Plane of Probability: Difference between revisions

From Elanthipedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
mNo edit summary
No edit summary
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{stub}}
{{RTOC}}
The Plane of Probability is a chthonic realm where shadow and starlight are the building blocks of reality. It is the source of [[Moon_Mage|Moon Mage's]] prophetic insight as well as the insight into enlightened geometry that is necessary to use teleportation magic <ref>[[Post:Lunar Magic 101 - 05/31/2014 - 10:27]]</ref><ref>[[Post:Prophecy and Mathematics (bit long) - 5/11/2010 - 13:57:20]]</ref>. Their access to this ability seems to be linked to several [[Obelisk|Obelisks]], although at least two of the four known obelisks have been destroyed. The exact nature of these artifacts is something of a mystery, although the obelisk on [[Taisgath]] has been used to sever the connection to the Plane of Probability in the past<ref>[[Post:Background - 10/05/2013 - 00:32]]</ref>.


Moon Mages tap into the Plane of Probability when using many of their prediction abilities.


While [[Moon_Mage|Moon Mages]] derive power and knowledge from the Plane of Probability, the alien intelligences of that plane seek to kill them and wage a war against Lunar Mages. The powers of the Plane of Probability call [[Moon_Mage|Moon Mages]] the [[Children of Grazhir]], and under that name see all the justification they need to wipe Lunar magic off the face of the [[Plane of Abiding]]. The actual meaning of that term remains ambiguous, although it certainly refers to some members of the [[Moon Mage]] guild<ref>[[Post:Lunar Magic 101 - 05/31/2014 - 10:27]]</ref>
[[Tezirah]] is presently trapped in the Plane of Probability. The method by which she originally got there was quite complicated and involved the obelisk below the Crossings Moon Mage guildhall.


==Cosmology of the Plane of Probability==
==Description from Throne City researcher==
The Plane of Probability was at one point believed to be synonymous with the [[Planar Void]] but it is now understood to be a distinct realm<ref>[[Denizens of the Plane of Probability (book)]]</ref>. It borders the [[Plane of Abiding]] and the [[Astral Plane]]. In at least one instance, in the strata beneath [[Taisgath]], a planar breach has been open for millennia and the laws of the plane of probability have seeped across the [[Planar Void]] and altered what it means to be a shadow<ref>[[Post:The Thing Behind Lyras - 4/28/2009 - 00:43:31]]</ref>.
[Imperial Palace, Archives]
A fluted limestone arch, flowing script deeply carved into its smooth surface, serves as the sole entrance to this circular chamber. Covering the dark almhara walls are book-lined shelves of polished black walnut reaching to the painted dome ceiling high above. Oak ladders and a narrow stairway lead to the upper reaches of the walls as well as a large catwalk circling the room. You also see a busy researcher, a book return desk, and an elegant rosewood sign.
Obvious exits: southwest.


>l research
The researcher is a middle-aged Human with curly, brown hair and a short beard. His ale-brown eyes are constantly scanning one of the books or scrolls he carries with him. He is always in motion, maneuvering from shelf to shelf without looking up from his reading.


From the [[Planar Observatory]] the Plane of Probability is seen as a wire-frame pyramid of shadow and light:<br/>
>ask researcher about astral plane
'Strands of manifest darkness and blazing white light rope around each other, creating the frame for a pyramid. Each of the lattice-work sides curves inward towards the center. The light pulses and the darkness twists with every second, but a uniform pattern emerges from the movement, like the beating of an inhuman heart.
A busy researcher says, "The Astral Plane abuts the Plane of Abiding and has a similar relationship to the Plane of Probability. To visualize it, think of three circles in a triangular formation, each one overlapping with the others. We know that the Astral Plane borders other, yet stranger planes of being, but none of these share a common border with the Plane of Abiding."


