Himmia

The ecology and environment are a magnificent blend of the mundane and the divine. Each of the ten heavens has its unique ecosystem, but there are overarching principles that govern the entire realm of Himmia.  

General Environment:

Himmia is bathed in eternal, radiant light that emanates from the core of the heavens themselves. This light serves not just as illumination but also as a life-giving force. The air is imbued with a feeling of purity and divine energy, which makes even the act of breathing an invigorating experience.   The realm is full of landscapes that mirror the most breathtaking and idealized versions of natural environments found on Eastrix but magnified in beauty and serenity. Rolling hills, verdant forests, cascading waterfalls of crystalline water, and sky-high mountains capped with everlasting snow exist in perfect harmony. These landscapes also exhibit a form of "divine sentience," altering and adapting themselves to reflect the virtues and principles of the gods they correspond to.  

Ecosystem Dynamics:

The celestial light nourishes all flora, which includes heavenly versions of mundane trees and plants but also divine botanical wonders that exist nowhere else. These flora often have properties that mimic their celestial surroundings; a plant in Phaethon, The Golden Halls, might produce fruit made of pure gold, for example.   The fauna of Himmia is an awe-inspiring array of celestial creatures and the souls of virtuous animals from Eastrix. From divine elks to glowing birds that sing songs of pure joy, each creature is a specimen of perfection within its species. Just like the flora, they too possess divine characteristics reflective of their residing heaven. Creatures in the Battlefront, Celestion, might have armor-like scales, symbolizing the art of war and strategy.  

Symbiosis and Interaction:

The creatures and plants don't just co-exist; they engage in a form of "divine symbiosis." The radiant birds of Samas, Dawn's Embrace, might feed on the nectar of perpetual dawn-flowers that bloom in the endless morning, and in return, their songs of hope and renewal encourage the flowers to blossom. Creatures in Deusgard, the Demigod's Sanctum, might serve as divine familiars to the residing demigods, assisting them in their cosmic duties.  

Elemental and Cosmic Forces:

The physical environment in each heaven is maintained not just by natural law but by a set of "divine laws" that correspond to the virtues of the gods they represent. In the Dragonlands, for example, the very stones of the fortress might resonate with a palpable sense of honor, affecting both the behavior and the physical constitution of every creature within its walls.  

Unique Conditions:

Himmia's protective aura and the celestial light it emits have a ripple effect, influencing the environment in each heaven and also extending to Eastrix itself. The celestial light can transmute or purify pollutants, and even the most catastrophic natural disasters are nonexistent here, maintaining an eternal state of divine equilibrium.   Overall, the ecosystem of Himmia is a perfect, self-sustaining cycle that operates under the influence of divine virtues and celestial energies. It's a realm where the spiritual and the natural world meld seamlessly, governed by principles of divine harmony and cosmic order.

the heavens in Himmia are rife with celestial phenomena that are unique and divine in nature. These occurrences often have symbolic and sometimes practical implications, acting as manifestations of the gods' virtues or lessons for the residing souls. Here are some distinctive features:  

The Celestial Circles:

Each heaven orbits around the central core of Himmia in a complex, choreographed "dance" that is both physically and metaphorically significant. This constant motion creates ripples of divine energy, affecting everything from the celestial light that bathes the heavens to the very weather patterns within each realm.  

Core of Himmia: The Astral Heart

The core around which all heavens orbit is named "The Astral Heart." Many claim that this colossal celestial body is the remnant of an ancient astral titan from the Elder Times, known as "Magnoris" who was defeated and transmuted by the gods of Eastrix long ago. The Astral Heart now serves as the wellspring of divine light and energy that sustains Himmia and provides its protective aura. The heart radiates pulses of divine energy, known locally as "Heartbeats," that synchronize with the orbital dance in the Celestial Circles of the heavens, affecting various phenomena within them.  

Spectral Mists of Lygardia:

In Lygardia, the Archives of Truth, spectral mists waft between the floating islands of knowledge. When a soul inhales these mists, they gain temporary access to some piece of universal wisdom, as if the heavens themselves whisper secrets to them.  

