Warrens[]
Warrens are natural or carved channels through the ethereal mesh that often create interplanar connections that exist in a similar state to planar boundaries as convergence zones of planar power and phenomena. Just as the planar boundary between Planes of Water and Wind creates blizzard-choked transitional plane - so a warren spiderwebbing between these planes might create an dungeon with elements of water, wind, ice and blizzard. Warrens often generate phenomena such as planar wells, portals, transitory demiplanes and transplanar leylines.
Warrens are not always transplanar - but instead connect various features within the sacred and magical landscapes. In fact, many scholars theorize that these channels and flows through the ethereal mesh connecting various points on the same plane might explain phenomena, such as lay lines, ethereal currents and the song paths within the Dreaming. Some scholars posit warrens are a fracture in the glue that underlies these other slices of reality (such as the Prime Material, the Ethereal, Astral, Fey and Shadowfell) meshing them together to create a composite reality. Other scholars suggest that warrens are like termites tunnels in the walls and woodwork of a house, networking together the "in-between spaces" between planes. Yet other scholars claim that naturally occurring warrens are fault lines in the fabric of reality created by cosmic junctures.
Warrens are used by many magic users who tap these spaces of power and supernatural phenomena they create. They are occasionally used as a means of passage, especially to difficult to access locations - such as a different plane or locations that are highly enchanted, guarded or great distances away. Still other magic users and beings of great power use them as lairs - even carving out and enhancing their own abodes. Some entities have even built entire cities or realms within warrens to escape the watchful eyes of deities and other cosmic powers that be.
Warrens are exceeding difficult to find and access. There are no direct spells, such as Planeshift or Dimensional Portal that allow direct access. Rather, only reality rending spells, such as Wish, or abilities that come with godhood grant predictable access. For naturally occurring warrens, it is also possible (though, improbable) to find natural portals hidden across various planes. For warrens carved out by powerful entities, they may often only be accessed by powerful portal keys forged within the warren and transported to other planes of existence.
Pantheons and the Deep Warrens[]
It is believed by the denizens of the warrens that there is yet a deeper layer that underlies the Warrens that exists beyond the veil that separates prime deities of the cosmos from their creation. The Deep Warrens are a metaphysical spatial expression of the waxing and waning conflicts, interests, powers and domains of gods and demigods. Pantheons exist as Houses connected by their organizing principles ruling over their own warren, seeking to expand it further, tunnel into the warrens of other Houses. Warrens expand, elaborate, collapse, and intersect as the deities vie for power and influence. This causes the power and influence of their domains to ebb, flow and comingle - with changes being physically and ,metaphysically cascaded through all planes of existence - showing up in various echoes and expressions. New spells, shifting clerical domains, evolving realms within the Outer Planes, cults rising and falling, new races emerging, evolving and ascending. Many scholars theorize that this supports the Cosmic Homeostasis Theory, or is possibly an emanation or manifestation of it.
Snickelways[]
Snickelways are tightly intersecting warrens that create honeycombs and caverns within the warrens. These can be naturally occurring or carved out by the denizens of the warrens. Snickelways are often the site of lairs, realms, settlements or even cities within the warrens - as they are typically located at important junctions and nexuses within the Warrens.
Example Cities and Lairs
Liminal Wardens[]
"Liminal Wardens," find their homes in a unique and hidden realm known as the "Liminal Sanctuaries." These sanctuaries are carefully concealed pockets of ethereal space that exist in the interstices of the warrens, serving as their dwellings, research centers, and training grounds. The Leminal Wardens create, expand, and maintain these sanctuaries to be safe havens dedicated to the study and mastery of warrenweft. Here, they focus on their role as protectors and caretakers of the mystical network.
Warrenweft Magic System[]
Warrenweft is a complex and powerful system of magic that draws its strength from the intricate web of interplanar channels known as Warrens. Practitioners, known as Wayfinders and Wayrifters, manipulate these Warrens to harness their magical essence for various purposes. The magic system is based on several key principles:
- Interplanar Connections: Warrenweft relies on the interconnectedness of various planes of existence. Practitioners tap into the ethereal mesh that links these planes, using Warrens as conduits to access the energy and phenomena that exist on the boundaries of different planes.
- Categories of Warrens: Warrens are categorized based on their properties, locations, and planar connections. These categories define the type of magic that can be accessed through them, making Warrenweft diverse and adaptable. Some of the common Warren categories include Elemental, Ethereal, Astral, Fey, Shadowfell, and more.
- Wayfinders: Wayfinders are practitioners who specialize in navigating and channeling the energy from existing Warrens. They are skilled at locating Warrens, following their paths, and using their magic. Wayfinders often serve as guides, protectors, and explorers.
- Wayrifters: Wayrifters are more advanced practitioners who possess the rare ability to tunnel through Warrens. They can create new pathways within the Warrens, expanding the magical network and discovering hidden or untouched aspects of the interconnected planes.
- Warrenweaving: The act of manipulating Warrens is called Warrenweaving. Wayfinders and Wayrifters can use Warrenweaving to tap into the energy of a specific Warren category. The more skilled the practitioner, the more adept they are at channeling, shaping, and combining different types of magic.
- Strands: When individuals traverse a Warren, they leave behind ethereal strands that connect them to that Warren's energy. These strands link the practitioner to the Warren and allow for communication, power drawing, and potential travel back to the Warren.
- Snickelways: Snickelways are tightly intersecting Warrens that create complex networks within the Warrenweft. Wayrifters can discover, create, or manipulate Snickelways to access previously unknown areas within the Warrens.
- Magic Sources: The various Warren categories offer distinct magical sources, each with its own unique properties. For example, Elemental Warrens might grant control over natural elements, while Fey Warrens could provide enchantment or fey-related magic.
- Limits and Challenges: While powerful, Warrenweft is not without its challenges. Wayfinders and Wayrifters need to find or create the right connections between planes. Additionally, the complexity of the Warrens can make travel and navigation difficult, and accessing some Warrens may be forbidden due to their inherent dangers.
- Warren-related Professions: Warrenweft has given rise to various professions, including Warrensages (scholars of the Warrens), Warrenmancers (magic users specializing in Warrenweft), and more.