Cosmology of Adaris

The cosmology of Adaris begins in the Primordial Void, an infinite expanse of chaotic energy known as Astram. From this boundless sea of potential emerged Daathir, the first spark of consciousness and a Primordial Spirit, embodying self-awareness and the essence of being. As Daathir awakened within the void, it gave rise to Awenlas, the spirit of imagination and creativity. Together, Daathir and Awenlas formed a dynamic interplay of thought and dream, shaping the formless Astram into the foundation of reality.

From this dance of consciousness and imagination, the Primordial Elements were born, each embodying a fundamental aspect of existence. These elemental forces, intertwined with the consciousness of Daathir and the dreams of Awenlas, laid the groundwork for the world of Adaris. The chaotic energy of Astram was given form and purpose, creating a reality where belief and awareness continuously shape existence.

The Primordial Void and the Emergence of Daathir

The infinite expanse of chaotic energy, the origin of all things.

In the beginning, there was only the Primordial Void—an infinite expanse of Astram, raw, chaotic energy that held the potential for all existence. It was a place of absolute nothingness, yet it contained the seeds of all that could ever be, waiting to be ignited into existence.

The Nature of the Primordial Void

The Primordial Void is often described in myths as a place of profound mystery and infinite depth. It represents the uncharted potential of the universe—a canvas upon which all of reality could be painted. The void is not empty; it is filled with the chaotic energies of Astram, constantly shifting and fluctuating without purpose or form. Many cultures within Adaris regard the Primordial Void as the birthplace of all things and the ultimate source of creation.

Emergence of Daathir

From the depths of this chaotic energy, Daathir—consciousness—emerged. Daathir was not merely an entity or a being; it was awareness itself, the first spark of self-knowledge within the void. It was both the observer and the observed, the dreamer and the dream—inseparable from the Astram that birthed it.

The Awakening

As Daathir stirred within the void, it became aware of its own existence: a solitary point of awareness amidst the boundless chaos. With this awakening came the first act of self-identification. Daathir named itself—a declaration of being that echoed through the emptiness. This marked the birth of the first Primordial Spirit, a beacon of consciousness in a sea of potential. Daathir's awareness gave Astram a center, a locus around which energy could begin to coalesce and form.

The Dance of Daathir and Awenlas

Daathir, as consciousness, existed in a state of pure thought. In its infinite solitude, it began to dream. From those dreams came Awenlas, the spirit of imagination and creativity. Together, Daathir and Awenlas formed a duality: thought and dream, consciousness and imagination. Their interplay began to weave the fabric of reality.

The Nature of Awenlas

Awenlas embodies imagination and creativity. While Daathir represents thought and observation, Awenlas is vision and inspiration. The dance between them is metaphysical, not physical—where thought meets imagination and observation meets vision. Their union sent ripples through the Astram—waves of consciousness and creativity that shaped the void.

The Birth of the Primordial Elements

With each thought, emotion, and vision, Daathir and Awenlas unknowingly shaped the Astram around them. From their interplay, the Primordial Elements emerged. These are the fundamental forces of Adaris, each representing a different aspect of existence:

• Dharas: The Primordial Spirit of light, representing illumination, clarity, and enlightenment. Dharas embodies the revealing power of consciousness—shedding light on darkness and unveiling the hidden truths of the universe.
• Arafia: The Primordial Spirit of darkness, embodying mystery, the unknown, and the hidden depths of existence. Arafia is not merely the absence of light, but a presence in her own right—a force that shapes the world as surely as light. Dharas and Arafia are not oppositional but exist in balance: neither dominant nor passive.
• Oras: The Primordial Spirit of earth, embodying solidity, mass, and geological memory. Oras is present in stone, mountain, and strata—everything that resists change and endures across time. It is the anchor of all physical realms, shaping terrain, holding structures, and housing the long memory of the world.
• Tejas: The Primordial Spirit of fire, manifesting as heat, combustion, and volatile energy. Tejas governs eruption, ignition, and transformation through destruction. It is found in flame, lava, and lightning—wherever energy breaks bonds and remakes matter.
• Shasae: The Primordial Spirit of air, governing wind, pressure, and breath. Shasae is movement itself—present in gusts, drafts, whispers, and storms. It carries scent, sound, and change across the realms, binding distant things and enabling all things that move or speak.
• Jala: The Primordial Spirit of water, embodying flow, cohesion, and erosion. Jala moves through rain, rivers, and tides—carving paths, nourishing life, and wearing down stone. It connects and separates, cleanses and swallows, always adapting to the space it occupies.

The creation of these primordial elements marked the first structured aspects of reality. Dharas and Arafia formed a delicate balance between illumination and mystery, while Kairos, the spirit of time, ensured that existence would always move forward. The physical elements—Oras, Tejas, Shasae, and Jala—provided the raw foundation for the world of Adaris.

Over time, mortals arose from the residual energies of the spirits, infused with echoes of Daathir’s awareness. Everything in Adaris carries a spark of consciousness, shaped by the interplay of these elemental forces. Though Daathir remains an observer, its presence continues to permeate existence, subtly guiding and shaping reality.

