The Painted World
The Painted World is the divine domain that Junori resides in. While once a lonely plane of existence, it has since blossomed into an afterlife plane for the Catfolk. It's a plane of sprawling forests teeming with wildlife, meadows full of bright flowers, and sparkling ponds where beautifully colored koi fish swim. Rivers run through hillsides and a small mountain range hugs one side of the plane. Those who have passed on can wander freely, able to craft art and song for the rest of eternity if they choose to do so. Some areas within are dotted with quaint and colorful homes, while others prefer to make themselves a home up in the trees.
It's a beautiful place, one that many would describe as paradise. While some spirits choose to remain within the Painted World, others would like another chance at life and are turned into stars that dot the plane's skies until it's their time to return. The sky is always twinkling with stars no matter what time of day it is, though the Violet Forests are shrouded in constant nightfall. The plane is peaceful for the most part, but given Junori's chaotic nature, plenty of trickery or harmless pranks are to be expected.
Within the Violet Forests, souls that have been touched by corruption in their lifetime are turned loose to participate in the Luna Venari, known as the "moonlit hunt" in the common tongue. For nine nights, the individual must hunt down the manifestation of their corruption as a way of confronting the darker aspects within themselves. If they successfully slay the beast, then they've come to terms with both sides of themselves, and are given a choice. Join the other souls in eternity or join the night sky for reincarnation.
Failure to slay the beast within nine nights shows that a soul is unwilling to face the truth, continuing to exist in a state of denial, and as such, they're not offered a choice. They're thrust from the Painted World, left to wander the material plane as restless and sometimes even vengeful spirits.
History
Long ago, the Painted World was little more than another empty corner of the void. With time, a consciousness formed within, soon claiming that corner as her own. Junori had stepped into the universe as a full-fledged goddess, though she wasn't sure what to do with her newfound power, let alone her existence. For years, she wandered her pocket of the void aimlessly and any attempts to reach out to other divine beings was met with silence. Her last attempt at forming a connection was successful though and she became fast friends with the Caelsimilan god, Cato.
Through Cato, she was taught the joy of the arts and creation, so it was only natural that she followed a similar path. With her tail, she painted the night sky, each star made of the soul stuff that would later become the catfolk. With twinkling stars and beautiful colors surrounding her, Junori gained color as well, and painted the The Isles of Basilla into existence. She left the world below to its own devices, filling it with catfolk, and allowing them to evolve and grow naturally. With each passing decade, it became clearer to her that her creations would need a place to call home when they inevitably expired, so the Painted World became far more than a starry expanse.
Several species of supernatural beings call this plane home as well, all of them drawn to the vibrant magic that holds the Painted World together. Such creatures include lyrakien, dweomercats, cerynitis, lillends, and even an occasional unicorn.
by Frankie V. (Generated with OpenAI)
Article art was created using Artbreeder.
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