Fire Islands Cosmology
From ENWiki
Contents |
Structure
In the beginning, there was only the Ethereal Plane (Papa) and the Astral Plane (Rangi). When the two were forced apart, light and matter (the Prime Plane) began to coexist between them. Thus, the universe according to the Fire Island traditions is organized with the Prime Plane wedged tightly between the Astral and Ethereal planes.
The Prime and Elemental Planes
The Material Plane, or “Papa,” is organized by its four elements, arranged in three layers. Earth and Water are side-by-side in the middle, with Fire below and Air above (see figure). The elemental demi-planes (not shown), such as Dust, Rain, Mud, Steam, and Magma, form on the boundaries of these planes, and are evident in the material plane wherever two or more planes overlap (i.e., Magma lies on the boundary of Earth and Fire, and Rain lies on the boundary between Water and Air.)
The Plane of Air
The Plane of Air exists as described in the Dungeon Master's Guide. Permanent gates to and from this plane are typically located over vast expanses of wind-swept ocean, where little or no land is in sight. Periodic, unstable gates to the Plane of Air have also been known to form during powerful storms.
The Plane of Air is home to Tāwhiri.
The Plane of Earth
The Plane of Earth is as described in the Dungeon Master's Guide. Permanent gates to the Plane of Earth are found deep within natural caves and lava tubes, where earth's influence is strongest. Temporary (and unstable) gates to this plane often form during volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and massive land slides.
The Plane of Earth is home to Papa, and her two sons Haumia and Rongo.
The Plane of Fire
The Plane of Fire is as described in the Dungeon Master's Guide. Permanent gates to the Plane of Fire are easily found: the most violent and most unstable volcanoes are formed directly over a fixed gate to the Plane of Fire. Temporary or transient gates to the Plane of Fire are extremely rare, typically forming only during catastrophic events.
This is the home plane of Mahuika.
The Plane of Water
The Plane of Water exists as described in the Dungeon Master's Guide. Permanent gates to and from this plane are found in the places where the ocean is deepest, particularly fizzures and trenches hundreds of miles beneath the waves. Temporary gates form during periods of great disturbance, such as storms or tsunamis.
The Plane of Water is home to Tangaroa and Tinirau.
The Underworld
The Plane of Shadow, the Infinite Layers of the Abyss, the Negative Energy Plane, and Limbo are all demi-planes within the Ethereal Plane, and are collectively referred to as “The Underworld.”
The Negative Energy Plane
As described in the Dungon Master's Guide. Since it lies buried far beneath the world, it is not visible from the Material Plane.
The Abyss
As described in the Dungon Master's Guide. Since it lies buried far beneath the world, it is not visible from the Material Plane.
The Abyss is home to Whiro.
Limbo
As described in the Dungon Master's Guide. Since it lies buried far beneath the world, it is not visible from the Material Plane.
Limbo is the home plane of Tū.
The Plane of Shadow
As described in the Dungon Master's Guide. Since it lies buried far beneath the world, it is not visible from the Material Plane.
The Plane of Shadow is home to Hine.
The Sky Powers
Likewise, the Positive Energy Plane, The Celestial Realms, the Twelve High Heavens, and The Void are demi-planes within the Astral Plane, and are collectively referred to as The Sky Powers.
The Positive Energy Plane
As described in the Dungeon Master's Guide. In the Fire Islands cosmology, the Positive Energy Plane is visible from the Material Plane as the moon.
The Celestial Realms
As described in the Dungeon Master's Guide. In the Fire Islands cosmology, the Celestial realms are visible from the Material Plane as the stars.
The Celestial Realms are home to Rangi.
The Twelve High Heavens
As described in the Dungeon Master's Guide. In the Fire Islands cosmology, Heaven is visible from the Material Plane as the sun.
The Void
As described in the Dungeon Master's Guide. In the Fire Islands cosmology, the Void is visible from the Material Plane as the Milky Way.
The Mahuta Tree
This is the legendary tree that Tāne climbed, when he collected the Baskets of Knowledge from the heavens. The tree is actually an invisible, transient demi-plane that connects the Material Plane and the Twelve High Heavens. While its exact location varies from day to day (or even minute to minute), it always forms over one of the largest and oldest trees on the island.
This demi-plane is home to Tāne.
Hawaiki
Hawaiki is the land of mankind’s ancestors, the birthplace of Tiki and the place where his children's souls live forever in peace. It lies adjacent to the Material Plane, but is accessible only by traveling through the Underworld. When a person dies, their soul is sent to the Underworld for judgment, and those who are found worthy are carried to the Ancestor Island in a canoe rowed by beautiful women. Those who are found wanting remain in the Underworld forever.
