The Echo

The Echo is a parallel plane of existence to the living world. Those within the Echo can see shadows of the living world, but are invisible to those not also in the Echo. The landscape looks as if its made of fog and the outlines wave, existing too long within the echo can leave lasting mutations on creatures if it doesn't outright kill them.
There are special ways to see into the Echo without crossing into it. Most of these require magic, but some cultures have found naturally occuring resources that can allow one to see through the veil. Spirits of the departed pass through the Echo on their way to the afterlife, some of these spirits may become trapped for various reasons and haunt the Echo. Especially emotional or strong spirits can even affect the living world without leaving the Echo.
Entering the Echo is dangerous and actively avoided by most. Sometimes gates are stumbled upon and those unlucky enough to stumble in usually do not return. It is possible to create a gate as well, from either the living world or from within the Echo, but doing so requires magic and an anchor to bind the gate to.

Geography

The Echo is a greywashed, mist-ridden copy of the living world. From within the Echo, one can see the same landscape, structures, and people moving about. While one can see the living world, they cannot interact with it without special means to do so. This means that, by entering the Echo, it is possible to travel through impassable structures or escape pursuers in the living world.

Ecosystem

While the Echo is an imperfect copy of the living world, its inhabitants are much different. Spirits of the dead float through the air like rising steam. There is no vegetation or sustenance here, shadows of trees or plants may be visible, but nothing grows within the Echo. Sound is muffled as if talking through cloth and watching something move is like watching from below water, shifting and contorting.
The creatures who live within the Echo are incorporeal and incredibly dangerous. By looking into the Echo, even without entering, nearby creatures are alerted and are able to hunt whoever is interacting with their realm. Those who travel into the Echo are able to interact with the creatures to defend themselves, but have no easy way to escape their grasp.

Localized Phenomena

There are special beacons within the Echo that are a sanctuary from the beasts who reside here. Their origins are unknown, but they produce a brilliant blue flame and spread bright light across their reach. The spirits of the dead search for these beacons which transport them to the afterlife. Mages who are in touch with the Echo can locate these beacons, and more adventurous fanatics create gates near them to try and harness the Spellflame  of the beacons for themselves.

Climate

The Echo is incredibly cold. No heat enters from the living world and there is no sun, just an ever present glow casting the entire region in cold, white-blue light.

Tourism

Cultists, fanatics, and adventurous mages create gates and travel into the Echo to try and harness or study Spellflame. Doing so is incredibly dangerous, but the few who have succeeded boasted incredible magical powers as a result.

Type

Plane of Existence

Inhabiting Species

• Spellscarred