Planes and Novarchs

The 81 Planes

After the Sundering fractured the Old World, reality reorganized into 81 separate dimensional spaces called Planes. Each Plane is centered around a singular Aspect one of the philosophical or scientific principles that the Sovereigns once controlled in pairs. Where the Old World had paired concepts (Light with Dark, Love with Hate), the Planes each hold only one half of those former pairs.

Each Plane has its own character, its own landscapes, cultures, and rules shaped by whichever Aspect governs it. A Plane governed by the Aspect of War would feel different from one governed by Beauty or Memory. Players visit multiple Planes over the course of the game, progressing through regional championships to access new ones.

Lusciell

The physical world where the game begins is the continent of Lusciell, which exists within the Plane of Reality the Plane governed by the Reality Aspect (split from the Reality/Illusion pair once held by the 4th Sovereign, Kumyo Kyo). The seaside town of Iia is located on Lusciell. While the 81 Planes are separate dimensional spaces, Lusciell serves as the player's home base and physical starting point.

Novarchs

A Novarch is the ruler of a Plane. Each of the 81 Planes has one Novarch who governs it and wields authority over its singular Aspect. Some Novarchs are former Sovereigns who transitioned into the new structure after the Sundering, retaining one half of their old domain. Others are newer entities who arose in the aftermath. Servants, followers, or independent figures who claimed authority over an unclaimed Aspect.

The relationship between Novarchs and their Planes isn't just political. The Novarch and the Aspect are deeply connected. How a Novarch governs shapes the Plane, and the Aspect shapes the Novarch in return.

Known Novarchs and their Planes

Named Planes

Nexus Battles as governance

Nexus Battles have become the accepted method for resolving disputes across most Planes. Rather than warfare or political maneuvering, conflicts are settled through structured Anima combat. Animasters train their Anima and compete in regional arenas, with the most skilled earning the right to challenge for higher positions. This system gives the player's journey a political dimension. You're not just winning fights, you're navigating the power structures of the Planes.

Travel between Planes

Travel between Planes is possible but isn't as simple as walking from one place to another. The game gradually opens access to new Planes as the player progresses. Some characters (like Kiana, who is a Planestrider) can move between dimensions more freely. The existence of dimensional travel creates connections between the isolated Planes and allows crossover characters from other Honkai games to appear in this setting.