verlds

Verlds is a term used in speculative fiction, cosmology concepts, and worldbuilding to denote multiple worlds or universes. In many contexts, verld is treated as the singular form and verlds as the plural. The word is commonly described as drawn from Old Norse or Icelandic roots, such as veröld, meaning world or universe, though its exact etymology varies by author and tradition.

Etymology and usage notes are often flexible, reflecting its status as a constructed or borrowed concept rather than a standardized term in real-world languages. In some traditions, verlds is treated as a neutral, descriptive label for a set of worlds, while in others it takes on a more mythic or poetic connotation within a given fictional universe.

In fiction and media, verlds are imagined as distinct but related realms that may share common origins, physical laws, or histories. Writers use verlds to explore parallelities, divergences, and interactions such as portals, crossovers, or timelines in which events unfold differently across each verld. The concept also appears in science-inspired discussions of the multiverse, where verlds can serve as a convenient umbrella term for separate, self-contained universes.

Scholarly and fan discussions often address questions of classification, interaction, and epistemology concerning verlds. Topics include how verlds are mapped, how beings perceive or travel between them, and what kinds of evidence could indicate cross-verld connections. Verlds remain a versatile framework for organizing ideas about reality, possibility, and narrative scope without committing to a single canonical interpretation.