Astral Shelf Cosmology

The Astral Shelf Cosmology is a theory of planar alignment unique to Yshivia. It stipulates that all of the planes are aligned in a sort of row, some closer than others, but in a way that, depending on how they are viewed, results in overlap. Like books on a bookshelf, when viewed from the front, the spines of the books are all visible, but when viewed from the side, you are only able to see the first-most book. Unlike other cosmological theories, such as the Great Wheel, planes aligned on the Astral Shelf have no inherent alignment. They have, however, been shaped by the beings that exist upon them. To maintain the theory, if the planes are represented by books upon the shelf, the shelf itself would be The Material Belt, both supporting the planes and influencing them evenly. Likewise, the wall behind the shelf would be akin to the Ethereal Realm, and beyond the drywall would be the Astral Sea.

Demiplanes

Demiplanes may be created in any plane in the Astral Shelf Cosmology, and would be similar to adding a bookmark between the pages of that particular plane, completely encompassed and only accessible from the plane in which it was created. They do not stand alone.

The Creation of Planes

While the creation (or removal) of planes from the shelf is possible, it is not something that happens with any regularity. Since the creation of mortal souls, only one plane has ever been created: Sommnuria. The addition or removal of a plane would have significant consequences to the stability of the Astral Shelf, and is not something that is taken lightly by the creatures that approach the sort of power necessary for the task.

