Molten Aether's cosmology serves as a storytelling playground that blurs the lines between various religious, mythological, and fictional worlds. This design choice allows players to introduce characters and ideas from diverse backgrounds, such as Norse mythology or Dungeons and Dragons, without diluting their essence. Rather than imposing a rigid framework, the game's structure focuses on the tension between order and chaos, enriching the narrative without constraining it. The goal is to offer an expansive and inclusive setting for storytelling, allowing players to explore themes and characters as deeply as they wish.
The Multiverse - A Realm of Infinite Possibilities
The Multiverse theory posits the existence of multiple realities, each with its own governing rules, ranging from the laws of physics to realms of fantasy filled with magic and mythical creatures. This concept is a cornerstone of Molten Aether, serving as the mechanism that allows characters from these diverse realities to maintain their unique traits when they enter the game's universe. The incorporation of the Multiverse concept is a deliberate design choice that, although requiring some suspension of disbelief, is aimed at maximizing player freedom in both character creation and storytelling. By embracing this framework, Molten Aether offers a rich and diverse setting where characters from various backgrounds can interact in a cohesive narrative.
Mechanisms for Inter-Reality Travel
In Molten Aether, there are many ways for characters to move between different worlds. For example, in the futuristic world called Blazing Umbra, there's a random event known as the Splice that can bring characters into the game. But that's not the only way to travel. The game also offers other options, both magical and tech-based, to make the gameplay more interesting. Some of these options are the Umbral Passage, which is like a fantasy version of the Splice, and the Druthonae, a fixed portal that can take you to different places and times. There's also the Hermod Gate, inspired by the Stargate series, which allows for even more travel options. Lastly, there's the Verum Transitus, a special realm with doors leading to all kinds of places and times. These various methods make the game more engaging and give players lots of choices.
Planar Structure - A Layered Reality
Molten Aether's universe is structured into multiple planes, each endowed with unique attributes that allow for the inclusion of entities from a variety of belief systems. This multi-planar organization serves as a neutral ground where characters such as angels and demons can exist outside their traditional religious or mythological contexts. The design serves two primary functions: first, it accommodates a wide array of religious and mythological beliefs, and second, it offers a unified framework for understanding various supernatural entities. This architectural choice is geared towards enriching the storytelling experience and providing players with the utmost creative freedom, thereby making the game's universe a versatile and inclusive setting. While the setting contains it's own codified planes, that is not the limit to what exists within the universe.
Demi-Planes: Sub-Realities Within the Structure
Demi-planes in Molten Aether are specialized sub-realities that exist either within or alongside the primary planes, serving as specific domains for religious or mythological concepts like Heaven or Valhalla. This feature adds another layer of complexity to the game's already intricate planar structure, allowing for the coexistence of multiple religious and mythological beliefs within a single cosmological framework. The result is an environment that is as inclusive as possible, offering a rich tapestry for storytelling that embraces a wide array of belief systems. Furthermore, the concept of planes and demi-planes has direct implications for character development; for instance, a character who is a follower of a specific deity would naturally fall under that deity's domain, which in turn influences their actions and experiences within the game. This multi-layered structure enhances both the storytelling and character development aspects of Molten Aether, making it a compelling setting for diverse narratives.
Order, Chaos, and the Balance of Forces
In Molten Aether, the core struggle between order and chaos is represented by two primordial entities: The Nammuzi and The Unutterable. Unlike traditional gods, these entities can't be worshiped because they're not deities or even living beings in the usual sense. Instead, they act as elemental forces that shape the very foundation of reality. This isn't just a theme but a creative force in the game, leading to a complex structure of different planes and sub-planes. Molten Aether itself is born from a controlled form of chaos within an ordered system, a paradox that creates endless realms, each with its own rules and characteristics. This balance between order and chaos isn't limited to just one universe; it's a principle that spans across multiple universes, making the game's setting both unified and diverse. While players can choose to dive deep into these cosmic ideas, the main aim is to offer a storytelling platform where characters from various cultures and beliefs can interact seamlessly.