The Filters
The Filters are a series of supernatural barriers designed to keep the purgatorial paradise of Eden safe from those would seek to exploit it or do its people harm. During Interregnums in the Clarkwoods Literary Universe, The Filters also act as way of keeping reality’s refugees from escaping Eden and inadvertently falling off The Map’s Edge.
These barriers were created by Phina during the immediate aftermath of the First Age and the Earth-666 iteration of reality which followed. They include a desert which shifts and adapts with malice, a frozen wasteland populated by ferocious yeti, a barrier reef which feeds on hopes and dreams, and so much more.
Manifestation
Though it remains to be seen if there are further Filters to be discovered, the ones we know about at present are:
- The Desert at the Edge of Existence;
- The Reef of Broken Dreams;
- The Nunyan Wastes;
- The Marshes of Misery;
- The Pits of Despair;
- The Melancholy Mountains;
- The Mirrors; and,
- Todd.
Each of these is purpose-built to keep living beings from coming or going without the Phina’s express permission. Halflings and mixers of halfling descent are immune to all Filters and may come and go as they choose. But everyone else? Good luck!
Localization
The effects of The Filters are local to the land of Eden—even Todd. Though Todds are considered suspect by many people throughout the CLU, this Todd is bound to the lands of Eden and cannot inflict his stupidity upon anyone beyond.
The world is round. There is no edge to fall off of. I'm telling you!
For your consideration, my submissions for the WorldAnvil Worldbuilding Awards 2024. (I've also included some of my favorites other worldbuilders.)
Edenians will not bow to Spherical Supremacists! Paradise is flat, man! P.S. For serious, thanks for checking out the article.