Table of Contents
From Juan
After a year of dedicated research and writing, I am pleased to present this work to you. The complexity of the planes discussed in this book is mind-boggling, and I have done my utmost to ensure that the illustrations, descriptions, and details accurately represent their intricacies. Despite my best efforts to provide a meticulous portrayal, please note that this project was a solo endeavor, made possible by Patreon backers. I managed every aspect—editing, formatting, writing, illustrating, digital art, and layout—without the aid of a team. Therefore, while I’ve strived for accuracy and clarity, there may be occasional errors for which I take full responsibility.
Purchase eBook here: Amazon eBook
Purchase support on Patreon here: Unveiling the Multiverse
For Patreon Supporters, please use password here: Unveiling the Multiverse PDF
Foreword
In the captivating multiverse that is Dungeons & Dragons, planes of existence serve as the intricate backdrops where grand narratives unfold. The Material Plane is the stage most of us are familiar with—a realm we live in where magic mingles with the mundane, echoing the physics and realities of our own world. It’s the beating heart of the multiverse, the place where heroes are born and where most adventures begin. But this is merely the tip of a colossal iceberg, a single note in a cosmic symphony.
Connecting this plane to others are the Transitive Planes, ethereal and astral dimensions that serve as the highways and byways of the multiverse. They are the corridors that link the vibrant mosaics of existence together, allowing for journeys that defy imagination. On one hand, we have the Inner Planes—realms of raw elemental and energetic forces that form the building blocks of all reality. These are not just planes of earth, air, fire, and water, but also of life-affirming positive energy and life-draining negative energy.
Yet, the most compelling and philosophically rich realms are the Outer Planes, dimensions where concepts like good and evil, law and chaos, are not just abstract ideas but tangible, living forces. In these planes, gods and demons make their homes, and the landscapes themselves can reward virtue or punish vice. Each Outer Plane is an embodiment of alignment, from the orderly heavens to the anarchic abysses, providing not just challenges of might for adventurers but also tests of morality and soul.
Let’s not forget the Echo Planes, which are like distorted reflections of the Material Plane. The Feywild is a realm where every emotion is magnified, and the magical essence of life blooms in an eternal, whimsical spring. Contrasting it is the Shadowfell, a plane where the sun never truly rises, and even the most jubilant spirit can be smothered by its palpable gloom. Additionally, scattered throughout the fabric of the multiverse are Demiplanes, smaller pocket dimensions with their own idiosyncratic rules—created either by nature’s whim or the hand of powerful beings.
Various cosmological models attempt to make sense of this intricate web of existence. The Great Wheel is perhaps the most iconic, visualizing the planes as concentric circles with the Material Plane at the center—a model of divine geometry. The World Tree, rooted deeply in the mythologies of the Forgotten Realms, depicts the planes as leaves and branches of a colossal, cosmic tree. And then there are unique, setting-specific cosmologies that defy these models, reimagining the multiverse to fit the thematic and narrative needs of the worlds they describe.
So, when one talks about the D&D planes and cosmology, they’re not just speaking of diverse locations for quests. They’re referring to the complex metaphysical frameworks that challenge heroes not just to be strong or smart, but to ponder on the nature of reality, morality, and their own existence. The planes are the ultimate frontier, a place where every action reverberates through the corridors of reality, and every choice can shape the fate of multiple dimensions.
Material Plane
The Material Plane, the cornerstone of most D&D campaigns. This is the plane that most closely resembles our own universe, with similar rules of physics, magic, and reality. The Material Plane serves as the central nexus for all the other planes and is where the typical D&D worlds like Faerûn, Krynn, and others exist.
The Material Plane as the Cornerstone of D&D Campaigns
The Material Plane is often the starting point and the primary setting for most Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. It’s where adventurers are most likely to be born, raised, and begin their quests. Many of the game’s most iconic locations—such as the city of Waterdeep in the Forgotten Realms, or the continent of Krynn in the Dragonlance series—are situated here. The Material Plane serves as the “default” plane for players and Dungeon Masters who may not be interested in venturing into more exotic and complex planar settings.
Resemblance to Our Universe
The Material Plane most closely echoes the world we live in, in terms of its physical laws and general structure. Gravity works as expected, time flows in a linear manner, and familiar ecosystems and climates exist. This “normalcy” allows players to interact with the world in intuitive ways, making it easier for newcomers to get into the game. However, the presence of magic and mythical creatures adds layers of complexity and wonder that distinguish it from our real world.
Rules of Physics, Magic, and Reality
Physics in the Material Plane generally adhere to what one would expect: objects fall when dropped, the sky is above, and the earth is below. However, magic adds a unique twist. Wizards can levitate objects, clerics can heal with a touch, and reality can be bent in numerous ways. Yet, even magic often has its own set of rules and limitations that provide a framework for gameplay, ensuring that abilities are neither too overpowering nor too insignificant.
