Terminology
uni-
word-forming element meaning "having one only," from Latin uni-, comb. form of unus
multi-
before vowels mult-, word-forming element meaning "many, many times, much," from comb. form of Latin multus "much, many," from PIE *ml-to-, from root *mel- "strong, great, numerous" (cf. Latin melior "better," Greek mala "very, very much").
omni-
word-forming element meaning "all," from Latin omni-, combining form of omnis "all, every, the whole, of every kind," of unknown origin, perhaps literally "abundant," from *op-ni-, from PIE root *op- "to work, produce in abundance"
Dimensions
In physics and mathematics, the dimension of a mathematical space (or object) is informally defined as the minimum number of coordinates needed to specify any point within it. In science fiction, "dimension" is often interchangeable with "universe". The Raptorverse - a dimension where raptors are the highest evolved life on earth - is an example.
Cosmos
Each universe seen as a well-ordered whole.
The Personification Life game's omniverse (PLverse) is a collection of universes/individual cosmos.
word-forming element meaning "having one only," from Latin uni-, comb. form of unus
multi-
before vowels mult-, word-forming element meaning "many, many times, much," from comb. form of Latin multus "much, many," from PIE *ml-to-, from root *mel- "strong, great, numerous" (cf. Latin melior "better," Greek mala "very, very much").
omni-
word-forming element meaning "all," from Latin omni-, combining form of omnis "all, every, the whole, of every kind," of unknown origin, perhaps literally "abundant," from *op-ni-, from PIE root *op- "to work, produce in abundance"
Dimensions
In physics and mathematics, the dimension of a mathematical space (or object) is informally defined as the minimum number of coordinates needed to specify any point within it. In science fiction, "dimension" is often interchangeable with "universe". The Raptorverse - a dimension where raptors are the highest evolved life on earth - is an example.
Cosmos
Each universe seen as a well-ordered whole.
The Personification Life game's omniverse (PLverse) is a collection of universes/individual cosmos.
The Omniverse
The Omniverse is the 10th dimension. (The 11th will never come into play in PL.) There is only one Omniverse. It's the birth and final resting spot of infinity. To state, "I come from another dimension/universe" does not mean one comes from a different Omniverse. It simply means one comes from a lower-ranking dimensional universe within the 10th dimension.
Universes
Inside the Omniverse (10th dimension) are billions of dimensions and each of these can have billions of smaller dimensions (9th dimension can contain a billion 8th dimensions which contain a billion 7th dimensions... right on down to the 4th dimension - time and space - and gives rise to our own dimension, the 3rd.) Each unique universe exists in a 3rd dimension.
CUP THEORY
Take all these 3rd dimensions (which we live in) and start putting them in a cup. Add the next bigger dimension, right on up until you reach the 10th dimension (which is EVERYTHING in the Omniverse; the 11th+ is unobtainable). That cup now contains ALL, including gods and mortals. We're just lukewarm coffee.
What's outside the cup? Something you can't begin to fathom. Greater Beings can be found here, and each of them has the ability to seriously fuck up the coffee.
Each 3rd dimensional universe can have billions of alternate timelines branching inside of it.
CUP THEORY
Take all these 3rd dimensions (which we live in) and start putting them in a cup. Add the next bigger dimension, right on up until you reach the 10th dimension (which is EVERYTHING in the Omniverse; the 11th+ is unobtainable). That cup now contains ALL, including gods and mortals. We're just lukewarm coffee.
What's outside the cup? Something you can't begin to fathom. Greater Beings can be found here, and each of them has the ability to seriously fuck up the coffee.
Each 3rd dimensional universe can have billions of alternate timelines branching inside of it.
In Brane Theory (Membrane theory), all these third dimensions would overlap like newspaper pages. They might occasionally touch. They may or may no be identical. In Bubble Theory, all these universes would contain their own unique physics. We don't use Brane or Bubble theories.
