satin
patreon
LC Deep Lore
🕑 Added 2021-04-11 12:15:04 +0000 UTCA question was asked about where Lighter Chains takes place, and here is my overly elaborate answer. I've toyed with different ideas for presenting this in comic form, but I'm not sure how or if it's even necessary, given the focus of the story. Generally, I think elaborate backstories are a good thing to have and build off of, but not necessarily to expose to the reader.
Lighter Chains (along with every other story, I think) takes place in a multiverse, with different universes suspended at different depths between the plane of order and the plane of chaos. For convenience, I will place order at the top and chaos at the bottom and refer to more orderly worlds as "higher" and more chaotic worlds as "lower". Although order should not be considered superior to chaos and they do not equate to good and evil.
The plane of order brings logic, reason, and predictability. The origin of science. A perfectly ordered universe would be something like frictionless infinite clockwork mechanism, ticking away in a perfectly predictable rhythm with a single consciousness. From a certain perspective, this creates a single god, but in it's own way such a universe is horrifying - individuals cannot exist, everything is integrated into the flawless whole or erased. Visitors from higher planes may appear as calm statuesque figures, perhaps with strange geometric features (wheels within wheels). They are able to solve seemingly impossible problems, create very long term plans and even prophesize the future while seeming unable or uninterested in changing it. They will dress modestly both to conceal their other-worldly features and because, in their more ordered world, observation is a very powerful tool and you must be careful of what you show.
The plane of chaos brings emotion, drive, and spontaneity. The origin of magic. A perfectly chaotic universe would be a boiling foam of different souls springing to life, wrestling with their desires, and blinking out again. From a certain perspective, this creates a hell, as there is nothing more than the individual, no community can be had, no progress can be made. A visitor from a lower plane may appear an exciting, intriguing or mysterious stranger capable of sparking passion or conflict with their mere presence. They will dress provocatively to assert their will upon the world and to gain the favor of others, which, in their more chaotic world, gives them power.
The Lighter Chains universe is closer to the plane of chaos than our own, but by no means as deep as you can go. Magic there is possible, but it is difficult and not universally accessible - it must be studied, trained; artifacts must be constructed or discovered. The 'demons' you see walking around in LC are actually half breeds. Pure blooded demons can be summoned up from a lower world in certain locations. These pure demons can have greater innate magical, spiritual, and (of course) sexual prowess, but may be more susceptible to the mechanistic magic of the LC plane such as carefully inscribed metal bands, or oubliettes with large containment symbols built into the floor (as in Dark Altar).
Our own world is closer to the plane of order, allowing for logical and scientific studies to predict many things about the world. Although there is still some unpredictability in the realm of individiual consciousness and quantum effects. The nature of space-time puts an upper bound on the amount of calculation that can be done in our universe, keeping perfection (mercifully) out of reach.
The "Wetware" universe is perhaps higher than our own, with FTL travel allowing a more connections and thus more understanding and order. They no doubt have incredibly powerful AI that runs all aspects of their society, even going as far as deciding which body you belong in. But our transplanted heroine still experiences the world as an individual and the influences on her mind are technological, not magical. There are thematic overlaps of course, as they say sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
Comments
Yepamango
Yeah! It would make sense that the way to travel would be directly tied to where the planes are in relation to order or chaos. I imagine the plane of Chaos looking a lot like the thought cabinet mural in Disco Elysium. I would love to see some of this worldbuilding come to the comics, (even if it was just a book that Alison picks up for a scene) :)
SatinMinions.com
In the movie Event Horizon, the ship travels to a chaotic plane via an experimental black hole drive. It is unclear if the ship travels extradimensionally or just a very long distance. Something similar occurs in the (somewhat trash) anime Divergence Eve. Generally, traveling between planes is not something that can be done easily, because if it was easy things would tend to leave that plane until it collapsed or merged with its neighbors.
SatinMinions.com
The method for traversing planes depends on the plane. In classical greek mythology, Hercules enters the underworld simply by going through a tricky cave. For him, outer space doesn't even exist, the stars are simply one of many natural phenomenon ruled over by a god.
Yepamango
I'm a sucker for lore dumps so this is awesome! I love the idea that the closer you get to order or chaos, the more alien those planes become. Other cosmologies with multiverses often have space as the divider between the planes, is this true for this cosmology or are there other ways to traverse in addition to being summoned?
CaitlynMasked
What a lovely explanation! You're right in that this isn't necessary, but I think it ill enrich each of your comics to readers (at least readers like me) and make them more enjoyable. Thank you!
seredin
Finally!
Succuri
It's cool to learn more about the background of the stories!
