The term "Multiverse" literally means "many universes" ("universe" itself being a mongrel term meaning "unity and diversity"), and is a real, if rarely-accepted, theory of the origins of our universe. In the Eternal Multiverse [[Canon]] (EMC), the "Multiverse" consists of every [[#Universe|universe]] and its [[#Iteration|iterations]] in existence. Beyond its boundaries lies the Void. == Overview and History == The Multiverse is composed of all that exists, but it was originally but one universe. In the beginning [[the Old Gods]], self-existent and immortal, shared one consciousness, and existed in the Plane of Creation, a place where there was no time, matter, or energy; only their shared energies. At some "point in time" the goddess who would eventually become known as [[The Creator]] spoke the Words of Creation necessary to bring a universe into existence. The old pantheon approved, and they watched over it, and the trillions of lives that had suddenly arisen. Shortly after this, one group of the old pantheon decided to use their powers to create parallel realities to this universe, filled with unusual creatures and traits. These were the first [[#Planes|planes of existence]], separate from and lesser than the [[#Plane of Creation and Torment|Plane of Creation]]; many others later arose, some spontaneously, with no divine hand guiding their creation. Eventually this first universe was threatened by [[The Void]], and was nearly destroyed before the Creator infused that universe with her Essence, directing it to create copies in adjacent space. These new realities, each one created when any creature on any world in some way changed the course of reality; variances could be as major as a world leader living or dying, to a schoolboy's choice of which shirt to wear. The only limitation on these iterated realities from that universe was that they only appeared in synch with her [[#Creation Rhythm|"creation rhythm"]], and thus were not truly infinite in number. Nevertheless this plan was successful, as millions of universes appeared in an instant, and the Void was overwhelmed and driven back. Several of the Creator's allies supported her by investing much of their power into new universes of their own... these [[#Core Universes|"Core" realities]] intersected with the first one, and mutually supported each other, yielding a new "Multiverse," its realities forming a buffer against the rapidly expanding Void. However, several of the old gods disapproved of this choice, preferring instead to let the Void devour that universe and start anew. When the Creator refused, some chose to rebel; one immediately entering into the Void to "merge" with it, and others later followed suit, or disappeared completely. If the Void obtained their powers, it made no sign of it; and the burgeoning Multiverse survived. == The Tree Theory of the Multiverse == This network of universes continued to expand, with the initial universe-- creating the bulk of the iterations around the Multiverse-- forming the base. The other [[#Old Universes|original universes]] made up the "trunk," as they built upon the first universe without being directly part of it. These "old universes," not made by the Creator, were imperfect-- many were nothing more than a singularity of compressed matter-- and as a result allowed for a tremendous amount of variance as they iterated. One unknown agency, thought to be associated with a vanished old god; began to use these iterations for a purpose other than a shell to hold back the Void. They used their unusual powers to [[#Compilation|compile]] those copies into different Core universes, further adding variety to the already-staggering amount present in the old universes. These new Core realities formed the branches, and they themselves began to iterate in a constant expansion. The Void, however, devoured most of these iterations before they could be compiled; yet the agency helping the Multiverse was able to outwit it, and the Multiverse began to thrive. The Void changed its tactics, directing its forces to find weaknesses in the "branches" of the Multiversal Tree, to strike from the outside and work in. Simultaneously, the Void eventually overcame the buffer shielding the original universe and consumed it, an act that drastically weakened the Creator, and some theorize caused her to begin to ordain mortals to protect the Multiverse-- the beginnings of what would later be the Eternals. The "tree," as there is no better metaphor to describe it; is surrounded on all sides by the Void, which constantly strives to destroy its borders and consume the Core universes within. At a comparatively scant few million years before the Creator's death, the Void mysteriously changed tactics again; waging war more constantly in a bid for these Core universes, often devouring one or two before the Eternals or other defenders of the Multiverse could save them. The Multiverse is currently in equilibrium with the Void, iterated realities being formed roughly as quickly as the Void can consume them; but that position is tenuous. == Planescape of the Multiverse == In addition