User:Odahviinq/Spanverse

The Spanverse is an alternate plane of existence separated from the general Spore universe. Unlike the Universe which is consistently growing, the Spanverse is greatly restricted in size to around 3-4 galaxies.

Existence
The Spanverse is an example of a phenomenon known as "splitstream". Splitstreams are often triggered by a tear or sudden shift in the fabric of space, causing a chunk of that space to become displaced into an alternate plane of existence, and only occur every few billion years.

The existence of splitstreams and split universes has been debated and neglected by many empires, often with only the religious deciding to acknowledge it, or those with experience of these phenomena.

Split universes, whilst isolated, can support life in the right circumstances. Most contain a core star, meaning, unlike the Universe where each solar system is governed by it's own star, and a planet's characteristics are based on it's relations to that sole star; the temperature and behavior of the planet is reflected by it's position relative to the core/center of the split universe.

Access
Due to their displaced tendencies, many researchers debate whether access to and from these realms is even possible. Generally when a splitstream occurs, empty space is left behind creating a wormhole. Unlike most wormholes, which can be accessed fairly simply using a wormhole key, these wormholes, referred to as "rift warps", pose incredibly high pressure and most ships attempting to enter are completely crushed beyond the point of existence.

However, unknown to most empires, there exist methods of safe travel between a split universe and the core universe:

Use of Thriyorum
Thriyorum, a rare mineral found upon many planets (split or not), can construct ships able to safely pass through a rift warp. The unique properties of Thriyorum make it theoretically uncrushable, allowing almost unlimited travel between split universes.

Thriyorum is a very expensive and rare mineral, meaning expeditions between rift warps require extreme funding. It is estimated the average price of building a small Thriyorum ship able to hold 4 crew members and 100 cubic metres of cargo is around 175 billion human pounds. Unfortunately, for many empires this is the only feasible method of rift warp travel.

Embers of Fade
''"With an offering of 2 bowls of purple spice, and the blood of the holy, the rift warp shall loosen it's grip." ~ ''Kindred Teachings, Chapter 3

The most common method within religious society is often referred to as the "Embers of Fade", as it was named by the gods in Chapter 1 of Kindred Teachings. The method involves giving an "offering" of around 2 bowls of purple spice, and "the blood of the holy" (referring to the blood of a reptile, as reptiles are seen as holy in Kindred society). The offerings are taken in a ship towards the rift warp, and the ship lies dormant for several hours. After this time has passed for "the rift to acknowledge", the ship enters. The success rate for this method is surprisingly high, with only 6 known instances of failure.

Riftborns
Creatures considered "Riftborn", or one with shadows, may safely enter rift warps and leave unharmed. It is unknown why this occurs, though as the nickname suggests, it is held in belief that creatures associated with the shadows are considered worthy by the rift and permitted entry.