The Planes of Existence

     After the gods created the world, they put order to the cosmos and created a special plane of existence for each of them to dwell and call "home." The planes are organized like a multi-layered egg, each successive layer wrapping over the previous layer. At the center of the "egg" of the cosmos is the standard or "Prime Material" plane where the planet of Hyerune exists in a endless sea of stars. Immediately overlapping this central plane are its four constituent planes, or the Elemental Planes. Thus, all objects of the Prime Material Plane are composed of some or all of these four basic elements of Fire, Air, Earth and Water. Where the planes of Air and Water merge, layers of ice and mist are formed. Where the planes of Water and Earth merge, layers of mud and muck are formed. Where the planes of Earth and Fire merge, layers of metal and magma are formed. And finally where Fire and Air merge, layers of smoke and steam are formed. These "para-elemental" layers are not really planes per se, but rather boundaries between the basic elemental planes. These planes are capped by the Plane of Light on the northern pole and the Plane of Shadow on the southern pole. All of these planes are connected by a planar conduit known as the Ethereal Plane. These seven planes combine to form the Inner Planes of Existence.

     Overlapping these inner planes, and extending yet beyond them, is the plane of consciousness, or the Astral Plane. The Astral Plane is a plane of thought energy that connects the inner planes to the Nine Outer Planes of Alignment. The first, or inner, shell of the Outer Planes is called the Eternal Crossroads, or the Plane of Neutrality. It is on this plane are beings to never commit to one of the extreme alignments or wish to uphold a balance are sent to upon their death. The Astral Plane continues through this plane reaching out to the remaining eight planes.

     The remaining eight planes are divided along lines of alignment, each connected and overlapping somewhat along its borders. The Spectral Vale is the plane of Chaotic Good. The Dreamrealm is the plane of Neutral Good and the plane of Celetria, or the Blessed Realm, is the plane of Lawful Good. The plane of Ethyria is the plane of Chaotic neutrals and the plane of the Twilight Lands is the plane of Lawful neutrals. The Lower Planes of Evil are reserved for the most evil of souls. Infernia, or the Realm of Demons, is the plane of Chaotic evil. The Netherworld is the plane of Neutral Evil. The Gloomrealm is the plane of Lawful evil.

     Upon death, a soul is collected by the god of death or one of his servants and brought first to the plane of pure neutrality and the Courts of Judgement. It is here that the soul is weighed against Essence of Truth and judged by the god Cabel. Witnesses for the deceased may be called as "petitioners" to state their reason why a particular soul should be sent to a certain plane. After making his final decision, Cabel sends the soul to its final reward.

Celestria- The plane of lawful good souls. Celestria is about as close to our concept of "heaven" as they come. It is a realm of pure joy and ultimate goodness but good tempered with law and strict orders. It is sometimes referred to as "the Blessed Realm." The general feeling of peace that one feels can at times be almost overwhelming. Inhabitants of this plane generally follow the notion that the good of the many outways the good of the one and most follow a rather strict moral ethic. It is a plane of lush gardens, silver seas and peaceful mountain retreats. The climate is always temperate and mild and the air smells dewy sweet. Beings of lawful neutral and neutral good have also been known to be sent to this plane depending on their actions in their mortal life.
Points of Interest- The Skyvault (birthplace of the Sun), the Halls of Glory, the House of Reverence nestled within the tranquil Abode of Peace, the Bountiful Fields, Mountainheart (the dwarf heaven) and the Bright Fields (the halfling heaven).

Dreamrealm- The plane of neutral good souls. The Dreamrealm is a land of idealism devoted to the cause of goodness while not necessarily concerned about the degrees of law or chaos. Like a dream, inhabitants of this plane view their environment much as they did in their mortal life but with bright, hazy colors. Beings of chaotic good or lawful good have also been known to be sent to this plane depending on their actions in their mortal life.
Points of Interest- The Wells of the Moon, the Vale of Mysteries (said to be the font of the Essence of all magic), the Hidden Glade, the Rainbow Vale of the Gnomefather, the Halls of Healing within the Gray Havens, and Sunfast, the realm of Eternal Summer.

Eternal Crossroads- The plane of pure neutrality. It is called the Crossroads because all souls and spirits of the departed are brought first to this plane from the Prime Material Plane in order to be judged and receive their final reward or punishment. They will then either remain in this plane or be sent on to one of the eight other Outer Planes of Alignment. Inhabitants of this plane care little for right or wrong, law or chaos, but simply want to exist. Many areas of the plane are similar to the mortal world but they are perceived in a more subdued manner. It is a plane of few extremes. Dwellers of this plane rarely feel great joy but they won't feel great pain either. Beings of chaotic neutal and lawful neutral have been known to be sent to this plane depending on thier actions in their mortal life.
Points of Interest- Final Destiny (the land of fate), the Living Core (the epicenter of the plane and said to be the source of all life), the glorious Palace of Eternity in the heart of the Sands of Time (portions of which exist outside of normal time), the forests and woods of the Green Havens, the Dreamhalls, the Halls of Judgement and the Hall of Records, the Grand Marketplace of the dwarf god Balindhal and the planar city of Nexus.

