# Physical Environment Incl. Climate Flora Fauna Resources ## **Macro Level - Worlds and Planets** > [!done]+ Green – No Spoilers The story leads us through different worlds. Each of these has their own laws, dynamics, and characteristics. I will use the names in the language of [[Etral'han💭]] where most of the story takes place. In a later stage, I will invest in detailing out the worlds in a way so they are aligned with current neuroscience and philosophy of mind research. ### [[Allist'han✅]] This is the real world as the readers know it. We’re on planet Earth, in more or less current times (early 21st century), and more specifically on the Canary Island of [[La Graciosa]], a small, vulcanic island with ~600 inhabitants. ### [[Etral'han💭]] This is the world Peter enters when he stumbles into his version of “The Neverending Story”. In the story, Peter expects it to be a phantastic world of imagination, comparable to [[Phantásien|Phantasia]] in [[Die unendliche Geschichte|The Neverending Story]]. However, in difference to [[Phantásien|Phantasia]], this world seems to be quite limited - it only consists of one huge continent, [[Ksall'han]], and one island, [[Nadlee'han💭]], located around 100 km away from the continent in the [[Spectra’vael]], a particularily heavy sea that is difficult to navigate on ship due to storms and heavy weather, underground rocks, and mysterious stories about living rocks that are known for occasionally devouring whole ships. The rest of the continent is covered by ocean and unknown to the inhabitants, because there’s no need for open water ships due to the lack of possible places to go. [[Nadlee'han💭]] is accepted to be the only existing island large enough to be inhabitated. > [!danger]- Red – Major Spoiler > Later, we learn that this is not true - there are actually a lot of other islands, small and big. So while [[Ksall'han]] is in fact the only continent, only around 80% of [[Etral'han💭]]‘s population lives there, the other 20% live scattered around many, many small islands that are completely autark from the continent, some of them even from each other, others having small scale trade and interaction. This island world is called [[Mond'îles]], a term we learn from the [[Kaiuree ✅]]. Also, [[Etral'han💭]] is not an imaginary product of pure imagination, but actually another level of reality that is mirroing [[Peter Pankratius Pek|Peter]]’s consciousness - with [[Nadlee'han💭]] mirroing himself and his inner world, [[Ksall'han]] representing his perception of the world around him, and [[Mond'îles]] representing his subconscious knowledge of other autistic people in the world. > > So, we’re actually speaking about a real world, not fantasy. Just real in another sense - in the sense that every consciousness in the world carries an own world within it that is not symbolic, but a real representation of consciousness. As a consequence, this can be seen as some sort of parallel universe (comparable to the hypothesis of multiverses that ultimately root in mathematical structures) that actually exist - and that are both seperate (as they originate in individual consciousnesses) and connected (as they represent each other in the perception of other beings). > > In a way, we could say that [[Etral'han💭]] is located *in* [[Peter Pankratius Pek|Peter]]‘s brain (in the sense that it is a product of his own consciousness), however, we could also say that he is in a parallel universe that exists because his consciousness exists in our realit, i.e., [[Allist'han✅]] > > ### [[Kaiur'naos]] > This is the world that Peter enters when he eats the fruits of the [[Jezz'ir]] plant, thereby destroying [[Etral'han💭]] - as he believes, for good. What actually happens is that eating from the plant breaks the reality constructing mechanis of [[Peter Pankratius Pek|Peter]]’s brain. So now, his consciousness in the normal sense not only switches into another mode (the one where he is IN it, i.e., in [[Etral'han💭]]), but he’s actually outside of his consciousness. As a consequnce, he is confronted with his actual brain - and that is the place, that is called [[Kaiur'naos]]. As in this world there’s no consciousness, no perception, no sensual environment, it would be pretty boring for the story. So in order for him to be able to sense and interact with this world, his brain runs some sort of resque program that simulates a minimal consciousness where he can actually be in his brain with