Category:Cosmology

The official GemStone IV encyclopedia.
Revision as of 17:28, 7 March 2019 by INIQUITY (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

The cosmology of GemStone IV is ill-defined in the sense of systematic schemes of categorization and theory. The Shadow World cosmology of the I.C.E. Age was somewhat more concrete, with separate kinds of planes and entities such as the Pales. There were plans for an onion shell kind of model of planes surrounding our world, formed by tensions of kinds of forces and dualities. This was the original sense of the word "valences." Strictly speaking, not every "other reality" should be called a "plane" or "plane of existence", if the metaphor of a surface plane or "existence" is not meaningful.

Some basic facts of the multi-planar setting from documentation and observed phenomena:

  • The world is separated from other planes or realms by "veils" surrounding it.
  • These other realities shift and move around in some higher space.
  • Intersections of planes move around as planes move around.
  • Intersections allow foreign energy and properties to bleed through the two worlds.
  • Creatures can be corrupted, cursed, or transformed by foreign energy.
  • Physical properties, including time, can vary greatly.
  • Veils can be "pierced", allowing planar transport.
  • Rifts can happen accidentally under intense magic.

Elemental Planes

Prime Elemental Planes

The Prime Elemental Planes consist of:

  • The Plane of Fire
  • The Plane of Air
  • The Plane of Water
  • The Plane of Earth

Elemental Intersections

Demonic Planes

It is unclear if the Faendryl use "valence" as a synonym for "all planes", or only "demonic" planes, or a subset of such realities.

Valences

Known demonic "valences" include:

Other Demonic Planes

Ithzir Planes

The Ithzir live in material plane worlds and apparently travel to others conquering them.

Known Ithzir worlds include:

Astral Planes

These are loosely other planes involving the mind or spirit moving between worlds, or the body de-materializing and re-materializing.

Temporal Planes

These are time warps outside our space, but they are contiguous with it. They intersect with it at various fixed points in a region.

  • Temporal rifts (e.g. glyph traps; temporal warrior and worm invasion creatures)
  • The Rift (depicts multiple realities it touches upon, based heavily on Tarot cards)

Spiritual Planes

These are loosely other planes storing spirits, whether fey or undead or souls. They might be able to be traveled to astrally or materially through portals.

Other Planes