==Conceptual Life - Denizens of the Plane of Probability==
He continues, "In its natural state, the Astral Plane would be just as hostile to life as the Plane of Probability is. It is a realm of thought and psychic magic, where our whim and our will shapes the landscape. Its true form is without even the concept of body, ground, light or shadow. It is without air and without the need of air. These radical differences in natural philosophy are blandly called 'novel properties' by researchers. For our purposes, there are two to consider: space and mana."
Natural inhabitants of the plane are beings of living shadow, living starlight, or concepts made manifest<ref>[[Post:Background - 10/10/2013 - 01:36]]</ref><ref>[[Post:Test Requests - 02/09/2014 - 16:36]]</ref>. The distinction between these three forms of [[:Category:Extra-planar_creatures|extra-planar life]] is unclear, as many scholars consider [[Plane_of_Probability#Shadow_Creatures|Shadow Creatures]] to be manifestations of concepts of darkness and shadow and [[Plane_of_Probability#Light_Creatures|Light Creatures]] to be manifestations of the concepts of light and starlight<ref>[[Post:Extraplanar Life - on 2/6/2010 - 00:52:55]]</ref>. Others cleave to the belief that they represent three separate forms of life <ref>[[Post:Test Requests - 02/09/2014 - 16:36]]</ref>. More practical scholars emphasize the categorization without concerning themselves with these distinctions. For our purposes, we will assume the former belief.


Conceptual creatures take the form of a facet of the [[Plane of Abiding]], usually an abstract or non-physical concept, and exaggerate it into an animistic nightmare. Most concepts have at least human intelligence and many have violent and destructive personalities. The lesser forms often have chthonic forms which can easily lead to confusion with demonic life or the undead which has lead to them at times being incorrectly referred to as demons or spirits.<ref>[[Post:Extraplanar Life - 2/11/2010 - 14:06:55]]</ref>. Conceptual creatures do not have a free will in the sense that mortals understand it, as their sentience is directly linked to the concept that defines them; they cannot choose to be anything but what they are.<ref>[[Post:Thoughts About DO 3.0 & Necro Playability - 02/11/2012 - 18:36]]</ref><ref>[[Post:Freshen things up, and looking for some info. - 08/11/2011 - 11:48]]</ref>. Furthemore, conceptual life is rooted in the [[Plane of Abiding]] in ways that other extra-planar life is not. After all, if mortals did not create concepts they would have no basis to exist at all<ref>[[Post:Extraplanar Life - on 2/6/2010 - 00:52:55]]</ref>. One further trait of conceptual life is the fact that they seem to have a greater degree of difficulty manifesting the the [[Plane of Abiding]] that other extra planar creatures and therefore most have been brought into being by a summoner. For their part concepts, when summoned, first goal in life appears to be to murder the people that summoned it unless they are magically restrained<ref>[[Post:Extraplanar Life - on 2/6/2010 - 00:52:55]]</ref>.
[[Category:Planes]]

====Shadow Creatures<ref>[[Denizens of the Plane of Probability (book)]]</ref>====

Shadow creatures are almost always incredibly violent, and research concerning their nature, strength, number, purpose, and possible usefulness is scarce. Shadow creatures resist magic, are harmed or weakened by light-based spells (including those produced by non-Lunar magic), and grow stronger when shadow spells are used on them. To further confuse the issue, the [[Shadow's Fall|Plane of Shadows]] seems to have an unclear relationship with the Plane of Probability and, more specifically, Shadow Creatures themselves. It is inhabited by shadow creatures that have not been seen elsewhere ([[Abominable Umbral Race|Abominable Umbral ''<Race>'']], [[Race Shadow|''<Race>'' Shadow]], [[Ghastly Behemoth]], [[Cadaverous Fiend]], [[Ghastly Race|Ghastly ''<Race>'']], [[Shadowy Race|Shadowy ''<Race>'']], [[Inky Race|Inky ''<Race>'']], [[Moaning Figure]], [[Fiendish Creature]], [[Wraithlike Race|Wraithlike Race]], [[Gloomy Race|Gloomy ''<Race>'']], [[Skeletal Mass]]).


