Adaris

Adaris is the name of the entire cosmos in which the Realms of Adaris exist. It encompasses all planes of existence, including vast physical worlds like Terasil and intangible planes shaped by magic, thought, or divine influence.

Overview

Adaris is more than just a physical universe; it is a boundless tapestry of realms, each distinct yet interwoven by cosmic forces. Mortal scholars debate whether Adaris was formed by an all-encompassing deity or if it emerged from primordial chaos, giving rise to countless worlds and planes. Whatever its true origin, every culture within Adaris maintains its own myths and theories about how their reality came to be.

Etymology

The word “Adaris” is said to derive from an ancient celestial language, often interpreted as “the tapestry” or “the grand design.” Over millennia, different peoples and traditions have adapted the name, adding epithets or honorifics that celebrate Adaris’s unfathomable scope.

Cosmology

Adaris contains numerous planes, each with its own physical laws, energies, and deities. Scholars commonly classify these planes into:

• **Material Realms** – Physical worlds like Terasil, governed by natural laws and inhabited by mortal races.
• **Elemental Planes** – Domains where raw elemental forces hold sway (e.g., planes of fire, water, air, earth).
• **Celestial & Infernal Planes** – Home to angelic beings, gods, and infernal entities, influencing the moral and spiritual fabric of Adaris.
• **Ethereal & Astral Spaces** – Transitional or “in-between” planes, where spirits, dreams, and intangible forces reside.

The Realms of Adaris

While “Adaris” is the grand cosmos, the phrase “The Realms of Adaris” typically refers to a collection of interlinked mortal realms that share intertwined histories, deities, and magical traditions. These mortal realms often interact through cosmic gateways, divine intervention, or planar anomalies.

History and Myths

Countless stories describe Adaris’s genesis. Some say a single creator deity birthed the cosmos, weaving stars and worlds into a grand design. Others speak of a cataclysmic explosion of primordial energies, from which gods and titans emerged to shape reality. Fragments of these myths persist across many cultures, suggesting a shared cosmic heritage that has diversified over eons.

Early Ages

• The Primeval Dawn – A time when deities and titans warred over the fabric of reality, forging and destroying nascent realms.
• The First Mortals – Legends speak of the earliest intelligent beings arising on worlds like Terasil, guided (or manipulated) by competing gods.

Ongoing Evolution

Adaris’s timeline is far from settled. Even in modern eras, new planes might emerge, old ones might collide or collapse, and cosmic storms of magic can reshape entire realities. Adventurers, explorers, and scholars in mortal realms continuously push the boundaries of what is known, revealing hidden corners of Adaris with each discovery.

Magic, Divinity, and Cosmic Forces

Adaris brims with magical energy, channeled through ley lines, divine blessings, or ancient runes. The gods themselves are believed to draw on Adaris’s cosmic wellspring, shaping destinies and forging pacts with mortal champions. This interplay of divine and arcane power echoes across the planes, manifesting in anything from simple cantrips to world-altering rituals.

Cultures and Interrealm Relations

Although many realms are separated by vast planar boundaries, there are recognized pathways—portals, astral seas, or divine corridors—that connect distant corners of Adaris. Over time, some civilizations have developed:

• **Planar Trade Routes** – Networks exchanging rare resources or knowledge across different worlds.
• **Cross-Realm Alliances** – Coalitions of mages, clerics, or monarchs united against shared existential threats.
• **Conflicts & Cataclysms** – Sometimes, entire realms fall prey to cosmic invasions or divinely ordained crusades, altering the political landscape on a universal scale.

Notable Realms (Examples)

• Terasil – One of the most prominent material realms, known for its diverse landscapes and storied history.
• Sylvari Expanse – An ethereal plane of endless forests and ancient spirits (placeholder example).
• Cradle of Embers – A harsh elemental domain saturated with volcanic energies (placeholder example).

See Also

• The Realms of Adaris – More specific details on the individual continents, kingdoms, and peoples within the mortal plane(s).
• Terasil – A key world within Adaris, home to many races and storied conflicts.
• Pantheon Index – List of major and minor deities worshipped across Adaris.