Central Nexus for All Other Planes
The Material Plane is intimately connected to many other planes of existence. It’s often easier to travel to and from the Material Plane than between other planes. The Ethereal and Astral Planes, for instance, serve as transitional spaces that adventurers can use to reach other realities. Portals, rifts, and powerful spells like “Plane Shift” can transport characters to entirely different dimensions, but they often originate from the Material Plane.
Typical D&D Worlds Located in the Material Plane
Many of the famous D&D settings are essentially different “worlds” within the Material Plane of a shared multiverse. For instance, Faerûn is part of the Forgotten Realms, one of the most well-known D&D settings. Krynn is the main world of the Dragonlance series. Each of these worlds may have its own distinct cultures, history, and even variations in magical laws, but they all share the Material Plane as their home.
The Material Plane is both the starting point and the anchor for the D&D multiverse. It offers a relatable and comprehensible setting for adventurers, from which they can explore increasingly exotic and mind-bending locations.
Key Characteristics of the Material Plane
Alignment: Neutral
Number of Layers: 1
Description: The Material Plane is the “baseline” reality from which all other planes diverge. It’s the world of mountains, valleys, seas, and all manner of creatures. Most campaigns begin and spend the majority of their time in the Material Plane unless they venture into more exotic locales.
Connectivity: The Material Plane is connected to various other planes through different means like portals, spells, and planar boundaries. The Ethereal Plane and the Shadowfell are often described as “echoes” or “reflections” of the Material Plane, and they often overlap or run parallel in some manner.
Inhabitants: Just about any creature you can think of could exist in the Material Plane, from humans and elves to dragons and beholders. Gods usually do not reside in the Material Plane but often exert their influence there.
Magic: Magic in the Material Plane is diverse. All types of magic—arcane, divine, elemental—are usually accessible here, although the rules might change if your campaign moves to a different plane.
Campaign Settings: Many famous D&D settings like the Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance, and Greyhawk are situated in the Material Plane, though each in a different “world” or part of the multiverse.
Simply put, the Material Plane is the most relatable and flexible setting for adventures, serving as a familiar launching pad into the more exotic and unpredictable realms that make up the D&D multiverse.
The Ethereal Plane as the Unseen Web of Reality
The Ethereal Plane is a mysterious, fog-shrouded realm that exists as a buffer and connective tissue between the Material Plane and the Inner Planes. Less frequented by adventurers but no less critical, it’s the space between spaces where reality is softer and less defined.
A Realm of Ghostly Resonance
If the Material Plane is a vivid painting, then the Ethereal Plane is the ghostly pencil sketch underlying it. Everything is less solid here, more fluid. It’s a place of muted colors and softer edges, a space that exists in parallel but also apart. The very air—assuming one could call it that—seems to be made of a thick mist, shrouding the landscape in a dreamlike haze.
Rules of Ethereal Physics and Existence
The physics of the Ethereal Plane are guided by its otherworldly nature. Unlike the Material Plane where gravity and time function predictably, the Ethereal Plane operates on different principles. Distance and time are fluid concepts here, mutable and ever-changing. The deeper you go into the ethereal mist, the less the rules of the Material World apply.
A Transit Hub for Other Realms
Much like a busy airport, the Ethereal Plane is often a means to an end—a transitional space for those with the means to navigate its foggy corridors. Spells like “etherealness” allow adventurers to slip into the Border Ethereal, a layer closely connected to the Material Plane, and from there into the Deep Ethereal, a transitional zone to the Inner Planes.
Notable Regions within the Ethereal Plane
The Ethereal Plane is divided into the Border Ethereal, which overlaps with the Material and Inner Planes, and the Deep Ethereal, a mysterious realm where the normal rules of reality begin to break down. The latter serves as a transitional space to various other planes and is less well-understood, even by experienced planar travelers.
The Ethereal Plane: The Ghostly Realm Between Realities
In the vast cosmology of the multiverse, the Ethereal Plane stands as a spectral bridge between the Material Plane and many of the Inner Planes. Imagine an environment so fluid, so untethered by physical laws, that it seems almost like a dream.
Border Ethereal
- Alignment: Neutral
- Description: The Border Ethereal is the closest layer to the Material Plane and some of the Inner Planes like the Elemental Planes. It coexists and overlaps with these planes, allowing for limited interaction. Entities here can see into the Material Plane as if peering through a misty, translucent curtain, but cannot usually affect it and are not visible to most denizens of the Material Plane.
- Inhabitants: Primarily ghosts, phase spiders, and ethereal filchers, along with travelers using spells to move between planes.
