ELYSIUM
Elysium has had many names throughout history including Asgard, Olympus, Arcadia, Nirvana, Utopia, and Heaven. It is the highest plane of existence representing the pinnacle of life and the final resting place for the worthy dead. The native people of this plane are called Celestials, many are winged inhabitants who make their home in the mountain kingdom of Eden and are ruled by powerful immortals that once were worshiped as gods and in some cases still are. Ruling alongside the Immortals are the extremely powerful metallic gold and silver dragons who nest in the Monolith Spires and provided counsel to both the Immortals and the Celestials. The most powerful of these dragons is the gold dragon Bahamut who has made his lair under the Dome of Creation on the highest mountain peak of Eden. The ruling council of Elysium reside in the Citadel of Stars protected by powerful Solars from where they can look down on creation and those they are sworn to protect. It is thought that this plane was the first to come into existence and that this plane of eternal light was created by the souls of martyrs. The power of faith was a gift from the Creator at the beginning of time and the prayers of the faithful sustain the Immortals and give them power over the lower races. Immortals desire the prayers of their faithful above all else and they go to great lengths to ensure their religions endure through the ages and that their worshipers are well rewarded. Entrance into Elysium is accessible only through the Gate of Souls which resides on the shores of the Azure Sea, a sea of holy water that shimmers blue and silver in the radiant light of the sun. All who enter Elysium from the Gate of Souls must then traverse the Plains of Glory where fallen heroes are laid to rest, and then pass the Green Fields before arriving at the mountain kingdom of Eden. All who enter the Gate of Souls are greeted by the Angel of Light, Uriel, who is both guide and protectorate to Elysium. Most visitors to the Plane of Radiant Light seek the Great Library of Ravenna which contains the knowledge of the gods and all the races. It is guarded behind the Gates of Wisdom and protected by Oath Bound Paladins and powerful Archons wearing armor of pure mithril and wielding Pure Silver weapons. Notable Locations: Palace of Light, Cathedral of Heroes, Fountain of Youth, Temple of Solace, Spires of the Gold Dragons, The Oracle, The Henge of Prayer, Planes of the Fallen, The Great Library of Ravenna, Green Fields which are the ancestral home of Halflings, Peaceable Kingdoms, Silver Haven, The Azure Sea. Rulers: The Immortals (Arnos, Acheron, Elowyn, Lorylon, Eros, Hendel, Saphira, Luna and Torm).
THE STORMLANDS
The Stormlands are home to powerful Giants and elemental beings, each ruling their own territories of fire, air, earth, and water with their elemental allies. Forever waging war against one another. The Stormlands are also the birthplace of dragons, first created to serve the Giant Thanes as enforcers but eventually becoming too powerful to control. The elemental dragons still reside on the plane of the Stormlands with their more powerful metallic dragon brethren residing on the plane of Elysium and their chromatic cousins inhabiting the material plane. This plane is divided into four basic regions: The volcanic wastelands of the Fire Giants and fire elementals that are protected by burning rivers of lava with banks of smoking brimstone. In the middle of the wasteland lies the Ashen Forest which has been burning for 100,000 years due to Saroks folly. Always burning but never consumed, the giant trees of the ancient forest create large tornadic fire storms which blow across the wastelands blocking the sun and casting the land into perpetual twilight, scattering the ash to the west winds. Fire giants are large and fierce combatants who swear allegiance to their ancestral tribes. Each tribe covers their bodies in a specific color of ash depending on their tribal homelands with their raised tattoos and sacrificial scars holding specific importance to their ranking in society. Their armor consists of large metal plates and helms and they wield large obsidian swords. The giants of fire are immune to any fire damage or heat. The endless expanse of the oceans is home to the Water Giants and water elementals. Their capital city lying deep in the Tatrian Rift miles deep under the surface, with numerous other cities built into ancient coral reefs and underground caves throughout their watery realm. These mighty warriors ride megalodon sharks on the strong ocean currents and are the rulers of the ocean. Their strong shamans are able to summon large water elementals to wage war on their surface brethren. Water giants are tall and slender with deep blue skin tattooed with ink made of crushed power crystals. They breathe through the use of large gills located on their backs and they can live for limited periods of time on the surface before they must return to the water. These tattoos glow and provide the wearer with limited magical powers in combat and allow the giants free movement in the water. Their armor consists of ornate coral and bones from large sea dwelling creatures. The vast plains and subterranean kingdoms are home to the Earth Giants and earth elementals. The largest of the giant races roam freely over the plains of the realm and build large cities deep underground. The giant kingdom of Deep Forge lies in the Mithril Mountains and it is from here the High Thane rules his tribes both above and below the surface. The plains tribes ride giant mammoths into battle while the cave giants harness