Head over to haydenrodgers.net/killmydarlingsblog/episode6 for all you darling killing needs.

This week we look at the cosmology of WIPworld - well, whatever I have come up with so far. What is cosmology? It’s not as niche or technical as it sounds. Cosmology is a broad term for the nature of the universe. This includes how the world began, how it exists presently, and how it is expected to end. It also includes the spiritual layout of the universe - the heavens, the nine hells, all that stuff. Despite what you might be thinking, there are many examples of cosmology to be found in fantasy novels and in fact can play a big part - just think about the Discworld series or gods in Game of Thrones.

So what is the cosmology of WIPworld? Well, this was actually inspired by reading the Dungeon Master’s Guide for the game. The Otherworld. In this model, the Material Plane has a twin realm that fills the role of all the other planes. The Celtic cosmology has an otherworld, called Tír na nÓg, and the cosmologies of some religions inspired by Asian myth have a similar Spirit World. I love the concept of a dual realm, consisting entirely of magical energy. Or maybe it’s just the place it comes from and magic runs wild and free. Perhaps it mirrors the material world or perhaps it is tethered to it and infinitely larger.

In particular, this idea of a Spirit World stuck with me, and the possibility of spirits playing a part in the natural world. In a world of magic, I love the idea that there could be a physical side to these spirits - or whatever I decide they should be. And in fact, they would be linked to the energy of magic somehow and its existence in WIPworld. In other parts of the cosmology, an added element I really like is the idea of some sort of in-between place. I couldn’t help but feel it’s connected to dreams. What if dreams were actually a glimpse of this in-between realm.

This week’s story is an attempt at just writing anything to do with spirits. I’m not 100% sure of where I’m landing on with a lot of this stuff so this was helpful in just putting any idea into words. It’s entitled: The Spirit Of Truckle Lane.

For the interactive part, visit haydenrodgers.net/killmydarlings Find the blog for the episode you just listened to. Read the summary if you forgot what you just listened to. Help me clarify my ideas with your feedback in the comments section. I’ll try and respond to everything - it’ll be great for procrastinating the actual writing. Join a cute community of like-minded fantasy adventure-loving nerds by following all the accounts and things.

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