to the network of universes that make up the Multiverse, there are unique realities known as [[#Plane|"planes"]] throughout existence. They are grouped among the following types: *Material Planes: These often iterate normally, and are called "universes" in the EMC. Non-iterative material universes, such as the Continuous, are properly called planes; but only scholars tend to argue this semantical issue. *'''Inner Planes''': These planes intersect the entire known Multiverse, and represent a particular element or energy, such as the Plane of Fire. These planes are infinite in size, and can be accessed throughout any point in the Multiverse. As such they tend to be composed of only the dominant element-- volcanoes and lakes of fire constituting the Plane of Fire, for example-- cities and other structures are rare and scattered billions of miles apart. *'''Outer Planes''': These planes are beyond the reach of most universes, requiring magical means, such as portals, to reach. The Outer Planes represent a dominant alignment or morality ("goodness" or "justice") and are vast in size, but most are not in fact infinite; instead, various "branches" of the Multiverse have their own sets of Outer Planes. For example, one region might have a Netherworld and Celestia; another would have the Abyss, the Nine Hells, and the Seven Heavens. The souls of the dead are drawn to the Outer Planes nearest them upon their deaths, and lesser deities and creatures who correspond to the plane's "alignment" inhabit them. *'''Transitive Planes''': Like the Inner Planes, the "transitive planes," so named because they facilitate travel among univeres; are infinite in size, and canvass the Multiverse. There is only one Astral Plane, for example; and two beings from two Core universes both Projecting into it could possibly meet each other, though such a coincidence would be extremely unlikely. The other Transitive Planes are the Plane of Shadow, which simply mirrors the Multiverse proper as a sort of "shadow reality," and the Ethereal Plane, where incorporeal beings and spirits exist in conjunction with a material plane bordering it. *'''Negative Planes''': These are technically Inner Planes, but deserve special mention here. The Negative Energy Plane is where Voidwraiths coterminously exist, and where the energy that taints and destroys a creature's Essence is derived, outside of the Void itself (negative energy is very similar to the Anti-Creation energies of the Void). The Negative Material Plane recently merged with a negative Continuous formed by Vire, and is gradually beginning to form a "photo negative" version of the true Multiverse, parallel to it but never intersecting. The ramifications of this cosmological change have only begun to be considered. It is not normally possible to use the transitive and inner planes to travel between universes, even though they are coterminous with all realities. This is because the [[#Ether|ether]] barrier between realities is likewise planar, and thus prevents direct transit from one universe's coexistant plane to another's. However, some powerful magic-users and ships are capable of bypassing the Ether and thus can use the transitive planes to rapidly travel between realities. Those capable of doing so are rare, however. There is at least one unique plane in the Multiverse that is completely separate from all others. That is the Plane of Torment, originally the Plane of Creation; the "area" beyond space where the old pantheon once resided. Now, a nexus of energies forms a shell around it that only a very few beings can penetrate, thus, few know exactly what the truth is regarding this mysterious plane of origin, though rumors say that within resides the source of all Creation energy. Whether or not this is true, it is certain that some of the Creator's Essence was retained there, in the form of an orb the size of a small star. This power is tapped by the Memory Pools in Eternal City, granting the Eternals the ability to cross between realities. After the eventual destruction of the first universe and the emergence of Vante, the Plane of Creation began to supply destructive, anti-Creation energy similar to that used by the Void, rumored to be the means behind Vante's "Omega Power." At roughly the same time the Memory Pools were created, using the energy of the Plane of Creation. Such usage-- which allows for the tampering of worlds long since consumed by the Void and thus that no longer exist-- causes ripples of spiritual pain throughout the plane and those connected to it. Likewise, an emotion of anguish fills the plane when massive spikes in either Creation or anti-Creation energy are felt within the Multiverse proper, and they are reflected by physical changes in the plane itself. Over millions of years landmasses and expanses of space have appeared in the otherwise featureless Plane of Creation, though no known living beings have been "represented" there. For both those reasons, and possibly more, the plane gradually began to be called the Plane of Torment by those who studied it. To those scholars, the two names are