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
Molten Aether offers several ways for characters to travel between realities. For instance, in the futuristic setting of Blazing Umbra, the Splice serves as a random event pulling characters into the game's universe. Various other methods, both technological and magical, are also available, enriching the gameplay by offering a variety of travel options.
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.
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 eternal struggle between order and chaos serves as the foundational bedrock, personified by two pivotal entities: The Nammuzi and The Unutterable. These entities transcend simplistic notions of good and evil, functioning instead as the elemental forces that shape the very fabric of existence. This metaphysical framework is not just thematic but also generative, giving rise to the game's intricate structure of planes and demi-planes. At its core, Molten Aether is a manifestation of an ordered yet controlled chaos, a paradox that fuels the creation of its infinite realms, each with its own unique attributes and rules. This cosmic interplay between order and chaos is not confined to a single universe but extends across the Multiverse, providing a unified yet diverse cosmological landscape. The framework is designed to be extraordinarily versatile, accommodating a wide array of themes from Lovecraftian horror to existential quests, and offering players the freedom to explore various narratives. While engagement with these deeper cosmological elements is optional, the primary goal remains to offer a multifaceted storytelling environment that allows for the seamless integration of characters from a wide range of cultural or religious backgrounds.