The Dim

The universe is full of wonders and terrors, many beyond the grasp of mortal minds... but that has not stopped them from trying.
In ancient times, the civilization now known as the Precursors conquered much of the known galaxy. They developed astounding technologies, and seeded planets with life compatible with their own. But a desire to expand beyond their home galaxy led to explorations of esoteric sciences, or other planes of existence. Some proved beneficial. Others hostile.
One dimension layered over their own grew in importance, a strange monochromatic dimension entangled with our own. Time and space worked differently within: a few meters of travel could equal thousands of kilometers on the other end, while the advancement of time proceeded at different paces dependent on flow within this new dimension.
A horrendous accident led the Precursors to use this dimension in a last ditch effort to contain a growing disaster. They sealed off an out-of-control science experiment by shunting it into this alternate plane, with a vow never to open their portals again.
Of course, curiosity won the day... eventually others would enter this reality, and discover that whatever went in came out warped, adapted to the odd environment - made useful and powerful in the real world. 
The state of the Dim is constantly changing: the 'world', whatever it is, is covered in obsidian rock, punctuated by gnarled blackened tree limbs, devoid of leaves. The landscape constantly shifts, mountains liquifying and being replaced by vast canyons, leveling off into broad plains, and suddenly flowing up into the sky like water. Temperature and gravity shift, states of matter convulse, all while ensconced in endless grey. 
When the Precursor civilization collapsed, memory of this realm vanished. But over time, new tears in reality appeared, new gateways and paths. Explorers entered, and discovered the anomalous properties of the place. In time, with its desaturated, gloomy appearance, this forlorn reality would come to be known as "The Dim."
And lurking, just beyond visibility, was something else...




DTG Figures

Type

Dimensional plane