#Elsewhereness

[corrosive-equilibrium]

The Elsewhereness and the Unworld.

AU worldbuilding under cut

(NOTE: The worldbuilding and lore discussed here is for Vitriol AU only. Be advised that these are NOT for the main timeline of DP.)

The Elsewhereness and the Unworld are dimensions that were formed alongside the creation of the Ghost Zone (former aliases: the Spirit Realm, the Abstract World, the First Existence). The two worlds were one of the first dimensions connected to the Ghost Zone after Light and Darkness collided with each other to create the universe and the Equilibrium. Their existence differs greatly from the various pocket dimensions and from the Living World (former aliases: the Physical World, Pre-Abstraction World, the Post Existence) as the Unworld and Elsewhereness are worlds much older in concept, yet they are the least explored in terms of background information from the public within the Ghost Zone. 

The two dimensions were first discovered during the phenomenon of black holes happening throughout the Ghost Zone. Black holes are caused by two realms colliding with each other due to the pull of either highly similar or contrasting energies. With enough highly contrasting energy, the black holes can lead to the Unworld, which when summoned, can also lead to the Elsewhereness. This is because the Elsewhereness is only accessed to an area that is completely void of energy, which sounds impossible due to the Ghost Zone being an entire dimension of energy. However, when a black hole is summoned, the energy around it will be absorbed by the Unworld, creating a void leading to an opening to the Elsewhereness. They were originally believed to be the leftover essence of Light and Darkness. An old myth was developed by ghosts from the Primary Era stating that the type categories, deities and wraiths, originated from the Elsewhereness and Unworld due to their polar opposites within ghost typing.

The two worlds were later explored and experimented by [REDACTED] with the help of the nomad and philosopher ghosts of the Foundation Tower. They were also the first ghosts to discover a portal to the Unworld and Elsewhereness during the Primary Era.

Throughout trial runs of entering each portal, the philosopher ghosts drew up descriptions for the two worlds:

The Elsewhereness is described as a calm atmosphere with two oceans parallel to each other. There is a thin horizon in between them with an unknown light source. There are also clouds circling around the light. These spiral clouds are viewed in different perspectives depending on where the ghost would be. The world closely resembles a beach during a sunset like in the Living World, except there is no terrain nearby. The only evidence of terrain are the large rocks that would peek out from both oceans. There are no beings of existence within the Elsewhereness' oceans. Ghosts have reported the atmosphere to calm the mind and create a sense of clarity. Nomads have claimed that all negative emotions, grievances, and trauma inflicted on the mind would be healed once any ghost steps into the Elsewhereness due to said clarity. A few philosophers have stated that bathing or drinking the ocean water in small quantities would heal all physical wounds, even theorizing that the water could heal core wounds as well. Taking samples of the water by itself would immediately evaporate as soon as it is taken out of the Elsewhereness. The water can be infused into items and/or other liquids, but it will become diluted. Any overdose of the substance could lead to horrible dissociation and mental breakdowns. Other ghosts have supported this theory by the reports of staying within the Elsewhereness for too long. Long periods within the Elsewhereness will cause too much clarity to the mind, which could lead to unwanted psychological afflictions that can affect both soul and core. Nomad ghosts believed that the energy is so potent that it may be impossible to contain. From their explorations, the philosophers and nomads have concluded that the Elsewhereness is meant for healing, however, ghosts can only be exposed to it in a short period of time. 

The Unworld is described with an eerie, yet peaceful atmosphere surrounded by clouds of red, with bright red colored stars, similar to the galaxies from the Living World. The terrain contains a few streams along with floating, red, magenta, and violet crystal stalagmites with some crystal shards floating around. Just like the Elsewhereness, there are no beings that reside within the Unworld. Ghosts have reported to have a better understanding of oneself after entering the Unworld. They would have steadier control over one's emotions and mind. Philosophers and nomads claim that the energy within the Unworld gives the soul alternate perspectives while also increasing willpower, confidence, and self-control. However, just like the Elsewhereness, too much exposure can lead to dire consequences and side-effects. Ghosts who remain in the Unworld for long periods of time will feel themselves "slip away into the void." They will lose their psychological autonomy and will succumb to persuasion from the energy, becoming mindless drones in the process. The crystals from the Unworld hold potent energy that could be used to absorb one's psychological autonomy, making them susceptible to hypnosis or– if used by one soul against another for malicious purposes– mind control. From their explorations, the philosophers and nomads concluded that the Unworld is meant for inner balance, however, its energy should only be used for a temporary period. 

Both worlds have highly potent energy that, if used irresponsibly, could destroy anything in its path. 

The philosophers and nomads from the Foundation Tower began further experimentation in containing the two worlds' power via ancient artifacts. 

These experiments have led to destruction of artifacts along with the destruction of fellow ghosts as well. When ghosts are affected by these energies, markings will appear near the eyes and other parts of the body. There are also potential risks of core failure if the energies were abruptly stripped from the body and soul. 

From additional, harmless experiments through further explorations, any being from the Living World is unaffected by the Elsewhereness and Unworld. This further proves that the two worlds are more connected with the Ghost Zone. 