the innate ability to shape stone at will, creating large caverns or the simplest of tunnels. It is said the earth giants taught the Dwarves how to forge steel and they are the creators of the soul forge of legend. Earth Giants wear armor consisting of furs and skins while wielding large steel swords of adamantium and mithril. Their vision and hearing is far superior to any of the other giants and it is said their shamans can communicate directly with nature and the spirits of the plains and the deep warrens, creating large earth elementals to aid them in time of need. The cloud covered mountain regions are the domain of the Storm Giants and air elementals. These vast mountainous areas span the entire realm from the black water Void Deeps in the north to the blue shores of the Sagline Expanse in the south. Although they are the smallest of the giant races, the Storm Giants of the Karidan Peaks use flying war ships and dragons to move between the mountain passes with the aid of air elementals. The wind walkers of the Giant tribes are able to summon large air and lightning elementals to defend their realm in times of war, making the mountains inaccessible to their brethren with snow hurricanes and large avalanches. Storm Giants have white skin and use weapons of pure blue glacial ice hardened with lightning. They are able to fly or leap small distances through the use of bonded air elementals. The Elemental and Giant Lords have formed alliances with the Dragons that dwell within their realms and in times of war the Giant Lords will ride the powerful beasts into battle. The arcane power of an ancient dragon paired with the unbridled strength of a Giant Lord is a force to be feared. In times of unrest the armies of the Giant Lords will meet on a single designated area called the Burning Fields to battle and resolve their differences through magic and might. Legends claim the Burning Fields are a giant graveyard littered with the bones of ancient dragons and Giants and it is against the Pact of Thanes to remove any item of the fallen. If any being were to remove an artifact from the Burning Fields, they would be pursued across the planes and even through time itself by the agents of the Giant Lords and the Ancient Dragons. Notable Locations: Mount Morath, The Lightless Deeps, Floating Islands of Aluria, Warrens of Delvaria, The Burning Fields. Rulers: Stronmaus the Storm Giant God and the Four Elemental Gods (Surtur, Lord of Fire, Thrym, Lord of Water, Grolantor, Lord of Earth and Memnor, Lord of Air.)
THE FEYWILD
The Feywild is home to many different races of Fey, most notably the fairies, elves, gnomes, goblins, and hobgoblins. Elves populate nearly the entire realm with the largest populations residing in the enclave of Eyrlan, deep in the Elyrian Wood. Smaller communities of Sea Elves, called Lamyrn, call the ocean their home and live in the deep oceanic gorges devoid of light while small elvish nomad clans of Solwyn live in the arid desert plateaus at the base of the Silver Mountains. The Elyrian wood is the birthplace of the Elcrys, the ancient life tree of the fey races that acts as a conduit between the Feywild and the material plane. Planted in the realm by the goddess Elowyn from the fruit of the First Tree. The power of the Elcrys protects the Feywild from the darkness of the lower plains and in turn the Feywild protects the higher plains from the forces of evil. It is prophesied that during the end times, it will produce the Seed of the Fey which will be carried by the Children of the Forest to a new grove where it will grow in peace, cared for by the Guardian of the Grove until the end of the next age. Ayven, or winged elves, have thriving kingdoms in the many mountainous areas of the Fey but are constantly battling the goblin and hobgoblin tribes that dwell beneath the earth. gnome capital of Glitterhome within the White Mountain is the center of gnome power in the realm and is the center of culture and commerce that connects the other cities of the Eleven Tribes of Greyfax. The Feywild is divided into two main sections, one side of the realm is always day and the other is always night. This plane is a primal and wild place where the flora and fauna are equally dangerous and the Aether infused weather systems create powerful mana storms both above and below the land. The Elyrian Wood covers most of the continent and is home to numerous elven, pixie, and centaur cities and villages. Large ancient Enterian beasts formed from Aether roam the Elyrian Wood using foliage and rocks to camouflage themselves as hills and small copses of trees. Larger than most houses, these creatures are always moving about and then resting for weeks at a time, creating a forest that is ever changing in its topography and natural landmarks. The Feywild has a greater connection with the Aether allowing mana to infuse most areas of the plane to create flora and fauna both horrific and beautiful. The Elves, fairies, gnomes and other lesser creatures of this realm have learned to use the Aether to create wondrous creations but the more savage races of goblins and hobgoblins have yet to master the power due to the organization of their cultures and their primitive religious beliefs. The Selee Court is the governing council that rules this realm and is comprised of a winter and a summer court. Notable Locations: Lamyrn City of Illucian, Wood Elf City of Eeralahn, Goblin Pits of Gundabad, Palace of Athlynn, Fairy Haven of Alfheim, The Lost Grove Enteria- Home of the Ents, The Grove of Elcyandor, home of the Elcrys. Rulers: Phaedra the goddess of fairies and nature.
