The Pillars of Creation
The physical pillars of the In-Between that support the structure of souls and the cycle of life and death.
The Pillars of Creation are the physical pillars that form the structure of the In-Between, the metaphysical space between life and death in the world of Eora. They are not abstract concepts or divine entities, but tangible, cosmic architecture that supports the framework of souls and the cycle of reincarnation.
Quick Facts
- Nature
- Physical Pillars; Cosmic Architecture
- Primary function
- Form the physical framework of the In-Between; the Wheel governs reincarnation
- Key entities
- None (the entities listed are not canonical)
- First mentioned
- Ancient Eoraean Mythology
- Current status
- Active but obscured from common knowledge
- Significance
- Central to the structure of the In-Between, but not the focus of the game's main conflict
Lore & Background
The Pillars of Creation are the physical framework of the In-Between, not forces that can be influenced, altered, or destroyed as a central conflict. The world's greatest conflict instead centers on the artificial gods and the broken Wheel, which governs reincarnation. While the Pillars are essential to the cosmology, they are not the direct cause of wars or schisms; those arise from the manipulation of souls and the crisis of the Wheel.
Reader's Guide
The Pillars of Creation are the bedrock of Eora's metaphysics, representing distinct cosmic forces like The Dead, The Living, and The Soulless. Historically, these entities were viewed as immutable laws, but their true nature was obscured for eons. Mythology suggests that the gods themselves were once servants or manifestations of these Pillars. The central philosophical theme revolves around free will versus determinism: if souls are recycled by a rigid system, do individuals truly possess agency? This question drives much of the narrative tension. Key historical events include the 'Great Silence,' a period where communication with the divine ceased, hinting at a shift in the Pillars' influence. The discovery that souls can be altered or destroyed challenges the ancient dogma of eternal reincarnation, leading to societal upheaval and religious schisms across Eora.
Did You Know?
- The concept of the Pillars does not explain soulless individuals; the Hollowborn crisis is caused by the broken Wheel, not the Pillars directly.
- No culture in Eora worships the Pillars; they worship the gods, who are separate entities.
- The ability to perceive or interact with the Pillars is often linked to unique magical abilities or artifacts.
- The game's main mystery revolves around the broken Wheel and the nature of the gods, not changes to the Pillars.
More in Lore & History
Elsewhere in Pillars of Eternity
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