The High Kingdom of Arnor - 

Subdimension

The Subdimension

The Subdimension is an endless place full of all kinds of raw energy — the home, playground, and battlefield of the Gods, Devils, great horrors, and other beings (later referred to only as "Gods"). Some of the more sophisticated energies possess a level of consciousness. These energies are every thought, feeling, and emotion of beings of real space.

The dimension itself is an incomprehensible mess, and even said Gods must create their own layers to secure permanent holdings. These layers are mostly material plains ranging in size from small towns to massive continents. They may resemble heavens, hells, valhalas, underworlds, and many others. The layers usually end with an endless sea, cliff, or void, and anyone unfortunate enough to wander there slowly disappears.

The Subdimension is a chaotic place functioning based on the emotions of endless universes connected to it. There is no computer or AI capable of understanding it or interacting with it directly. To interact with the Subdimension requires what Arnorians named a soul, and not every living creature possesses one.

For Arnorians, their souls emerged hand in hand with their genetic enhancements taken from Barbarians. For Barbarians, how they gained their souls is unknown, and in many of their lesser species the soul is minimal.

Subdimension and Technology

Arnorian subdimensional technology is simple in theory, but very difficult in aplication.

Runesmiths enchant metal through themselves. Runes are carved by pouring energy through themselves, leaving such technology primitive in nature. For example, protection field emitters guarding the subdimensional generator are nothing more than a well-made, complex fusion of runes and materials reacting to inputs from regular material technology.

It may be a hard pill to swallow for many who are not connected to the Subdimension. Denebolian scientists no doubt work tirelessly on countermeasures not involving anything subdimensional, but the reality is that without Arnorian input all they can achieve is a mere cure of symptoms. A portal can be shielded, but not closed nor stopped from expanding. Warping of gravity can be mitigated with opposing forces, but not stopped. Cold can be fought with heat, but it will keep coming.

All that said, even Arnorian subdimensional technological input is most of the time not enough. Nothing can replace a soul, and subdimensional technology, immensely complex as it is, achieves only a fraction of a soul's potential power. Therefore, while in Accord cooperation Denebol strives to find way of interacting with the Subdimension without a soul, Arnor's primary focus is to empower it.

Universes and Yárcarniel

Many universes are connected by the Subdimension and have "gates," "doors," or "windows" into them. However, some are walled off and hidden — such as this one. Therefore, there were no gods here before Yárcarniel, only stranded spirits, and the universe was safe until Arnorians made holes in the "wall."

Yárcarniel claimed this universe for herself and now holds other, far more destructive and terrible gods and beings away. Worship gives her power, and the more thoughts are focused on her, the better she fights the other gods and spreads into other universes. However, Arnorians alone cannot power her enough. Even though one Arnorian is like a power plant and other non-sensitive humans like an AA battery, it is still something — especially in large numbers.

The Gods of the Subdimension are constantly warring with one another, conquering layers, establishing hierarchies, and obliterating each other. There are alliances, leagues, peace, and even rare friendships; however, none can rest on their laurels.

Spirits and Possession

Both unintentional and intentional rifts allow small spirits from the Subdimension to enter our dimension. These spirits may possess animals and plants, transforming them into dangerous beasts. They may even attach themselves to not yet manifested strong emotions and create bloodthirsty displays reminiscent of creatures from pagan myths or demons. Spirits can also possess objects.

Not all spirits are evil. The King's sword Narsil, for instance, was possessed by a spirit that bonded with it. With the spirit, runes, its technology, and the King's subdimensional focus, the swing of Narsil has the power of a tank at full speed. The spirit can strengthen the wielder of the item or cause the item to feel heavy and cumbersome in the hands of someone considered unworthy.

On the other hand, evil spirits can possess items and make them cursed. Such items may make their wielders powerful; however, they alter behavior or lead the person to madness.

Psychic Abilities Caused by the Subdimension

With Mithril unleashed, Arnorians gained the ability to open temporary rifts to the Subdimension. It gave nearly nothing to most of them at first, as they were not sensitive enough, but that changed with time and now everyone is sensitive to some degree.

Nearly anyone might subconsciously affect others. These passive psychic effects make words seem wiser than they are or a soldier appear mightier. Such effects grow stronger with overwhelming emotions, strong minds, or the presence of Mithril. They may even work constantly under those conditions. Even the least sensitive Arnorians can use this ability to slightly extend their lifespan, boost their prowess, and so on.

Those with enough skill can sense different kinds of energies and intentionally open rifts. A strong will and some amount of Mithril greatly help. The types and uses of the basic energies are called Signs, named after the hand gestures used for teaching and casting them. Most Arnorians are capable of performing them, though practice and study are required.

Basic Signs

• Aard – A directed blast of telekinetic energy.

• Igni – A pyrokinetic burst that can start fires and spread a wave of embers.

• Fros – The opposite of Igni; a blast of cold that can freeze surfaces.

• Quen – Forms a protective barrier or domed field in thin air or around the caster.

