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 plane, and beyond the drywall would be the Astral plane.

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
Avarjia, The Endless Battlefield of