Astral Filament
In the early eons of the world, during the times of the Old Gods, a great shard of crystal imbued with the energies of the early birth universe plummeted into the crust of the planet. This was referred to as the Birthing Star. With its Magic, it brought life to the fundamental elements of the world and created the Elemental Titans, who, in turn, birthed the Primordial Dragons to burn away the corruption of the Old Gods in the Primeval War.
After the Titans were victorious, they sealed the Old Gods away within their own pocket plane, called the Realm of Insanity. The Birthing Star grew like a great tree, expanding its crystalline roots across the world to spread its rejuvenating energies, granting the world Astral Magic and creating the Filament to ward away further incursions of the Old Gods. The Birthing Star created Astria, the fifth primordial dragon, to serve as the Filament's guardian and to ensure a fine balance of magic within the Materium be maintained.
Today, the Astral Filament is the natural, magical barrier that prevents most beings and energies of extra-planar realms from crossing into the Materium. It is a thin layer that is nearly impenetrable from the outside, though some energies can more easily cross the Astral Filament than others and some realms ignore the Filament completely. For example, The Filament is more permeable to the Inner Planes than the Outer Planes, and the branch-like astral leylines beneath the world can serve as conduits which mortals can travel through to other realms. However, doing so opens the Filament wide enough for otherworldly creatures to come through into the Materium.
Too much magic of one type in one place within the Materium can cause the layer to bend, distort and fracture from the inside. Some have described such fractures as other realms 'leaking' into reality. Despite this, controlled fractures are practiced commonly by mages and wizards through the use of portals, a new and unrefined practice, but they are typically resealed so as not to cause permanent damage. Severe damage to the Filament naturally heals over time, but larger 'wounds' take centuries to heal, and too much damage can cause wounds to become permanent scars, such as the Morbog.
There is a fine equilibrium of magical power to be maintained within the Material Realms lest the Filament be torn asunder completely, and it is believed that Astrial Magic, the Astral Filament, and the leylines are all part of one living, breathing entity. Those dedicated to this theory also postulate that the Filament 'chooses' to imbue certain creatures with its magic, such as Astria. Some have even claimed that mortals have even been gifted this power. This theory posits that the role of these trusted few is to, much like Astria, aid in maintaining the balance of magic in the Material Realms.
There is some evidence to support this, as, during the The War of the Undying, a select few were imbued with fragments of Astral Magic to help turn the tide. After the war was won, these fragments left the bodies of these chosen few.
Some suspect that Patricia was one such person, and that Ezria Ul'Patricia and Xelthia Al'Patricia follow in her footsteps.
This theory is still vigorously debated among scholars.
Type
Metaphysical, Astral
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