Atorous Planetary Cosmology

Atorus Planetary Cosmology v2.1

A Treatise upon Atorus & the Ocean Pillars, by an Inquisitive Explorer in Cosmology

By Theodore Quasideus | Celestial Explorer

I put quill to parchment to expound upon the marvels of our world, Atorus, a sphere not in common shape, but wondrously formed in a manner like a great ring or torus, thru which the sun is bound, leaping to and fro in rhythmic course. The very breath of our existence is shaped by this celestial dance, whereupon the sun's light traverses the inner hollow of Atorus, casting shadows and brilliance alike upon the lands. Yet, tho bountiful, our life here is neither tame nor forgiving. The lands be fierce and unpredictable, with treacherous waters and shifting winds that demand toil and ingenuity from all who dwell here. Yet in adversity lies opportunity, for the unique humours of Atorus nurtures resilient folk and thriving civilizations amidst its rich and temperamental clime.

Encircling our Atorus is the stately Anulusmundi, a ringworld crafted, perchance, by the divine or by those of ancient craft lost to time. This realm, in contrast to the boisterous Atorus, is serene, its constancy like the placid surface of an untouched lake encircled by tranquil flowery meadows. Life on Anulusmundi is tranquil, where trade does flourish, and peace abide. Yet, this calm ring isn't removed from its companion, for a curious connection binds the two: the mighty Atmospheric Ocean Pillars, great rivers of water that surge and tumble between Atorus and Anulusmundi in an unceasing cycle of cosmic tides.

Tis the waters of Atorus, ever in motion, that make life tenable in places where none might dwell. At the northern and southern extremes of the Torus, where naught but icy desolation should reign, there the Ocean Pillars rise and fall, bringing warmth and vitality. These regions, kept free from frost by the ceaseless flow of warm waters, be hubs of trade and life. The Sky Pillars rise when Anulusmundi draws nigh to Atorus, its gravity and the pull of moons creating a marvel where streams of mist ascend, joining into mighty rivers that cascade skyward unto Anulusmundi. As they reach their peak, these waters strike the oceans of the ringworld with tempestuous fury, casting mist and whirlpools in their wake.

When the tide reverse, the waters fall again, flowing as celestial waterfalls unto the Southern Seas of Atorus, their warm torrents ensuring that frost never take hold. Betwixt these cycles, a rhythm is sustained, the waters coursing from north to south and back again, nurturing life and trade as they go. The oceans of Anulusmundi completes the triad, their ebb and flow harmonizing with the tides of Atorus in a symphony of gravitational grace.

The moons of Atorus, three in their number, play a vital part in this cosmological drama. Chief among them is Styx, the Spirit World, where souls of the departed are said to dwell. This sacred moon is accompanied by its lesser satellites, Caelus and Tartarus, which, in the myths and reckonings of our people, are Heaven and Hell. Every hundred years, these moons align in a fateful eclipse. Caelus may cross Styx, bestowing blessings, or Tartarus may cast its shadow, bringing curses. Yet, the celestial dance of these moons is ever uncertain, and no astrologer nor sage can predict with surety which fate the heavens will decree.

Life itself hath adapted to these rhythms. The fish of the seas know when to cross the Pillars, timing their migrations with the tides. Birds navigate by seeking the neutral zones of gravity between Atorus and Anulusmundi, flipping their flight to glide effortlessly upon unseen currents. Yet these skies aren't without peril, for predators, both winged and scaled, stalk the passageways, hunting the unwary.

The Ocean Pillars, tho wondrous, are also dangerous. Mariners and merchants must brave their torrents, for trade and conquest both depend upon their flow. The great ports of Atorus stand as testaments to human ingenuity, bustling with activity even in the eternal darkness of the polar regions. Here, amidst the icy seas warmed by these miraculous currents, civilization thrives.

Thus, the Ocean Pillars and their attendant moons and tides stand as proof of the celestial order, a dance both beautiful and fearsome. Mayhap the gods, or the lost builders of old, did weave this intricate tapestry, and we, as humble observers of their design, can only marvel at the harmony of Atorus, Anulusmundi, and the heavens above.

There are whispered tales of Agartha, that most hidden and wondrous hollow within the heart of Atorus, a place of dark wonder and immense danger. It is said that these yawning voids, scattered across the lands as though by the gods themselves had pierced the earth, doth lead to this fabled realm. Yet, these are no ordinary passages; they be fraught with peril untold, and to seek their paths is to challenge fate itself. For around these gates lie the most fearsome creatures and treacherous terrains known to humankind. Within the depths of Agartha, the waters themselves rise and fall with the rhythm of Solis, the celestial flame that doth pass through Atorus's core. When Solis passes thru the center of Atorus, the waters rise inward in Agartha; then when Solis doth retreat, the pull of the seas turns outward toward Anulusmundi, completing the cycle of their hidden tides.

Among these perilous portals, there lay one of great renown, deep within the darkest abysses of the ocean. The merfolk tell of a vast cave beneath the waves, where light hath never tread, and the black waters are home to monstrous leviathans of unfathomable size. These creatures, their forms larger than castles, glide silent and menacing, ready to rend asunder any mariner who strayeth too near their domain. Another entrance may be found amidst the cragged peaks of the high-gravity hollow inner ring of Atorus, a land where the very air is thin, and the ground trembleth beneath the steps of colossal titans. These behemoths, as tall as common mountains of Atorus's faces, stride the earth with crushing force, their paths marking the lands as forbidden to all but the most foolhardy.

Of all these gateways, none inspire such dread and awe as the chasm men call the Abyss. This yawning void, a pit so vast that its depths seem never to end, lies upon a major landmass, visible even from the skies above. From its edge, the bold may gaze into eternity, though few have the courage to descend. Those who dare are met with dangers unknown, and only the rarest and most fortunate souls return to tell their tale. It is said that those who survive the Abyss find wonders and horrors beyond imagining, their journeys marking them forever.

Thus, dear reader, know that the paths to Agartha are guarded by creatures and trials fit to test the mightiest of mortals. Whether it be the leviathans of the seas, the titans of the mountains, the labyrinths of the deep folk, or the haunting descent into the Abyss, each path is fraught with danger and legend. Yet for those with courage enough to brave these perils, Agartha itself awaits—a realm of wonder veiled in mystery and riches, where the laws of nature twist and magic thrives. It is a land as treacherous as the journey itself, and yet it beckons those who dream of the unknown.