Relationships Between the Elements

The primordial elements do not act in isolation, they exist in a constant interwoven harmony. Light and darkness, earth and water, fire and air, each complements and challenges the others. Their interactions shape both the physical and metaphysical landscapes of Adaris, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving world.

The Creation of Adaris

The early primordial realms of Adaris unfolded over eons—beyond the bounds of linear time, occurring both instantly and eternally. Fearing a return to chaos, the spirit of time was born: Kairos, the first Ascendant Spirit. With time, reality was stabilized; change could now occur in sequence, and the unformed would not revert to the void.

Each elemental spirit then established its own realm:

• Orethil: A vast expanse of stone and endurance, formed by Oras.
• Angarik: A seething sea of fire, shaped by Tejas and placed below Orethil.
• Caelum: The sky realm, lifted by Shasae.

Jala, lacking a realm of its own, forced entry into Orethil before creating their own realm of Pelagia, the endless sea. Jala’s intrusion shattered the barriers between the realms, igniting the catastrophic Great Erosion. A great war between the elements for control over the physical planes. In response, the Primordial Spirits created powerful beings to inhabit and defend their domains. When this failed to bring peace, Daathir intervened—creating the Enarei, who brought an end to the conflict.

Following the war, the elements agreed to a compromise: each would maintain its form, yet allow for the slow merging, changing, and evolution of reality. This pact enabled the formation of the unified world of Adaris.

The War of Light and Dark

When Jala shattered the barriers between the realms, the boundary between Dharas and Arafia collapsed as well. Though not waged in the physical world, the conflict between light and dark continues. Each created beings to wage war in their stead. Unlike the Great Erosion, which reached a resolution, the War of Light and Dark remains ongoing—its rhythms marking day and night, seasons, and spiritual tides.

Introduction of Ascendant Spirits and Realms

With the creation of Kairos, the principle of time entered Adaris. This allowed for the development of complexity, and the Ascendant Spirits emerged—beings born not from the void, but from the interactions within reality.

Each new concept—justice, memory, joy, decay—gave rise to an Ascendant Spirit. Like the Primordials, they possess intrinsic consciousness, but their origins are rooted in Adaris itself. Many established their own realms, often within Orethil, where their influence shapes the world around them.

The Age of Man

While the Primordial Spirits struggled and the realms stabilized, Awenlas continued to dream. Inspired by the Enarei and the elemental creations, Awenlas formed a new being—not to fight, but to imagine. These were the first humans, born within the dream-realm of Kalpanas.

Once Kalpanas stabilized, Awenlas sent the humans to Awenelir, a physical island in the world. There they flourished, forming a society of creativity, vision, and myth.

The Great Migration

Driven by the same imagination that birthed them, humanity expanded. They left Awenelir in a great migration, spreading to every corner of the physical realms. As they adapted to their new homes, the influence of local spirits changed them. Over generations, they evolved into distinct races—each with its own history, form, and cultural memory.

The Spirits of Adaris

Ancestral Spirits

Ancestral Spirits differ from Primordial and Ascendant Spirits. They are born from collective belief—shared traditions, language, and memory. These spirits arise after time’s creation and are deeply rooted in human culture.

• A spirit might begin as a local myth—such as a monster in a cave—and grow in power as belief persists.
• If belief wanes, the spirit weakens or fades, returning to Astram or dissolving into the elemental cycle.

These spirits embody the cultural values and ancestral memories of their societies. Their survival depends on remembrance, reverence, and retelling.

Stages of Spirit Development

• Nascent Spirit: Simple, malleable, and easily influenced—barely distinguishable from nature itself.
• Mature Spirit: Self-aware, interacting meaningfully with humans, often with defined form and intent.
• Ancestral Spirit: Powerful and wise, deeply rooted in culture. May endure beyond the fall of the civilizations that birthed them.

The Role of Osia and the Osiari

Osia is spiritual attunement. Practitioners—called Osiari—seek alignment with the elemental and ancestral forces of the cosmos. By harmonizing their consciousness with the spirits Osiari can influence reality itself.

This path is not about power—it is a discipline of understanding, of becoming part of the world’s deeper truth.

Cosmological Significance and Philosophical Concepts

Adaran cosmology is more than myth. It defines law, ethics, and spiritual orientation. The interplay of light and dark, of memory and imagination, provides the foundation for schools of thought, cultural identity, and metaphysical inquiry.

Influence on Society and Governance

Cosmological principles guide leadership across Adaris. In regions where Dharas and Arafia are revered, governance emphasizes balance. In cultures shaped by Tejas, change and innovation are prioritized.

Cultural Practices and Rituals

Rituals across Adaris reflect its elemental heritage:

• Ceremonies of Light and Darkness: Dedicated to Dharas and Arafia, marking transitions between day and night with symbolic light and silence.
• Earth and Stone Festivals: Celebrations of Oras, involving craft, construction, and ancestral grounding.
• Fire and Water Rituals: In honor of Tejas and Jala, focused on transformation, healing, and renewal.
• Wind and Sky Celebrations: Honoring Shasae with air-based art, music, and skywatching.

These traditions reinforce the people’s bond with the elemental and spiritual forces that shape their lives.