Celestial Realms: Layers and Cities

[Sanada Tomo]

This is where I am going to explain the general layout for Heaven and Hell since they are structured essentially the same way.

Heaven is essentially comprised of seven layers that stretch to the ends of infinity. Because of the way that Shijin made the realm, in an opposite fashion to the Mortal Realm, it is limitless.

This limitless space is broken into seven planes. Structurally, Heaven and Hell look a bit like this:

-------+-------
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-------+-------
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-------+-------
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-------+-------
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-------+-------
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-------+-------
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-------+-------

with the "--+--" representing the surface of each layer. Each layer's plane stretches, theoretically, without end.

Each layer has a large city in the center, called the capital city, or simply The City, because typically in the Celestial Realms other small cities aren't recognized. Where you live is simply measure by how far you are from The City.

All layers have the necessary facilities in the capital city, such as the location of the King of that layer, as well as buildings of business for whatever the main task of that particular race is.

For example, Archangels represent force of Will in Heaven, and they are involved in manipulating various events in the Mortal Realm, stirring feelings of unrest and unfair treatment until they spark into something revolutionary. Therefore, their place of business provides records of key people in such events, the Archangel assigned to them and what inspiration was given as well as what events occured due to that person.

What the capital city looks like is entirely up to the forces and will of the King of that particular layer. Meaning that The City reshapes itself depending on what the King wants it to look like the most. This change only takes place when a new King is crowned, and once the city is completely shaped, it is permanent and cannot be change until the King dies, retires or is dethroned.

In terms of Hell, the structure is uncannily similar, with a difference in what sorts of dwellings are in each capital city. Because Hell has no purpose in terms of serving Humans and the Mortal Realm, they have no need for buildings of business that house records of each race's work. Citizens in Hell are allowed to actually build their own establishments and such; they look more like Mortal cities--this luxury of being able to establish your own business and such is not typically practiced in Heaven at all.

Another small detail that is located somewhere else in the Archives but that you probably haven't seen: There is no such thing as Night in Heaven, so it appears as though there is always daylight. There is always brightly colored light shining down from somewhere above the seventh layer. This is because of Heaven's banishment of Night when the first generation of Kings were led by Tsubasa to separated themselves from Humans completely. They outlawed Night to discourage the habitual sleeping that some Angels had done at the time, because sleeping was too close to a pattern of Humans behavior.

In Hell, there is a rotating Night and Day, without as many of the rules.

Rei says: Another thing that I think mentioning about the Realms is that there is a blank space in between them that is generally considered the only way to get between the realm of Heaven and the realm of Hell. The area cannot be crossed through any teleportation means and has to be transversed physically.

Additionally, in Hell and Heaven there are gates that one must physically cross through in order to enter each layer. No one can cross the gates without the ruler of the layer knowing about it, and there are generally beings guarding each gate.

Er...The path between each layer...I've always thought about it as kind of a spiral staircase sort of thing.... Like...In order to get to the next layer up (or down in Hell's case), you have to travel down the staircase, though that detail isn't strictly cannon.

Key Point: There is ONE, very rare way for a being to travel the levels of Heaven or Hell without bothering to go through the "blank space" or ascending/descending the stairs. However, this ability is so rare that it is only granted to players who actually ask about/discover the concept of doing so on their own and personally ask me, Tomo. Only one member has done this so far. Therefore, if you are a King and there is someone claiming to have gotten past "you" without your detection, you are allowed to overwrite it--mind you, they CAN say that they got past the forces that are at the gate--but if you so choose to write as though you knew they were coming, you are supported.

[Sanada Tomo]

This is the currently used information for the Layers of Heaven (the information for the Eighth layer of Heaven is being given incase anyone wants to use it for reference):

Key: Layer number--name of capital city--layer/city description

[Eighth Layer--Ahabiel--appeared as a country-side town, simple but natural.]

Seventh Layer--Armaita--a large city built upon a a floating fountain. There is fresh water that flows forth from the decorative center of town, only to fall off of the edges into what looks like nothingness. This is the Layer of Knowledge. Books here are collected from all Realms, all authors and all languages. It is said to contain the largest library in the Universe. There are even a few books concerning the Draconic Realm there as well, which are considered the rarest books by the standard of all Realms.

Sixth Layer--Famiel--built in the fashion of ancient Rome. This is called the Layer of Science, the layer where most experiments and research carried out, especially those concerning magic. This is also the layer where ambassadors from other Realms stay when they are working with Celestial Kings and other personnel. Guests of citizens also usually stay here. It is considered the most diverse layer in the Realm.