Known Forms<ref>[[Post:Conclave Thanks - 05/18/2014 - 10:49]]</ref>:
*[[Shaderald|Shaderalds]],[[Shadowling|Shadowlings]] and [[Shadow Servant|Shadow Servants]] are exceptions to the general rule of hostility towards mortals:they are useful and mostly pacifistic.
*[[Devourer|Devourers]] are less useful and, in general, harmless excepting their tendency to meld together into more powerful forms.
*[[Tenebraeling|Tenebraelings]] were one of the first shadow creatures encountered and are generally weak compared to other forms. They make of for this, somewhat, through their tendency to attack en-masse. They are believed to be a minor manifestation of the concept of fury.
*[[Voidspawn]] are of animalistic intelligence but are frequently found in the service of the much more powerful [[Shadow Master|Shadow Masters]]. Voidspawn are believed to be a minor manifestation of the concept of anger<ref>[[Post:Extraplanar Life - on 2/6/2010 - 00:52:55]]</ref>. Interestingly, [[Voidspawn]] can shatter into [[Tenebraeling|Tenebraelings]] which brings into question the relationship between the two creatures.
*[[Shadefield Eviscerator|Shadefield Eviscerators]] are violant shadow creatures that are capable of using lunar magic. They are also capable of summoning more [[Shadefield Eviscerator|Shadefield Eviscerators]].
*[[Emaciated Umbramagus|Umbramagi]] appear to be capable of true conversation and possess the power of prophecy and the capacity to use lunar magic. To date, observers have never seen these abilities used outside of combat.
*[[Shadowy_Umbral_Colossus|Umbral Colossi]] are newly discovered but terrifying beings that are second only to the [[Shadow Master|Shadow Masters]] in pure power.
*[[Shadow Master|Shadow Masters]] appear to be the leaders of the other types of shadow creatures, as they are able to summon [[Voidspawn]], [[Shadefield Eviscerator|Shadefield Eviscerators]] and [[Emaciated Umbramagus|Umbramagi]]. Unlike lesser forms, they are able to speak but have this far restricted themselves to making threats and attempting to demoralize mortal foes.

Despite their name, [[Shadow Hound]]s are corrupted creatures, rather than extraplanar shadow creatures.

====Light Creatures====

Although they are known to exist, light creatures have very rarely been manifest on the [[Plane of Abiding]]. Consequently very little is known aside from the fact that they embody concepts of starlight.

The only known Light Creatures are the [[Nimbus]].

====Lesser Concepts====
Lesser concepts are physical manifestations of emotions and ideas. Currently known lesser concepts include [[Starcrasher|Starcrashers]], [[Zenzic|Zenzics]], [[Zenzizenzic|Zenzizenzics]] and [[Starlight harbinger|Starlight harbingers]].

====Greater Concepts====

Greater concepts are nearly god-like beings that walk the Plane of Probability and occasionally interact with mortal kind<ref>[[Post:Gods and Symbols - 8/11/2008 - 5:05:34]]</ref>. The manifestation of a greater concept is the stuff of legends, said to require rare stellar alignments or incredible examples of symbolic sympathy.<ref>[[Post:Background - 10/05/2013 - 9:26]]</ref>.


Five Greater Concepts have been described:
*[[Abyssal Child]]
*The [[Arbiter in Darkness]] is an embodiment of starlight.<ref>[[Post:Background - 10/05/2013 - 9:26]]</ref>
*[[Pelag ai Aldam]], the Servant of Fate, is an embodiment of determinism
*[[Cashek gand Aldam]] opposes [[Pelag ai Aldam]] and is a manifestation of human agency<ref>[[Post:Riftal summons - 2/20/2011 - 23:03:08]]</ref>
*The [[Emperor of the Line]], a greater concept of math was summoned by [[Jon|Jon Ilbani]] during his attempt to create formula to stabilize teleportation magic<ref>[[Emperor_of_the_Line]]</ref>.

