Universal Stratum

The Universial Stratum are the different levels of existence, or layers of the greater universe, including the material, the supernatural, metaphysical, celestial, and the divine. They are also referred to as the realms in most mortal understandings.

Some interpretations of the Universial Stratum depict it in an orb-like shape, involving interconnecting and weaving spirals similar to the composition of the phsyical galaxy. Some show it as a process of linear declention, and some portray it in the style of a topographical map. The basic, common starting point is the inarguable fact that the greater universe is multi-dimensional. However, there is an inherent challenge in dwellers of the material, or mortal, realm, attempting to translate the other realms into something materially understandable, which is that not all layers of the universe are bound by material laws. Those are the Stratum from which the spiritual, arcane, and empyreal originate. Therefore, attempts can be made to chart the Universial Stratum, but the whole of the universe is ultimately intangible, and thus it is impossible for interpretations through tangible means to ever be completely accurate.

The main aspect of the primary Universial Stratum functions much like the anatomy of the physical galaxy, only mirrored and inverted. There are pathable threads which wind throughout the various Stratum, but there are also many points in which these threads become obscured, or self-contradicting, as not all Stratum are compatible or in sync enough to trace a line from one to the other. They are all separate, yet interconnected, and distinct, yet overlapping. They are in constant motion, and sometimes collide. Some run parallel, some intersect, some are intertwined, some are above and below, some side by side.

Braided Bridges

It is possible for various beings and entities to travel between the different realms, though there may be limits on who can travel where or what paths they can take depending on several factors. Most spirits can travel at will between the spiritual, mediostratum realms, and some can travel to the deeper, higher realms depending on their power. Most can travel to the mortal realm under certain conditions, like during specific astrological movements, times of season, or during specific rituals or ceremonies. Gods and deities can travel to any realm they choose, but must do so in certain ways. The true forms of the nine High Gods cannot be contained within any of the smaller realms by virtue of sheer mass, so in order to move through the levels of the universe they have to condense themselves and separate into several smaller denominators, more the closer to the physical plane they get. In order to visit the material plane, there must be a suitable conduit, like a mortal vessel, but truly compatible mortal vessels for gods are extremely rare.

Mortals can travel from the material realm to deeper ones by crossing bridges in the dreaming realm, which is the one that weaves around the mortal realm and the spiritual planes and connects them, like a braid. It is a transitive realm, but there are some entities that occupy and are native to it, certain spirits both individual and orders, and some partial deities and guardians. Not just any mortal person can traverse it willy-nilly, though, in order to actively move through the dreaming realm one must have remarkable spiritual and magical ability, and precise control over that ability.