LoneWolf23
First Post
Hiya, just thought I'd share my thoughts for an alternate Planar Cosmology:
Let's start with the Prime, the Material Plane. More then a world, it's actually a whole cosmos of physical worlds and their usually mortal inhabitants. Not much to see here that's too alien, so let's move on.
The Material Plane itself is surrounded by the Ethereal, or Spirit Plane, a misty realm which co-exists with the Prime, where ghosts and other such ethereal beings dwell. In short, it's the Spirit world. Beyond the perception of those beings on the Prime is the Astral realm, essentially the "sea" where the "island" of the Prime is found. Other Planes can be found by going through the Astral.
"Above" the Prime are the Heavens, the realms of the gods and Celestials, encompassing numerous good Planes, such as Celestia, Ysgard, Elysium, the Beastlands, etc. The various Good Powers, while not united, do not war amongst themselves the way mortals do. Those conflicts which occur are resolved through more peaceful means.
"Below" the Prime is the Abyss, a large realm which encompasses all known and many unknown Fiendish realms and their inhabitant. Realms like the Nine Hells of Baator, the Grey Waste of Hades or the Bleak Eternity of Gehenna, while wrongly believed to be seperate realms of Evil, are actually all regions of the Abyss contolled by specific infernal powers. Baator, for one, is actually an Empire of Nine Layers of the Abyss, long ago conquered by Asmodeus and his minions.
Beyond the Prime in the Astral, "surrounding" it, are the Outlands, a realm where the various Elemental and other Neutral planes can be found. Essentially, beyond Good and Evil, nearly every other plane composing the building blocks of creation can be found within. Simple rule of thumb: If it's a Cleric's Domain beyond Good and Evil, it can be found in the Outlands. Planes of Fire, Light, Water, Ice, Steam, Law, Mechanism, Chaos, Radiance, Darkness, etc, all are found in Planes within the Outlands.
The final disposition of Souls upon Death is as follows: Good Souls go to the Heavens, Evil souls go to the Abyss, and neutral souls generally return to the Prime to be reborn, unless they find a way out of the cycle of life and rebirth to wander the planes.
So, any opinions?
Let's start with the Prime, the Material Plane. More then a world, it's actually a whole cosmos of physical worlds and their usually mortal inhabitants. Not much to see here that's too alien, so let's move on.
The Material Plane itself is surrounded by the Ethereal, or Spirit Plane, a misty realm which co-exists with the Prime, where ghosts and other such ethereal beings dwell. In short, it's the Spirit world. Beyond the perception of those beings on the Prime is the Astral realm, essentially the "sea" where the "island" of the Prime is found. Other Planes can be found by going through the Astral.
"Above" the Prime are the Heavens, the realms of the gods and Celestials, encompassing numerous good Planes, such as Celestia, Ysgard, Elysium, the Beastlands, etc. The various Good Powers, while not united, do not war amongst themselves the way mortals do. Those conflicts which occur are resolved through more peaceful means.
"Below" the Prime is the Abyss, a large realm which encompasses all known and many unknown Fiendish realms and their inhabitant. Realms like the Nine Hells of Baator, the Grey Waste of Hades or the Bleak Eternity of Gehenna, while wrongly believed to be seperate realms of Evil, are actually all regions of the Abyss contolled by specific infernal powers. Baator, for one, is actually an Empire of Nine Layers of the Abyss, long ago conquered by Asmodeus and his minions.
Beyond the Prime in the Astral, "surrounding" it, are the Outlands, a realm where the various Elemental and other Neutral planes can be found. Essentially, beyond Good and Evil, nearly every other plane composing the building blocks of creation can be found within. Simple rule of thumb: If it's a Cleric's Domain beyond Good and Evil, it can be found in the Outlands. Planes of Fire, Light, Water, Ice, Steam, Law, Mechanism, Chaos, Radiance, Darkness, etc, all are found in Planes within the Outlands.
The final disposition of Souls upon Death is as follows: Good Souls go to the Heavens, Evil souls go to the Abyss, and neutral souls generally return to the Prime to be reborn, unless they find a way out of the cycle of life and rebirth to wander the planes.
So, any opinions?