a corporal representation. As a consequence, the [[Kaiur'naos]] consists of a system of caves and tunnels that are looking like the inside of neurons and neuronal connections. From the visitor’s perspective, this looks a bit like walking through a huge bionic structure, with grey whitish substance around him, and light signals firing through the walls. In the area of the brain that coordinates brain functions ([[TBD Reserach coordinative area of the brain]]), he meets the [[Kaiuree ✅]] - a depressive speaking ape who is the system administrator of his brain. The [[Kaiuree ✅]] sits in a steering central that consists of monitors that play sensory perceptions (i.e., a visual monitor that shows what [[Peter Pankratius Pek|Peter]] sees, an auditory monitor that plays the sounds he hears and so forth), and also can replay memories (i.e., the [[Kaiuree ✅]] can play immersive ‘videos’ to show [[Peter Pankratius Pek|Peter]] specific events from his past). Also, some vital elements of the brain are represented by other creatures, e.g., the [[Cervézard]], highly impulsive lizards that swarm out from the brain stem when Peter experiences existential emotions and are controlled by the [[Kaiuree ✅]] to avoid them entering the prefrontal cortext, using a mechanism [[TBD Mechanism or Force that is Dopamin fueled to control the Cervezard]] that is fueled by Dopamin, or - as it’s called in [[Etral'han💭]], [[Relation’in✅]]. > > **The Architecture of the Worlds is already generally compatible with current neuroscience and philosophy of mind positions, howver, when fleshing it out I need to be more precise and map different elements of the world concepts to actual research results and/or theories. See [[ChatGPT Analysis of 3 World Model from a Neuroscience of Consciousness perspective]] and the resulting [[ChatGPT Workplan to create a detailed neuroscience aligned world building]] ## Meso Level - Areas and Places > [!done]+ Green – No Spoilers ### Allist’han The only place in [[Allist'han✅]] where actual plot takes place is [[La Graciosa]], and, closely related, [[Lanzarote]]. For the story, we will need the rough sea between [[La Orzola]] and [[Caleta del Sebo]] - as this is the only shipping route and it can easily be disconnected by high waves and difficult winds, the city of [[Caleta del Sebo]] with a small [[AirBnB in Caleta del Sebo✅]], one [[TBD local restaurant in Caleta del Sebo]], and the hiking paths towards [[Playa de las Conchas]] and [[Playa Montana Colorada]]. In the end, [[Peter Pankratius Pek|Peter]] will also spend some time in the [[TBD Hospital of Arrecife]]. In the backstory, we will also have childhood and early adulthood memories of [[Peter Pankratius Pek|Peter]]. As [[Peter Pankratius Pek|Peter]]‘s [[Peter's Mother|Mother]] founded her own fashion business, she actually changed cities quite often, and for the most important part of [[Peter Pankratius Pek|Peter]]’s childhood, they were living in [[Paris]]. As [[Peter's Father]], she originally comes from a middle sized town in Germany, probably something like Bottrop or Friedrichshafen. [[TBD Childhood Home Town of Peter's Parents]] This is also where [[Peter Pankratius Pek|Peter]] grew up until he was 10 years old. ### [[Etral'han💭]] This is the main location of the story, and so we will need a lot of places. #### [[Nadlee'han💭]] The island where [[Peter Pankratius Pek|Peter]] arrives. It’s relatively small, around the size of Lanzarote, so 800-1000 km². It’s located around 100 km from [[Ksall'han]] in the landmark cut that is the [[Spectra’vael]] sea, surrounded by a huge gulf, the [[Spectra’vael]] gulf, a bit north of the equator, with a general climate comparable to the canary islands. > [!warning]- moderate spoiler > [[Nadlee'han💭]] is geologically different from [[Ksall'han]], as it’s a product of magic. Details will be developed in [[Science and Magic 💭]] There is one city, [[Nadlee’sh]], which is the capital and the main harbour. It is large enough to be a major travel destination for the [[Species - Ksall'i ✅]], but small enough to still feel overseeable by a relatively informal governance structure, so we are speaking between 15.000 and 80.000 inhabitants, probably on the lower end, because it should be believable that [[Xandro ✅]] is both a business owner with active responsibilities and the informal head of the city (though probably not alone). Also, the travel to the bigger cities of [[Ksall'han]] should feel adventorous