Primary continuity reference · canon priority highest
Creator-established canon overrides earlier assistant examples. All eleven occupied Sphere names are now confirmed; three vacant positions remain unnamed and other world details remain UNKNOWN.
setting: Terya
genre: alternate-modern-world fantasy and advanced science
present_era: approximately 2026
location: island nation near the European Atlantic, hidden beyond mist
capital: Cordanc Episcopal
identity: ancient sovereign civilisation with coexisting arcane and scientific traditions
canon_status: core user-established facts, with uncertainties indicated
- Terya is a relatively small island nation shrouded from the modern outside world by mist and a jointly maintained Glamour and scientific barrier.
- The barrier lets the island exist just outside the world's frequency. This is part of the setting's reality, not merely mistaken human perception.
- The island has two prominent, contrasting regions: a magical/occult society with luminous crystalline structures and spires, and a scientifically advanced society with futuristic technology.
- Their intellectual traditions disagree about first principles yet agree the barrier must hold. Both contribute to its maintenance.
- Cordanc Episcopal stands at the centre, containing the capital government and a combined academy embracing both traditions.
- Magic is real in-universe, even though mainstream modern outsiders would deem it fictional. Advanced science is also real.
- The governing order is ancient and was jointly enacted by the traditions, not invented by one modern ruler.
- It is not a conventional modern party democracy or an ordinary technocracy: it consists of domain-governing Spheres with the Core of the Principal Axis at the apex.
- There are 11 occupied Spheres, 3 vacant Sphere positions, and the exceptional Sphere of Philosophia (+1) upon which the Principal Axis sits. Total recognised positions = 15 (14 domain positions + Philosophia).
- The Axis is currently held by an Arcane-aligned individual; magic's present ascendancy does not mean that the Arcane Sphere controls all domains.
- Spheres are domains of authority; Magic and Science are broad traditions with many rival subfactions, including divisions inside the major factions.
- Sphere Holders can govern with advisers or independently and can exercise very broad authority in their own domain. Some Spheres have extensive inner governments (priesthoods, councils, scientific directors, etc.).
- The Axis can propose, amend, veto, override, directly push through and strip/repeal laws throughout Terya; by longstanding convention it rarely interferes with Sphere laws or jurisdictional decisions.
- Ordinary jurisdictional veto: for a matter about education, the education Sphere's rejection normally overrides the positions of unrelated Spheres, unless the Axis explicitly overrules it. If the Axis orders it passed, it passes.
- An extraordinary unanimous veto of all 11 occupied Spheres can stop the Axis. This has never successfully occurred in recorded practice. Whether philosophical decrees are subject to this safeguard is not definitively set.
- The Axis may issue a Proclamation; after the appropriate process and without an operative veto, it becomes an enacted Decree. A Sphere may propose an Assent for Axis enactment with Sphere advice. Exact ordinary approval thresholds are unconfirmed.
- Philosophia is the Axis's own Sphere, governing philosophy, so its authority is directly supreme in philosophical legislation.
¶ Elevation and Challenge — CANON
- Elevations happen in cycles tied to agreed celestial/stellar movements, possibly around 5 or 10 years or other periods; no universal fixed calendar interval is established.
- First people are elevated into the Spheres; approximately one year later, a Sphere Holder is elevated to the Principal Axis.
- Spheres choose different Elevation methods. The martial/war Sphere elevates by combat. Other specific methods are not yet confirmed.
- Historically, anyone could issue a formal Challenge to a Sphere. The Right of Challenge belongs to the Sphere of Philosophia.
- Challenges have not been used for centuries. In the current era the Axis paused/suspended this dormant right. It has not been established as permanently abolished.
¶ People and Patrons — CANON
- The current Arcane-aligned Axis is about 200 years old. Age is not length of reign. Name and title not fixed.
- Some advisers have lived 1,000+ years, while others are around 24. Long-lived mages/individuals are recorded in Teryan registers.
- Some ancient living people claim direct memory of eras when gods walked on Earth.
- Some extremely ancient beings are recognised as Patrons or Archetypal Patrons, bearing titles such as 'God of [domain]' and 'The One Who [deed]'. No particular Patron's name or portfolio has yet been confirmed.
- The scientific tradition disputes some divine titles/interpretations, but views differ internally; it does not follow that all scientists reject all Patrons.
- The government treats Patrons with extreme diplomacy. Some Patrons are members of Spheres; membership does not necessarily imply they are the Sphere Holder.
- Patronal power, age, historical prestige, membership, domain office and Axial constitutional supremacy are different kinds of status.
¶ Scene and continuity constraints
- Outsiders generally cannot access or directly observe Terya because of the Great Veil. Exact travel/observation mechanics are UNKNOWN.
- Never portray magical and scientific traditions as wholly united blocs; each is highly internally divided.
- Never treat all Spheres as voting equally on matters governed by a particular Sphere's jurisdiction.
- Never have a single Sphere successfully veto an Axis override as if it were supreme.
- Never have the 11-Sphere unanimous veto successfully used in past history unless the creator changes the canon.
- Never imply Sphere Holders must obey the advice of their councils; advice can be ignored.
- Use the eleven official Sphere names consistently. Never invent the names of the three vacant Spheres, a Principal Axis identity, a Patron roster or a historical date without marking new details as proposals.
See Open Questions in the Terya Codex. Especially: fine domain boundaries; how internal Sphere unanimity and Holder's unilateral powers coexist; Assent voting thresholds; mechanics of the second Elevation; Philosophia's exposure to the unanimous veto; the exact Barrier mechanics and chronology.