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''This article is about the celestial objects known as crystal spheres, if you are looking for the AD&D adventure module named after them see [[SJA3 Crystal Spheres]].''
 
''This article is about the celestial objects known as crystal spheres, if you are looking for the AD&D adventure module named after them see [[SJA3 Crystal Spheres]].''
   
A '''crystal sphere''' is an object of great size that surrounds an entire [[planetary system]] and forms a boundry that separates [[wildspace]] from [[phlogiston, the|the phlogiston]].<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
+
A '''crystal sphere''', also known as a '''crystal shell''', is an object of great size that surrounds an entire [[planetary system]] and forms a boundary that separates [[wildspace]] from [[phlogiston, the|the phlogiston]].<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
   
The size of crystal spheres is related to the size of the planetery system within them. As the name 'crystal sphere' implies, the objects are spherical.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
+
The size of crystal spheres is related to the size of the planetary system within them. As the name 'crystal sphere' implies, the objects are spherical.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
   
Although they are solid, crystal spheres have no [[gravity]] and no [[atmosphere]]. The material crystal spheres are made of is a unbreakable dark ceramic material. No magic is powerful enough to damage crystal spheres.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
+
Although they are solid, crystal spheres have no [[gravity]] and no [[atmosphere]]. The material crystal spheres are made of is an unbreakable dark ceramic material. No magic is powerful enough to damage crystal spheres.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
   
 
==Travel through a crystal sphere==
Crystal spheres are also known as crystal shells.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
 
 
==Travel Through a Crystal Sphere==
 
   
 
Only a few methods are known to allow travel from one side of a crystal sphere to the other side.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
 
Only a few methods are known to allow travel from one side of a crystal sphere to the other side.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
   
===[[Teleport]] or [[Dimension Door]] Spells===
+
===Teleport or Dimension Door spells===
  +
{{Main|Teleport|Dimension Door}}
These spells (or magical devices that duplicate them) allow spellcasters to jump from one side of the sphere to the other without phsically crossing the sphere.
+
These spells (or magical devices that duplicate them) allow spellcasters to jump from one side of the sphere to the other without physically crossing the sphere.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
   
===[[Phase Door]] Spell===
+
===Phase Door spell===
  +
{{Main|Phase Door}}
This spell (or a magical item that duplicates it) makes part of the crystal sphere immaterial and allows a [[spelljamming ship]] to pass through.
 
 
This spell (or a magical item that duplicates it) makes part of the crystal sphere immaterial and allows a [[spelljamming ship]] to pass through.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
   
===Naturally Occuring Portals===
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===Naturally occurring portals===
  +
{{Main|Crystal sphere portal}}
Most crystal spheres have natural portals that pierce the shell at various locations. These portals usually and vanish at random times and are located in random places. Looking for these portals can take a long time.
+
Most crystal spheres have natural portals that pierce the shell at various locations. These portals usually appear and vanish at random times and are located in random places. Looking for these portals can take a long time.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
   
===[[Stars]]===
+
===Stars===
  +
{{Main|Stars}}
In some crystal spheres, stars are located on the inside of the crystal shell. A few of these stars are themselves also natural portals through the crystal sphere. A spelljamming ship diving into the heart of the star would pass through the shell and appear in the phlogiston. However, a high number of stars are portals to the [[Plane of Radience]] or the [[Plane of Fire]]. Flying a ship into one of those stars would be fatal.
+
In some crystal spheres, stars are located on the inside of the crystal shell. A few of these stars are themselves also natural portals through the crystal sphere. A spelljamming ship diving into the heart of the star would pass through the shell and appear in the phlogiston. However, a high number of stars are portals to the [[Plane of Radiance]] or the [[Plane of Fire]]. Flying a ship into one of those stars would be fatal.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
   
===[[Spelljammer, The|''The Spelljammer'']] and Creatures Like Space Dragons===
+
===''The Spelljammer'' and creatures like space dragons===
  +
{{Main|Spelljammer, The|List of creatures with the ability to create crystal sphere portals}}
The legendary ship, called ''The Spelljammer'', and some large space creatures, like space dragons, seem to have an innate ability to create portals similar to the natural portals. These portals close slowly over time, so ships can sometimes use them.
+
The legendary ship, called [[Spelljammer, The|''The Spelljammer'']], and some large space creatures, like space dragons, seem to have an innate ability to create portals similar to the natural portals. These portals close slowly over time, so ships can sometimes use them.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
   
===The [[Create Portal]] Spell===
+
===The Create Portal spell===
  +
{{Main|Create Portal}}
This spell duplicates the natural ability of ''The Spelljammer'' and space dragons, but the portals created by this spell has a much shorter duration. Portals created via this spell last no longer than 120 minutes.
+
This spell duplicates the natural ability of ''The Spelljammer'' and space dragons, but the portals created by this spell have a much shorter duration. Portals created via this spell last no longer than 120 minutes.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref>
   
