concordat, it is philosophical dystopia and political intrigue; for the star-born Nebulites, beings of coherent energy, history is a sacred, flowing record. The honor-bound Draken, whose martial epics are forged in volcanic fire and the Dra'kor Honor Code, offer a stark contrast to the Aetherians, born of a perpetual cyclone, who draw power from atmospheric harmony yet often deny the very Essence that sustains their advanced, resonance-based technology. The universe is not one thing, but a million lived experiences, each valid, each forming a part of the whole.
Beneath the Myriad cultures and epochs, fundamental laws and conflicts carve out the shape of existence. The Primordial Essence, a quasi-sentient, moral force, underpins all reality, making magic a tangible, perilous, and rare phenomenon, channeled rather than merely wielded. A great Technological Schism irrevocably divides civilizations: those who embrace Biotic technologies, weaving life itself into their creations like the plant-animal hybrid Terradorians with their living architecture, stand in stark opposition to the Dark Matter Alliance, where species like the Lumens and the resurgent Draken seek to master the fabric of spacetime through gravitational manipulation. These are incompatible paths, and attempts to merge them often result in catastrophe.
The universe is propelled by agendas as ancient as the stars. The enigmatic Elders, one of the Original Nine Species and survivors of a previous cosmic cycle, act as subtle guardians of balance, their temporal engineering shaping eons. Against them, the insidious Nexum, a remnant species transformed into masters of infiltration, secretly manipulate galactic powers, including the vast Celestial Concordat, pushing events towards a hidden design that has ensnared even mighty empires or fueled the suffering of occupied peoples like the magma-dwelling Zorlacians under Draken rule. The shadow of past cosmic calamities, known as the Unravelings, and the ever-present threat of Void incursions drive many civilizations to desperate acts of preservation or dangerous alliances.
Each species forges its destiny according to its own nature—from the pack-minded Canines with their olfactory computing and deep loyalty to the adaptive Cephalopods employing hydro-quantum strategies from their oceanic strongholds. All are bound by the Independent FTL Development Rule which ensures no single power can easily dominate the star-lanes through shared propulsion technology. Ambitious individuals and entire cultures strive for Ascension, seeking to transcend mortal limits through paths like Zenith, Watcher, or AIT integration, each with its own profound costs and cosmic responsibilities.
This World Anvil is your gateway into these layered realities. Explore the rise and fall of empires, the sacred and terrifying nature of its magic, the unyielding conflicts that define its eras, and the unique perspectives that color every truth. The Lumen Universe is a stage for epic tales, quiet horrors, grand philosophies, and the enduring struggle for meaning.
Enter, Chronicler. The archives await.
Notable Species
Lumen Expanded Universe has 2 Followers
Lumen Universe: Foundational Framework
Spanning nine distinct galaxies shaped by the mysterious Creators, the Lumen Universe stands as a living testament to the push and pull of cosmic order and chaos. Anchored by 58 Galactic Sectors—each subdivided into seven regional clusters of 20 to 50 star systems—this vast expanse teems with life, conflict, and a millennia-spanning quest for enlightenment and survival.
Origins and Cosmic Architecture
Conceived 1,250,000 BC by nine primordial Creators—entities wielding nearly limitless cosmic power—the Lumen Universe was deliberately compartmentalized to foster separate evolutionary paths. This sectoral isolation ended in 1,112,345 BC with The Unraveling, a catastrophic convergence that eradicated eight of the Original Nine sapient species and forced the Creators into retreat within the transcendent Nexial Veil. Only the Elders, designed by Creator Eyxr, survived to become silent cosmic stewards.
Galaxies and Sectors
- Nine Galaxies: Milky Way, Andarion, Drago, Krythar, Lumoriae, Solarae, Tundrian, Vyxian, Zorlac
- 58 Sectors: Each galaxy’s territory is further split into strategic or culturally connected regions called sectors, which contain multiple Regional Clusters.
- Sector Collapse & Interconnection: After the Unraveling, these once-isolated galaxies became deeply intertwined—ushering in complex interstellar politics and trade networks.
Species and Hierarchy
Today, over twenty sapient species contend for influence, shaped by divergent evolutions and the Elders’ subtle guidance. They fall into key categories:
- Elders
- Sole survivors of the Original Nine, based in the Pleiades System.
- Ancient guardians and genetic architects who quietly steer the universe’s fate.