because they are bigger. The city is surrounded by a rain forest, the [[Abyssno’sh✅]], that covers the island almost entirely and is deep, wild, and full of secrets. In it’s margins, close to [[Nadlee’sh]] center, it’s home to the treehouse suburbs of the capital where the [[Species - Magox’i✅]] live. [[Xandro ✅]] lives in the tree house [[Nidar’a]]. The city itself consists mainly of touristic infrastructure and cheap dewellings for the hard working [[Species - Abyssno’i ✅]], most of them integrated into the touristic buildings (in cellars, roofs, sometimes even as temporary homes on stages, in restaurants and the like when they are not in use). Within the [[Abyssno’sh✅]], there are a huge number of small caves, tree houses, simple huts, and other places where the [[Species - Abyssno’i ✅]] live during [[Flor’een]]. They are vacated during [[Thysi’een]]. Also within the [[Abyssno’sh✅]], there’s the [[Kaiur'naos|Kaiur’naos]], an ancient temple for the ape god [[Kaiuree ✅]], and within it there’s the [[Jezz'ir]] - a sacred plant. During [[Flor’een]], the forest becomes the center of [[Nadlee'han💭]], with the nature of the island subtly supporting the life of the [[Species - Abyssno’i ✅]] - glowing plants, nutritous fruits, … whatever is needed to allow the [[Species - Abyssno’i ✅]] to live comfortably without any work that needs to be done, not on a luxurious level, but comfortably and save. Another pecuiliar element of [[Nadlee'han💭]] are the [[Eidet'naos ✅]]: 17 high buildings of varying design that are distributed all over the islands - with one of them in [[Nadlee’sh]], and the others equally distributed, both at the coast and in the forest. These buildings are suprisingly large and don’t really fit the vacation island atmosphere. Also, they are the only places in [[Nadlee'han💭]] that are valued both by the [[Species - Magox’i✅]] and the [[Species - Abyssno’i ✅]], and the only places that are open and running both in [[Thysi’een]] and in [[Flor’een]], with the [[Species - Abyssno’i ✅]] occupying the role of [[Eidet’arun]], those who take care of these sacred places. > [!danger]- Red – Major Spoiler > Finally, we got the [[TBD self protection mechanism of Nadlee'han]], a natural phenomenon connected to the island’s magic. In [[Thysi’een]], [[Nadlee'han💭]] seems to be an ordinary island. However, in [[Flor’een]], the island “shuts down”, i.e. is enclosed by a gigantic structure that looks like a shell of a gigantic mussel. #### [[Ksall'han]] The continent that covers around 40% of the surface are of [[Etral'han💭]]. Located across the equator, with a higher share of the landmass in the northern hemisphere, it is a massive landmass that has all climate zones from polar regions in the north to deserts around the equator. The continent looks similar to a smaller version of Europe & Africa, more specifically like the whole of Europe (but without the smaller seas) plus the northern part of Africa up to the level of Tansania. As it is such a gigantic landmass, it’s inner areas are very dry, and centers of life exist mostly in the area around up to 200 km from the sea all around the continent. The continent is cut by a massive mountain range, the [[Thalan’oruun]] from south-west to north-east like a sacred spine, with it’s highest mountains going up to 12.000 m above sea level. In the [[Species - Ksall'i ✅]] religion, these mountains are seen as the throne of their god [[Thaksir]]. Coming from [[Nadlee'han💭]], we first arrive in a busy harbor city, [[Sallivar]]. It is quite big, definitely more than 100,000 inhabitants. It is quite interregional which means that the people from a lot of different regents of the continent live there. It’s also the city where the annual [[Salivar Convent]] gathers, a massive event that convenes delegates from all [[Species - Ksall'i ✅]] family bloodlines to deliberate laws and societal affairs. It has a strategic position as it’s the only major city that has land routes to both halfs of the continent. Here, the scenes close to the midpoint take place. As the [[Thalan’oruun]] divides [[Ksall'han]], we will find two entirely different macro regions: ##### [[Thalan'sir]] The northern macro-region of Ksall’han. Considered the cultural and political heart of the Ksallist’i empire, it is seen as the territory “under Thaksir’s gaze” — the land most aligned with order, clarity, and structured civilization. Wealthy, technologically advanced, bigger, and highly