Theories of the Planes of Existence

Several competing theories pertaining to the structure and nature of the planes of existence are debated by scholars.

Summary

It is commonly accepted that Overheaven, The Abyss, and The Feywild exist along with The Material Plane. Beyond this there is some dispute.

Variations & Mutation

Overheaven is most often accepted as the home of the gods who created the universe, and is assumed to be the most ancient of the planes. The creator deities are disputed, but typically Mystra is assumed to be the primary goddess of creation, though some sects believe Sune or Chauntea are the true creator goddesses.

The Weave

Those scholars who hold that The Weave is a plane (many do not) often describe it as an intermediate place between the other planes of existence. It is theorized that one may travel through The Weave to any of the other planes.

The Astral Plane

Most scholars consider The Astral Plane to be a magically induced dream. Some, however, see it as a gateway through with the soul may travel to the other planes.

Elemental Chaos

While dragons have not been seen since The Cataclysm, their existence is accepted for the most part, and many scholars have been incorporating the accounts from the mythology of the Dragonborn into their cosmological models. As such, the existence of the Elemental Chaos is now relatively widely accepted, though most see it as the origin plane for dragons rather than the universe itself.

Elves

Elves tend to accept the existence of The Astral Plane more readily than others. A small handful of Elves also believe in the existence of Shadowfell, but this is considered to be a fringe position, even by the Elves.

Dragonborn

Dragonborn mythology tells of the Elemental Chaos, the original plane that brought the universe into existence. This is commonly accepted by Dragonborn, along with the existence of The Feywild. In addition, most accept the existence of The Weave, though many diverge from the common description and refer to it as The Ethereal Plane, gateway to the Elemental Chaos. There is a great deal of variation in the religious beliefs of individual dragonborn, and while many accept the common cosmology, some deny the existence of Overheaven and The Abyss, claiming that these are merely part of Elemental Chaos.

The Cataclysm

Most, but not all, believe that the fundamental structure of the planes was altered during The Cataclysm. It is commonly believed that some of the planes were fractured apart, and that Mystra created The Weave to save The Material Plane.

Fracture of the Material

Typically, it is believed that the gods of evil set out to destroy The Material Plane, and created The Abyss as their own domain. Mystra created The Weave to hold The Material Plane together, creating The Feywild in the process as a magical echo.

Fracture of Overheaven

Some believe that The Material Plane and The Feywild were ripped away from Overheaven by the gods of evil. The gods of good then created The Abyss to hold the gods of evil, and Mystra created The Weave to bind together the planes.