- Major Species (~15 total)
- Lumens (transcended humans since 7800 AD), Draken, Aetherians, Ethereans, Krythorians, and several others.
- Uplifted Earth lineages (e.g., Canines, Felines, Cephalopods) also hold Major Species status if they’ve independently achieved FTL.
- Minor Species
- Thousands of less-advanced or newly emerging civilizations, often existing under the protective or exploitative umbrella of Major Species.
Technological Schism and Alignment
From 20,000 to 50,000 AD, the Great Technological Schism split civilizations into two mutually incompatible paths:
- Dark Matter Technology
Harnessing hyperdense plasma and gravitational singularities. - Biotic Technology
Emphasizing living systems, organic synergy, and bio-engineering. - Non-Aligned groups exist on the periphery, often mixing or rejecting both extremes.
This rift persists, forming the basis of geopolitical boundaries and alliances in 47,200 AD.
Historical Milestones
- 1,250,000 BC – Creation: Nine Creators design a universe of sectoral isolation.
- 1,112,345 BC – The Unraveling: Cataclysm destroys eight Original Nine species; Elders inherit cosmic stewardship.
- 5200–7800 AD – Uplift Dominance on Earth: Humans exist amid uplifted beasts (Canines, Felines, Primates, etc.).
- 7800 AD – Rise of the Lumens: Humanity’s Chrono-Biogenesis Project produces immortal, psionic Lumens.
- 12,000–13,700 AD – FTL Development: Major Species independently master faster-than-light travel, expanding into the stars.
- 20,000–50,000 AD – Technological Schism: Universes fracture along Dark Matter vs. Biotic lines.
- 47,200 AD – Modern Era: Lumen Coalition of Unified Systems (LCUS) dominates 40 of 58 galactic sectors, contested by Draken expansions and other power blocs.
Power Structure and Key Players
- Lumen Coalition of Unified Systems (LCUS)
- Largest single faction, merging rationalist philosophy with advanced Dark Matter technologies.
- Exercises direct control over most of the Milky Way and portions of adjacent galaxies.
- Celestial Concordance
- Publicly touted as a universal peacekeeping council.
- Secretly manipulated by the Nexum, a hidden power influencing interstellar governance.
- Dark Matter Alliance vs. Biotic Harmony Pact
- Two major blocs jockeying for territory and cultural dominance.
- Their irreconcilable tech approaches often spark sector-spanning conflicts.
- The Elders
- Ancient watchers from the Pleiades, quietly shaping evolution.
- Maintain hidden enclaves and vaults of pre-Unraveling knowledge.
- Immortal Representatives
- Individuals from various species who have achieved true immortality (pre–50,000 AD).
- They function as living nexuses of influence, each bearing unique cultural artifacts and far-reaching agendas.
Current Conflicts & Frontiers
- Draken Expansion: Reptilian empire pushing outward, clashing with LCUS and frontier worlds.
- Minor-Species Revolts: Uplifted or newly discovered species seeking autonomy from larger blocs.
- Frontier Disputes: Uncharted sectors teeming with rare resources, attracting corporate mega-consortia, rogue pirates, and opportunistic factions.
- The Nexum’s Web: Growing revelations about infiltration and control behind galactic institutions, sowing mistrust and paranoia.
Paths to Transcendence
Ascension in the Lumen Universe transcends mere biology or technology:
- Zenith Ascension: Personal, mystical evolution to apex mind/body.
- Watcher Ascension: Collective, non-physical guardianship of cosmic balance.
- AIT (Ascension Integrated in Technology): Fusion of consciousness with advanced AI or Dark Matter lattices.
These routes epitomize the universe’s philosophical core: the relentless pursuit of higher planes of existence, shadowed by ethical quandaries and cultural schisms.
A Universe in Flux
In this 47,200 AD juncture, the Lumen Universe stands on a precipice—torn between the promise of cosmic enlightenment and the threat of total collapse. While the LCUS proclaims rational unity and stewardship, rival powers and hidden forces maneuver for dominance. The Elders, never far from the cosmic stage, continue their eons-long mission to guide or manipulate the tapestry of life.
Across the Nine Galaxies, conflicts flare, empires crumble, and new alliances form. Yet behind it all remains an undercurrent of mystery: the lingering echoes of The Creators and the uncertain prophecies whispered by the Celestial Concordat. In the Lumen Universe, every discovery leads to deeper enigmas—ensuring that the eternal dance between order and chaos continues unabated.
Major Locations
Planets
