[Pantocrator's Ladmass](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/pantocrator-s-ladmass)
The Pantocrator's Ladmass, also referred to as the [Theocratic Plateau](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/theocratic-plateau) or [Uzhyr's Domain](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/[Uzhyr](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/uzhyr)-s-domain), is the foundational construct of the [Omnium Theocracy](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/omnium-theocracy), a physical plateau spanning a million galaxies in breadth. This colossal structure serves as both the sovereign territory and the metaphysical heart of the Theocracy, embodying the will and design of its creator, the primordial deity Uzhyr, who bears the title of Pantocrator. Functioning as a sanctuary, a living museum, and a testament to divine order, the Ladmass is a unique entity within the cosmos, a bastion of stability amidst the ever-churning chaos of the wider universe. It is not merely a place, but an intentional creation, sculpted and sustained by Uzhyr to fulfill his vision of preserved existence and harmonious, albeit regulated, life.
Overview and Purpose
The genesis of the Pantocrator's Ladmass lies in Uzhyr's reaction to the inherent entropy and conflict he perceived within the cosmos. Witnessing the grand civil war of the [Lort’zyn](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/lortzyn), the race he and [Morsvitae](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/morsvitae) had initially guided, and recognizing the pervasive threat of destruction, Uzhyr resolved to establish a haven. This haven was not born of pure compassion in a sentimental sense, but from a profound desire to preserve life according to his own principles of order and law. The Ladmass, therefore, is an expression of divine intention, a deliberate shaping of reality to counteract the chaotic forces of creation and annihilation that define the universe beyond its borders.
The primary purpose of the Pantocrator's Ladmass is multifaceted. Firstly, it acts as a sanctuary for countless species seeking refuge from the perils of the wider cosmos. Species facing extinction, ravaged by war, or yearning for stability are drawn to the Theocracy, offered protection under the strictures of the [Covenant of Sanctuary](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/covenant-of-sanctuary). Secondly, the Ladmass functions as a living museum, a place where diverse civilizations and ecosystems are preserved in perpetuity. Each species accepted into the Theocracy is granted a district meticulously crafted to replicate their original homeworld, ensuring the continuation of their culture, history, and biology. Thirdly, it serves as the seat of power for Uzhyr and the Omnium Theocracy. From his citadel, [Zyon](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/zyon), located at the Ladmass's core, Uzhyr governs the plateau, enforces its laws through the [Lawwatch](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/lawwatch), and directs the defense of the Theocracy against external and internal threats. In essence, the Pantocrator's Ladmass is the physical manifestation of Uzhyr’s ambition to impose order upon a chaotic reality, a testament to his power and a refuge for those who accept his dominion.
A Realm Apart
The Pantocrator's Ladmass is not a planet, nor a collection of celestial bodies; it is a unique spatial anomaly – a physically existing plateau within the fabric of reality. Unlike galaxies or star systems, which are governed by natural laws and cosmic processes, the Ladmass is an artificial domain, its very existence and functionality predicated upon the will and energy of Uzhyr. This distinction is crucial to understanding its nature: it is a construct, a deliberate exception to the universal norms of entropy and change. The universe outside the Theocratic Plateau remains wild, unpredictable, and subject to the constant flux of cosmic events. In contrast, within the Ladmass, time, space, and even the very laws of physics are subtly regulated to ensure stability and permanence. This controlled environment is what makes the Ladmass a sought-after haven, offering a stark alternative to the dangers and uncertainties of the external universe. The plateau's very physicality is a deliberate assertion of order, a statement that within its boundaries, the chaotic dance of creation and destruction is deliberately paused, replaced by a state of curated equilibrium.
Districts as Microcosms
A defining characteristic of the Pantocrator's Ladmass is its division into distinct districts, each tailored to house a single species that has sworn the Covenant of Sanctuary. These districts are not merely geographical subdivisions; they are meticulously crafted microcosms, designed to perfectly replicate the original homeworlds of the species they accommodate. When a new species is accepted into the Theocracy, their district materializes instantaneously, a testament to Uzhyr's divine power. Mountains rise, oceans fill, cities replicate themselves down to the smallest detail, and the new inhabitants awaken within their bespoke reality as if they had always been there, with no memory of their transition.