THE MATERIAL PLANE
The Material Plane is known by many names but most notably; the Prime Material Plane, Arn or the realms of men. This land is the center and focal point of the nine planes of existence. It is the most coveted and diverse of all the realms. It is the birthplace of the mortal races and the only plane that is accessible to and from all of the other planes of existence. Though it was not the first race to inhabit this realm, its largest population consists of the races of men. Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes and Halflings also have managed to thrive here along side the "evil" races like orcs, goblins, kobolds and ogres. A vast multitude of animals, magical creatures and monsters also endlessly fight for survival in the realms of men. Its strong link to the Aether and the mana it produces is one of the many reasons that access to this plane is sought after by the rulers of both the higher and lower planes. The gods of Elysium once called this place home and after being banned from its wondrous shores, they have been seeking to return ever since. Their power stems from the prayer of the multitudes of mortals that call this place home. The Material Plane is covered with vast oceans, endless deserts, towering mountain ranges and endless forests and streams. Arcacia is the largest and most populous continent of the realm, though there are several other smaller and more isolated landmasses that have yet to be discovered. Arcacia was once long ago united under the kingdom of Ariea but has since been divided into many different kingdoms all struggling for dominance and greater power. The material plane has inherited creatures from all of the other planes of existence due to its unique position at the center of the known universe. Many dangerous monsters and noble races have migrated here and now call this place home. The material plane is the favored creation of the gods and they are jealous of mortal creatures that can achieve great things despite their short lifespans and limited powers. They seem to have yet to realize that it is the inevitable promise of death that makes life meaningful. A theory floated by a noted scholar of the last age is that without the material plane, none of the other planes would exist. The material plane is the engine that drives all of the others and he who controls it controls all others. Notable Locations: The Island Kingdoms of Chan Dora, Magus Tara or Mier' Rial, the arctic lands of The Reach, the endless dunes of The Zephyrian Desert or The Burning Waste, Devils Gorge, the underdark city of Shadowdeep, the lost underwater cities of Alantia and Lamoura, the ancient Fae Wood, the amazing inventions that can be found in the city of Perth, the vast expanse of the free city of Freeport, and many more. More information on the history of the Material Plane can be found under the Timeline link.