The Planes

Entrokas, The Chaotic Sea Of	Entrokas The birthplace of arcana, The Chaotic Sea of Entrokas serves as a primordial soup of the components necessary for the creation of magic. After the ascension, Helmedeus's revelation of balance required a way for mortal creatures to access their own form of magic, and he chose to provide a plane that could serve as the resource for such magic. Thus, he bore Entrokas, carved out of his own flesh. To the mortal eye unfortunate enough to gaze upon it, Entrokas is a labyrinth of intense stimuli, overwhelming each and every sense to insanity. Helmedeus continues to reside within Entrokas, but some wonder if even he has fallen into intellectual chaos.
Avarjia, The Endless Battlefield of	Avarjia The home to Infernal creatures, both demon and devil, the Endless Battlefield of Avarjia is a scarred landscape pockmarked with nine walled cities, known as The Infinite Towers or sometimes The Nine Hells. Outside of these fortresses lies the Withering Wastes, a landscape devastated by constant lightning strikes and incredibly harsh winds. Two deities make their homes here and they are the masters of the constant fighting between devils and demons known as The Blood War. The Infinite Towers Bastions of security within the inhospitality of Avarjia, there are nine walled cities ruled by nine Infernal Princes. Unable to expand outward due to the constant pressure from demons, the towers instead rise to incredible heights. The King of Hell, Adezik, enforces a strict class system, making it difficult for lesser devils to rise in the ranks. The bottom of the towers, the least safe position, are akin to slums with poor living conditions, where as the upper levels of the towers allow for luxury among the infernal elite. The Withering Wastes The home of Sarmora, the Abyssal Maw and mother of demons, the Withering Wastes serve as the birthplace of demons. No plants grow here, instead leaving demons to cannibalize each other or wayward devils to survive. Ravaged by relentless wind and constantly struck by lightning, it is among the most inhospitable places amongst all the planes. Unfortunate are the souls that venture here.
Yshivia, The Material Plane of	Yshivia Domain of Hethora and her mortal creations, Yshivia, sometimes referred to as The Material Plane, is where humanoids hail from. It is, by design, generally hospitable, having been gifted flora from Nyshane and fauna from The Shewolf. All the while, Hethora's watchful eyes ensure that the realm does not stray too far into chaos. There are four additional sub-planes, which are also considered planes material but are separated from Yshivia proper by supernatural barriers that prevent easy travel. The Wandering Grove The doorway between Yshivia and The Feywid, The Wandering Grove appears and disappears at a whim. Comprised of golden-leaved beeches, a wayward traveler that stumbles into the Grove is unlikely to realize until it is to late. The Grove cannot be called or summoned, but instead goes where it wills and can appear in any forest. The Feywild Home of fairies and carnivorous flora, the Feywild is ruled over by Nyshane. It is a land defined by a constant pinkish, dusky sky as there is no eye of Hethora to light it. The plants here are sentient and tricky, relying on convoluted contracts to gain power over one another. The Underdark Tunnels carved by Zarma, the centipede goddess of insects and rot, the Underdark is a labyrinthian network of subterranean burrows that serve as home to fungi and invertebrates. Successfully navigating it will lead you straight into Cirryx, but few, if any, have made the journey from one end to the other. Cirryx The river of death, Cirryx is the domain of the Mist Mother and The Pillars. Souls must walk down the river, navigating obstacles such as waterfalls, sinkholes, and deep water until their soul no longer feels regret, whereupon they are released into the ethereal plane to experience their afterlife. On the other side of the river is the Mist Mother's palace and beyond that, the City of Fog where her servants reside.
Sommnuria, The Realm of Dream and Nightmare	Sommnuria The only plane formed after the Great Ascension, Sommnuria, and thus all dreams held by all creatures capable of dreaming, was developed through careful trial and experimentation by one of the first mortal souls, Irefe. It appears to visitors as a grid of looms, each as unique as the individual they represent, weaving a tapestry of memory and dream belonging to every living creature. If a loom is damaged, the loose threads can escape to create their own identities known as Threadbeasts. They serve as guardians, able to jump in and out of any dream they choose, past and present, and able to take any form they desire to hide within those dreams.
The Beastlands, The Infinite Hunting Grounds of	The Beastlands The home of the Shewolf, the Beastlands is the home of all animals. It is broken down into subsections of climate then again subdivided into levels of brightness, creating an ideal home for all different kinds of creatures. Here, animal souls are constantly reborn immediately upon being killed, emphasizing the infinite cycle of rebirth and reincarnation. The appearance of The Shewolf herself is heralded by a thick fog and the arrival of animals not seen anywhere on any of the Planes Material. The thicker the fog, the closer you are to the goddess.
Zefyrius, The Mirrored Skies of	Zefyrius A realm formed of floating rocky islands, Zefyrius is home to all forms of dragons and dracokin. This airborne archipelago is divided into thirds, one for each dragon lord. For Dragarix, the dominant of the three and lord of metallic dragons, the Surface, so that they may warm their scales. For Throxera, the most arrogant of the three, and her children, the chromatic dragons, The Belly, the darker and more barren undersides of the islands. And for Xel, the cleverest of the three, and ruler of gem dragons, the Inside. Much like a gem harvested from the rock, they live within the islands themselves.
Holithilee, The Blinding City of	Holithilee A city formed of light, Holithilee is impossible for behold for mortal eyes. It is ruled not by a single god but governed by a series of seven known as The Ring. The city itself is composed of a multitude of gravity-defying concentric rings that each serve a fundamental purpose to the city's function, such as a ring dedicated to the production of ambrosia for food, or one dedicated to the training of enforcers to ensure law. Holithilee struggles with overpopulation and since it cannot expand, it is not uncommon for celestials to seek out ways to find purpose elsewhere.

The Material Belt

The Material Belt Sometimes called the Elemental Chaos, the material belt is a wide gap between the planes material and the astral planes. It is technically considered material, thus the name, despite lying just outside Yshivia's borders. The belt is broken down into four quadrants, and it is where they overlap with the other planes that cause seasons. Vespartha The Summer season of heat and fire, Vespartha is a part of the material belt that is in constant flame. Where it touches the other seasons, it hisses like an angry cat, throwing jets of flame to melt rock and geysers of steam. It is unyielding and powerful. Brethoneir The Spring season of cool mornings and fresh starts, Brethoneir pushes and pulls with the unseen force of wind. It gives as much as it takes, remaining flexible and yielding. But wind is not weak, and can starve the harshest flame, freeze the deepest water, and carve the strongest stone if given the need. Pelanthic The winter season of cold and ice, the Pelanthic is thick where air is not. Its weight can both be comforting and overwhelming. But it is consistent and predictable in ways that other seasons are not. Caragast The autumn season of harvest and preparation, Caragast is solid and unyielding. It is predictable in that it cannot be negotiated with, an firm in its refusal to make space.

Beyond the Material

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