5 Shells Theory

"If the elym are truly to be believed, our universe is not an only child. Rather, they are the middle child of two opposing ideas. Everything and nothing; Ayanun is nestled at the seam." - Conversations with the Patrons, Ine (Bim): 1,244 The Five Shells Theory was put forth by the scholar and spiritual aethrist Bim Ine in the first age of The Niriad. It outlines the structure of the macro universe in a way that explains the existence, relationships, and importance of each one.

The theory describes each universe as a shell that houses all subsequent others. Each shell is constantly expanding outward (this has been observed in our own universe). Each shell holds vastly different properties, and all are intrinsically bound together. Starting 'outwards' and moving in, the universes are: Aetha, Monar, Ayanun, Synun, and Nok. Each universe is commonly associated with a singular concept or theme.

Aetha
CHAOS -- Aetha is the universe of chaos. It is considered the eldest of the shells. It is the most abstract universe and is far beyond most beings' comprehension. Physics and mathematics are not fixed and do not behave; elements are constantly being pulled apart, created, destroyed, and rearranged; time and dimension have no hold over its constant expansion. Aetha is chaos in its most basic and pure form. Everything that ever was, could be, or will be can be found there.

Monar
CREATION -- Monar is the universe of the elym. It has the untapped energy of the Aetha, but with the ability to control and direct the energy to a greater degree. This universe does not have many solid aspects to it (such as planets, stars, etc.) its chaos opts to manifest in large, timeless beings called the elym, or elementals. The elym that reside in Monar feed off of Aetha and have a very close relationship with the chaotic world.

Ayanun
BALANCE -- Ayanun is the home of The Niriad. It is the middle child of the universes and is well balanced between the chaos of Aetha and the stillness of Nok. Its closeness to Monar and Aetha give it a powerful link to the chaotic force called the Aether. It is the first of the universes that actually supports physical elements and concrete materials. Planets and solar systems are on average larger than what would be seen in our universe, and the presence of the Aether adds a different layer of existence that can be studied and altered. Regardless, it is the only other universe that closely resembles our own; this is no coincidence, since Ayanun is our universe's twin.

Synun
REASON -- Synun is the universe where humanity lives. The main difference between itself and its twin, Ayanun, is that Synun is too far from Aetha to experience much of its volatile chaos. This universe is ruled far more by predictable rules such as physics and mathematics than other universes. In addition, the elym of Monar are not able to tether to Synun with the same ease as they can in Ayanun, and so their influences are mostly intangible and abstract (if felt at all).

Nok
==== PEACE -- While Aetha is everything, its counterpart Nok, is nothing at all. Nok is the universe that is empty. Complete order and total clarity is what can be found here. Terrifying, dreadful, and serene peace. Nok and Aether are bound in an endless struggle between each other. ====

Passage Between Universes
Passage between universes is possible. However, it is not possible for every type of being. Additionally, since each universe is housed in the others - a traveller has no ability to jump over one universe for another. For example; a being from Monar would have to travel through Ayanun in order to get to Synun (this exertion alone is the main reason that they don't).

Aether <> Monar
Travelling from Aether to Monar is so easy that the chaotic force of Aetha is constantly travelling into Monar to feed and influence the elym that reside there. However, travelling from Monar into the Aether is impossible. It would create multiple paradoxes in addition to being far too abstract for even the elym to be able to survive.

Monar <> Ayanun
Travelling from Monar to Ayanun is relatively easy for the elym to accomplish. The main difficulty is staying in Ayanun for extended periods of time. Remaining in a more structured universe is extremely taxing for elym, and so the practice of aethic tethering is frequently used for elementals of all ranks. Since most elements of Ayanun were created and protected by the elym, there is a strong relationship between the elym and the people of The Niriad.

Travelling from Ayanun into Monar is possible, but only through the process of aethic projection. This is an extremely dangerous and complex practice due to the pure aethic capacity required to accomplish the task. In order to travel into Monar, a physical being would have to leave behind their corporeal body and simply project their aethic form. This is only accomplished by the most talented aethrists.

Ayanun <> Synun
These two universes are considered twins in many ways. Passage between the two is the most simple of all the universes. Moving between the two is accomplished using a network known as the Flewum. The experience of travelling between these universes is far less jarring and exhausting as other universal links, and as a result it happens quite a lot (relatively speaking).

Synun <> Nok
There is no way to travel to Nok without losing all trace of life. For this reason, Nok is often a signifier of death in both Aynun and Synun.