Astris

An astris (plural: astrae) is a mechanism used to create elemental microgates from raw elemental material and distribute them across the planes. Astrae were first invented by [elder god/goddess] under the specifications set by Ysenna in the early Astrogenic Age.

In shape, astrae are 4-spheres (5-dimensional spheres) which intersect 3-dimensional spatial planes, forming 2-sphere (3-dimensional) cross-sections.

Astrae tend to be incredibly immense and self-sustaining. However, the interiors of astrae are habitable (and appear to have been designed to implement biological components, if available); common inhabitants include astral dwarves and star elves, the former being much more common.

Etymology
In the original Terran dialect, astrae were called Adjra-chadev, or "children of Adjra", their architect. This phrase entered common through Duer adjridth (plural adjrae). In a classic case of [name]'s rule, common changed this to the human-intuitive astris (plural astrae).

The name is also a cognate with the Primordial name for the deity Assa, builder of the astrae.

Types
Astrae come in five unique forms, each corresponding with one of the quintessential elements.

Astris Helios
See also: List of Astrae Helios

Heliae are responsible for the distribution of fire. Though their outer surfaces tend to be extraordinarily hot, the interiors are relatively hospitable (with climates resembling those on the Elemental Plane of Fire). On material planes, heliae are often known as "stars" or "suns" and are used for their radiant energy for sustaining life.

Astris Nebula
See also: List of Astrae Nebula

Nebulae distribute the element of air across the planes. The actual body of the nebula is a solid mechanism, but the characteristic clouds that surround it are usually so dense that they obscure the body. On material planes, nebulae are often described as the birthplace of "stars", though this is inaccurate.

Astris Terra
See also: List of Astrae Terra

Terrae are the the astrae of earth. In form, the terra appears similar in form to a nebula, though the surrounding cloud is composed of dusts and asteroids. Inhabitants of material planes are rarely aware of terrae; their lack of excited gases and their tendency to block light keeps them largely invisible to optic astronomy. Their gravitational wells tend to be fairly stronger than the other four astral types (but the terrae should not be confused with [black holes]).

History
The initial specifications of the astrae (their usage and the principles regarding microgate generation) were created by Ysenna at [time].