The planes are the building blocks of reality, a collection of interconnected realms that form the cosmos. Within this vast expanse, mortals live, dreams take shape, and gods hold sway. This primer will guide you through the planes of existence, their nature, and their place in our setting. These planes have a large impact upon the mortal world, through
Void Storms,
Planar Corruption, and
Manifest Zones.
The Material Plane
The Material Plane is the realm of physical existence, where mortals live and the world as we know it exists. It is the only fixed point in reality, with all other planes formed and shaped by the hopes, fears, desires, and beliefs of mortals. The Material Plane is the foundation of the cosmos, and beyond its metaphysical boundaries lies the Endless Void, a seemingly infinite expanse of emptiness pregnant with potential.
The Transitive Planes
Transitive Planes are unique in that they are so tightly bound to the Material Plane that they have gained a semblance of stability. These planes depend on mortal emotions, fears, and desires, much like the Outer Realms, but their connection to the Material Plane grants them a distinct existence.
There are three known Transitive Planes.
The Shadow Plane
Formed from the universal fear of the dark and the unknown, the Shadow Plane is a grim, colorless reflection of the Material Plane. Infused with negative energy, it is home to strange and deadly creatures. Powerful spellcasters can harness the Shadow Plane to travel vast distances or create quasi-real effects.
The Ethereal Plane
Existing as a buffer between the Material and Shadow Planes--and overlapping both--the Ethereal Plane is a ghostly realm full of eerie creatures shaped from mortal fears. Travelers in the Ethereal Plane can move through solid objects in the real world without being seen. Powerful spellcasters utilize the Ethereal Plane for spells like blink, etherealness, and ethereal jaunt.
The Astral Plane
The Astral Plane is a silvery void that connects the Material Plane to the Outer Realms, acting as a conduit for souls to enter the world, and for them to travel between life and the afterlife. Travelers in the Astral Plane can use it to teleport or travel between planes. Powerful spellcasters briefly access the Astral Plane when using teleportation or plane-shifting spells.
The Outer Realms
The Outer Realms, or metaplanes, are pocket dimensions that form within the Endless Void. Influenced by the dreams, hopes, and fears of mortals, these realms are inherently linked to the Material Plane. Some of these planes are stable, formed from primal mortal emotions, while others are temporary, created when a powerful being gains enough influence to shape their own realm. These beings are known as Gods.
As the faith in a God strengthens, the associated Outer Realm draws closer to the Material Plane, influencing it in various ways. However, when a God dies or loses their followers' faith and is not quickly replaced, the realm collapses, leaving fragments of a decaying plane within the Void.
Examples of Outer Realms include
Axiom,
Pandemonium, Mortis, and the Verdant Expanse.
