Probably about 20 or so years ago I read a book from a used book store - a series or a trilogy that I can't remember the name of or the author. I am hoping maybe someone can point me in the right direction. Here are several things I remember about the book, it has been a long time sine I read it, so forgive me for not remembering more. 
-I believe it starts out with a small town "lottery" to choose people to leave the town with others that come to the town at certain times.
- surrounding this town is a foglike ?mist? and the ground is kinda spongy to walk on and hard to differenciate between it and the mist
- there are ley lines that these (slave traders?) use for navigation with the townsfolk from the lottery in tow.
- they come across various other towns? that are completely different in structure according to the ruler of each - some turn out to be "wizards" who can "conjure" whatever they want for their "town"
- in a sequel (prequel) it explains how humans from a time closer to our own "punched through" our universe into another and found a universe composed entirely of energy
- we attempt to terraform ?planets? and through these attempts, figure out that some people can control the energy and make whatever we want from it
That's about the extent of what I remember, like I said, it was a long time ago, so I don't remember much - but I would very much like to reread it!
Thanks in advance for whatever help any of you can give.
-I believe it starts out with a small town "lottery" to choose people to leave the town with others that come to the town at certain times.
- surrounding this town is a foglike ?mist? and the ground is kinda spongy to walk on and hard to differenciate between it and the mist
- there are ley lines that these (slave traders?) use for navigation with the townsfolk from the lottery in tow.
- they come across various other towns? that are completely different in structure according to the ruler of each - some turn out to be "wizards" who can "conjure" whatever they want for their "town"
- in a sequel (prequel) it explains how humans from a time closer to our own "punched through" our universe into another and found a universe composed entirely of energy
- we attempt to terraform ?planets? and through these attempts, figure out that some people can control the energy and make whatever we want from it
That's about the extent of what I remember, like I said, it was a long time ago, so I don't remember much - but I would very much like to reread it!
Thanks in advance for whatever help any of you can give.