{{RefAl|r=y|a=y}}
{{cat|Planes}}[[page type is::place| ]][[guild association is::Moon Mage| ]]

Latest revision as of 22:29, 15 October 2017

The Plane of Probability is a chthonic realm where shadow and starlight are the building blocks of reality. It is the source of Moon Mage's prophetic insight as well as the insight into enlightened geometry that is necessary to use teleportation magic [1][2]. Their access to this ability seems to be linked to several Obelisks, although at least two of the four known obelisks have been destroyed. The exact nature of these artifacts is something of a mystery, although the obelisk on Taisgath has been used to sever the connection to the Plane of Probability in the past[3].


While Moon Mages derive power and knowledge from the Plane of Probability, the alien intelligences of that plane seek to kill them and wage a war against Lunar Mages. The powers of the Plane of Probability call Moon Mages the Children of Grazhir, and under that name see all the justification they need to wipe Lunar magic off the face of the Plane of Abiding. The actual meaning of that term remains ambiguous, although it certainly refers to some members of the Moon Mage guild[4]

Cosmology of the Plane of Probability

The Plane of Probability was at one point believed to be synonymous with the Planar Void but it is now understood to be a distinct realm[5]. It borders the Plane of Abiding and the Astral Plane. In at least one instance, in the strata beneath Taisgath, a planar breach has been open for millennia and the laws of the plane of probability have seeped across the Planar Void and altered what it means to be a shadow[6].


From the Planar Observatory the Plane of Probability is seen as a wire-frame pyramid of shadow and light:
'Strands of manifest darkness and blazing white light rope around each other, creating the frame for a pyramid. Each of the lattice-work sides curves inward towards the center. The light pulses and the darkness twists with every second, but a uniform pattern emerges from the movement, like the beating of an inhuman heart.

Conceptual Life - Denizens of the Plane of Probability

Natural inhabitants of the plane are beings of living shadow, living starlight, or concepts made manifest[7][8]. The distinction between these three forms of extra-planar life is unclear, as many scholars consider Shadow Creatures to be manifestations of concepts of darkness and shadow and Light Creatures to be manifestations of the concepts of light and starlight[9]. Others cleave to the belief that they represent three separate forms of life [10]. More practical scholars emphasize the categorization without concerning themselves with these distinctions. For our purposes, we will assume the former belief.

Conceptual creatures take the form of a facet of the Plane of Abiding, usually an abstract or non-physical concept, and exaggerate it into an animistic nightmare. Most concepts have at least human intelligence and many have violent and destructive personalities. The lesser forms often have chthonic forms which can easily lead to confusion with demonic life or the undead which has lead to them at times being incorrectly referred to as demons or spirits.[11]. Conceptual creatures do not have a free will in the sense that mortals understand it, as their sentience is directly linked to the concept that defines them; they cannot choose to be anything but what they are.[12][13]. Furthemore, conceptual life is rooted in the Plane of Abiding in ways that other extra-planar life is not. After all, if mortals did not create concepts they would have no basis to exist at all[14]. One further trait of conceptual life is the fact that they seem to have a greater degree of difficulty manifesting the the Plane of Abiding that other extra planar creatures and therefore most have been brought into being by a summoner. For their part concepts, when summoned, first goal in life appears to be to murder the people that summoned it unless they are magically restrained[15].

Shadow Creatures[16]

Shadow creatures are almost always incredibly violent, and research concerning their nature, strength, number, purpose, and possible usefulness is scarce. Shadow creatures resist magic, are harmed or weakened by light-based spells (including those produced by non-Lunar magic), and grow stronger when shadow spells are used on them. To further confuse the issue, the Plane of Shadows seems to have an unclear relationship with the Plane of Probability and, more specifically, Shadow Creatures themselves. It is inhabited by shadow creatures that have not been seen elsewhere (Abominable Umbral <Race>, <Race> Shadow, Ghastly Behemoth, Cadaverous Fiend, Ghastly <Race>, Shadowy <Race>, Inky <Race>, Moaning Figure, Fiendish Creature, Wraithlike Race, Gloomy <Race>, Skeletal Mass).


