I know that 5e has left most of this stuff out so far, and I know that a lot of this has probably been deliberately left out of most or all editions because its pointlessly analytic and rarely adds to the game. But I also know I'm not the only nerd who has asked these questions, so there must be at least hints where there aren't answers. I'm trying to put together the most sensible take that favors the most modern written lore whenever possible, but fills in the gaps with the next most recent thing, RAI. I've seen a lot of "its not supposed to be answered" around the internet. I'm not interested in that at all. I'm looking for the best universal theory on the dnd multiverse in 5e, that will definitely depend on older books.
5e great wheel
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Here are the quick, bottom lines that I have gathered so far about spelljamming, magic use, and the dnd universe. Please help me in my goal by correcting anything here or filling anything else in for it to be more comprehensive:
-Each rough solar system is contained in a crystal sphere, which is some kind of incredible barrier that even prevents gods from using their magic on other worlds. For example, Greyhawk had moons as a source of magic, FR has more traditional gods.
-Gods don't seem to be able to exist on multiple worlds unless they have other worshipers there.
-Magic in 5e is accessed through the weave, thanks to "the essence of Mystra".
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cosmology
Can you could travel from, say, FR to Greyhawk? Do the different campaign settings exist on the same material plane, or does each setting essentially have its own material plane? Is it all broad enough to contain a place for real-world Earth? Is there a sci-fi place without magic at all, where magic is impossible? Are there infinite places?
magic
If gods have any control over magic, why not just cut it off in certain places to further their goals?
What is "the weave"? PHB says "the essence of Mystra", and that "all magic depends on the Weave". I hear that its an interface mortal use to access magic, but why do you need spell components to do that, and how does a spellcasting focus alleviate that need? Why are some items consumed when casting the spell? What happens to them?
If you can travel between campaign settings, wouldn't a (divine) caster lose their magic when they leave their home crystal sphere, but maybe not a wizard? If the weave is everywhere, seems that wizards access it through study, while divine casters need their gods to assist.
How does a God like Mystra, or others create effects on the material plane? Do Gods need the Weave too? How did the Weave get created if there was no magic without it? If the Weave is just an interface, where is the origin of magic?
Do Psionics use the Weave? Do spelljamming races like Illithids or Gith make use of it everywhere?
Is "innate spellcasting" significant in lore or just a rule shorthand?
Metaphysics
I've seen references to Gods existing in multiple crystal spheres or campaign settings, so long as they have believers in each one. Why would that make a difference? If belief empowers/creates gods wouldn't a false god be impossible?
Where do gods exist? They have homes on out planes without regular rules of time/space, but it also seems that physical locations are important since they are in some way confined to crystal spheres in material space. How does that work?
What is a demiplane? Is it inside a certain crystal sphere?
5e great wheel
------
Here are the quick, bottom lines that I have gathered so far about spelljamming, magic use, and the dnd universe. Please help me in my goal by correcting anything here or filling anything else in for it to be more comprehensive:
-Each rough solar system is contained in a crystal sphere, which is some kind of incredible barrier that even prevents gods from using their magic on other worlds. For example, Greyhawk had moons as a source of magic, FR has more traditional gods.
-Gods don't seem to be able to exist on multiple worlds unless they have other worshipers there.
-Magic in 5e is accessed through the weave, thanks to "the essence of Mystra".
-----
cosmology
Can you could travel from, say, FR to Greyhawk? Do the different campaign settings exist on the same material plane, or does each setting essentially have its own material plane? Is it all broad enough to contain a place for real-world Earth? Is there a sci-fi place without magic at all, where magic is impossible? Are there infinite places?
magic
If gods have any control over magic, why not just cut it off in certain places to further their goals?
What is "the weave"? PHB says "the essence of Mystra", and that "all magic depends on the Weave". I hear that its an interface mortal use to access magic, but why do you need spell components to do that, and how does a spellcasting focus alleviate that need? Why are some items consumed when casting the spell? What happens to them?
If you can travel between campaign settings, wouldn't a (divine) caster lose their magic when they leave their home crystal sphere, but maybe not a wizard? If the weave is everywhere, seems that wizards access it through study, while divine casters need their gods to assist.
How does a God like Mystra, or others create effects on the material plane? Do Gods need the Weave too? How did the Weave get created if there was no magic without it? If the Weave is just an interface, where is the origin of magic?
Do Psionics use the Weave? Do spelljamming races like Illithids or Gith make use of it everywhere?
Is "innate spellcasting" significant in lore or just a rule shorthand?
Metaphysics
I've seen references to Gods existing in multiple crystal spheres or campaign settings, so long as they have believers in each one. Why would that make a difference? If belief empowers/creates gods wouldn't a false god be impossible?
Where do gods exist? They have homes on out planes without regular rules of time/space, but it also seems that physical locations are important since they are in some way confined to crystal spheres in material space. How does that work?
What is a demiplane? Is it inside a certain crystal sphere?