ETHEREAL PLANE

The Ethereal plane was one of the planes of existence in various models of cosmology.
"It is a plane out of phase. It is a place of ghosts and monsters. It is right next to you, and you don't even see it."
GREAT WHEEL MODEL In the GREAT WHEEL cosmology model, the Ethereal plane existed adjacent to the PRIME MATERIAL PLANE and connected it to the Inner planes (the Elemental planes plus the Energy planes). The Ethereal touched the PRIME MATERIAL PLANE at all points that were located within CRYSTALSPHEREs through what was called the Border Ethereal. It was unknown whether the Border Ethereal touched the PRIME MATERIAL PLANE in the PHLOGISTON. The non-Border region was called the Deep Ethereal. While in the Border Ethereal, a traveler could still see into the adjacent plane but only dimly and not very far, whereas those on the bordering plane could not see the traveler without magical detection. Verbal communication was not possible between the Border Ethereal and the bordered plane. The Ethereal was unique among the many planes in that an individual could exist in two planes simultaneously: the Border Ethereal and the adjacent plane.
When a traveler crossed into the Border Ethereal, she and all her possessions were converted to their Ethereal equivalents, metal became ethereal metal, flesh became ethereal flesh and so on, allowing free movement (in most cases) in any direction through the solid matter of the adjacent plane. Since everything was permeated with ethereality, an air-breathing creature could breathe ethereal air and could not drown in an ethereal lake nor be crushed by an ethereal rock. However, not all in the adjacent plane was insubstantial. Living things larger than one-celled animals generated an aura that radiated around them and prevented passage to their interior, so an ethereal traveler could not place a weapon inside a living creature where it would materialize and cause damage. A jungle would be an extremely torturous maze to navigate; it would be much easier to float above the vegetation or pass below its roots. Dense metals such as lead or gold also prevented passage of ethereal matter. And finally, some magic spells and alchemical mixtures could form an effective barrier.
WORLD TREE MODEL In the WORLD TREE cosmology model, the concept of the Border Ethereal was dropped and the Ethereal Plane became one of the transitive planes that coexisted with the PRIME MATERIAL PLANE. Like the GREAT WHEEL version, ethereal creatures and travelers could see into the Prime, but not the other way around. Unlike the GREAT WHEEL version, you could pass through all solid objects, including living creatures, and you could hear the PRIME MATERIAL PLANE. The Ethereal Plane was mainly accessed by spells such as blink, etherealness, and ethereal jaunt. A phase door spell could be used to create a passage through the Ethereal, and Leomund's secret chest could temporarily stash a container in the Ethereal.
The Ethereal Plane had the following traits in the WORLD TREE cosmology model: -No Gravity: but with a definite "down" direction. Travelers could move along surfaces just as if they were on the PRIME MATERIAL PLANE but could also move in any direction by willing it so. -Normal Time: same as the PRIME MATERIAL PLANE. -Alterable Morphic: if you can find anything to alter. -Mildly Neutral-Aligned: no circumstance penalties. -Normal Magic: spells and abilities worked as usual but could not affect the PRIME MATERIAL PLANE. Certain creatures dwelled primarily on the Ethereal Plane. Examples of these include ghosts and ethereal marauders. Others can become ethereal virtually at will, such as thought slayers and phase spiders.
WORLD AXIS According to the WORLD AXIS cosmology model, the Ethereal plane no longer existed; it was destroyed by the SPELLPLAGUE.
INHABITANTS PTAH, god of creation and creativity, did not keep a permanent realm, but wandered the Ethereal. Plane