• Yrden – Creates a field or barrier (like Quen) that slows or, in some cases, even stops a person or object and holds it in place.

• Axii – An extension of passive psychic abilities. It can weakly influence others (calm, confusion, anger), but is far from mind control.

• Heliotrop – Creates a miniature "sun" (a light bubble) in the hand that works as a lantern. The larger the "sun," the longer it shines without its creator.

• Somne – May return tissue or material connections that are still within a very small radius to a state of the recent past. It can be used as first aid or makeshift repair.

More complex, advanced, and combined uses of subdimensional energy require a talented individual with years of learning, and even then they may be dangerous. This was one of the reasons the guild of witchers and witches, the White Flame, was created.

Blessing and Limitations

Yárcarniel's blessing enhances subdimensional sensitivity and filters its energy, enabling Arnorians to use "magic" far more complexly and safely. On the other hand, not using (or not receiving) the blessing and unleashing raw subdimensional power is stronger in terms of chaotic damage.

Sensitivity to the Subdimension and use of its power leave Arnorians unable to use other types of "magic" (such as Eldritch, Darkhold, or Chaos) on their own. They must modify or boost such forces with subdimensional power. This makes many "spells" and "enchantments" of those magics different or outright impossible to create.

The guild consists of the most psychically sensitive to sub-dimension besides Sisters of Blood and Silent Sisters. Originaly, witchers and witches of the White Flame were tasked to study, monitor and control sub-dimension. They were divided into several specializations. Hunters, who hunted down spirits which came through rifts. Scholars, who studied more advanced use of the Subdimension´s powers. And lastly Runesmiths, who enchanted materials and engraved runes, fused with power, into weapons, armours and sometimes even into ammunition. These specializations turned obsolete as knowledge expanded.

In an increasing number of tasks that must be performed by witchers and witches, a "school" was created. However, shortly after, disputes about ways and focuses of the teaching in the guild and school itself resulted into fracture of the school into several. All schools are teaching and training their disciples in essentially same things, but every school has a different approach and specialization at which it focuses. Members of these schools can then apply for various positions and designations amongst both civilian and military fields. The school of the members greatly influences direction of their choice, but everyone can apply for anything as long as they pass.

• School of the Stag

The school of the Stag often likes to describe itself as most prestigious and noble. It is the biggest of the schools and has most members afterall. It puts heavy effort on its image and its members are well learned in manners. The school focuses mainly on runesmithing of all kinds, architecture and cultivation. Their fighting style is designed to be noble and spectacular. Members of this school often find themselves in civilian fields and it is not uncommon to see them accompanying diplomatic missions.

• School of the Bear

The school of the Bear is the most brutish one. Putting the "scholars" learning to bottom of its priorities, the school focuses on enhancing body. It focuses on runeshmithing of armours and weapons as secondary objective, but it still isn´t anything special. Their fighting style is nearly savage, but it retains civilized manner. Most of the members of this school unsurprisingly find their place in Legions and other military branches.

• School of the Wolf

The school of the Wolf is the remnant of original school. It doesn't have much specialization quite frankly and focuses on everything fairly equally. It could put the school at a disadvantage in every field over other schools and often it does, but it is sometimes quite contrary. The school puts effort into individuality, discipline, precision and unrelenting will. The best members of this school surpass the best from all other schools. Their fighting style is the most basic and most diverse at the same time. Members of this school are often able to reach to any path they choose.

• School of the Lynx

The school of the Lynx is the smallest of the schools. Just like the school of the Bear it focuses on enhancing the body, but not for strength and it doesn't neglect other parts of specializations that much. It uses the enchancing, scholar teaching and runesmithing for speed and stealth. The school is cooperating with school of the Wolf from time to time and they possess some of the least rivalrous relationships between the schools. Their fighting style counts on speed and first series of deadly strikes. Members of this school find their use mostly within Rangers and Exploratores.

• School of the Raven

The school of the Raven is the most arrogant of the schools. They see other schools as uncivilized and unintelligent. That is also the reason why it is the most hated of the schools. Focusing very heavily on scholar teachings, the school nearly abandoned other specializations. It is unforgiving for imperfections in its members and forbids nearly any individuality. It however reaches the most consistent flow of its members which are well learned. Their fighting style is almost purely focused on signs and spells. Members of this school are often applied as scientists, researchers and medics.

• School of the Viper

The school of the Viper is youngest and after the school of the Lynx the smallest. Its members fractured from the school of the Raven and created their own school. Though still strict and heavily focused on scholar teachings, the school is more benevolent both to its members and use of other specializations. The thing that is the school infamously known for is however its alchemy. It moves on the edge with law as the alchemy they are creating and studying enhances Arnorians for short durations furthermore. The sort of "biological" warfare they use is also seen on the edge of honorability. Therefore, though school of Raven is hated the school of the Viper is often despised. Their fighting style focuses on weakening the enemy with toxins and poisons while enhancing themselves. As the members of school of the Raven, members of this school are often applied as scientists, researchers and medics, but also as Rangers or sometimes as military personel in other branches.