Linivè

BackgroundKnowledge

This is a planet.

This, too, is a planet.

These are planets from our solar system; chunks of rock or gas that orbit a sun. Some systems (planets + their star(s) make up a system) only have a couple of planets, some have many. Some may not have any planets.

Suns come in all sizes, and are generally classified by size. The classification can be a bit complex and extensive, and isn't necessary knowledge. Sometimes, too, suns are called 'stars'. The words are interchangeable.

Some systems, too, have more than one star. Sometimes there are two stars orbiting around each other; these are called binary systems. A good example of this are the systems Sirius, Antares, and Alpha Centauri. Some systems have even more stars; for example, the system Castor, is made up of six stars. However, without deep inspection, it seems like there is only one star.

There are lots of stars in the universe – an unfathomable number. In the Milky Way alone, it is estimated that there are about 400 billion stars.

A group of planets orbiting a star or stars makes up a system. Now, what happens when a ton of stars are grouped together?

When all is said and done, large clusters of star systems make up a galaxy.

This is the Milky Way galaxy; or at least what we think it looks like. The Milky Way is massive;  it's estimated to be about 100,000 light years across. That means that it takes one hundred thousand light years to get from one end of the galaxy to the other.

Of course, the scales can get bigger, too. Galaxies are not the largest things in the galaxy; far from it. In fact, groups of galaxies are also categorized into clusters.

This is the Local Group, which is the cluster that we are a part of. As can be seen, there are over forty galaxies in our local group alone.

After the Local Group, which is known as a galaxy cluster, we move into what happens to clusters when they are clustered together.

A group of clusters is known as a supercluster. But because of the size of the universe, any characters made are being limited to the Virgo Supercluster; the supercluster that we, in the Local Group, are part of.

Now, as previously stated, stars come in many sizes. The bigger and brighter they are, the shorter their life spans. The biggest of the stars tend to die vibrant, explosive deaths. They tend to meet one of three spectacular fates; an explosion into a bright, powerful supernova, a collapse into a neutron star, or imploding into a destructive black hole. They are all results of a massive star dying.

Supernovae are one of the main sources of nebulae, that make spectacular gravemarks in the sky. They are bright and colourful, and beautiful.

The other deaths, neutron star and black hole, start and remain dangerous.

A black hole is a voracious cannibal that eats everything in its path; it can vary from only being a few kilometers wide to being billions of times larger than our sun. On top of that, in every large galaxy, there is a black hole in its centre which is what keeps it spinning.

And finally, neutron stars are extremely small stars, but are so densely compacted that they have an immense gravity. When two neutron stars collide, as well, they could also turn into a black hole.

If you can, read through again and at least try to understand how things relate to one another.

A planet or planets orbiting a star or stars makes up a system.

A bunch of stars put together makes up a galaxy.

A bunch of galaxies put together make up a cluster.

A bunch of clusters put together makes up a supercluster.

Characters and Concepts

Once again, please make sure you understand, at the very least, how planets are related to stars, stars to galaxies, galaxies to clusters. The information above is all you need for the purpose of this universe.

So, imagine that more or less everything has a personification – planets, stars, galaxies, clusters. Black holes, too. And even comets, though they are not as commonly seen; this is the same as with moons and asteroids.

There are some things, however, that a character cannot be made out of; this includes constellations, satellites, or any arrangement larger than a cluster. This is both for scaling purposes and the very existence of a constellation is an arrangement of stars, galaxies, or nebulae in a specific pattern.

Also, for the sake of this Original Universe, there can be and are life on other planets. Humans are not the sole focus here.

Planets have their own representatives; to the inhabitants of these planets, these are their 'gods'.

Stars, who generally take the appearance of a minor (anyone aged between 5 and 18), represent these planets. Their appearance may be a direct reflection of how old they, as a star, are; this isn't entirely necessary, though. A good way to think of it is like a household or a family; the planets all have jobs while they must take care of their “parent” star (who is actually more like a child). Planets have a number of jobs that they must fulfill; there may also be multiple planets inside a single system that hold the same position as professionals. If there are fewer planets in a system, then multiple jobs will be assigned to a single planet. Planets are responsible for these jobs with respect to their planets, and those who are more experienced – the “professionals”, so to speak – are able to work outside of their planet.

Messengers: They are like interstellar mailmen. They deliver messages (important and not so important) across the solar system, and upon becoming professional they can deliver to areas in the galaxy or even deliver to other galaxies.

Consorts: They are the planet's babysitter, and upon becoming a professional, the star's babysitter as well; or the parent. Their main job is to be the parental figure of sorts to whatever planet or star(s) that they represent.

Protectors: It is their job to ensure that their planet, and upon becoming professionals, their system, is as safe as possible.

On top of the stars, we have the galaxies. Now, because there are a copious amount of stars in a galaxy, please remember that it is not necessary for stars to interact with their galaxy (this is not to be mistaken with discouraged; if your character is a star and another character is the galaxy that your star resides in, there is nothing saying that you cannot say hi!). And then the cycle repeats; on top of the galaxies, you have the clusters.

Please know, however, that no single representative is more important than the other – no matter the scale. They simply represent more space, but that does not have any specific effect on them as a being.

Stars in binary systems are generally twins, one way or another. Of course, due to the nature of binary systems, the end is not usually a happy one, as one twin is usually sapping life from the other. However, if you only want to make one character out of a binary (or more) system; that's fine!

That's pretty much all there is about the 'living' aspect of the space characters. Feel free to be creative in your designs! There are no limits!

Now, we also said that black holes can have representatives. Supermassive black holes – the ones regularly found at the centers of galaxies – are equal to a galaxy in scale. Smaller black holes can be found strewn around, and they are also the remains of dead stars. They tend to be, for lack of a better term, “little hecklers screwing stuff up”. That is generally what they do. Neutron stars and nebulae also have their own representatives; they are like the spirits of the world, as they are what remains of dead stars.

Transportation is accomplished by the combination of spaceships and wormholes.

Finally, some last points:

Please submit your characters to us! A drawing is by no means necessary. All we really need is what your character(s) represent, and a physical description or a drawing, whichever you have done.

Please note that personifications can move as much as they want, and anywhere they wish. You are not limited to character interaction based on where your star/galaxy/cluster/etc. is located.

There are lots of things in the universe, and there are plenty of things left to be discovered! You are free to make up your own stars and planets as you see fit.

If you are having trouble finding something to make a character out of, or want to join but have no ideas, feel free to shoot us an ask and we will help you the best we can!

If you have questions, please feel free to send us an ask and we will answer to the best of our abilities.