The Helix is a spiral of many worlds set in crystal spheres containing a sun or suns and many planets. The material dimension of the Helix is set in the Astral Firmament , the material projection of the Astral Infinities . The void of the Astral Firmament is vast and impenetrable except by means of dimensional gates. They are also linked by a current of Ether (Feyphane) that flows through a stormy elemental flux called the Phlogiston . This orange hued flux is twisted into a helix, giving the campaign universe its distinctive name.
 |
|
| Feyphane | Phlogiston |
The Maelstrom is a mobile hazard that lies in the heart of the Sepel ja'maal (The Unseen Sea), making long distance voyages dangerous.
The Helix has Material, Ethereal, Astral, Elemental and Nether (Shadow), dimensions.
The Ethereal dimension is known as the Tashomane and it contains the Well of Souls, the Great Spirit Wood, the realm of Tir Nan Ogand the Isles of the Blessed. It is the dimension of Life and Positive energy. It is sometimes called the Halls of Oberon, because of its connections to fey spirits and spirits of Nature. It is the source of the Feyphane. It can be seen in the night sky on clear nights as a greyish mist amongst the stars and orange hued Phlogiston. It is often called the "Milky Way". Sometimes referred to as the Positive Energy, or Positive Material Dimension. In space its appearance is much brighter, with an array of purples, blues, and reds. It is tied to the Attributes of Wisdom, Dexterity and Charisma. It forms part of the spirals of the Helix.
The Astral dimension is the energy of light and power that is expressed in the energies of the suns and stars. It is the sphere of the Gods and the Astral Firmament is the Door to the Astral Infinities. There are six celestial kingdoms or Devaloka in the Astral Dimension. The light of the stars and the sun represent major tangents between the Material and Astral plane. Places of Power such as are chosen for the location of shrines, mosques and ziggurats represent minor tangents between the material and the Astral. It is the plane where Dreams become reality, and the Dreamlands (see below) are said to be a conduit between the Astral and all other dimensions. It is tied to the Attributes of Intellect, Dexterity and Charisma.
The Elemental Dimension is the unseen lattice around which the orange hued Phlogiston spirals. The crystal spheres around Suns represent part of the Elemental order. In consists of the Planes of Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Time, and Energy as well as several pocket dimensional planes. It is tied to the Attributes of Constitution, Wisdom and Strength
The Nether dimension or the Sea of Triple Darkness is the plane of the places beyond the void and is sometimes referred to also as the Nether Void . It exists as an intersection of Shadows, Chaos, Corruption, Terror, Pain and Death. It is sometimes called the Negative Energy Dimension. Where the Dreamlands intersects it lies the Realms of Nightmares. it lies within the great void between the spirals of the Material Helix, the inky blackness that we see in the night sky, the negative to the positive of the Ethereal Firmament. There are nine major nether planes (Known as the Nine Hells): Tanar (Abyss), Blaatzu, Tartarus, Jahannum, Yamaloka, Gehenna,Acheron, Zaqqum and Sheol, as well as innumerable minor hells, as well as the realms of Shadow and the Nightmarelands that border the Nether realms.
It is tied to the Attributes of Intellect, Charisma and Dexterity. Dread monsters inhabit the Nether realms, and the Lords of the this realm are the Diabolos . The souls of the damned go to the Nether reaches rather than the Well of Souls, either to be formed as Manes or Lemures, or be caught in the limbo of the Whirlwind of the Undying , to which all undead are linked.
The Ghost Walk or the Al-Dolurrh, The Realms of Transition is formed at the juncture of the Ethereal, Nether and Material This para-dimension contains the Nexus of Worlds, the Gates of Judgement, the Spirit Wood , the Twilight Forest, the Isles of the Fortunate, the Isles of the Accursed, the Lost City of Avalon, and The Realms of Limbo. It is said to be a Twilight realm between Life and Death, between Light and Darkness, between Hope and Despair. There are many legends about these realms. A domain of spirits and souls some reborn, some lingering, a place largely of uncertainty and disquiet-but also of adventure.