==Individual Crystal Spheres==
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==Individual crystal spheres==
   
===Size of Individual Crystal Spheres===
+
===Size of individual crystal spheres===
The size of crystal spheres is usually determined by the size of the planetary system within them. Each sphere usually is usually twice the diameter as the outermost planet within the crystal sphere, but spheres can be larger than this.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref> There are often astronomical objects that defy this 'double diameter' rule and orbit outside the outermost [[planet]]. Sages who support the 'double diameter' rule usually argue that these [[celestial body|celestial bodies]] are [[additional astronomicals]] rather than true planets.<ref name="SJR6">[[SJR6 Greyspace|''SJR6 Greyspace'']] page 3</ref>
+
The size of crystal spheres is usually determined by the size of the planetary system within them. Each sphere is usually twice the diameter as the outermost planet within the crystal sphere, but spheres can be larger than this.<ref name="CoAS">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] pages 9-10</ref> There are often astronomical objects that defy this 'double diameter' rule and orbit outside the outermost [[planet]]. Sages who support the 'double diameter' rule usually argue that these [[celestial body|celestial bodies]] are [[additional astronomical]]s rather than true planets.<ref name="SJR6">[[SJR6 Greyspace|''SJR6 Greyspace'']] page 3</ref>
   
===Nested Spheres===
+
===Nested spheres===
 
It is possible for a crystal sphere to contain another crystal sphere, or a series of smaller and smaller crystal spheres.<ref>[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] Nonstandard Systems sidebar pages 68, 70 and 72</ref>
 
It is possible for a crystal sphere to contain another crystal sphere, or a series of smaller and smaller crystal spheres.<ref>[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] Nonstandard Systems sidebar pages 68, 70 and 72</ref>
   
==References==
+
==Main theories==
  +
There are six main theories about the origin of the crystal spheres.
<references/>
 
See also [[:Category:Crystal spheres|crystal spheres category]]
 
   
  +
===The gods created the shells and the flow===
==External links==
 
  +
The gods created the spheres and [[Phlogiston, the|the Phlogiston]] in order to divide up the universe. The gods split the universe into chaos ([[Phlogiston, the|the flow]]) and order (the spheres). They then divided up the individual spheres among themselves in order to test law against chaos and good against evil.<ref name="NotCotU">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] Notes on the Creation of the Universe sidebar pages 42, 44, 46 and 48</ref>
  +
  +
===The gods have their own gods===
  +
These gods-of-gods created the universe, and then placed the gods into the universe. This theory gained more popularity in [[Realmspace]] in recent times.<ref name="NotCotU">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] Notes on the Creation of the Universe sidebar pages 42, 44, 46 and 48</ref>
  +
  +
===The Phlogiston is a naturally occurring object===
  +
The Phlogiston was there before the gods. The gods built the crystal spheres to settle and domesticate the flow. The spheres are like cities built along a stream and eventually they will grow and join together. When this happens the Phlogiston will cease to exist.<ref name="NotCotU">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] Notes on the Creation of the Universe sidebar pages 42, 44, 46 and 48</ref>
  +
  +
===The gods fear the flow===
  +
The gods fear the Phlogiston and built the spheres to keep it out.<ref name="NotCotU">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] Notes on the Creation of the Universe sidebar pages 42, 44, 46 and 48</ref>
  +
  +
===The gods fear men and other sentient beings===
  +
The gods fear humans and other sentient creatures and built the crystal spheres to keep them in.<ref name="NotCotU">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] Notes on the Creation of the Universe sidebar pages 42, 44, 46 and 48</ref>
  +
  +
===The Phlogiston and the shells are naturally occurring===
  +
Someone or something created the entire universe and the gods moved in and took over. There is a secondary implication, that the gods have lied about creating the universe to deceive mortals.<ref name="NotCotU">[[AD%26D_Adventures_in_Space#Concordance_of_Arcane_Space|''Concordance of Arcane Space'']] Notes on the Creation of the Universe sidebar pages 42, 44, 46 and 48</ref>
  +
  +
==Appendix==
  +
===See also===
 
* [[:Category:Crystal spheres]] (the category for crystal spheres)
  +
* [[SJA3 Crystal Spheres]]
 
===External Links===
  +
* {{Forgotten Realms Wiki external link}}
 
* [http://www.spelljammer.org/worlds/#h_CrystalSpheres Crystal Spheres at '''''Beyond the Moons'''''] (the '''official''' ''Spelljammer'' website)
 
* [http://www.spelljammer.org/worlds/#h_CrystalSpheres Crystal Spheres at '''''Beyond the Moons'''''] (the '''official''' ''Spelljammer'' website)
 
* [http://www.spelljammer.org/worlds/articles/SphereGuide/Guide%20to%20the%20Spheres.pdf ''An "official" Spelljammer Guide to the Spheres'' by Paul Westermeyer at '''''Beyond the Moons'''''] (the '''official''' ''Spelljammer'' website)
 