Ethyria- The plane of chaotic neutral. This plane is one of almost pure chaos with massive areas of distortions, unpredictability and occasionally madness. The plane is one of many great personal freedoms but also great violence and war. It is the home to the souls of many departed warriors who fight on in an endless war for its own sake rather than some cause. Portions of this plane are almost animalistic in nature. The inhabitants of these areas seek pure pleasure acting sometimes out of basic instincts. These areas are generally covered with heavy vegetation and jungles. Beings of neutral and Chaotic good alignment have also been known to be sent to this plane depending on their actions in their mortal life.
Points of Interest- The Isles of the Glorious, the Citadel of Ice and Snow in the realm of Wintersheart where it is eternally cold, the Feral Menagerie (a land of jungles and savage beasts), the Halls of Chance, the Skylodge and the Shifting Plains (said to be a conduit to the Hiding Holes on the Spectral Vale).

Gloomrealm- The plane of Lawful evil, it is a plane of gray and gloom. It is virtually colorless and known as a land of regimented evil and torment, the Devil Realm. It is often likened by sages of Hyerune to be similiar to an evil police state where the inhabitants must fight to gain political power. Visitors to this plane have described that it is divided into regions of various torments from freezing tundras to fiery chasms. Beings of neutral evil alignment have also been known to be sent to this plane dependning on their actions in their mortal life.
Points of Interest: The Underworld of Kharon (whose only entrance, the 'Gates of the Damned,' is guarded by the dreaded Gorgal, the 2-headed Devil Giant), the Barrenlands of Karnak, the Death Pits (the hobgoblin hell), the Glittervaults (the jeweled hell of the duergar), the misty lands of Fogshroud (the frost giant and cloud giant hell), the Cerebral Citadel within the Infinite Colony of the Mind Flayers.

Infernia- The plane of Chaotic evil, it is commonly called the 'Realm of Demons.' The plane is one of fire and brimstone and choking ash. Portions of this plane include every hostile environment from the Prime Material (arctic, swamp, desert, etc). The inhabitants of this plane are selfish and violent and utterly unpredictable. It is a realm where one can pursue their every desire but may never experience joy or satisfaction. Beings of neutral evil have also been known to be sent to this plane depending on their actions in their mortal life. The plane is governed by a multitude of powerful Demon Lords and Princes.
Points of Interest- The Bloodfields of Jocasta (where the Forest of Fear and the Dungeons of Pain may be found), the Swirling Maelstrom of Shiran (birthplace of the demons), the Savage Lands, the Shadowpits of Sheolba (the dark elf abyss), the Blighted Burrows (the abyss of the blight gnomes), the arid realm of Orcrift (domain of the orc spirits), the Dismal Bog, the Death Hills, and the Reeking Caves of the troglodytes.

Netherworld- The plane of Neutral evil, it is said that this plane is the source of energy for the Shadow Plane and is thus associated with the undead. It is a land of purest evil where the atmosphere is heavy and oppressive. It is also known as the main battlegrounds for the eternal Blood War between the chaotic demons of Infernia and the lawful devils of the Gloomrealm. Many inhabitants of this plane enjoy playing off both sides of the war, serving as mercenaries for the pure sport of killing or smuggling arms and souls for either side of the conflict. Beings of chaotic evil and lawful evil are also sometimes permanently condemned to this plane depending on their actions in the mortal life.
Points of Interest- The Caverns of Despair (said to be the source of all evil and the domain of the goddess Mordagh), the Feeding Pits of Sobek, the horrific Rotting Citadel of Sursi, the Undernight, the Doomprisons and the Countless Caves (the goblin hell).

Spectral Vale- The plane of Chaotic good, it is a place of great natural beauty, very prolific nature and always beautiful weather. The plane is known for its lush forests and rolling plains. It is a place of great personal liberties as long as they do not infringe on the freedoms of others. Beings of Chaotic neutral or neutral good have also been known to be sent to this plane depending on their actions in the mortal life.
Points of Interest- The Hallowed Halls of Oldred, the Land of Radiance, the forestest domain of Elfhold (the elf heaven), the Mountains of Stormridge (the storm and cloud giant heaven) and the enchanted domain of Faerieland.

Twilight Lands- The plane of Lawful neutrality, it is place of well-ordered precision and a land between light and darkness. Many of the regions of this plane are said to be mechanical in nature. Inhabitants of this plance tend to be organized in strict hierarchies with well defined roles in their society. It is the home plane of the modrons and the formians. Beings of neutral and lawful good alignment are sometimes sent to dwell in the plane depending on their actions in the mortal life.
Points of Interest- The Dome of Stars (said to be the very foundation of universe where order was bestowed upon the Prime Material Plane), the Courts of Pure Truth, the Halls of Knowledge, the glorious Silverheart Citadel of Seralise on the Fields of the Victorious, the Great Hive of Apshai, the Stronghold of Durnin (a dwarf heaven), the Great Watchtower of Ordlin (a gnome heaven) and the Fungus Dale of the myconids.