Elemental Planes

The Elemental Planes are fundamental realms within the Eternal Universe, each embodying the pure, untamed essence of a single element: fire, water, earth, or air. These planes are the source of all elemental energy, serving as both the origin and reservoir for the forces that shape the Material Plane and beyond. Together, they form the backbone of existence, fueling the Eternal Universe with their raw and primal power.

Characteristics

Each Elemental Plane is a distinct and self-contained dimension dominated by its respective element. Unlike the Material Plane, where the elements coexist in balance, the Elemental Planes are pure, unrefined expressions of their nature. These realms are both beautiful and perilous, with environments that mortals may find inhospitable or overwhelming.

The Plane of Fire

The Plane of Fire is a realm of eternal flames and searing heat. Its landscapes are composed of molten rivers, vast fields of ash, and towering volcanoes that continuously erupt, casting molten rock across the sky. The air is thick with smoke and embers, and the horizon glows with an unending crimson light.

• Inhabitants: The Plane of Fire is home to fire elementals, salamanders, and other creatures born of flame. These beings thrive in the searing environment, drawing strength from the endless heat.
• Unique Features: The flames of this plane are said to be eternal and cannot be extinguished by natural means. It is also the origin of magical fire, with mages often drawing energy from this realm to power their incantations.

The Plane of Water

The Plane of Water is a boundless ocean with no surface or floor, a realm of perpetual motion where currents swirl and flow in all directions. The waters range from tranquil, crystal-clear expanses to turbulent storms and crushing whirlpools.

• Inhabitants: Water elementals, leviathans, and other aquatic creatures dwell in this plane, perfectly adapted to its fluid and ever-changing nature.
• Unique Features: The waters of this plane are pure and imbued with restorative energy. It is often said that magical healing drawn from water originates here, and it serves as the source of all seas, lakes, and rivers on the Material Plane.

The Plane of Earth

The Plane of Earth is an immense realm of unyielding stone, endless caverns, and vast mountains that stretch into infinity. This plane has little to no sky, consisting instead of an endless expanse of rock, soil, and precious minerals.

• Inhabitants: Earth elementals, stone golems, and burrowing creatures such as xorns call this plane their home, moving through solid rock as effortlessly as mortals walk through air.
• Unique Features: The Plane of Earth is a treasure trove of gems, metals, and minerals, many of which possess magical properties. It is said that the roots of all mountains and the foundations of the Material Plane lie within this realm.

The Plane of Air

The Plane of Air is an endless sky, filled with perpetual winds, swirling clouds, and floating islands of stone and ice. There is no solid ground; instead, the plane consists of currents, storms, and pockets of calm that drift through an infinite expanse.

• Inhabitants: Air elementals, cloud giants, and flying creatures such as rocs dominate this plane, soaring effortlessly through its endless skies.
• Unique Features: The winds of this realm are said to be alive, carrying whispers and secrets from across the universe. Many believe the Plane of Air is the source of all winds and storms that sweep across the Material Plane.

Role in the Eternal Universe

The Elemental Planes play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the Eternal Universe. They serve as the raw sources of energy that feed into other realms, particularly the Material Plane, where their forces are tempered and integrated into a harmonious whole. Without the constant influence of these planes, the Material Plane would descend into chaos or stagnation.

Interconnection with the Material Plane

Elemental energy flows naturally between the Elemental Planes and the Material Plane, manifesting as fire, water, earth, and air. This energy sustains ecosystems, fuels natural processes, and enables magic. During the Calamity, rifts between these planes and the Material Plane grew unstable, leading to surges of elemental power that reshaped landscapes and introduced beings from these realms into the mortal world.

Inhabitants and Culture

While each Elemental Plane is dominated by its respective forces, sentient beings and civilizations have emerged within these realms. Though vastly different in appearance and nature, they share a deep connection to their environment.

• Fire: The inhabitants of the Plane of Fire value strength, passion, and destruction as a path to renewal. Their cultures are often fierce and warlike, driven by the belief that fire is both a destroyer and a purifier.
• Water: Inhabitants of the Plane of Water embrace fluidity, adaptability, and patience. Their societies are tranquil but capable of great fury when provoked, much like the calm and storm of the seas.
• Earth: The denizens of the Plane of Earth value endurance, stability, and craftsmanship. Their civilizations are often built deep within the stone, reflecting their appreciation for permanence and structure.
• Air: The Plane of Air's inhabitants revere freedom, movement, and exploration. Their societies are nomadic and ever-shifting, mirroring the currents and winds that define their world.

After the Calamity

The Calamity disrupted the natural flow of energy between the Elemental Planes and the Material Plane, creating instabilities that persist to this day. Elemental surges occasionally tear through the boundaries of the planes, spilling uncontrolled forces into other realms. Elementals and creatures native to these planes often find themselves displaced, altering ecosystems and cultures wherever they appear.

Magisters theorize that the weakened barriers caused by the Calamity may one day collapse entirely, allowing the Elemental Planes to flood into the Material Plane. Such an event, they believe, could usher in either a new era of creation or the total annihilation of balance.

The Elemental Plane of Fire.

Location under

Plane of Existence