Known Forms[17]:

  • Shaderalds,Shadowlings and Shadow Servants are exceptions to the general rule of hostility towards mortals:they are useful and mostly pacifistic.
  • Devourers are less useful and, in general, harmless excepting their tendency to meld together into more powerful forms.
  • Tenebraelings were one of the first shadow creatures encountered and are generally weak compared to other forms. They make of for this, somewhat, through their tendency to attack en-masse. They are believed to be a minor manifestation of the concept of fury.
  • Voidspawn are of animalistic intelligence but are frequently found in the service of the much more powerful Shadow Masters. Voidspawn are believed to be a minor manifestation of the concept of anger[18]. Interestingly, Voidspawn can shatter into Tenebraelings which brings into question the relationship between the two creatures.
  • Shadefield Eviscerators are violant shadow creatures that are capable of using lunar magic. They are also capable of summoning more Shadefield Eviscerators.
  • Umbramagi appear to be capable of true conversation and possess the power of prophecy and the capacity to use lunar magic. To date, observers have never seen these abilities used outside of combat.
  • Umbral Colossi are newly discovered but terrifying beings that are second only to the Shadow Masters in pure power.
  • Shadow Masters appear to be the leaders of the other types of shadow creatures, as they are able to summon Voidspawn, Shadefield Eviscerators and Umbramagi. Unlike lesser forms, they are able to speak but have this far restricted themselves to making threats and attempting to demoralize mortal foes.

Despite their name, Shadow Hounds are corrupted creatures, rather than extraplanar shadow creatures.

Light Creatures

Although they are known to exist, light creatures have very rarely been manifest on the Plane of Abiding. Consequently very little is known aside from the fact that they embody concepts of starlight.

The only known Light Creatures are the Nimbus.

Lesser Concepts

Lesser concepts are physical manifestations of emotions and ideas. Currently known lesser concepts include Starcrashers, Zenzics, Zenzizenzics and Starlight harbingers.

Greater Concepts

Greater concepts are nearly god-like beings that walk the Plane of Probability and occasionally interact with mortal kind[19]. The manifestation of a greater concept is the stuff of legends, said to require rare stellar alignments or incredible examples of symbolic sympathy.[20].


Five Greater Concepts have been described:

References

  1. ↑ Post:Lunar Magic 101 - 05/31/2014 - 10:27
  2. ↑ Post:Prophecy and Mathematics (bit long) - 5/11/2010 - 13:57:20
  3. ↑ Post:Background - 10/05/2013 - 00:32
  4. ↑ Post:Lunar Magic 101 - 05/31/2014 - 10:27
  5. ↑ Denizens of the Plane of Probability (book)
  6. ↑ Post:The Thing Behind Lyras - 4/28/2009 - 00:43:31
  7. ↑ Post:Background - 10/10/2013 - 01:36
  8. ↑ Post:Test Requests - 02/09/2014 - 16:36
  9. ↑ Post:Extraplanar Life - on 2/6/2010 - 00:52:55
  10. ↑ Post:Test Requests - 02/09/2014 - 16:36
  11. ↑ Post:Extraplanar Life - 2/11/2010 - 14:06:55
  12. ↑ Post:Thoughts About DO 3.0 & Necro Playability - 02/11/2012 - 18:36
  13. ↑ Post:Freshen things up, and looking for some info. - 08/11/2011 - 11:48
  14. ↑ Post:Extraplanar Life - on 2/6/2010 - 00:52:55
  15. ↑ Post:Extraplanar Life - on 2/6/2010 - 00:52:55
  16. ↑ Denizens of the Plane of Probability (book)
  17. ↑ Post:Conclave Thanks - 05/18/2014 - 10:49
  18. ↑ Post:Extraplanar Life - on 2/6/2010 - 00:52:55
  19. ↑ Post:Gods and Symbols - 8/11/2008 - 5:05:34
  20. ↑ Post:Background - 10/05/2013 - 9:26
  21. ↑ Post:Background - 10/05/2013 - 9:26
  22. ↑ Post:Riftal summons - 2/20/2011 - 23:03:08
  23. ↑ Emperor_of_the_Line

Related Forum Posts

Click here to search for related posts.

Additional Information

Retrieved from "https://elanthipedia.play.net/index.php?title=Plane_of_Probability&oldid=476526"