Storms of Valor in Celestion:

Celestion, the Battlefront, experiences storms that are far from destructive. These tempests infuse the warriors and the landscape with bursts of energy, enhancing their prowess and determination. The lightning that cracks the sky is said to carry strategic insights from The Red Matron herself.  

The River of Eternity in Phaethon:

In Phaethon, a river made of flowing minerals and coins twists and turns through the Golden Halls. Whenever the Astral Heart pulses, the river surges, renewing its wealth and redistributing it throughout the realm, ensuring constant and fair commerce.  

Dawnsong in Samas:

In Samas, Dawn's Embrace, every morning (which is every moment in this realm), a choir of celestial birds performs the Dawnsong, a hymn that encapsulates hope and renewal. The song aligns with the "Heartbeats," with each pulse from the Astral Heart adding a new verse to the never-ending hymn.  

Twilight Veil in Deusgard:

In Deusgard, as the islands pass close to the Astral Heart during their orbit, they are briefly bathed in a “Twilight Veil,” a shimmering curtain of colors that invigorates the demigods and quasi-deities, giving them bursts of inspiration or revelation.  

The Breath of Justice in Carceri:

Occasional winds blow through the halls of Carceri, known as the "Breath of Justice." These winds have the power to unveil the truth, and it is said that no lie can be spoken when they blow.  

The Mirror Reflections in Elysium:

Elysium’s mirror-like terrain reflects not just the celestial beings but also their thoughts and emotions. During the Council of Gods, as they discuss cosmic affairs, the surface displays scenes and symbols representing their deliberations, all of which are influenced by the pulse of the Astral Heart.   These phenomena are not just natural occurrences but are deeply tied to the divine nature of Himmi

From the records of Himmia, this is the current historical timeline:   Formation and Ancient Times: The earliest records point to the formation of Himmia after the defeat of the ancient astral titan, Aurelius Magna, during the Elder Times. Upon its defeat, the gods transmuted the colossal celestial body into the core of Himmia, now known as the "Astral Heart."   The Age of Creation: In the eons that followed, the gods began constructing individual heavens orbiting the Astral Heart. Each heaven was imbued with divine ideals and virtues, and they served both as realms for worthy souls and as extensions of the gods' own attributes. The heavens were arranged in a divine hierarchy, each one serving a different purpose, and thus Himmia was complete.   The Celestial Accord: Approximately 10,000 years ago, a celestial accord was struck among the gods to establish Himmia as a protective barrier for Eastrix, shielding it from cosmic threats and malevolent entities. It was then that Himmia started emitting the radiant light that acts as a divine shield.   The Fall of the Demigods: Around 5,000 years ago, during a period known as the "Era of Turmoil," several demigods and lesser deities were cast out from the heavens for defying the will of the greater gods. A special heaven, Deusgard, was created to accommodate these beings, allowing them to continue their work in service to the divine plan, albeit in a restricted capacity.   The Rise of the Divine Tribunal: The Tribunal Grounds were established around 2,000 years ago as a space for mortal souls to prove their worth and dedication to the gods. This addition changed the dynamic of Himmia, making it not just a realm of reward but also a realm of trial and ascension for the faithful.   The Chronicles of the Fallen: About 1,000 years ago, the heaven of Sigil was created as a memorial to gods who have fallen or have been forgotten. This sacred place serves as a repository of knowledge and history, with the aim to ensure that these deities are not forgotten.   Present Day: Today, Himmia continues to serve as a realm of reward and trial for the faithful and as a radiant barrier protecting Eastrix. Recent divine councils have touched upon the changing dynamics in Eastrix and how it might affect Himmia in the future, but for now, the celestial realm remains an unchanging beacon of divine energy.   Timeline: Elder Times: Defeat and transmutation of Aurelius Magna into the Astral Heart. Age of Creation: Formation of individual heavens. 10,000 Years Ago: The Celestial Accord establishes Himmia's protective role. 5,000 Years Ago: The Era of Turmoil and the establishment of Deusgard. 2,000 Years Ago: Formation of the Tribunal Grounds. 1,000 Years Ago: Creation of Sigil, the heaven for the fallen gods. Present Day: Himmia remains a beacon of divine energy and hope. This concise history captures the significant epochs and developments that have shaped Himmia, the celestial tapestry of heavens in Eastrix.