interconnected. ##### [[Hal’thalan]] The southern macro-region of Ksall’han. Characterized by warmer climates, older settlement patterns, and more difficult travel routes, Hal’thalan is regarded as “the land where the god rests” — a quieter, more ancient, smaller, and culturally layered domain that nourishes the empire spiritually and materially. For the story, we need a journey from [[Sallivar]] through [[Ksall'han]] and back to [[Sallivar]] that makes sense both story wise and in terms of geography. For now, let’s just create 2-3 other locations without fixing the details of order and mode of transportation: There definitely needs to be a place that is connected to knowledge, spirituality, and wisdom, similar to an [[Eidet'naos ✅|Eidet’naos]] on [[Nadlee'han💭]]. As the [[shamrock]] will meet [[Frat'il]] there, it will be connected to some sort of order, caste or fraction of society that is fighting for more influence [[Thirak’arin]]. This place would be connected with order, light and law, and feel they are the true followers of [[Thaksir]], so the entrance gate will most likely be in the northern part, far to the East, but not at the sea, more close to the [[Thalan’oruun]]. I’m thinking of a huge stone portal, like a fortress, leading into a system of caves that are facing south. As the Southern Walls of the mountains are extremely steep, there’s no way to enter this place from [[Hal’thalan]], you need to take the north route via the Portal. This place is called [[Thirakon]]. Then, we need the actual center of power for the country, the place where [[Peschbel ✅]] grew up. ##### Lethan’or Around 180 km south of [[Sallivar]] lies the coastal city of [[Lethan’or]], the historical seat of the powerful merchant dynasty known as [[House Lethan’arin]]. Although significantly smaller than Sallivar, Lethan’or is one of the wealthiest cities of [[Hal’thalan]] and serves as a major hub for southern trade routes. Its warm coastal climate, ancient architecture, and long-standing connections to distant markets give it a distinctly open and cosmopolitan atmosphere, unusual for a region often perceived as conservative and inward-looking. Lethan’or’s influence derives almost entirely from the [[House Lethan’arin|Lethan'arin]], a dynasty that has shaped the city for centuries - [[Peschbel ✅]]‘s family. While the economic power of the family is unquestioned, they are viewed with cultural suspicion by more purist factions in [[Thalan'sir]], who consider [[Hal’thalan]] inherently less aligned with strict [[Species - Ksall'i ✅]] values. This tension becomes politically important because the [[House Lethan’arin|Lethan'arin]] are considerably more liberal and outward-facing than many other [[Species - Ksall'i ✅|Ksall'i]] families, maintaining a quiet but persistent interest in ideas, art, and spiritual currents beyond the dominant northern ideology. ##### Lethan’naos At the heart of Lethan’or stands [[Lethan’naos]], the ancestral estate of House [[House Lethan’arin|Lethan’arin]]. Both palace and sanctuary, the estate serves as the ceremonial and administrative center of the family’s extensive trading empire. Its name reflects the family’s unique spiritual heritage: unlike most Ksallist’i noble houses, the Lethan’arin maintain a syncretistic tradition that honors both [[Thaksir]] and [[Kaiuree ✅]]. A small, discreet shrine to Kaiuree is rumored to exist within the inner chambers of Lethan’naos—an open secret treated with silence rather than denial. This dual reverence shapes the family’s worldview and explains why the Lethan’arin maintain long-standing ties to [[Nadlee'han💭]], sometimes visiting the island not only for leisure but also for access to the [[Kaiuree'naos]]. Their openness to Nadlee’han and its culture stands in stark contrast to the northern order centered around [[Thirakon]], a faction that seeks to consolidate political and theological power under a stricter monotheistic interpretation of [[Thaksir]]. As the ideological divide between north and south intensifies, families like the Lethan’arin experience increasing pressure to assimilate to northern norms in order to preserve influence within the empire. This tension forms the backdrop for [[Peschbel ✅]]’s upbringing: a childhood shaped by privilege and cultural openness, but overshadowed by her parents’ gradual alignment with Thirakon’s expectations—a shift that both distances them from their roots and alienates their heir. Then, we have 2 