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"...[name] stood in the [name2] Hall, a hundred
peers watching from the galleys above. She called her Provider's
name, and all could feel the power she commanded. [name3]
summoned his wards, but all that watched knew his efforts
were in vain. The next name she offered was his, and the misery
of [name3] was legend."
translated from Dekàlan
fragment
found in ruined Ildûn
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Supplements
> Astronomy
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A number of Dekàlan
cosmologists have suggested that the World of Teréth
End is a planet surrounded by three moons, which are
encircled by a ring of outer worlds, which in turn are
enveloped by five spheres of a thousand stars, which
form a wall between the mortal realm and the heavens.
Sages, philosophers, and theologians have further
suggested that beyond the veils of heaven, lies a sixth
layer dubbed the Sphere of Creation, from which all
things were hewn. This onion-skinned arrangement
was named Zarátam by the Erëgé of
Path, after the first apostle Zarav who compiled the
Heavenly Wisdoms.
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Due to the concatenation of the world's continents,
the idea of a spherical world was established early during
Uren expansion across its face. This understanding was
undoubtedly supported further (if not granted) through interactions
with the Elder Races. The round-world theory combined
with obervations of the moons (Mamra and Woad) and the sun
fostered the theory of a continuity of layered spheres among
the Dekàlan and earlier civilizations.
The universe is therefore understood to be
a series of layered spheres, each with its own purpose (i.e.
the Sphere of Stars) and position within the heavenly firmament.
With the possible exception of the two largest moons
(whose surfaces can be observed with the unaided eye) space
is not viewed as a destination to any but the Elve, whose
legends recall their arrival to Teréth End aboard hundred
sailed ships.
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| Sphere
of Life |
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The Sphere of Life consists of two bodies,
the world of Teréth End and the sun Arzàmarádth.
Many believe that not only does the sun grant
life to the world, but that its light supports life
between the worlds. For centuries many have tried
to prove this theory by flying toward Arzàmarádth.
There are a large number of scholars who believe
the sun is not a fiery hell, but rather a shimmering
gem. The inclusion of Arzàmarádth
into the Sphere of Life, wreaks some havoc with the
neatly layered spheres of Zarátam since the innermost
planet and asteroid belt traditionally exist within
the Sphere of Outer Worlds. Others argue that
this is not evidence of failed theory, but rather evidence
that life exists upon those inner bodies.
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| Sphere
of Moons |
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Outside the Sphere of Life exists the
Sphere of Moons. The same scholars that seek to
include the inner planet(s) into the Sphere of Life,
often see the Sphere of Moons as an unnecessary theoretical
construction to validate antiquated theories regarding
the Zarátam. Again, these viewpoints are
not common outside the halls of Panath and other learned
institutions. The Second Sphere was first questioned
following the discovery of two moons around the third
(fourth) planet. Regardless, the only bodies that
belong to the Second Sphere are the moons of Teréth
End: Mamra, Woad, and Nuleun. (see Gazetteer >
Sphere of Moons)
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| Sphere
of Outer Worlds |
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The star system to which Teréth
End belongs is very old. A Sphere of Outer Worlds
that once consisted of ten planets now hosts only six.
Four worlds have been reduced to rubble and now
circle the sun in distinct bands of drifting stone.
The details of these belts or the fate of those
ancient worlds is unknown. The apostle Zarav wrote
of "columns and blocks of a people long destroyed
and forgotten" during his epic journey into the
Third Sphere. Once the third planet from its sun,
Teréth End is now second. Among those who
study these things, there is speculation that whatever
destroyed those worlds, might someday come to this one.
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| Sphere
of Stars |
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Beyond the outer worlds lies the Sphere
of Stars. At this place, five spheres of a thousand
stars each bar travel and observation to the Fourth
Sphere, Heaven. Placement of the visible stars
is determined by magnitude with the brightest existing
on the innermost sphere, and the most faint resting
within the fartherest rings. It is from the Sphere
of Stars that comets and shooting stars descend.
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| Sphere
of Heaven |
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The Sphere of Heaven is the first region
of the Visible World that cannot be observed. Despite
this inconsistency, it is believed that the forces from
the sphere directly influence the interior spheres.
Because of this connection, both the Sphere of
Heaven and Creation are interminably bound to that which
can be seen. The Sphere of Heaven is regarded
as both a plane and place. It is the believed
to be the residence of many gods and spirits, who fashioned
and maintain the inner spheres from the stuff of Creation.
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| Sphere
of Creation |
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The outermost region of Zarátam
is thought to be the Sphere of Creation. Before
all other things, this sphere existed alone. Within
this greatest of spheres the gods assembled the Visible
World. Because the raw materials came from the
entropic Sphere of Creation, it too is included in the
Zarátam. In most classic Dekàlan
depictions of this sphere, the god Tarras (the first
to be named) guards the gate from Heaven.
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| Notes
/ References |
- Magic/Lunar Influences: Those with even a
small trace of elfin blood who are born beneath the
true full phase of Mamra or Nuléun are attuned
to the Chaos, and may be trained as spellcasting bards,
sorcerers, witches, and wizards. Furthermore,
any (regardless of blood) born beneath the true full
phases of Woad may be trained as spellcasting clerics,
druids, rangers, and paladins. Characters created
as spellcasters are assumed to have been born appropriately
(use chart above). Characters wishing to become
spellcasters at a later date are limited by their
birth-dates, and in some cases, their lineage. When
determining birth-dates, use the system outlined on
the Chronology
page.
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