* [http://www.spelljammer.org/worlds/articles/SphereGuide/Guide%20to%20the%20Spheres.pdf ''An "official" Spelljammer Guide to the Spheres'' by Paul Westermeyer at '''''Beyond the Moons'''''] (the '''official''' ''Spelljammer'' website)
  +
===References===
 
  +
{{Refs}}
[[Category:CoAS]] [[Category:LotV]] [[Category:SJCS canon]] [[Category:SJR6]]
 
  +
[[Category:CoAS canon]]
  +
[[Category:LotV canon]]
  +
[[Category:SJR6 canon]]
  +
[[Category:Crystal spheres]]

Revision as of 09:51, 3 March 2021

This article is about the celestial objects known as crystal spheres, if you are looking for the AD&D adventure module named after them see SJA3 Crystal Spheres.

A crystal sphere, also known as a crystal shell, is an object of great size that surrounds an entire planetary system and forms a boundary that separates wildspace from the phlogiston.[1]

The size of crystal spheres is related to the size of the planetary system within them. As the name 'crystal sphere' implies, the objects are spherical.[1]

Although they are solid, crystal spheres have no gravity and no atmosphere. The material crystal spheres are made of is an unbreakable dark ceramic material. No magic is powerful enough to damage crystal spheres.[1]

Travel through a crystal sphere

Only a few methods are known to allow travel from one side of a crystal sphere to the other side.[1]

Teleport or Dimension Door spells

Main articles: Teleport and Dimension Door


These spells (or magical devices that duplicate them) allow spellcasters to jump from one side of the sphere to the other without physically crossing the sphere.[1]

Phase Door spell

Main article: Phase Door


This spell (or a magical item that duplicates it) makes part of the crystal sphere immaterial and allows a spelljamming ship to pass through.[1]

Naturally occurring portals

Main article: Crystal sphere portal


Most crystal spheres have natural portals that pierce the shell at various locations. These portals usually appear and vanish at random times and are located in random places. Looking for these portals can take a long time.[1]

Stars

Main article: Stars


In some crystal spheres, stars are located on the inside of the crystal shell. A few of these stars are themselves also natural portals through the crystal sphere. A spelljamming ship diving into the heart of the star would pass through the shell and appear in the phlogiston. However, a high number of stars are portals to the Plane of Radiance or the Plane of Fire. Flying a ship into one of those stars would be fatal.[1]

The Spelljammer and creatures like space dragons

Main articles: Spelljammer, The and List of creatures with the ability to create crystal sphere portals


The legendary ship, called The Spelljammer, and some large space creatures, like space dragons, seem to have an innate ability to create portals similar to the natural portals. These portals close slowly over time, so ships can sometimes use them.[1]

The Create Portal spell

Main article: Create Portal


This spell duplicates the natural ability of The Spelljammer and space dragons, but the portals created by this spell have a much shorter duration. Portals created via this spell last no longer than 120 minutes.[1]

Individual crystal spheres

Size of individual crystal spheres

The size of crystal spheres is usually determined by the size of the planetary system within them. Each sphere is usually twice the diameter as the outermost planet within the crystal sphere, but spheres can be larger than this.[1] There are often astronomical objects that defy this 'double diameter' rule and orbit outside the outermost planet. Sages who support the 'double diameter' rule usually argue that these celestial bodies are additional astronomicals rather than true planets.[2]

Nested spheres

It is possible for a crystal sphere to contain another crystal sphere, or a series of smaller and smaller crystal spheres.[3]

Main theories

There are six main theories about the origin of the crystal spheres.

The gods created the shells and the flow

The gods created the spheres and the Phlogiston in order to divide up the universe. The gods split the universe into chaos (the flow) and order (the spheres). They then divided up the individual spheres among themselves in order to test law against chaos and good against evil.[4]

The gods have their own gods

These gods-of-gods created the universe, and then placed the gods into the universe. This theory gained more popularity in Realmspace in recent times.[4]

The Phlogiston is a naturally occurring object

The Phlogiston was there before the gods. The gods built the crystal spheres to settle and domesticate the flow. The spheres are like cities built along a stream and eventually they will grow and join together. When this happens the Phlogiston will cease to exist.[4]

The gods fear the flow

The gods fear the Phlogiston and built the spheres to keep it out.[4]

The gods fear men and other sentient beings

The gods fear humans and other sentient creatures and built the crystal spheres to keep them in.[4]

The Phlogiston and the shells are naturally occurring

Someone or something created the entire universe and the gods moved in and took over. There is a secondary implication, that the gods have lied about creating the universe to deceive mortals.[4]

Appendix

See also

External Links

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Concordance of Arcane Space pages 9-10
  2. SJR6 Greyspace page 3
  3. Concordance of Arcane Space Nonstandard Systems sidebar pages 68, 70 and 72
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Concordance of Arcane Space Notes on the Creation of the Universe sidebar pages 42, 44, 46 and 48