These districts are separated by invisible barriers, [District Barriers](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/district-barriers), that create a localized spatial loop. Attempting to traverse a district boundary in one direction will paradoxically lead one back into the same district from the opposite side. This looping effect ensures the isolation and integrity of each district, preventing unintended mingling or conflict between species unless explicitly permitted by pathways established by Uzhyr's will. Despite this separation, the districts are not entirely isolated. Uzhyr establishes paths that connect various districts, allowing for trade, diplomacy, and controlled interaction between species according to his design. These paths, seemingly appearing at Uzhyr's command, can link disparate districts, creating routes between, for example, a trade hub near an [Elysian district](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/elysian-district) and a forge within [Pyr’zyiurr](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/pyrzyiurr), the district of the [Vulkatan](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/vulkatan).
Construction and Functionality
The construction of the Pantocrator's Ladmass is attributed to Uzhyr's immense primordial power, a feat of cosmic engineering beyond mortal comprehension. The plateau is not simply a physical landmass but a complex matrix of interwoven energies and carefully orchestrated laws, sustained by the divine essence emanating from Zyon, Uzhyr’s citadel. The precise methods of its creation remain enigmatic, but its functionality is evident in its self-sustaining nature and the seamless integration of its diverse districts.
Sustenance and Maintenance
The districts within the Ladmass are not static environments but rather dynamic, self-regulating ecosystems. Sustained by the invisible energies flowing from Zyon, they maintain a perfect balance. Weather systems cycle endlessly without faltering, resources replenish themselves, and ecological harmony is perpetually preserved. This divine energy acts as the Ladmass's lifeblood, permeating its very fabric and ensuring its continued operation. The need for conventional resource management or ecological intervention is obviated by this divine sustenance, making the Ladmass an almost utopian environment in terms of resource availability and environmental stability. This perpetual sustenance extends to time itself, which flows within the Ladmass with a regulated precision, mirroring the rhythms of the wider universe but without the chaotic deviations of natural decay. Days, seasons, and lifespans adhere to predetermined patterns, preventing the erosion of time and ensuring a sense of timeless sanctuary.
Artificial Skies and Cosmic Synchronization
Each district within the Pantocrator's Ladmass is granted a tailored sky, a simulated heaven crafted to resonate with the species inhabiting it and to mirror their understanding of their original homeworld's celestial sphere. For the [Accramuni](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/accramuni) of the [Silken Sanctuary](/wiki/wars-of-the-cosmos-1/silken-sanctuary), the sky might shimmer with calming, iridescent hues, while for the Vulkatan of Pyr’zyiurr, twin suns might blaze in a fiery firmament. These artificial skies are complete with sunrises, sunsets, weather patterns, and the passage of time, all meticulously calibrated to match the species' homeworld experience. However, these skies are but a canvas, an illusion projected by Uzhyr's will. Above these simulated heavens, and accessible by climbing to sufficient height or venturing beyond the district's atmospheric veil, lies the true starfield, a singular, shared reality that spans the entire Ladmass. This common starfield, visible to all inhabitants regardless of their district, serves as a unifying element, a reminder of the shared cosmic context that underpins the diverse realities within the plateau. Furthermore, the Ladmass is subtly synchronized with the wider universe. At regular intervals, the starfield shifts, mirroring the passage of cosmic time. This synchronization, orchestrated by Uzhyr, ensures that the Theocratic Plateau remains aligned with the temporal flow of the chaotic universe it seeks to contain, preventing it from drifting out of sync with the external reality.
Uzhyr established the Ladmass as a haven to preserve life with order, serving as sanctuary, museum of civilizations, and his seat of power.
Districts within the Ladmass are crafted microcosms, replicating species' homeworlds, separated by spatial loops, yet connected by Uzhyr's paths.
Each district has a simulated sky tailored to its species, above which a shared starfield unites the plateau, synchronized with the cosmos.