other locations on the continent: > [!danger]- Major Spoiler > > ##### The Hidden [[Caldera of Thalan’oruun]] > > Deep within the far eastern ranges of the [[Thalan’oruun]] lies a vast, inaccessible caldera, surrounded on all sides by some of the highest and most jagged peaks of the continent. This basin is so thoroughly enclosed by the mountain spine that no known pass leads into it; the terrain effectively seals it off from the rest of [[Ksall'han]]. Its existence is acknowledged only through fragmented early travel notes and a handful of ancient [[Species - Ksall'i ✅]] exploration attempts, all of which were eventually suppressed or classified. The knowledge is deliberately hidden by the [[Thirak’arin]], because it’s opposing to their desired social order. > > Archaeological fragments taken from early expeditions indicate that the caldera once hosted an ancient civilisation—far older than the Ksall’i empire, and culturally distinct from all known peoples. Structural remains and artistic motifs suggest that this civilisation belonged not to a different species, but to a [[single ancestral people]] whose internal diversity was much broader than current Ksall’i doctrine allows. Later cultures would reinterpret this diversity as evidence of separate species, giving rise to the modern belief that the [[Species - Ksall'i ✅|Ksall’i]], [[Species - Abyssno’i ✅]], and [[Species - Magox’i✅]] are fundamentally different kinds of beings. > > In reality, the [[single ancestral people|caldera civilisation]] is the evolutionary root of all three groups: a single species with multiple cognitive and cultural expressions. This insight, if widely known, would undermine core imperial narratives about hierarchy, purity, and the impossibility of interbreeding between the three peoples. For this reason, access to the [[Caldera of Thalan’oruun|eastern Thalan’oruun]] has been tightly restricted for centuries, particularly by the order based in [[Thirakon]]. > > Despite the secrecy, the caldera plays a major role in contemporary myths surrounding a legendary book of insight. Many factions, including scholars, explorers, and political actors, believe the lost text is connected to the ruins hidden there. This assumption—fueled by partial clues and misinterpreted signs—drives the central quest on the continent. However, the caldera is ultimately a geographical and historical false lead: the true location of the book is on [[Nadlee'han💭]], whose inner world and neurodivergent symbolism echo the deeper truths of the ancestral species. > > As a physical location, the Hidden Caldera is therefore significant not only for its dramatic geography, but as the silent anchor point of the world’s suppressed origin story. It is both a literal and symbolic void in the map of [[Ksall'han]]—an empty place whose absence shapes the ideological landscape of the entire continent. > > ##### [[Silar’thon]] > On the northern cliffs beyond [[Sallivar]] lies [[Silar’thon]], a coastal engineering complex maintained by the northern [[Thirak’arin]] of [[Thirakon]]. Officially, the site exists to study tides, currents, ship stability, and coastal architecture. Its laboratories and stone workshops appear peaceful, devoted to mathematics, resonance research, and alignment technology. > In reality, Silar’thon houses a range of experimental “order devices” originally developed for civil stabilization: [[TBD technology that can be weaponized]] None of these tools are classified as weapons, but they can be mounted quickly onto large merchant vessels. > When political tensions escalate, these devices are reconfigured for combat, turning the merchant fleets of [[Sallivar]] and [[Lethan’or]] into an improvised but powerful naval force. This is the origin of the [[Species - Ksall'i ✅|Ksall’i]] attack on [[Nadlee'han💭]]: not a standing army, but a peaceful continent suddenly weaponizing its technological infrastructure under the ideological influence of [[Thirakon]]. Later, we will add a [[TBD River system in Ksall'han]] and a [[desert zone]] #### [[Mond'îles]] > [!danger]- Major Spoiler > This is the world that covers the other half of the planet of [[Etral'han💭]]. What is believed to be open ocean is in reality a huge archipelago of small Islands. Each of the islands is unique, all of them Are habitated by variations of the ethnicities of the overarching species and most of them are variations of the Abyssno’i. Let’s continue with [[Element X ✅]]