After a deal between the Dragon King, Lord Theoderic, and fellow ghost philosopher, [REDACTED], the first successful containment was created: Two amulets successfully contained the Unworld and Elsewhereness energies. 

Unfortunately, more losses within the Foundation Tower were made. The existence of the amulets caused the tower to corrode and fall apart due to the overwhelming energy of the two worlds. It was also discovered that the amulets were created with the infusion of the remaining essences of recently destroyed deities and wraiths, aligning them with the Taboo. 

Due to the many losses, impending dangers, and the unethical practices that created the amulets, the philosopher and nomad ghosts cut ties with [REDACTED], removing all information of the Elsewhereness and Unworld by destruction or seclusion from the public. 

Many pieces of the tower's location are scattered around the Ghost Zone. Some of the Unworld and Elsewhereness research made their way into hidden books, a few of them entering the libraries of the Living World centuries later. 

The destruction of a few unfortunate ghosts within the Foundation Tower has proven that there would be no need for soul experimentation. Therefore, the philosophers and nomads have theorized that no ghost would be able to handle the energy from the two worlds via connection and survive. 

(However, that theory was later proven wrong thanks to the existence of the Hero of Hope and the Villain of Hatred.)

[astatia-ghast]

Moments in Time #1: A Divine Analogy

Synopsis: Clockwork explains to Danny why no one can simply fly to the Elsewhereness.

About my Moments in Time series.

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I've always been fascinated by thoughts of how heaven, hell and purgatory fit into the Danny Phantom universe. I'm also fascinated by questions of how the Ghost Zone works physically. Where does it exist in the cosmos? What is the science behind how someone travels from one dimension to the next?

As I was pondering all this one night, I began to imagine what a conversation between Danny and Clockwork would look like if Clockwork were to explain how to get to the Elsewhereness. What kinds of analogies would he use? Thus, this scene was born.

(As an aside, I'm glad Butch Hartman confirmed the existence of the Elsewhereness. I always assumed that heaven was canon to the show, given Hartman is religious, but it's nice to have confirmation. It gives me something concrete to work with.)

I also imagined another conversation between Danny and Clockwork about how the Ghost Zone works in relation to realms like the Earth, the Elsewhereness, the Unworld, and so on. I'll post that one too if I can get the conversation to sound compelling enough. But for now, I'm just thrilled that this one is making its Tumblr debut!

Without further ado...

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“...So, how come no one except this ‘Sojourn’ guy has been able to find the Elsewhereness?”

Clockwork smirks; Danny gets the odd sense that he is excited to explain this to him. “You know the story of Genesis, yes?”

Danny nods, though a second later, he brings his hand to the back of his neck and rubs it shyly. “Yeah... I mean, I’ve never been religious, but everyone knows the story of Genesis.”

“That is no matter,” says Clockwork, nodding encouragingly. “What is important is that you know.”

He dives into his analogy with hushed gusto. “Imagine that at the beginning of the Earth, there is a doorway in the Garden of Eden that leads directly to heaven. The first humans can use it to travel between Earth and heaven freely, whenever they want to.

“However, on the day of humanity’s fall, God closes the door and decrees that it shall remain closed forever. In fact, he doesn’t just close it; he destroys it. This doorway will never exist ever again, no matter how hard anyone tries to find it or reopen it. It is closed as completely as if it never existed at all.

“Now, you tell me: if someone born after the fall of man wanted to find this doorway, how would they do it? And before you ask: yes, there is a solution.”

Danny’s eyes bug out a little; he didn’t expect Clockwork to subject him to some impossible logic problem. He gets enough of this nonsense in school. His gaze darts this way and that as he rapidly seeks his bearings. “Um... It’s not prayer, is it?”

“No – though that would certainly help.” Clockwork smiles patiently. “The person in question is irreligious.”

If he were in any setting other than here, in Clockwork’s tower, Danny would have floundered on this until his asker took pity on him and gave him the answer. But as his gaze falls onto Clockwork’s timeless form, a surprisingly practical solution comes to him. “Could they... travel back in time?”

Pride brightens Clockwork’s features, and he nods. Danny is instantly sure that Clockwork already knew he would provide the right answer, so the fact that he was overcome with such pride anyway leaves Danny feeling surprisingly moved.

“Yes!” he exclaims. “No matter how fervently they may try, no human would ever find the doorway to heaven because they can only move forward, further and further from the day it was closed. But if they were to move backward, they would eventually arrive at a time when the doorway is perfectly usable.

“But there’s still a problem with this, isn’t there?” Clockwork beat him to it; Danny was already beginning to shift uncomfortably. “Humans can’t go back in time. So how would they get there?” A sparkle is in his eye as their gazes meet. “How would you get there?”

I would ask you to take me. Danny’s discomfort comes to a head. “You’re not about to tell me you single-handedly take the dead to the Elsewhereness, are you?”

A small, fond chuckle escapes Clockwork, and Danny’s discomfort is relieved. “Ah... If only it were that simple. No, I do not know the way to the Elsewhereness, but you have the right of it – the only way someone can get there is if one of its residents leads them there. Only they know the way. The rest of us are so blind that even if we were to find the path, we would wander off it immediately and not realize our mistake.”

