What is Rhythm Dimension?

Rhythm Dimension is a sci-fantasy solarpunk setting that tells the story of a species called the tienxe and the ex-human gods that created them.

The creator gods cannibalised their dying world to fuel the new one, and now they must grapple with the guilt of ending a world and responsibility of creating a better one.

Rhythm Dimension is a world built on a foundation of equality and hope. Magic is part of every-day life and its widespread use has given the majority of the population a good standard of living. Even so, the world isn't perfect, and even in their "utopia" the tienxe must face natural disaster, conflicts of ideals, and the darker parts of human nature.

Themes and tone

Rhythm Dimension's common themes include power and responsibility, connection, and communication.

Rhythm Dimension is an optimistic setting. Its gods escaped a climate apocalypse caused by human greed and have attempted to create a better world. People tend towards cooperation and try to live in harmony with the natural world.

In a meta sense, it's a world about worldbuilding, about creation and inspiration. It's a place for me as the creator to research the world around me, process my thoughts and opinions, and try to think from the perspectives of others.

The tienxe

The tienxe are a species of humanoid plant people with various bright skin colours that change depending on the acidity of their surroundings, like hydrangeas. They are physically both male and female, often androgynous, and don't have any concept of gender.

They have three eyes; the third eye is usually closed and acts as a conduit to their Sun, the source of magic.

The tienxe store their magic in their hair, which is almost always left uncut. It's considered an intimate body part. If their hair is cut, their magic ability is diminished.

They usually live and raise their children communally. While they are aware of their biological relationships, all members of their parents' cohort are like parents, and all members of their own cohort are like siblings.

While every tienxe is different, they are curious and hopeful as a whole, and possess a magical sense of empathy.

Stories

The creators gave birth to the Sun, and then they were in turn born from it. Then, they created the world, and then the tienxe. The first tienxe knew them as parents, and their lives in that simple eden became legend.

From there, society grew and matured. The tienxe turned from children to adults, but they forever remain the children of the creators.

Rhythm Dimension's creators occupy a space somewhere between true gods and powerful individuals. They act like the latter, thinking and feeling and loving like mortals, but they possess a deep connection to the world that they themselves have barely begun to explore.

The Sun is a god, but not a god. Before the tienxe are born, they are part of the Sun, and once they die, they will return to join the whole.

Magic

The three realms

Lunefiyan

  • Other names: "Place of Many Paths"
  • Demonym: Lunefiyanne

Tropical and forested, Lunefiyan is the smallest of the three realms. Settlements first grew around Lunefiyan Bay in the centre of the continent and have gradually spread out in diverse civilisations.

It was created about a century after the founding of Rhythm Dimension by its three patron gods - Temiaresan, Sumisixe, and Shieyusei.

In most cases, they live without rulers or strict laws, instead abiding by complex social codes and community consensus.

The major sub-regions include Lavender's Heart, the Isles of Song, the Water Gardens, Quartet's Call (formerly the Sunlit Principalities), the Dreaming Mountains, and the Verdant Sea.

Ladani

  • Other names: Lazrdagomnir, "Rivers, Plains, Mountains", the Boundless Lands
  • Demonym: Ladaninn

Also known as the 'Boundless Lands', most of the Ladanin population live on the vast arid Ojaro Steppe and its nearby mountains. The inhabitants descend from a small founding population who accidentally migrated to the realm, which was originally meant to be a test dimension. While some tienxe (known as "dianhe" in the local dialect) live settled lives in villages, the majority are nomadic.

Society in Ladani is shaped by a great war against monsters that occurred several centuries ago. "Memento mori" is an important concept.

Tenxithos

  • Other names: Land of the Tienxe, Land of Rhythm
  • Demonym: Tenxithosse

The birthplace of tienxe civilisation, Tenxithos is the most varied and populous of all realms.

The majority of its population lives under a complex theocratic government named "Unison", a word which is synonymous with its religion and its central philosophy of oneness.

Characters

Name

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  • Full name:
  • Age:
  • Pronouns:

Full description

Tiame

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  • Full name: Temiaresan
  • Age: 600+
  • Pronouns: He/they

Creator of Rhythm Dimension's original languages, both magical and non-magical. Sociable, casual, and extremely passionate. He takes an interest in many things, and is constantly travelling, learning, and spreading knowledge. Tiame's core struggle is the push and pull between his perceived nature as divine (responsible, authoritative) and his internal perception as human (irresponsible, anti-authority).

Sumie

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  • Full name: Sumisixe of the Dusk Forest
  • Age: 600+
  • Pronouns: They/them

Rhythm Dimension's self-stylised 'God of Dreams' who defined the tools with which to create the world. Avoidant and often closed-off, but has a love for the whimsical. They spend most of their time deep in tienxe dreams with the other members of the Esoteric Order of Divine Dreaming. Despite becoming a god like they always wanted, they're still the same person and face the same issues as they did as a human.

Yesu

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  • Full name: Shieyusei
  • Age: 600+
  • Pronouns: They/any

The god that presides over archives, records, and learning. They have a sweet and helpful exterior that masks repressed anger and insecurity. A busy public figure, Yesu is dedicated to creating a world of knowledge and beauty. Although their admin role in the creation of the world was instrumental, they still don't feel like a 'real' creator.

Where to find more

Rhythm Dimension exists as a setting for me to draw characters in, give my conlang some context, and occasionally write some short fic. My documention for the world can be found on my Notion, as well as documentation for Letio.