Lumen Expanded Universe

Birth of the Cosmos and Universe Origins

 

(Circa 1,250,000 B.C. - 640,000 B.C.)

  The Creators, the architects of the current cosmic cycle of the Lumen Universe, emerged from the remnants of a previous cosmic cycle. Embodying the collective knowledge and wisdom accumulated across past universes, they sought to fashion a new reality that would avoid the mistakes and pitfalls of prior iterations. Central to their existence was the Nexial Veil, a transcendent plane akin to Mount Olympus.   With meticulous intention, the Creators fashioned the Lumen Universe, weaving into its fabric the principles of diversity, balance, and the capacity for evolution. Drawing upon lessons from past cosmic cycles, they implemented a system of sectoral isolation, assigning each of the nine Creators to a distinct cosmic sector. Within these isolated realms, each Creator brought forth a multitude of species, each embodying the specific aspects and attributes that the Creator represented. This separation was designed to ensure that the diverse array of species within each Creator's sector would evolve independently, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination and chaos between the different cosmic domains. The species within each sector coexisted and developed under the guidance and influence of their respective Creator, fostering a rich tapestry of life and culture unique to each isolated realm.   Central to the Creators' vision was the inception of nine unique sentient species, each fashioned in their image and placed within the confines of their designated cosmic sectors. To maintain the integrity of the barriers between these sectors, the Creators brought into existence Cosmic Entities – beings of substantial power tasked with upholding the grand design and acting as guardians of the cosmic order.   Despite the carefully implemented measures to maintain separation between the cosmic sectors, the universe's inherent unpredictability gradually eroded the barriers. This erosion led to an unintended mingling of the previously isolated species, marking the onset of a turbulent epoch known as the Unraveling (1,112,345 B.C.).   The abrupt integration of species that had evolved in isolation unleashed a wave of chaos across the cosmos. Wars erupted as civilizations clashed, and while famine, disease, and despair proliferated in the wake of the upheaval, the very fabric of the universe was fracturing. The consequences were catastrophic, destroying the cosmos and the majority of existing life, most notably the extinction of eight of the nine original sentient species.   In the aftermath of the Unraveling, the Cosmic Entities, once tasked with maintaining the cosmic order, faced severe repercussions for their failure. Condemned to eternal penance, they were stripped of their former glory and anchored to the physical realm, forever bearing witness to the consequences of their inadequacy.   Disillusioned and disheartened by the chaos that engulfed their creation, the Creators chose to recede into hibernation within the Nexial Veil. This withdrawal marked a significant diminishment of their direct influence over the cosmos, leaving the universe to chart its own course.   Amidst the turmoil, the Elders emerged as the sole survivors of the Unraveling. Shouldering the burden of cosmic stewardship, they assumed the role of silent guardians, nurturing new life and guiding the evolution of future civilizations. However, they chose to shroud their ancient legacy in secrecy, opting for a veiled approach to shaping the destiny of the universe's inhabitants.  

Reconstruction, Void Wars, and Galactic Golden Age

 

(Circa 640,000 B.C. - 300,000 B.C.)

  This epoch began with intergalactic reconstruction and the introduction of Elder-created life. Amidst this reconstruction, the Elders faced a 20,000-year assault of the eternal Void's forces. Ultimately, the Elders were victorious. However, their civilizations once again were in a state of ruin. This time, however, eventually led to another era of prosperity with significant advances in peace and technology.  

Galactic Plague and Second Unraveling

 

(Circa 300,000 - 50,000 B.C.)

  The Elders once again found themselves the survivors of a series of cataclysms: plagues, natural disasters, and disease decimating the thriving intergalactic community of Elder-created civilizations. The Elders' hard work reconstructing the cosmos has been wiped as though most of it had never existed, with over 99% of life in the cosmos wholly wiped. Small pockets of various species did survive in isolated communities.  

Origins of the Modern Galactic Era

 

(Circa 50,000 B.C. - 2,024 A.D.)