Traveling between dimensions in the same universe
Certain characters can hop dimensions but I put my foot down regarding time travel (something only a Greater Being can influence). If I hop to your character’s universe, I will move between branches, but I arrive at the same cosmic time. If I then hop to Prim’s universe, I still arrive at the same cosmic time.
Some characters, such as Minerva, can hop out of Time. The price for this ability is extreme: death. She dies every 12 hours because she ages exponentially if she remains inside Time. If Swith fails to maintain her death cycle IC, I snuff the character. Period.
Some characters, such as Velocidoctor, are based on Time Lords. This is a special case. I take into account the TARDIS' ability to move through time, and it has some buffers built into it, however the theory behind it occurs at a higher level. It may appear that NVE gets a free pass. He doesn't. The only player that needs to concern himself with it is NVE. I prefer to keep the method a mystery to the rest of you lest future players decide to abuse it.
Some characters, such as Minerva, can hop out of Time. The price for this ability is extreme: death. She dies every 12 hours because she ages exponentially if she remains inside Time. If Swith fails to maintain her death cycle IC, I snuff the character. Period.
Some characters, such as Velocidoctor, are based on Time Lords. This is a special case. I take into account the TARDIS' ability to move through time, and it has some buffers built into it, however the theory behind it occurs at a higher level. It may appear that NVE gets a free pass. He doesn't. The only player that needs to concern himself with it is NVE. I prefer to keep the method a mystery to the rest of you lest future players decide to abuse it.
Why only ten dimensions?
Short answer: because the general populace can't grasp theory. 14+ dimensions?
In Dr. Eric Weinstein’s theory, called Geometric Unity, he proposes a 14-dimensional "observerse" that has our familiar four-dimensional space-time continuum embedded within it. The interaction between the two is something like the relationship between the people in the stands and those on the pitch at a football stadium--the spectators (limited to their four-dimensional space) can see and are affected by the action on the pitch (representing all 14 dimensions) but are somewhat removed from it and cannot detect every detail.
Because of our limited purview -- what Weinsetin calls a “handedness” -- we simply can’t see things like the dark matter that we know resides in our universe. Along with that, he proposes that dark energy is a type of fundamental force that could sit alongside gravity, electromagnetism, the strong and weak nuclear forces. This force pushes space apart and its strength is variable throughout the universe. Furthermore, Weinstein’s theory predicts the existence of more than 150 new subatomic particles, most of them with exotic properties (such as electric charges that are greater than one, which is the maximum seen in nature at present).
This has been debated and debated and debated by physicists world-over. In summation: "yeah, okay, whatever." That's what our PLverse is organized the way it is. Leave dark matter alone. Thanks.
(Please note: hypothetically there are more than 10. We're keeping it as simple as possible here.
In Dr. Eric Weinstein’s theory, called Geometric Unity, he proposes a 14-dimensional "observerse" that has our familiar four-dimensional space-time continuum embedded within it. The interaction between the two is something like the relationship between the people in the stands and those on the pitch at a football stadium--the spectators (limited to their four-dimensional space) can see and are affected by the action on the pitch (representing all 14 dimensions) but are somewhat removed from it and cannot detect every detail.
Because of our limited purview -- what Weinsetin calls a “handedness” -- we simply can’t see things like the dark matter that we know resides in our universe. Along with that, he proposes that dark energy is a type of fundamental force that could sit alongside gravity, electromagnetism, the strong and weak nuclear forces. This force pushes space apart and its strength is variable throughout the universe. Furthermore, Weinstein’s theory predicts the existence of more than 150 new subatomic particles, most of them with exotic properties (such as electric charges that are greater than one, which is the maximum seen in nature at present).
This has been debated and debated and debated by physicists world-over. In summation: "yeah, okay, whatever." That's what our PLverse is organized the way it is. Leave dark matter alone. Thanks.
(Please note: hypothetically there are more than 10. We're keeping it as simple as possible here.
