Astronomy
In Bennick, with a staggering lack of true scientists, the universe is vastly unexplored. However, with a high population of Mages and other scholars, alternate realms, magic, and many other powerful forces have been studied from many different perspectives.
With our modern knowledge, we know how the universe truly works, or at least, our solar system. However, Bennick has a largely differing opinion on the matter.
To the population of Bennick, their planet is at the center of all that they know. Everything that they've observed rotates and revolves around their planet, and thus Bennick is the center of the system, and their sun is merely acknowledged as merely another planet, very hot and very large.
In order from closest to furthest (observed), the "planets" are as follows:
Jorortis: Commonly referred to as the moon, Jorortis is the closest planet to Bennick. Rumored to be created by Lunessta and inhabited by her son and daughter, the moon is very sacred to worshipers of the goddess, and it is known as the source for some types of Witch's magic.
Siris: Commonly referred to as the Blue Lady, Siris is the next closest planet. It is a small, blue piece of the sky at night, and is one of the only visible planets to the naked eye. Siris is thought to be one of the eyes of Ylph, constantly watching Bennick and only straying from its sights to watch the Crystalline Sphere (Mentioned later in this section).
Sol: Commonly referred to as the sun; it is the hottest, largest planet within Bennick's system. Sol himself is believed to live within the center of the sun, warming it and spreading joyous harmonies and heat to all of Bennick.
Apex: Commonly referred to as the Fallen God, Apex is only rarely seen in the skies. It is rumored that the planet was once a piece of an old, old god, Apex, and that only upon the completion of a mighty prophecy would the old god return to the heavens of Bennick.
Gaidus: Commonly known as the guiding planet, it can only be seen for a few weeks at a time every forty years. The planet is barely visible unless you stand atop a mountain, and it is common knowledge that Gaidus is a piece of Kesi's domain, and its appearance marks a new cycle in Tomb. Several of her churches are known to go out into the night and praise Gaidus for its cyclical nature.
Beyond the planets that circle around Bennick are the spheres, actual physical barriers that contain various pieces of the universe.
The first sphere is known as the Crystalline Sphere, which contains all of the stars. Whether the star is small, large, flickering, or otherwise, it lives within the Crystalline Sphere, and there it stays for Druids and others to draw their power. Some believe that each planet is also contained within its own Crystalline Sphere, exactly large enough to accommodate the entire planet, but not too large as to shatter another Sphere by moving too closely to it. These Spheres are made of Quintessence, a rare material that holds even the mighty planets.
The second sphere is known as the Grand Aether; it is well-known that magic first originated from this sphere, and the reason it doesn't overtake all of reality is thanks to the sphere on either side of it keeping its energy in check. The Grand Aether is said to be connected with mages that surpass the need for manifestations of their magical prowess, and grants them knowledge and understanding beyond their wildest dreams.
The third sphere is the Primum Mobile, the place that Prothmere and Sordine call home. It controls the order of every sphere below it, including the Grand Aether, the Crystalline Sphere, and every planet within those. The Primum Mobile controls all beneath it, maintaining order and pace. When true order is attained, the Primum Mobile is said to produce musical qualities that would awe even the mightiest god or goddess, but ever since mankind's descent from the Gods' arms, the music has been silenced for all individuals.
The final layer, beyond Bennick, beyond the other planets, beyond the Crystalline Sphere, the Grand Aether, and the Primum Mobile, is Paradise, Tomb, and Birth. The three mighty heavens that exist beyond the powerful spheres, and where souls are sent when they have dispatched.
In the opposite direction, deep within Bennick, where flames burn hot and the inside of the planet boils, is Lurk, and even deeper than that is Reave, where wicked souls are sent when they are finished with their deeds on Bennick.
With our modern knowledge, we know how the universe truly works, or at least, our solar system. However, Bennick has a largely differing opinion on the matter.
To the population of Bennick, their planet is at the center of all that they know. Everything that they've observed rotates and revolves around their planet, and thus Bennick is the center of the system, and their sun is merely acknowledged as merely another planet, very hot and very large.
In order from closest to furthest (observed), the "planets" are as follows:
Jorortis: Commonly referred to as the moon, Jorortis is the closest planet to Bennick. Rumored to be created by Lunessta and inhabited by her son and daughter, the moon is very sacred to worshipers of the goddess, and it is known as the source for some types of Witch's magic.
Siris: Commonly referred to as the Blue Lady, Siris is the next closest planet. It is a small, blue piece of the sky at night, and is one of the only visible planets to the naked eye. Siris is thought to be one of the eyes of Ylph, constantly watching Bennick and only straying from its sights to watch the Crystalline Sphere (Mentioned later in this section).
Sol: Commonly referred to as the sun; it is the hottest, largest planet within Bennick's system. Sol himself is believed to live within the center of the sun, warming it and spreading joyous harmonies and heat to all of Bennick.
Apex: Commonly referred to as the Fallen God, Apex is only rarely seen in the skies. It is rumored that the planet was once a piece of an old, old god, Apex, and that only upon the completion of a mighty prophecy would the old god return to the heavens of Bennick.
Gaidus: Commonly known as the guiding planet, it can only be seen for a few weeks at a time every forty years. The planet is barely visible unless you stand atop a mountain, and it is common knowledge that Gaidus is a piece of Kesi's domain, and its appearance marks a new cycle in Tomb. Several of her churches are known to go out into the night and praise Gaidus for its cyclical nature.
Beyond the planets that circle around Bennick are the spheres, actual physical barriers that contain various pieces of the universe.
The first sphere is known as the Crystalline Sphere, which contains all of the stars. Whether the star is small, large, flickering, or otherwise, it lives within the Crystalline Sphere, and there it stays for Druids and others to draw their power. Some believe that each planet is also contained within its own Crystalline Sphere, exactly large enough to accommodate the entire planet, but not too large as to shatter another Sphere by moving too closely to it. These Spheres are made of Quintessence, a rare material that holds even the mighty planets.
The second sphere is known as the Grand Aether; it is well-known that magic first originated from this sphere, and the reason it doesn't overtake all of reality is thanks to the sphere on either side of it keeping its energy in check. The Grand Aether is said to be connected with mages that surpass the need for manifestations of their magical prowess, and grants them knowledge and understanding beyond their wildest dreams.
The third sphere is the Primum Mobile, the place that Prothmere and Sordine call home. It controls the order of every sphere below it, including the Grand Aether, the Crystalline Sphere, and every planet within those. The Primum Mobile controls all beneath it, maintaining order and pace. When true order is attained, the Primum Mobile is said to produce musical qualities that would awe even the mightiest god or goddess, but ever since mankind's descent from the Gods' arms, the music has been silenced for all individuals.
The final layer, beyond Bennick, beyond the other planets, beyond the Crystalline Sphere, the Grand Aether, and the Primum Mobile, is Paradise, Tomb, and Birth. The three mighty heavens that exist beyond the powerful spheres, and where souls are sent when they have dispatched.
In the opposite direction, deep within Bennick, where flames burn hot and the inside of the planet boils, is Lurk, and even deeper than that is Reave, where wicked souls are sent when they are finished with their deeds on Bennick.