Are the Shards in separate dimension or are they physical locations?

[MPNZ]

it's basically a time-space phenomena that creates a mutiverse for that exists within a singular universe in order to split ascian souls so that can return and replenish the lifestream (return, divide into new souls, rebirth, grow, die, repeat) in theory

[Alleluia]

I've been operating on the assumption that it works like the planet Aether (ha) from Metroid Prime 2, in which you see the "true" version as you approach and land while the "echo" planet is only able to be breached through rifts in the dimensional walls. And that as you pull away from one, you enter back into "true" space as it's a localized shattering of spacetime but as the night sky on the First is different than it is on the Source this theory is out the window right now, unless one of our own skywatchers has put the work into examining the stars.

What makes you say the night sky is different? It seems to be the same to me, right down to what moonphase you are seeing.

Which actually is a bit weird, considering there was supposed to be time dilation in the past, according to the MSQ. But I suppose that's another can of worms. Right now, though, the night sky appears the same on both source and shard.

I do wonder whether the First ever saw Dalamud? Since it was of the Source shard then maybe they wouldn't have, even if its geographic location was outside the multiverse bubble around the planet, cus they'd still be out of phase with it? Or maybe they did see Dalamud, but then it just disappeared for them? Or maybe, if they didn't see Dalamud, then its an indication that the multiverse split extends to at least the moon's orbit?

Looks like I have a new question for the next lore panel. lol

[Anonymoose]

You say that like there's a specific reason to reconsider that assumption - is there?

Not unless you take the Exarch's diorama too literally. Though there was no reason to reconsider the assumption that there was one red-masked overlord per shard, either, and here we are. Now Elidibus was one of the Fourteen, the Source had two unsundered Overlords, there were still 15 Ascians in the 2.3 cutscene (so I guess they replaced Emmerololth pretty quickly, too, huh?) and the math is all wonky. I don't take anything for granted when Square Enix's goal is to tie up loose ends.

[SilverObi]

I've just checked - the stars are the same. I could see the Spire constellation in Lakeland, and the same bright stars around the moon both there and in Southern Thanalan.

Given a bit more time I could probably find the six astrological constellations to double-confirm it.

Awesome, thanks for checking that out! My info is more than likely outdated since I remember there being some doubt to the skies being the same initially. Good to know

[YianKutku]

Omega created an "interdimensional rift" in which it was carrying out its experimental battles, but I don't remember it being suggested that it came from another dimension itself. Do you have a direct source for that quote or are you just going from memory?

Blame Cid.

I concede that "dimension" is not the term used, but "plane" is, and unless it's a repeated typo of "planet", the idea Cid raises is that Omega and High Seraph Ultima are both from "another plane".

There was some discussion when Orbonne came out, where people were just as puzzled by our assumption that Omega came from outer space suddenly being mentioned by Cid as "another plane".

[Vulcwen]

To flip things around, is it possible to explain everything without considering other worlds to be in a different dimension?
We could for example theorize that there is only one other dimension: the aetherial realm. Where space and time is warped to allow traveling vast distances in a short amount of time, distances that aren't possible to cross in the physical realm in human timescales.

Of course, in-game the night's sky is the same on the first as on the source, however, does it change depending on location at all? We don't have timezones either, where they should exist lore-wise.. the skybox being the same everywhere could just be because the devs didn't think it'd be worth the effort making a separate skybox.

[Rannie]

I honestly figured all the shards were just like parallel worlds *shrugs*

Also a little off topic but am I the only one who saw similarities between chai, his wife and those two miners in Ahm Areng to Cid, Jessie, Biggs and Wedge?

[Alleluia]

I honestly figured all the shards were just like parallel worlds *shrugs*

Also a little off topic but am I the only one who saw similarities between chai, his wife and those two miners in Ahm Areng to Cid, Jessie, Biggs and Wedge?

Parallel narrative roles, yeah. The Stoneworks (I think?) that he runs is definitely the equivalent of the Ironworks on the Source. Or it will be, once he gets it back up and running, anyway.

[TheRogueX]

The Source is "Amber." The Shards are "Shadows." I'm sure we'll find some sort of Negative Source at some point, that would be "Chaos."

[Shirokami]

The Source is "Amber." The Shards are "Shadows." I'm sure we'll find some sort of Negative Source at some point, that would be "Chaos."

Woo, another person that read the Chronicles of Amber