Greater Beings
Imagine all the Omniverse inside one cup. Now imagine something existing outside that cup. That's a Greater Being. The GB sticks its finger in the cup and everything in the cup sees the finger as a god. The coffee/cosmic soup relates to that finger because the finger is now inside the known Omniverse. No one ever pauses to consider there's anything outside the Omniverse at all. That's why Greater Beings are so powerful.
Greater Being exist outside the Omniverse. They don't concern themselves with mortals, invasions and so on although a few still take interest in what's going on inside the cup. Some are actively involved. Most have more important things to worry about, if they’re awake at all.
In Gameplay: Greater Beings are reserved for OP in order to fix fuck ups by god-characters. OP designates who can use a Greater Being AND it can only be used as a Deux ex Machina for the purpose of saving the thread.
Greater Being exist outside the Omniverse. They don't concern themselves with mortals, invasions and so on although a few still take interest in what's going on inside the cup. Some are actively involved. Most have more important things to worry about, if they’re awake at all.
In Gameplay: Greater Beings are reserved for OP in order to fix fuck ups by god-characters. OP designates who can use a Greater Being AND it can only be used as a Deux ex Machina for the purpose of saving the thread.
Creator Greater Beings
Greater Beings such as Pearlelei and Elohim (Abrahamic God) that formed the fabric of the Omniverse (cosmic strings). They literally created something from nothing. Christ is an offspring of a Greater being, born the Son of God but also God because that Greater Being poured some of Himself into Christ. Giovenith is a daughter of a Greater Being (born from Pearlelei) but is independent of her mother. Just two examples. Please note that Players are restricted from accessing these Beings, excluding canon for Giovenith, due to the potentially lethal effects they can cause upon a setting. |
Chaotic Greater Beings
These Greater Beings didn't create the fabric or cosmic strings, but they can weave it and manipulate it. Meanwhile, other Chaotic Greater Beings use the fabric of the universe to fashion/form gods. Lovecraft's gods were formed this way and let’s toss Zalgo in there for good measure. They will never be more powerful than they are now, and will never be as powerful as the GB that fashioned them. We can add other pantheons to this level as well since they have gods that both create and destroy within the Universe. Why? Because someone is going to come along and want to run Lovecraft or Zalgo or something from the Pastafarian angle and when they screw up the Omniverse, we’ll need to fall back on Greater Beings to fix it. |
Devourer Greater Beings
These Greater Beings destroy the cosmic strings, unraveling them. They stick a tentacle into the Omniverse but never manifest an actual independent entity which means we won’t see ANY player characters stemming from these beings. Period. End of discussion. |
The Strife
The war between Greater Beings. This battle has eternally raged between Creator and Devourer Greater Beings. Chaos Greater beings have their hands full trying to weave what's been unraveled and keep balance. Some Chaotic Greater Beings are actually on the side of the Devourers, and are unraveling things as well. (Game note: this is OP discretion.)
The war between Greater Beings. This battle has eternally raged between Creator and Devourer Greater Beings. Chaos Greater beings have their hands full trying to weave what's been unraveled and keep balance. Some Chaotic Greater Beings are actually on the side of the Devourers, and are unraveling things as well. (Game note: this is OP discretion.)
Gods and More
Greater Beings transcend gods. They only appear to be gods due to their immense power, and only if they stick a finger into the cup. They really couldn't care less about what mortals think of them.
All gods come from Greater Beings.
God Identification
All gods come from Greater Beings.
God Identification
- Born gods are born from a Greater Being. Most, but not all, retain knowledge of the Greater Being they come from. (Giovenith, Christ, etc.)
- Finger gods are part of their Greater Being. Most, if not all, are unaware of their connection to that Greater Being.
- Formed gods were created by a Greater Being but are totally independent from it and thus weaker than the first two. Most formed gods are totally clueless regarding their origin. The majority of gods are formed gods.
- Godlings are simply young gods.
High Ones
The term is used to denote a god or godling. In some cases, "Most High" is used by certain players to denote a loose sense of hierarchy.