Fifth Layer--Domiel--a city built with tall, official looking buildings, though the architecture is reminiscent of the mortal realm. This is known as the Layer of business, where all paperwork from the other Layers are processed. Requests, as well as contracts, agreements and such; anything that is written on paper for official purposes passes through and is approved and.\/or investigated by various districts as they processed.

Fourth Layer--Zachariel--built in the fashion of Ancient Egypt. Because it is the center of Heaven, it is known as "The Great City", or "The Great Heavenly City". This is known as the layer of Record, the layer that registers official and approved/confirmed information on the citizens born in Heaven. Information is added by those associated with one's upbringing who obtain clearance to do so. If available, past life and prophecies, as well as other important information is added.

Third Layer--Ahram--a large, floating island surrounded only by water on all sides. The city itself looks futuristic even though it's surrounded by forest, with advanced technology dispersed throughout. Despite this technology, however, there is a beautiful, scenic fountain in the center. This is the Layer dedicated to Military Operations. While often mistaken for the role of the sixth layer because of Sasuke's inherent genius, the third layer is actually moreso dedicated to keeping its forces trained and ready for battle. Because of the focus of training in this layer, there are little more than dojo and battle schools here.

Second Layer--Gelsifer--built structurally like Paris. Gothic buildings, and this is the only layer where a church served as a location for the ruler. The Layer of Magic and Lore. Typically, this is the layer that holds museums and relics for "old age" items. Magical training schools stand out in this layer and are the most prominent establishments.

First Layer--Israfel--a large city fashioned as Ancient China. This is the layer of Commerce, the layer that specializes in business. Most proprietors here, no matter what they sell, are located here if they specialize in a product or service and/or are considered the best. This is also the center for the Heavenly Mail System.


*IF YOU ARE A KING OF A LAYER AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THE DESCRIPTION OF YOUR LAYER, SEND ME A PM, BECAUSE YOU CANNOT REPLY TO THIS THREAD. THIS GOES FOR BOTH MEMBERS AND THE ADMIN.

[Sanada Tomo]

This is the currently used information for the Layers of Hell:

Key: Layer number--name of capital city--layer/city description

First Layer--Lafayel--looks like the civilization of the Mayans, with dwellings as pyramid shaped temples in a dense rainforest.This is the layer of Commerce, just like in Heaven's first layer. Anything can be bought here. Unlike Heaven, however, there is a trading post for item, and also a black market for overpriced but dangerous-to-obtain items.

Second Layer--Tariel--looks like a desert Oasis, with a large body of water in the center. This is the Layer of Punishment, the layer of Hell that contains the Great Prison, Hades--named by the King of Nightmares Sohma Yuki before her death. Those who treat others with a manner unlike that which Tomo desires are contained here. Most of the prisoner population are the inhabitants of this layer themselves; the race that is obsessed with Humanity.

Third Layer--Jeliel--looks like a beach town, with waters on the edge for all to see, sparkling like a vacation island resort's best feature. This is the Layer of Slaves, where Tomo goes to create Lillum when they are desired. This is also the Layer where free Lillum establish their homes. Abandoned Lillum also reside here. This is considered a slum of Hell, where low quality brothels are run by selling Lillum for hourly wages. However, there are strict policies against taking Lillum who are already free against the little will that they have, and those who violate them face dire consequences even up to death.

Fourth Layer--Azael--Looks like a simplistic medieval, fort surrounded town, with cobblestone streets and brick buildings. Known as "The Great City" or "The Hellion Abyss". This is the Layer of Rest, the layer made for the facilities to deal with the trauma--physically as well as emotional and mental--of those who have just decided to join Hell or were cast out of Heaven.

Fifth Layer--Suriel--structured like Ancient Greece. This is the Layer of Military Operations in Hell, where there are schools for Training in both Combat and with Magic in abundance. Ranking Military Personnel reside here as well.

Sixth Layer--Guardrael--Structured like Las Vegas, Navada. Clubs and Bars everywhere. This is known as the Layer of Pleasure. Business relating to carnal pleasures are situated here. A number of Bars, strip clubs, cabarets and dance joints are here. Casinos are becoming more popular as well. The first King of this Layer, Uesugi Yomi, created the Windtini, the only drink that can intoxicate a Celestial, and the drink draws the patronage of not only other Fallen, but sneaking Uprights as well. "What happens while on Guard stays on Guard..."

Seventh Layer--Belairsifer--fashioned like Gothic Victorian England. This is the Layer of Welcome, where visitors to Hell usually stay, invited to top condition lodgings by the King, Sanada Tomo. All of the paperwork from Hell actually is processed here, though few people know it.


*AGAIN, IF YOU ARE A KING AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THE DESCRIPTION OF YOUR LAYER, PLEASE PM ME AND I WILL GLADLY DO SO FOR YOU.