interchangeable. == Other Properties of the Multiverse == In the center of the Multiverse lies [[The Continuous]], an ancient material plane rumored to be based on the now-lost first universe. Of all the universes, the Continuous has the greatest impact on the Multiverse as a whole, as it is home to the most civilizations that have crossed the [[#Final Threshold|"Final Threshold"]]. The universes that make up the Multiverse are not contiguous; there is no way to cross directly between them. A border of quasi-existent spiritual energy called "Ether" or "Aether" surrounds each, and this barrier inhibits magical and attempted physical travel between realities. When a being from one reality enters another, such movement triggers what is called the [[#Singularity Effect|"singularity effect"]]. The destination universe immediately stops iterating, and as many iterations as possible are instantly merged to form a temporary Core reality to parallel it; the newcomer arrives at this copy, unable to meaningfully affect the original world. That reality's Core universe then resumes iterations with the Multiversal traveler safely isolated in a "singular universe." Possibly more than any other factor, the singularity effect leads to the corruption of specific, affected worlds due to the sudden "overwrite" of essence and material between these iterations, so the Eternals and other organizations attempt to limit such inter-universal travel. Void creatures, being non-existent, never trigger the singularity effect, meaning that only civilizations capable of transcendence can strike them early. Once a maelstrom appears in a universe, however, the singularity effect can no longer be activated (the maelstrom destroys all iterations before they are fully formed), and then Multiversal travelers can reach that universe directly, though often too late. The only way to literally travel to another Core universe without triggering the singularity effect or [[#Paradox|paradox]] is to use "Transcendence," a technique that essentially involves a user transmitting his Essence to a destination universe, generally through a shortcut such as the Plane of Torment or [[the Flow]], and then merging his body to it across that distance instantaneously. The Memory Pools can also be used for this purpose, but since most Eternals use them to cross the flow of time as well, and any attempt at time travel always involves creating a [[#Temporal Reality|copy of the universe in question]]; few Eternals use the Memory Pools to achieve transcendence, although they can do so in order to fight the Void. If a Transcendent later causes paradox in that universe, it instantly forms a temporary universe as with the singularity effect, shunting the transcendent to it. This process is painful and sometimes lethal, and as a result those using transcendence are careful to not greatly interfere with a world. Iterations formed by a universe with a transcendent in it copy him as normal, but these copies lose transcendence and are forever unable to escape, not possessing the energy needed to transcend. == Glossary of Terms == ==== Compilation ==== The term given to the process in which multiple similar iterations are merged, the Essences of each combined together. It is unknown what force guides this process, save that they apparently wish to preserve the Multiverse, as compiled iterations can eventually form a new Core universe, beginning the process anew, and further frustrating the Void's efforts. ==== Core Universe ==== A "true" universe that contains its proper amount of energy and essence, and thus can produce weaker iterations to hold back the Void. Originally there was only one core universe, but now there are many. The true number of these universes is unknown to the Eternals, but they are aware of several hundred (although many of these are miscategorized). ==== Creation Rhythm ==== The proper term for the "heartbeat" of a deity; essentially the amount of time it takes for Essence to cycle through his or her body when at rest, not using energy of any sort. This rhythm determines the rate at which iterations from a Core universe formed by that deity are made. The "Creator's" creation rhythm was 3/100ths of a nanosecond, and is the standard by which her followers, such as the Eternals, tell time. ==== Ether ==== The barrier of spiritual energy between all universes. While normally inhibiting or barring travel between universes, ether itself can be harnessed as a source of spiritual energy, and thus shaped and wielded much like magic. Shaped ether is the principle element in "etherite," a material known for its legendary durability. Ether used for magic yields less powerful spells than direct arcane or divine magical energy, but is more versatile and requires less effort to use. ==== Final Threshold ==== Traditionally, the "thresholds" of exploration refer to a civilization's increased perception of reality around them... the first threshold is crossing local areas on land, and then there is contintental travel, travel across the oceans, travel through space, faster-than-light travel, interdimensional travel, and