THE SHADOWFELL
The Shadowfell is known as the plane of the Undead, Shades and Witches but many more dark creatures dwell on the Plane of Shadow, shrieking cries of pain and cunning from the highest of its black towers and the lowest of its tortured warrens. It is the plane of eternal fog and shadow, illuminated only by a small moon shackled to the surface, casting a dim glow. A majority of the shadow plane exists in perpetual twilight existing on the edge of the ethereal curtain. Many ages ago the Lord of the Shadowfell thought the moon mocked her every morning as it rose in the south and at night as it set on the northern horizon, escaping her grasp. With dark magic which consumed 10,000 souls, one soul for each link in the large chain, she constructed the great shackles to enslave the moon and draw it closer to the Shadow Plane. Each link in the chain as large as a city, bound together through an ancient ritual of suffering. It is said the large chain sways in the sky and the 10,000 souls can be heard moaning in eternal suffering within the endless blackness of the night. Denizens of the shadow plane have built great cities on the surface of the Soul Chain, rising up into the sky, clinging to its outer surface like crustaceans on the hull of an abandoned ship. Bright light is despised by all on the shadow plane and any presence of light will drive most denizens of this plane into a blood frenzy. There is very little difference between night or day since the sun never touches this place and the moon is rarely not hidden by the endless shadow veil. The vast oceans of the shadow plane are as still as black glass and cannot be traversed by sailing. The only vessels that can cross the vast oceans are large galleons of the Black Lord that are towed by large eyeless psychic whales. Such Journeys take months and are shrouded in total darkness outside of the dim glow of the shackled moon. Any who take this journey are very desperate or already dead. The Dark Sea covers half of the Plane of Shadow and it is inhabited by creatures of the Void and the Underworld. Little is known about what lies beneath the surface and none have returned to tell their tales. Dark Elves, Deep Dwarves, and Illithid dwell in the vast caverns and cave systems under the surface of the Plane of Shadow. Each worshiping their own ancient gods, they are often at war with one another for supremacy of the depths. Some have speculated that a convergence of the Shadowfell and the Material Plane has lead to vast Netherdeep regions under Arcacia, creating a festering darkness that grows hidden from the surface world. Notable Locations: The Dark Sea, Chain of Souls, Tortured Peaks of the Ice Mountains, the Ancient Lair of the powerful Dracolich called the Boneraker, Gorge of the Dark Walkers, Fortress of the Raven Lord, City of Shade, Port Town of Shabar, Tower of the Shade Wraith. Rulers: Queen Mallenroh Lord of the Shadowfell and her three Dread Lords (Vampire, Lich and Death Knight).
THE NETHERDEEP
The Netherdeep is the plane of the dead and a vast underworld prison. Some call it limbo or purgatory, a place where souls linger until they are judged and allowed to enter heaven or hell. Unfortunately this narrative is largely false. If a soul finds itself on the plane of Darkness, it has already been judged. The Netherdeep is consumed in total darkness which is how the dwellers of the Underworld like it. The plane is the blackest black and fires burning on the plane of darkness are visible for up to 10 times the normal distance by denizens of the plane but they only produce half the normal heat. Outsiders visiting the Underworld cannot feel warmth, no matter how much they try. It's most famous landmark is the Endless Bridge that links the Shadowfell above to the Abyss below, it is the final stop before a soul is condemned to hell and is eternally guarded by a mysterious creature called the Faceless One. There is only faded color on the plane of darkness and light sources reveal mostly shades of black, white, and grey. The Essence of Shadow permeates the plane of Darkness and causes all that roam its lands to feel as if they are being constantly watched. This is the home of wraiths and liches who practice their dark art of necrotic magic throughout the realm, from the Soul Damned Liches of the Black Rift, to the Shadow Walkers of the Soul Caverns, to the Wraiths locked in their fortresses high above the Graveyard of the Damned, and the Gloomwrought Necromancers; all craving the souls of the living to use in the harnessing of Dark Aether or Void Magic, each trying to become the master of a realm that knows no master. While the undead of the Underworld crave power, the Ghosts and Phantasms living in the Black Swamps of Oerth, seclude themselves from the other denizens of their plane, using the Essence of Shadow and a relic called the Onyx Heart to travel directly to the prime material plane. Once manifested, the apparitions become a conduit for raw Aether to flow directly to their home realm to be used in creating an eternal Fog of Souls to cloak the Black Swamps from the scrying of their enemies. Some claim the Ghast Witches who rule the Black Swamps are more powerful than even the oldest Lich or Necromancer on the Plane of Darkness. The current ruler of this plane resents her station here and is trapped only by the Faceless One who guards the bridge to the Shadowfell. She endlessly searches for a way off this plane to liberate the Darwyn and conquer the material plane for her children. Notable Locations: Catacombs of the Unwanted, Endless Caverns of Lost Souls, The Black Rift, Graveyard of the Damned; Drowning Pools of Bloated Souls; The Shadow Well; The Fortress of Evernight; The River Styx. Rulers: The Faceless One and Lolth the Demon Queen of Spiders.
