The Realms of Istaria

[Racktor]

The Prime is the center point of the Istarian universe and the convergence point for all energies of the Realms.
The Planar Plateau is a 2-dimensional plane on which all of the Realms orbit the Prime.
The Prime Ring is another name for the Inner Realms, those Realms that touch the Prime directly.
The Inner Realms are Realms that most closely orbit the Prime, often touching it directly. Traditional they are the oldest and most stable of the Realms.
The Inner Realms consist of the Realms of Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Life, Spirit, Blight and Energy.
The Outer Realms are realms that reside far from the Prime and often have irregular or inconsistent orbits making them difficult to see or reach at times.
The Outer Realms consist of the Realms of Nature, Storm, Bounty, Expanse, Order, Chaos, Light, Shadow, Dawn and Twilight.
The Realm of Void is not actually a Realm, but rather the space between the Realms. It is the emptiness in which the Prime and other Realms exist.
The Realm of Life is one of the Inner Realms and one of the most closely tied to the Prime. During the Age of the Sorcerer two great focal points were constructed; the Cleric's Tower and the Tower of Healing.

Among other interesting lore hidden in the ancient PatcherTips.txt file, this always interested me the most. I thought I'd share it here to any other lore nuts like me.

It seems that Istaria's universe is constructed as a 3D space within a 2D one, pieced together by multiple realms. I wonder what would happen if one realm were to be utterly destroyed. Let's say... fire. Would all fire cease to exist, or is the Realm of Fire just the homeland of flame?

[awdz]

I wonder what would happen if one realm were to be utterly destroyed. Let's say... fire. Would all fire cease to exist, or is the Realm of Fire just the homeland of flame?

If we have to destroy a realm to find out, can we make it the realm that blight comes from? Fire is useful, blight is... blight.

[Spyrioyo]

If we have to destroy a realm to find out, can we make it the realm that blight comes from? Fire is useful, blight is... blight.

realm of blight that's where the withered aegis come from it's on a different plane, there is some quests that talk about it. That is were the kwellens, Aegrors, Abominations, Fyakki, Vexator, etc. come from including some really bad dudes that mentioned in lore. But even the Realm of Blight has a purpose destroying one realm would create unbalance. But the realm of blight is a corrupt place so that can go either way.

[meepsa]

realm of blight that's where the withered aegis come from it's on a different plane, there is some quests that talk about it. That is were the kwellens, Aegrors, Abominations, Fyakki, Vexator, etc. come from including some really bad dudes that mentioned in lore. But even the Realm of Blight has a purpose destroying one realm would create unbalance. But the realm of blight is a corrupt place so that can go either way.

it's pretty much stated by Ryson Stormbringer that the Realm of Blight is the polar opposite of Energy, (the artifact was concentrated Energy...magic...stuff, which is why it did what it did to the invasion of Tazoon) so I'm guessing those two (are supposed to) keep eachother in check a bit, remove blight from the equation and Energy could go rampant (artifact splodin' all over the place!)

[Spyrioyo]

it's pretty much stated by Ryson Stormbringer that the Realm of Blight is the polar opposite of Energy, (the artifact was concentrated Energy...magic...stuff, which is why it did what it did to the invasion of Tazoon) so I'm guessing those two (are supposed to) keep eachother in check a bit, remove blight from the equation and Energy could go rampant (artifact splodin' all over the place!)

I think I have to agree with you meepsa. I thought so all the realms are needed. Destroying one can throw everything off. But that doesn't mean it's the shard. The shard is just named after them.

[Racktor]

it's pretty much stated by Ryson Stormbringer that the Realm of Blight is the polar opposite of Energy, (the artifact was concentrated Energy...magic...stuff, which is why it did what it did to the invasion of Tazoon) so I'm guessing those two (are supposed to) keep eachother in check a bit, remove blight from the equation and Energy could go rampant (artifact splodin' all over the place!)

That's.. a really interesting thought. I didn't even consider that.

It makes sense as to why the combined forces of the Prime don't seem to have the goal of destroying the blight realm itself instead of its invading armies. Though I'm not sure if there even ever was a chance to go the realm of blight... (that'd be an interesting dungeon/area)

[Spyrioyo]

That's.. a really interesting thought. I didn't even consider that.

It makes sense as to why the combined forces of the Prime don't seem to have the goal of destroying the blight realm itself instead of its invading armies. Though I'm not sure if there even ever was a chance to go the realm of blight... (that'd be an interesting dungeon/area)

Hehehe yes it would Rektor, to enter it. The realm of blight is not bad just some of the inhabitants are.

[Pryzm]

it's pretty much stated by Ryson Stormbringer that the Realm of Blight is the polar opposite of Energy, (the artifact was concentrated Energy...magic...stuff, which is why it did what it did to the invasion of Tazoon) so I'm guessing those two (are supposed to) keep eachother in check a bit, remove blight from the equation and Energy could go rampant (artifact splodin' all over the place!)

Wait do i remember this wrong? I thought Ellean got the artifact out of the Rift? Correct me if i`m mistacen my ARoP is so long ago now XD.

[Drakarius Shadows]

"The Outer Realms consist of the Realms of Nature, Storm, Bounty, Expanse, Order, Chaos, Light, Shadow, Dawn and Twilight."

Many names of the outer realms were also game shards. ( Long Live Twilight )