finally inter-universal travel, the last of which is called the "final" threshold, as there is nothing beyond the Multiverse. ==== Iteration ==== A copy of a Core universe produced periodically, in synch with the creation rhythm of the deity who formed that initial universe. Iterations, also called "shadow realities" or simply "copies," possess only a fraction of the Essence and energy of the initial universe, but contain just as much mass and area; and are thus used to stall the Void and prevent it from consuming the vastly more important Core universes. All non-mechanical energy produced in an iteration is much weaker than if produced in a Core universe-- mages never reach great heights of power, ki powers are more subdued, and so on. See also compilation, core universe. ==== Lesser Gods ==== Sometimes derisively referred to as "local gods" or "principalities," lesser gods are divine beings who can use Creation power, but at a universal, rather than Multiversal, scale. Lesser gods are typically fully capable of dealing with minor threats from the Void-- though not full-scale Void Wars-- and problems within their Core universes. Iterations typically do not have gods, or have correspondingly weaker versions that are helpless against the Void. Examples of lesser gods are the Q Continuum and D&D gods such as Heironeus and Pelor. ==== Paradox ==== "Paradox" refers to a condition that is impossible, but seemingly true. In the EMC, "paradox" refers to contradictions of continuity, typically in conjunction with time travel. For example, a creature that goes back in time in his reality to kill his ancestor would kill himself from being born; but if that happened he could never kill that victim, thus creating a paradox. For the most part, paradoxes are avoided due to the singularity effect, but if they manage to occur they can corrupt a universe's compilation as iterations begin to represent the paradox. See also temporal reality. ==== Plane ==== A plane is essentially a unique, typically non-iterating universe with its own natural laws; with much higher levels of Essence and energy than a material universe. Planes are subdivided into the following categories: Material planes, Inner planes, Outer planes, and transitive planes. ==== Plane of Creation/Plane of Torment ==== The initial home of the old pantheon, the Plane of Creation exists even further beyond the "base" of the Multiverse; one might call it the "roots." The Plane of Creation is home to a massive sphere of creation energy, though what purpose it serves is unknown. Now known as the Plane of Torment, few beings in the contemporary Multiverse are aware that it really is the Plane of Creation, as it had not been used for its original purpose in millions of years. ==== Reality ==== The common expression for a given universe and its iterations. The [[Iteration Designation]] system reflects first the reality in question, then its Core universe (if multiple ones exist), and finally the exact iteration. In the old Multiversal taxonomy, a "reality" referred to universes and iterations separately, while all of them combined were called alternately a "sphere," "plane," or "layer." Older textbooks sometimes use these designations. ==== Old Universe ==== "Template" universes with its matter stored in a singularity, expanding outward in a "Big Bang" to fill its dimensions over time. These realities were unreliable, but had a great deal of potential, as they were made by the old gods who did not have time to adequately create a universe like the Creator's when the need arose to form the Multiverse to hold back the Void. Some of the old universes were consumed, but a few remain, and tend to be the source of some of the most bizarre, yet powerful; creatures and worlds in the entire Multiverse. ==== Singularity Effect ==== The process in which a traveler from another reality enters a Core universe, which causes it to cease iterating; the already-existing iterations merging instantly to form a temporary copy of that Core universe. The original then resumes iterating as normal, with the traveler safely isolated in that temporary universe. Any other travelers are immediately shunted to that copy as well. ==== Temporal Reality ==== Temporary reality formed when inter-universal transit, such as the Memory Pools, attempt to access universes that no longer exist, or are "locked down" by various powers, such as freezing its time axis. The Plane of Creation forms a temporary, localized universe (often only the solar system in question, if that), basing the copy on how it "remembers" that universe. This stored data is sometimes incorrect, but typically only rarely or in insignificant details. Once all Multiversal travelers have left the temporal reality, it broken back down into Creation energy and lost. ==== Universe ==== One material plane of infinite or great size, which is made up of galaxies and successively smaller stellar objects. In the EMC, the term "universe" can be used interchangeably to refer to "Core universes" or to "iterative universes," depending on the context. [[Category:General Information]]