Cosmology of the Realms

Cosmology is a field that has long been neglected by the world of Tertara, and for good reason, for planar travel is next to impossible, and even those with the ability to travel the planes. However a rough understand of the planes has always been necessary to scry the cosmos for answers, and so far there is an agreed upon cosmology for most of Nilush. Some nations and cultures have different understandings of the world, but for the most part many scholars agree on this model, named the Alioth Realm Model. This model states the realms as follows:

• At the center of everything is the Mortal Realms, where life as we know it flourishes and where natural space also inhabits.
• To the North and South of the Mortal Realms, and its direct borders are the Wyld Realm and Lunahar respectably. The Wyld Realm is a realm of untamed, wild, and unbound life, while Lunahar is the realm of death and spirits, two exact opposites of the cycle of life and death.
• The borders of both these realms is the Elemental Planes, planes that represent different fundamental elements of the Mortal Realm. Such planes include in no particular order: Air, Ice, Water, Ooze, Earth, Creation, Fire, and Ash.
• Beyond this it is theorized there is a Realm of Chaos, more specifically the chaos of creation. Stone melts to water, while fire freezes objects solid, and metal snaps like tissue paper. It is a realm of no laws, and no life can exist here. However some believe a few powerful mages are able to, with immense struggle, make pockets of safety and stability where they can create their own demi-plane. This plane is entirely theoretical however.
• After the elemental planes lies the Realms Beyond, where it is believed the many gods of the world reside here, overlooking their own realms as rulers of celestial kingdoms. It is also believed Hell resides in these Realms Beyond, where the great demon legions seek to breach reality and invade the Mortal Realms to destroy all that the gods have made.
• Beyond this lies the Void Realms, a place that doesn't exist and yet may terrifyingly be real. From here the nothing creatures of eldritch hate and monstrous forms come from, and many believe that it is slowly leaking into the other realms like a blighting, sickening cancer. It grows its terrifyingly incomprehensible tumors across the realms, and many fear it is too late to staunch the flow.

Other Cosmological Beliefs

Many other cultures have their own understanding of Cosmological models, a few are as follows

• The Northmen of Aldinnheimr believe that all the realms are different parts of a great tree, known as Yggdrasil. they believe they are in the realm of dreaming, a land that is not entirely real and where all life resides, for this reason the Aldinnians do not fear death, for they will simply awake in the realms of Vallhalla, where they can truly be alive. Life is seen as sort of a preparation journey for Vallhalla, so that when one arrives they know what to expect and can fit right in. Other realms in the tree include realms of elements, realms of the forgotten dead, and realms of the beasts, where their great spiritual animals reside.
• The people of Kantō see the cosmos as follows: There is the mortal realm which the same as the Alioth model, however the cosmos co north and south instead of in one great circle around the Mortal Realm, which they know as  Ningen-dō. Going north, first there is the realm of of the Blessed Emperors, which from here is where the Emperor of Kantō resides in his great fortress city, which was gifted to him by the gods. Past this realm, going further north is the realm of the honored dead, where those who died bravely in service of what is honorable and right reside. It is a place where a warrior can finally find peace, and mediate along a river so quiet and beautiful, it is said it could cure a lifetime of hate in an instant, and wash away any and all worries of the world. Past this is the very top of this cosmological mountain, that being the Celestial heavens where the great Kami Gods live. They look down at the mortal realms with smiles on their faces, for they love what they have created, especially the Kantōnese. Before moving south in the Mortal Realm is also the Realm of Spirits, known as Reikai. This is where the many varied types of Yokai and other supernatural laws and creatures exist. Moving down from Ningen-dō, there is the Realm of the Dead, Yomo. it is also known as the Realm of the Final Wait, for before entering the realm of the dead, one must wait in a vast line to be judged of where their soul shall end up. It is not an evil realm by any means, simply a place where the soul goes to be judged by Izama, the ever busy goddess of death. Past this is the Realm of Blood and Slaughter, Tōshigoku. This realm is one of cosntant slaughter and bloodshed, for Hachi the god of war demands that those who love violence to the point of barbarism must be sent here to temper their fury into something more "civilized". Entire regiments die only to be brought back a day later and fight again. However this realm is not an eternal prison, and should one be deemed to have redeemed themselves, they may be sent to one of the more calmer realms. After this finally lies hated Jigoku, hell. Here it is the great Oni seek to spread their corruption to, and from where the hated god of oni and hell, Ru Fuji resides.
• The People of Al-Hinosos believe a far simpler pantheon, due to the numerous nature of gods. Simply there is a realm for every god, so there is a realm of the Mortal Planes for the God of Mortals, and a realm of the dead for the God of Death. A far simpler but a far easier system to grasp which the Al-Hinoso find works for them just fine.
• New Catai religion preaches that there is the mortal realm, the realm of their god the Jade Empress, and then hell, for all the nonbelievers of the true faith and the demons that seek to corrupt the world.
• Elven cosmology is actually roughly similar to the Alioth model, with the elves having helped make the cosmological table themselves. Differences lie simply in names as everything else translates roughly the same.

Type

Metaphysical, Astral