Cosmology of The Shadow and the Flame
The world of The Shadow and the Flame is built upon a rich and ancient cosmology, with layers of existence stretching far beyond the material world. This cosmology is structured around the interplay between creation, destruction, and the forces that bind these elements together. At the center of this cosmic balance are two primal energies: the Flame of Souls and the Void, which define the essence of life, death, and the cycle of existence.
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The Eternal Flame and the Birth of Life
At the dawn of time, before the world of Tharnweald and its mountains took form, there existed only an endless void, a realm of absolute nothingness. From this void, the Eternal Flame was born—a single spark that ignited the universe. This Flame was not merely a physical fire but a cosmic force, representing life, creation, and consciousness. It is said to be the source of all light, warmth, and vitality in the universe.
The Eternal Flame split into countless smaller flames, each one embedding itself in the heart of a newborn star or planet, giving birth to life across the cosmos. The planets, stars, and even living creatures were manifestations of the Flame's power, and within each sentient being burned a small portion of that fire—what later would be called souls. These souls are connected to the Eternal Flame, which resides in a hidden dimension known as the Emberveil, a sacred realm of eternal light where the essence of creation is stored.
In the ancient times, certain beings, known as Flamekeepers, were born with the ability to commune directly with the Eternal Flame. They could harness its power to heal, create, and even bend the laws of nature. They served as guardians of balance and the protectors of the world from forces that would seek to extinguish the Flame's light.
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The Void and the Birth of Destruction
Where there is light, there must be darkness. Just as the Eternal Flame birthed life, the Void is the embodiment of death, entropy, and the return to nothingness. It is an ancient force that existed long before the Flame and will remain long after it is extinguished. The Void represents the collapse of all things—stars burning out, planets crumbling into dust, and life returning to the abyss from which it came.
While the Eternal Flame spread across the universe, igniting stars and worlds, the Void lay dormant, biding its time. It was not inherently evil; it was simply the natural force of decay and destruction. But as the Flame spread, the Void grew jealous of the beauty and life created by its counterpart. Eventually, it sought to consume the light, leading to the first great cosmic conflict: the War of Flames and Shadows.
From the Void emerged dark entities known as the Hollowborn, soulless beings that sought to extinguish the Flame wherever they found it. These Hollowborn were led by a singular being—the Hollow King, a creature born from the deepest recesses of the Void. Unlike the Flamekeepers, who were champions of creation, the Hollow King sought to return the universe to its original state: a vast, cold expanse devoid of light and life.
The Hollow King's greatest weapon was his ability to siphon the essence of the Flame, draining the life force from stars, worlds, and souls themselves. His presence corrupted everything he touched, turning vibrant forests into barren wastelands and filling once-bright realms with despair and darkness.
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The Balance Between Flame and Void
The cosmos is defined by the delicate balance between the Flame and the Void, creation and destruction. These two forces are neither purely good nor evil, but rather represent opposing yet necessary aspects of existence. Without the Void, creation would spiral into unchecked growth, leading to chaos and overabundance. Without the Flame, the universe would wither away into lifelessness.
For aeons, the Flamekeepers and Hollowborn fought to maintain or tip this balance, with neither side gaining ultimate control. However, as the ages passed, the Flamekeepers' power began to fade. The Eternal Flame, which once burned brightly across the cosmos, began to dwindle, growing dim in many worlds. This weakening allowed the Hollow King to extend his influence, laying siege to star systems and planets alike, plunging them into shadow.
The Flame of Souls, a remnant of the Eternal Flame, became one of the last vestiges of pure creation. It was hidden away in secret places, such as the Vale of Embers, protected by the last Flameborn bloodlines. These individuals were born with the Mark of the Flame, a mystical bond that tied their souls directly to the Flame's power. The Flameborn, though few, had the ability to reignite the fading embers of creation and push back against the Void's encroaching darkness.
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The Realms of Existence
The world in which The Shadow and the Flame takes place is just one layer of a vast, interconnected cosmological structure. These layers, or realms of existence, are aligned with the fundamental forces of Flame and Void:
1. The Mortal Realm (Tharnweald): This is the physical world where mortals like Talia live. It is a realm where the influence of both the Flame and the Void is subtle, manifesting through natural cycles of life and death. However, the mountains and forests of Tharnweald are deeply connected to the ancient powers, with places like the Ashen Peaks serving as gateways to the deeper, more dangerous layers of reality.
2. The Emberveil: This hidden dimension is the sacred realm of the Eternal Flame, where the purest essence of creation resides. It is said that only those with the Mark of the Flame can access this realm, and it is here that the Flame of Souls burns eternally. The Emberveil is a place of light and warmth, where time flows differently, and where the souls of the worthy are said to reside after death, forever connected to the cosmic fire.
3. The Voidrealm: The Voidrealm is the polar opposite of the Emberveil. It is a cold, dark dimension where the Hollow King and his Hollowborn rule. This realm is devoid of life, light, or warmth. It is a place where entropy reigns, and even the laws of physics break down. The Voidrealm is constantly shifting and expanding as the Hollow King consumes more of the Flame's light from other worlds.
4. The Boundary: Between the Mortal Realm, Emberveil, and Voidrealm lies the Boundary, a thin, unstable plane where the forces of creation and destruction are in constant flux. This realm is a battleground, where Flamekeepers and Hollowborn engage in cosmic warfare. It is also where the veil between life and death is weakest, allowing certain beings to cross between realms.
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The Role of Mortals
Though mortals like Talia live in the Mortal Realm, they are not isolated from the cosmic struggle between Flame and Void. Their world is but one of many that has been touched by both forces. The Flameborn bloodlines, like Talia's, are living embodiments of this struggle, carrying within them the power to reignite the Flame and restore balance—or, if corrupted, to unleash the Void upon the world.
The power of the Flameborn is tied to their ability to harness the Flame of Souls, which is more than just an ancient relic—it is the last hope of the cosmos. If the Flame of Souls is extinguished, the Void will consume everything, and existence will return to nothingness. But if the Flame is reignited, it could restore light and life across the universe, pushing back the darkness for another age.
Mortals, however, are not merely pawns in this grand cosmic game. Each soul is a fragment of the Eternal Flame, and through their choices and actions, they either strengthen or weaken the Flame. Every act of creation, compassion, and courage feeds the light, while every act of destruction, hatred, or fear draws the Void closer.
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Thus, the cosmology of The Shadow and the Flame revolves around the eternal struggle between the Flame of Souls and the Void, between creation and destruction. The destiny of all worlds, including Tharnweald, rests on maintaining this delicate balance—or risking the collapse of all existence into shadow.