Encyclopedia of Multiverse Terminology
When you get into a discussion about the Multiverse with someone who is an expert on the subject, you may find yourself slightly confused by the terms used to describe certain things, such as Void Walk, Dimensional Barrier, and even the word Multiverse itself. And you might be too embarrassed to ask for a definition, or don’t want to seem obnoxious by asking for one every two sentences.
If this has ever happened to you, don’t despair, because M. Brogalio’s here to help. I’ve compiled a list of all the common and slightly obscure terms used in the field of Multiverse Study, complete with simple comprehensive definitions for each one. The list is compiled with the most common words at the top and the scarcer or more detailed ones near the bottom, as they typically require the use of some of the previous words to accurately define them.
So without further ado…
The Words
Multiverse: The supposedly infinite expanse of separate and independent Universes, of which ours is only one.
Universe: A singular location within the Multiverse that is capable of supporting its own structure and populous without interference or assistance from beyond its Universal Boundary. A Universe can range in size from a singular planet, its star, and any satellites that may be orbiting the planet to a Galaxy to innumerable galaxies. Most known Universes follow similar physical and chemical laws, and occasionally magical laws as well.
Dimension: A land or world that is indirectly connected to a larger Universe and relies on it for its basic design and laws, but also possesses its own unique set of laws. Dimensions are completely dependant on the universe they are connected to and will cease to exist if the Universe is destroyed. A common example is a world of magic that is very closely tied to a mostly non-magical Universe but separated from it by a veil of some sort that few can get past.
The Void: The endless expanse of non-existence between the Universes. The Void’s dimensions are simultaneously infinite and zero in more directions than can be perceived by a single Universe. The Void’s effects on matter that strays beyond the safety of Universal Boundaries is equivalent to a Black Hole full of antimatter: utter obliteration. However, the Multiversal Law of Fair Chance allows one to survive in the void for thirty seconds before the obliteration starts, just enough time to realize you’re in trouble and to panic, barring the astronomical chance that somebody pops by to rescue you.
Portals: The routes between Universes, as well as Dimensions to their host Universe. A portal comes in two varieties: the Warp Tunnel and the Continuum Break. A Warp Tunnel is a bubble of safety in the Void that connects two Universes and can be stopped in or used as a neutral meeting ground. Continuum Breaks are areas where two Universal Boundaries lay tangent to one another and fuse, allowing instantaneous transport from one Universe to the other. Portals between a Universe and a Dimension within it are usually Continuum Breaks. A portal can either be stable or unstable. Stable portals are either always open and lead to the same spot in each Universe every time, or open in reliable time intervals in the same area every time. Unstable portals either appear randomly when two Universes temporarily become tangent to each other or the same Warp Tunnel, or attached to Warp Tunnels that constantly shift around, attaching their exit end to other Universes at random. Using a portal is known as a Portal Jump.
Parallel Universes: A misnomer; Parallel Universes are actually two Dimensions that are supported by each other rather than a larger Universe. Parallels always share some laws and characteristics while differing drastically with others, such as having identical geographies and populations, but different Magical Laws. Since they are actually Dimensions, if one Parallel Universe collapses, the other will follow it shortly.
Congruences: Separate Universes that bear striking resemblance to one another. Similar to Parallel Universes, except that Congruences can exist without their “copy.” Typically, Congruences come in pairs, trios, or quartets. Unless they have designations prior to discovery, Congruences are usually labeled numerically in the order of discovery, with the first Universe bearing the title of “Prime,” making it the standard by which all its Congruences are classified. Of course, Congruences are not exact carbon copies of each other, and each one is identified by its variation from the “Prime” Universe in its group. Nexuses, with their erratic natures, sometimes have astronomical numbers of non-Nexus Class Congruences.
Nexus: A classification of Universes that have far more naturally stable portals than the Multiversal Average. This is usually the result of an erratic Universal Boundary that attracts Warp Tunnels like a magnet and/or warps itself to create Continuum Breaks with all neighboring Universes. It is nearly impossible to Portal Jump to four different Universes without at least one being a Nexus Class Universe. In the case of multi-galactic Nexuses, the stable portals tend to congregate near the planet where the Universe’s most intelligent or influential species lives. The jury is still out about whether this is the case for our Universe, which bears the label “Nexus Prime,” mainly because it was the first Universe to receive the Nexus classification.
Window: A spatial anomaly similar to a Continuum Break. Windows are small portals that allow two Universes to see and interact with each other but don’t allow anything to travel from one Universe to the other. Windows are usually artificial constructions and commonly take the form of pictures, mirrors, or literal windows. On occasion a window will temporarily become a portal and allow a certain number of people through. Some temporary and unstable portals usually start out as windows and become fully active portals after a few moments.
Universal Boundary: an envelope or bubble that surrounds a Universe and protects it from the ravages of the Void. A Universal Boundary typically can not be located or interacted with by normal means. Since portals can appear anywhere in a Universe, logic states that a Boundary permeates a Universe as well as surrounding it. The Boundary dictates the Universe’s dimensions in such a way that if the boundary is warped out of its original shape, the whole Universe is warped to fit in the new space without anyone being aware of it.
Dimensional Boundary: Similar to a Universal Boundary, but can either permeate everything like a Universal Boundary or merely envelope the Dimension, so that portals only appear near the edge of the Dimension.
Void Walk: A very difficult survival technique used when a traveler finds themselves ejected from a Universe right out into the Void. Since the Void is nothingness, it is possible to place oneself near a Universal Boundary or Warp Tunnel merely by looking for it. This requires great mental discipline to achieve and to enter the nearest open portal within the thirty seconds of existence you are allowed within the Void, but is your only chance unless your luck is astronomically good that you got ejected with or near someone who can Void Walk.