The rest of the tension leaves Danny, making him once again a curious young charge in his mentor’s tower. “But do they actually have to go back in time?”

Clockwork smirks. “I don’t know, but I don’t think so. That is merely an analogy.”

Danny falls silent for a moment as he considers all this. He’d like to know what the path is really like, but something tells him his mind would explode if he tried to make sense of it. Besides, Clockwork appears to be just as stuck on this side of “Elsewhere” as he is. So instead, he asks, “Do you think Sojourn was just a resident of the Elsewhereness this whole time?”

Clockwork leans back, tapping his chin. For the first time, Danny feels like this is a question they’re working out together. “No – or, at least, probably not. Scarce have I gotten wind of what is contained within his writings, but what little I do know seems to suggest that he was no different from us. Just a normal ghost who persevered until the cosmos itself could no longer deny him.”

It’s Danny’s turn to chuckle. “Well, I’m hardly a ‘normal ghost,’ but I get your point.”

------

Clockwork loves making time-related analogies. 😝

Thank you so much for being part of the first Danny Phantom fanfic I've ever posted to Tumblr!

[ruhua-langblr]

Duolingo Sucks, Now What?: A Guide

Now that the quality of Duolingo has fallen (even more) due to AI and people are more willing to make the jump here are just some alternative apps and what languages they have:

"I just want an identical experience to DL"

Busuu (Languages: Spanish, Japanese, French, English, German, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Polish, Turkish, Russian, Arabic, Korean)

"I want a good audio-based app"

Language Transfer (Languages: French, Swahili, Italian, Greek, German, Turkish, Arabic, Spanish, English for Spanish Speakers)

"I want a good audio-based app and money's no object"

Pimsleur (Literally so many languages)

Glossika (Also a lot of languages, but minority languages are free)

*anecdote: I borrowed my brother's Japanese Pimsleur CD as a kid and I still remember how to say the weather is nice over a decade later. You can find the CDs at libraries and "other" places I'm sure.

"I have a pretty neat library card"

Mango (Languages: So many and the endangered/Indigenous courses are free even if you don't have a library that has a partnership with Mango)

Transparent Language: (Languages: THE MOST! Also the one that has the widest variety of African languages! Perhaps the most diverse in ESL and learning a foreign language not in English)

"I want SRS flashcards and have an android"

AnkiDroid: (Theoretically all languages, pre-made decks can be found easily)

"I want SRS flashcards and I have an iphone"

AnkiApp: It's almost as good as AnkiDroid and free compared to the official Anki app for iphone

"I don't mind ads and just want to learn Korean"

lingory

"I want an app made for Mandarin that's BETTER than DL and has multiple languages to learn Mandarin in"

ChineseSkill (You can use their older version of the course for free)

"I don't like any of these apps you mentioned already, give me one more"

Bunpo: (Languages: Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Korean, and Mandarin)

[eikotheblue]

California girls we're unaccountable

[livingmeatloaf]

There is only one way to make a truly wonderful Avatar adaptation, not matter how bad it turns out to be:

A professionally shot, full length stage production of the Ember Island Players' Fire Nation propaganda version of the events

[zekuto]

i was obsessed the first time i saw someone post leon on that stupid panda rocker but i was never able to find raw footage of it lol, so i decided to compile leon with all the playground interactions because i love him <3

[humblegrub]

fuzzy puffs love artichoke fluffs pt 2

[naradreamscape]

This is how I feel I sound when I try to tell others about my lost media archiving

[notherpuppet]

More of the Role Reversal AU featuring some redeemed sinners and a younger Sera

Full parody lyrics of Respectless

[stuckinapril]

One thing I’ve noticed about people in or entering their 30s is they don’t make as many compromises anymore. If someone doesn’t meet them halfway, is not up to standard, is just not where they’re needed to be, they’re just like “ok cool” and they move on from the person. Which is not to say they’re less empathetic or understanding, but more that they have learned that time is their most prized possession and they’re not willing to make massive compromises on it. They are not obsessed w the idea of fixing someone (bc the concept of fixing a person doesn’t really exist). They simply move on to someone who is up to par. I want that. I want to always move w the awareness that time is my most priceless belonging and I can never buy it back. Ever. So I have to use it wisely

[neuxue]

The combination of 'unnervingly flawless self-control' with 'occasional tendency to engage in reckless, dangerous, and borderline self-destructive or death-seeking behaviour' in a character is SUCH catnip to me

[getvalentined]

[source]

So, in spite of suing multiple other companies with the assertion that scraping user content for generative AI training is illegal, Long Rodent has decided that the dead bird is going to do the same thing! Natively! On-platform! To train his own new generative AI engine!

With this in mind, I cannot impress this vehemently enough:

If you are on Twitter as a creator of any kind, it's time to pack up your work and GET THE HELL OUT.

[elisamaza]

"Loser, Baby" but Angel and Husker don't get cut off (edited by me) youtube link

[legendofdinner]

assuming OOT (and some MM) since sheik was mentioned. sheik wasnt specified so hes fluid.

[chthonic-kids]

all's fair in love and war