THE ABYSS
The Abyss is the most dangerous and violent of the lower planes, ruled by Daemons and Devils, Infernal demi-gods and other nefarious creatures born of violence, hate and malice. Endless torture, suffering, pain, and insanity can be expected of any being entering the Domain of Cruelty. This is Hell and the beings that live here want you to know that before you die. The Lords of the Abyss desire to conquer the Material Plane and acquire enough power to eventually challenge the gods themselves. They have devoted followers in every realm to do their bidding and act as servants and spies. The abyss is a plane of perpetual twilight with the horizon dimly illuminated only by a red sun. Its shadows run deep and the depths of the soul pits run even deeper. The only entrance to the Abyss is at the edge of the Lake of Fire where the souls of Elementals and Giants are laid to rest. Lost souls and the occasional living being arrive on the Abyss at this location between two black brimstone obelisks where they are gathered and placed into the Dreadnaughts by deaf and mutilated slavers. The Dreadnaughts are large black ironbound wagons pulled by a team of fifty gigantic oxen. Black smoke drifts off the 50 foot tall wagons and the screaming of up to 300 tortured souls can be heard emanating from between the fire blackened boards. Behind the wagons, large wrought iron chains are dragged, casting off sparks as they are pulled over the surface of the abysmal plane. If the stench and sounds of suffering are the first things a visitor witnesses, then the Soul Prisons of the Lava Gorge are the last. Hundreds of thousands of holding cells are carved from the black basalt rock with bars constructed from the blackened bones of the damned. Here a soul will stay for centuries until it is sacrificed for its Lords pleasure. Once a soul is destroyed on the Abysmal Plane it ceases to exist. It is said that an angel cries for every soul that is lost and that all of heaven wept following the Daemon Lord Azamel's quest for power. It is claimed that even though Sythis Dawnbringer defeated Azamel on the material plane during the age of legends, the Daemon Lord survived and took the former King of Ariea back to the Abyss with him never to be heard from again. Notable Locations: The Soul Prison, Infernal City of the Damned, Black Plains, Lake of Fire, Rulers: The Six Daemon and Devil Lords of the Damned (Azamel, Asmodeus, Dispater, Mephistopheles, Sythis and Tiamat).
THE AETHER
The Aether is known by many names including the Ethereal Plane, the Astral Plane and sometimes the Plane of Souls. It is in reality the bridge that binds all of the planes together and binds the souls of those who exist in these planes to their physical locations. If this plane is entered from another plane it is a pale and hazy reflection of the world it represents. Locations and distance are blurred here and one can travel great distances with only the power of thought. Outside of the habited planes this place is simply devoid of life, having no physical shape or contours, an endless hazy fog without landmarks or shape. One can get hopelessly lost in these vast expanses between worlds and many have, still wandering these empty lands for all of eternity. Though those who can enter the Aether are almost always still linked to their plane of origin there are creatures here who live solely in the Aether and hunt for the warmth of life, most especially from the visiting souls temporarily bound to this realm. Ghosts, phantasms and wraiths all can be found here lingering near their earthly bodies in the hopes of finding rest and escaping their endless prison. This plane is also unique in that travel through it allows one to reach any of the other planes in spirit if not in body and many users of magic use it to spy on others through the hazy veil of its endless reach. The inherent dangers of such actions often limit its use as entering this realm has different rules and magic is the only power that denizens of the Aether fear, though the promise of a warm soul is enough for most to risk it. The Aether would also appear to be the only path to reach the Void and whatever might lie beyond it, though if any have tried none have returned to tell the tale.
THE VOID
The Void is the most mysterious and misunderstood plane of them all, even the most renown scholars have no more than a limited understanding of its purpose or what might lie beyond. It is thought to be the barrier that keeps the realms contained, unpassable and resolute, keeping those within trapped inside. It is speculated that beyond might lie completely new and unique realms of existence also trapped by the void, perhaps an endless number of these places with endless worlds, each writing their own history and understanding of the realms around them. Whatever the case, this realm seems to be inhospitable to life as we know it and only through special preparation and powerful magic could one traverse into or beyond its reaches. Even the most powerful gods of the higher planes do not dare tread in this realm, ancient text reveals that they believe that beyond the void lies the realms of their father, the Creator. They speculate that he has many other children like themselves spread across this vast ocean of darkness. His own realm is thought to be hidden somewhere out there beyond the reaches of even the most powerful magic they could attempt. The secrets of where and how life started are likely hidden somewhere beyond the Void but for now anyway, the knowledge and the will to find them have not caught up with the ability to face the dangers inherent in finding them.