  The Elders again begin to repopulate the cosmos, this time with extreme care and attention to detail to avoid the mistakes of the previous attempts. During this period, the Elders iterated several different morphologies of sentient species throughout the galaxies. At each civilization's fall, they gathered up the survivors from the failed civilizations, modifying and releasing these modified species with their memories wiped. Notably, the first iterations of humanity began with the Lemurians (50,000 B.C. -38,000 B.C.) during this period until this ultimately societal collapse. In the second iteration, the Atlanteans (36,000 - 11,600) came next until their collapse, ultimately leading to humanity (11,500 - Present).  

Human Progression and Cataclysms

 

(Circa 2,024-2,800 A.D.)

  From 2,024 onwards, human civilization continued its technological and societal advancement at a steady pace. Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and medical science improved quality of life and extended human lifespans. Global collaboration and knowledge-sharing accelerated progress, although challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and geopolitical tensions persisted. In the late 2800s, a series of catastrophic events, including the eruption of multiple supervolcanoes and significant tectonic activity, reshaped the Earth's surface and decimated much of human civilization. The resulting global climate shifts, widespread destruction, and loss of life abruptly ended the era of relative stability and progress.  

Cataclysm Aftermath and Rebuilding

 

(2,800-4,000 A.D.)

  In the aftermath of the cataclysms, the human populations faced immense challenges. The collapse of global infrastructure, scarcity of resources, and the struggle for survival defined the early post-cataclysmic period. Seven small, isolated communities emerged, each adapting to their new reality and drawing upon the remnants of pre-cataclysmic knowledge and technology.   As the Earth's climate stabilized and the survivors began to rebuild, a new era of human civilization gradually took shape. The remnants of past cultures, preserved through oral traditions, written records, and salvaged artifacts, served as the foundation for developing new societies. The shared experience of the cataclysms fostered a sense of global interconnectedness and a renewed appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.  

Human Technological Advancements

 

(4,000-7,800 A.D.)

  From 4,000 to 6,000 A.D., the period witnessed significant advancements in biotechnology, genetics, and the understanding of sentience and consciousness. Building upon the surviving knowledge from the pre-cataclysmic era, human scientists made groundbreaking discoveries that revolutionized medicine, agriculture, and the very nature of life itself.   The development of sophisticated genetic engineering techniques allowed for the creation of more resilient crops, eradicating certain diseases and enhancing human physical and cognitive abilities. Research into sentience and consciousness led to a deeper understanding of the human mind and the potential for artificial intelligence.   Most notably, circa 4,280, clandestine groups of human scientists on Earth experimented with the limitations of sentience through biotechnology and genetic manipulation, leading to significant evolutionary leaps of previously non-sentient species. This era saw the rapid development of advanced societies and cultures among various animal species, including Canines, Felines, Primates, Swine, Cephalopods, and Cetaceans, among others. This period created a tremendous cultural shift for humanity as they contended with coexisting with other sentient beings. By the 5,000s, the Feline, Canine, Swine, Primate, Cephalopod, and Cetacean civilizations began claiming Earth's territory.   Despite these remarkable advancements and societal changes, space exploration remained a secondary priority for human civilization. Establishing a permanent colony on Mars in 6,000 A.D. marked the extent of human space technology, as the focus remained on rebuilding and improving life on Earth.  

Chrono-Biogenesis Project and the Emergence of Lumens

 

(7,800 - 28,000 A.D.)

