This differs greatly from established works of both Pathfinder and D&D in how the planes operate and are associated with each other. The architecture provided is a derivative of my written stories about the world and not based on actual game mechanics. During the game, very little is changed in practice. However, should characters begin plane hopping, what follows will take precedent?
What is established is that a multi-verse exists an innumerable number of realities. Each reality is referred to as a Realm. A similar set of physics and magic operates for all the realms. Magic may exist at differing levels and operate with different parameters for the given realm. (As an example, if we just consider our universe, the same physics works in all places, though different parameters might exist from planet to planet like gravity, air pressure, and chemical make up of the air. The surface of a star follows the same physics when compared to the surface of an airless comet or when compared to the surface of a living world. Same physics, different parameters.)
The study of these changes is one of the higher levels of study when it comes to planar arcana lore. Once one understands these basics, one can usually manage to utilize magic in any realm given enough time to study the parameters. The collective set of actual physics and magical rules applied for a realm are known as its
Fundamentals.
Realms also vary in the nature of their relationship with time, and this is the primary difference with regards to physics between many realms. Some realms are linear in time, strictly cause and effect. In these realms, it is impossible to change a timeline. In other realms, time travel is possible, however the timeline adjusts in such a way that the time travel is incorporated. And in some realms, the flow of time is fluid in all directions, meaning new histories and pasts occur periodically due to changing timelines. Then the most chaotic of worlds have only small segments of linear time, where one can accidentally move into different time streams. In these realms, it is common for effects to precede cause, effects happen with no cause, or the true cause of an event is random and unknowable.
With regards to the idea of quantum universes spawning parallel realities, no proof exists of this event according to scholars. With understanding the quantum being necessary for higher-level magics, none have found a way to travel to a parallel universe should one exist. The holding theory is that while quantum fields exist, they still collapse into discrete individual realms. (They will still acknowledge the math can show evidence of infinite parallel realities.) Having said this, one of the explanations of the vast number of realms may find their roots in the basics of quantum field variance.
As an aside, this is also why the claim of an infinite number of realms is not made. For such to be true, then an infinite number of permutations would exist where every possibility exists somewhere, including an infinite number of exact copies for each realm.
Vernimov’s Theory of Infinite Selfs can fall under this last idea, and as such, is often considered flawed.
Core Realm Groups
Realms rarely come as singular existence. There will be a singular Core Realm (Prime Material) and then several attached ‘shadow’ realms. Attached realms are usually considered metaphysical in nature, sometimes elemental or spiritual in nature. The grouping together makes up the extended realm for the core realm.
Core Realm Groups tend to be of linear time. Core realms also follow the standard of galaxies, stars, planets, etc.
Travel between realms of a group is considerably easier than traveling from one Realm Group to another. Often times, traveling from one realm to another within the same core realm group may be a mere effect of locality, as in that one can walk from Chrailis to the
The Quirk Woods.
Core Realm
The central hub of the group. Travel in and out of the group happens from the Core Realm. All other realms in the group are reflections of the Core Realm.
For example, Camoray is the core realm but has as its extended group a Shadow Realm, an Ethereal/Astral realm, a Fey Realm (the Lucid Veil), elemental realms inherited from Nakir, and possibly a few others. Each of these realms is closely connected with Camory in some way or another.
Shadow Realms
These realms are but reflections of the Core Realm. They will often share similar geography and landmarks, though distances might be skewed. Depending on the nature of the shadow realm, they have a tendency to highlight certain aspects of abstract ideals strongly found in the Core Realm, leading many to believe they are manifestations of the combined psyche of the inhabitants found within the Core World.
When one summons monsters, demons, or beasts, it is from the associated realms within the group. As such,
dismissal and
banishment spells work by sending the offending creatures back to their respective shadow realm within the same core realm group.
Travel between Shadow Realms within a Core Group is common. Travel between Shadow Realms of differing Core Groups is not possible (with a few unverified exceptions travel must go through the Core Realm.
A rare shadow realm is the mirror realm. Not fully understood, it is a shadow realm which consists only of shadows created from what is seen in a mirror and has a reversed topography.
Aggregate Realms
Currently, two such known realms exist. They are a focal point between several realms, constantly shifting in make-up, geography, and governing Fundamentals. As a bridge between multiple worlds, the governing Fundamentals of the nearest world to that location within the Aggregate Realm often holds sway. However, individuals carry the mark of their world with them and how they interact within the Aggregate Realm is somewhat dictated by this.
Unlike almost every other realm, Aggregate Realms are not planets and can go on for seemingly forever.
Gashmyr is a city at the center of the multiverse. The stellar objects seen in this realm tend to be those seen within the closest realm. In fact, trying to leave the surface and flying out into space will throw that person into the represented Core World.
The Pryson is a vast realm which absorbs other realms and is continually growing in size.
Anytime
Sometimes classified as an Aggregate Realm, it is more the realm of possibility, all realms seemingly exist here together in some form or another. Others think of it as the reflection of all realms. One can literally walk from a copy of one realm to the next. The Fundamentals of Anytime are singular in that while they can be mutable, there are certain aspects not found anywhere else. Getting to Anytime can only be done via Gashmyr (often referred to as the center of Anytime). Some refer to it as the dream realm, a realm created by the collective unconscious of every being within the multiverse. This last idea has lead to many debates about the actual connectivity of the multiverse on the ramification if all dreamers can reach Anytime, but only in their dreams.
Divergences from Published Sources
Astral Plane/Ethereal Plane: These planes exist individually for each Core Realm. They are not separate entities but just different names for the same shadow realm. It is the spirit world of that Core World and most Core Worlds have an associated spirit realm. The terms are interchangeable, though Ethereal is usually a direct translation to the same location on another realm while Astral tends to refer more to long distant travel within the associated Realm.
Elemental Planes: Not every Core Realm has realms associated with the elements. Those that do usually follow the theme of fire/water/earth/air or fire/water/wood/metal/air. As a general rule, these realms are connected with each other as in one can travel from Fire to Air.
Positive/Negative Plane: Not planes but the properties of the Fundamentals for each Core Realm Group. While referred to, they do not exist as a place that can be traveled to or traveled within. They are more conduits for where power/life comes into the Core Realm Group and where it leaves.
Shadow Plane: Almost every Realm World has a dark shadow plane different from the generic term Shadow Realm. In fact, some shadow planes have shadow planes, like the diminished quality of a mirror within a mirror. Unlike the Astral/Ethereal Realm, the Shadow Realm of a world is a vague half-formed realm existing as a copy of the Core Realm. It is often affected by negative emotions and thoughts. It is as much a psychic realm as anything. Many of the nightmares, demons, and such come from this realm when summoned.
Outer Planes: Do not really exist as separate planes as in the published materials. When they exist, they are actually Shadow Realms of the Core Realm which have certain aspects assigned to them, like Hell being a Shadow Realm of punishment. They always follow the same Fundamentals as the Core World.
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