Vein

538 E3

Vein   The surface world of Vein is usually mapped out by scholars as being cylindrical. In reality it has more of an hourglass shape with the two poles expanding outwards. Going northwards the climate grows colder, and mirroring this; southwards the climate grows hotter. The two huge polar landmasses: Tromost and Fuagara respectively, are the extremes on both sides.   The middle portion between the poles house continents with a variety of climates fit for habitation by various species. There are 7, 8 or 9 continents, depending on the culture you ask, and a multitude of non continental islands and archipelagos. Most of the inter polar surface world is ocean. See: landmasses of the vein, oceans of the vein   There are many intelligent species from various backgrounds to be found on the surface world. In terms of both population and area, humanity, and its various subspecies, can be considered to be the most prominent, although other species like elves, goblins, satyr, 'once-humans' (Moërbealthi) and many others have civilizations rivaling these. In total there are still more non-human intelligent beings than humans on Vein.   Though the time of purely species based dividing lines between Veins denizens has passed in many areas. Many civilizations are multi-specie and multi-cultural, albeit to various degrees. See: inter-specie, inter-racial, inter-ethnic relations.   To understand the various spiritual practices of Veins species, one must understand the underworld realm and its metaphysical relation to the surface. The underworld is a physical and tangible realm on the inside of Vein, albeit less so. It is a mix between tangible reality and a world of forms where primordial powers and entities dwell throughout. At the center of this realm is a stream of energy where the souls of the deceased embark towards, to be pulled towards final death.   The beings and energies residing in the underworld impact the surface world in often inexplicable ways. Religions form at the intersection between the surface world and the underworld phenomena, often trough spiritual links made between the worlds. These links have an impact on how souls behave upon death, and the possibility to deny final death where souls find a home in the underworld.