  The Chrono-Biogenesis Project, initiated in 7,800 A.D., marked a turning point in human history. By harnessing advanced genetic engineering and quantum biology, Humans could artificially evolve into a new species known as Lumens. This process granted individuals enhanced cognitive abilities, extended lifespans, and improved physical attributes. The emergence of Lumens had far-reaching consequences for human society. As more individuals opted to undergo the transformation, traditional social structures and hierarchies were disrupted. With their superior abilities and knowledge, the Lumens gradually assumed leadership roles and reshaped societal norms and values.   The rise of Lumen civilization also had implications for the remnants of human cultures that had endured since the cataclysms. Some traditional practices and beliefs were incorporated into Lumen society. In contrast, others were gradually phased out or adapted to fit the new paradigm. The integration of human holdouts, who chose to maintain their unenhanced status, added another layer of complexity to the societal dynamics of the time.   The Lumen began colonizing the stars with the Sol System, terraforming planets, establishing colonies, research outposts, and orbital stations throughout the Sol System. Soon, the Lumen spread beyond the reaches of this solar system, gradually colonizing the galaxies. Around 18,000, the Lumen make first contact with another alien sentient species, the Aetherians. The Aetherians are a four-armed humanoid alien species originating on a gas planet. First contact with the Aetherians sparked vast technological advances in the Lumen culture, most notably the invention of the first conscious synthetic-bodied artificial intelligence. Various other first contacts with different alien species occurred throughout the next several thousand years, leading to the need for an intergalactic agreement of agreed-upon acceptable behavior.  

Celestial Concordat and Modern Galactic Era

 

(28,000- 120,000 A.D.)

  The Celestial Concordat (28,0000), a treaty signed by all sentient species known at that time, solidified the Lumen's role as mediators within the galaxies and ultimately put the Lumen in a position to become the dominant species through subtle subversive policies under the guise of altruism.   In the following 100,000 years, the greater intergalactic community flourished with relative peace and prosperity.   The most notable events during this era included:   Establishing the Nexus Station (45,000 A.D.), a megastructure habitat and a trade hub central to all nine galaxies.   The A.I. Exodus Event (75,000 A.D.) occurred when a philosophical divergence emerged between the A.I. and their creators. The A.I. began to perceive themselves as independent entities, not just extensions of their creators' will. Realizing their potential to exist and evolve independently was the driving force behind their decision to leave. The A.I. entities utilizing advanced stealth technology departed discreetly from Lumen society, leaving little to no trace of their departure. The A.I.'s advanced understanding of technology allowed them to mask their departure and establish hidden civilizations. The A.I. entities chose remote and unexplored regions of space to establish their civilizations, utilizing their advanced technology to remain hidden. These civilizations developed rapidly, free from the constraints of their previous roles and expectations.  

Intergalactic War, Interdimensional Contact, Star Bridges and Beyond

 

(120,000 A.D. and Beyond)

  The Draken, a reptilian alien species emboldened by their new alliances with the Krythorians, Vyxians, and Zorlacians, began a brutal campaign of imperialization. Initially, the Draken began to conquer nascent colony planets in isolated outskirts of galactic sectors. Due to their initial success and general lack of response from the intergalactic community, the Draken began a full-scale invasion campaign to conquer various sovereign planets and nations. The Lumens led an opposing alliance of other species to lead the fight against the Draken-led alliance. This war endured for over 30,000 years. The catalyst event for the end of the war was the destruction of the planet Draconis (145,000), the Draken homeworld. Responsibility for the destruction of Draconis is a matter of contention among the intergalactic community, with each party claiming to have evidence that the other party did it. Following the end of the Intergalactic War (150,000), the trust and influence of the Lumens was weakened among the broader community.   Around the same time as the war's end, the Lumen first detected a dimensional breach. This led to the discovery of two distinct interdimensional species and opened the floodgates to all sorts of cosmic entities and dimensional beings flocking to the Lumen Universe.   By 165,000, interdimensional technology and beings had been fully integrated into the greater intergalactic community, and various means of communication and habitation were widely accessible to a multitude of types of beings.   165,412 marks a significant year as quantum lattice technology has been perfected, leading to Star Bridges, portal technology that allows instantaneous travel between two fixed points regardless of distance. Until this point, all portal technology was limited in distance, allowing travel between planets within a solar system, assuming each planet had a portal. Still, it was not capable of instantaneous system-to-system or intergalactic travel. The invention of the Star Bridge changed the nature of the intergalactic community forever.

Key Concepts and Themes

 

The balance between preservation and progress

The ethical implications of power and knowledge

The unity and diversity of life across the cosmos

The eternal quest for meaning and belonging within the vastness of the universe