Demigods and others
- Demigods may have been formed by gods. They might simply be powerful creatures which mortals mistake for gods.
- Demons/Daemons, Angels, Jinn. These are created by gods and/or demigods. Some, in the case of Lucifer, were created by Elohim (a Greater Being) but lack knowledge of what Elohim truly is.
- Spirits. They spring to life from a variety of methods.
- The Fae. They have a defined pantheon. See Min for details.
Metaphysical - or - How We Mesh Stuff in PL
The above image represents the metaphysical PLverse.
Heavens: these are where characters go when they die. Klingons have their own unique Heaven. Norse have their own unique Heaven. Chaos has its only unique Heaven. Characters can not reach Heavens that do not belong to the character's unique canon. This prevents assholes from destroying/invading/disrupting another player's canon concept.
Ancestors and Summonings: certain characters can summon their ancestors to draw upon their power. This is allowed per Demen's purview. The ancestor leaves its Heaven and knocks at the gateway door. Ancestor Souls can NOT manifest in the Material Plane.
The EPIC story line has us isolated from other Heavens. Gods, ancestors, angels, demons, etc can not freely enter without the aid of a Gateway.
Who runs the god NPCs?
The OP, the CoOPs, Gio (certain pantheons).
Who runs the Greater Beings?
With the exception of Pearlelei, Cerillium NPCs all Greater Beings.
Side note: where do atheist characters go when they die?
Answer: wherever the OP damn well chooses to place them, IF he has them go anywhere at all. He may choose to dispel their souls into the Nothing.
- The orange cushion is the Material Plane (aka Hyperplane and Ambient Space). It contains both physical and metaphysical - the ALL of everything including Spirit Realms, Ley Lines, all the dimensions of the Omniverse and each branching timeline of a universe, etc. It is where game play occurs.
- The pin heads are Heavens. Each is isolated from each other. Each can only be reached by one avenue (the pin). Few creatures can travel this avenue and return again: gods (and their avatars), some demigods, angels, demon/daemons, reapers/ferrymen, and several other unique beings. A god can choose to draw a character to its Heaven IF that character is part of its Pantheon. This is at MY discretion.
- The empty air between the pins is the Nothing. VERY FEW things can survive it. To travel there is to Unbecome.
- The hands and ring represent Greater Beings. Some gods are Greater Beings that choose to indwell the Omniverse in their own little Heaven. Greater Beings are Untouchables. A few named ones: Pearlelei, Elohim, Azathoth.
Heavens: these are where characters go when they die. Klingons have their own unique Heaven. Norse have their own unique Heaven. Chaos has its only unique Heaven. Characters can not reach Heavens that do not belong to the character's unique canon. This prevents assholes from destroying/invading/disrupting another player's canon concept.
Ancestors and Summonings: certain characters can summon their ancestors to draw upon their power. This is allowed per Demen's purview. The ancestor leaves its Heaven and knocks at the gateway door. Ancestor Souls can NOT manifest in the Material Plane.
The EPIC story line has us isolated from other Heavens. Gods, ancestors, angels, demons, etc can not freely enter without the aid of a Gateway.
Who runs the god NPCs?
The OP, the CoOPs, Gio (certain pantheons).
Who runs the Greater Beings?
With the exception of Pearlelei, Cerillium NPCs all Greater Beings.
Side note: where do atheist characters go when they die?
Answer: wherever the OP damn well chooses to place them, IF he has them go anywhere at all. He may choose to dispel their souls into the Nothing.
The Guardians of Gallimaufry
"Say, what exactly are these, anyway?"
I'm glad you asked. Guardians are the protectors of the gateways leading to and from the Gallimaufry dimension. They can not be bribed. They can not be enchanted. They can not be pleaded with. They can not be slain. At times, they are similar to Charon in that they ferry travelers as well as the souls of the dead. At other times, they are responsible for bringing items into the dimension. The Guardian of the Local Gate and Gatehouse has been nicknamed "Dweezle". It's uncertain if it likes the name or not. |