Abyss (MTAw)

The Abyss is a gulf of unreality that divides the Fallen World from the Supernal World. It is the primary force that prevents sleepers from awakening.

According to the myths of the Diamond Orders and the Seers of the Throne, the Abyss was created long ago at the end of the First Wizard's War when the Celestial Ladder was destroyed. The effects of this event are called the quiescence. This event would have prevented all awakenings if it were not for the Oracles who built the five watchtowers in the five supernal realms.

Magic is drawn down from the Supernal Realms and through this Abyss to the Fallen World. If anything, the Abyss is the antithesis of sane and logical Reality as we know it. Trapped as the Mages are now in the Fallen World, every act of magic runs the risk of ushering in a little bit of the Abyss with it. The Abyss poisons magic, so that should a spell go awry, the Abyss seeps into reality and takes one form or another. This effect is also called Paradox.

The Abyss is inhabited by strange, malicious unworldly beings like the Acamoth. Some mages are actually serving the more powerful creatures within the Abyss. These are called Scelesti.

It is said by the Guardians of the Veil that the Abyss grows with every paradox cast by a mage.