- Significant Locations: The Curtain, a fluctuating barrier separating the Border Ethereal from the Material Plane; various Ethereal Pools that serve as gateways to the Inner Planes.
Deep Ethereal
- Alignment: Neutral
- Description: This is the true, core part of the Ethereal Plane, separate from any other plane. Here, the terrain shifts like an endless fog of varying colors, with rarer, darker patches indicating connections to the mysterious and deadly Far Realm.
- Inhabitants: A wide variety of unique creatures, including the enigmatic Ethergaunts and the dangerous Xill, as well as lost souls and powerful ethereal beings.
- Significant Locations: The Deep Ethereal is home to enigmatic realms known as Ether Cyclones, swirling vortices of magical energy; the Thought Pools, ever-shifting islands of semi-stable reality.
The Ethereal Plane serves as both conduit and buffer, linking worlds while separating them, offering endless opportunities for exploration, as well as dangers unfathomable. Its dual nature makes it an important but challenging locale for any adventurer versed in planar travel.
Key Characteristics of the Ethereal Plane
Alignment: Neutral
Number of Layers: 2 (Border Ethereal and Deep Ethereal)
Description: A realm of mist and half-reality, the Ethereal Plane exists alongside the Material Plane, serving as a passageway to other realities.
Connectivity: The Ethereal Plane connects the Material Plane to many of the Inner Planes, serving as a conduit for planar travel. It can be accessed through spells like “etherealness” and various magical items.
Inhabitants: Ethereal denizens, ghosts, and various other incorporeal beings are common here. Some creatures use the Ethereal Plane as a hunting ground, slipping into the Material Plane to stalk their prey.
Magic: Magic functions differently here, especially spells that interact with the environment. Some spells may fail to work altogether, while others become unpredictably potent.
Campaign Settings: The Ethereal Plane is a common thread in many D&D settings, offering a mysterious and dangerous side-quest locale or even a primary campaign setting for particularly adventurous parties.
The Ethereal Plane is the enigmatic backdrop to the Material World, a place of shifting realities and hidden dangers. While it may not be the focus of most campaigns, understanding its complexities can offer adventurers new strategies, shortcuts, and challenges as they explore the broader multiverse.
The Shadowfell as the Realm of Despair and Shadow
If the Material Plane is a symphony, the Shadowfell is the minor key echoing its haunting melody. Existing as a dark mirror to the Material World, the Shadowfell is a place where hope dwindles, and shadows take on weight. A land shrouded in perpetual twilight, this plane is both beautiful and terrible, offering a glimpse into the darker aspects of reality.
A Counterpart to the Material Plane
Imagine looking at the world through a glass darkly. That’s the Shadowfell. Buildings, landscapes, and even sentient beings have their equivalents here, albeit twisted by sorrow and despair. This distorted reflection adds an eerie familiarity to the plane, making its inherent dangers even more unsettling.
The Laws of Shadow and Emotion
The Shadowfell operates on principles similar to the Material Plane, albeit tainted by its shadowy essence. Gravity and time function, but there is a heaviness to them, both physically and emotionally. Visitors often feel burdened, not just by the gloom but also by an inexplicable sense of dread. Emotions here can manifest in strange and often hazardous ways, impacting both the environment and its inhabitants.
The Nexus of Dark Powers
The Shadowfell isn’t just a place; it’s also a reservoir of dark energy. It’s where foul necromancers may draw their power and where dark gods wield considerable influence. It serves as a crossroads for various forms of dark magic and is the source of many malevolent beings like shadows and wraiths.
Notable Regions within the Shadowfell
From the ghostly city of Gloomwrought to the sorrowful expanse of Letherna, the realm of the Raven Queen, the Shadowfell is rife with distinct and terrifying landmarks. It is a plane of domains, each ruled by dark powers or sorrowful entities, and each offering its own unique challenges and opportunities.
Key Characteristics of the Shadowfell
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Number of Layers: 1, with various domains
Description: A dark, twisted echo of the Material Plane, filled with despair and shadow.
Connectivity: The Shadowfell is connected to the Material Plane through various means—shadow crossings, dark rituals, and portals both natural and constructed.
Inhabitants: The Shadowfell is home to undead, dark fey, and shadowy humanoids, among others. It is a realm heavily influenced by the Raven Queen, the goddess of death, fate, and doom.
Magic: Dark magic is particularly potent here, and spells that manipulate shadows or emotions are enhanced. Conversely, spells of light and healing are often less effective.
Campaign Settings: While not the primary focus of most D&D campaigns, the Shadowfell serves as an evocative setting for adventures that delve into themes of darkness, despair, and the macabre.
The Shadowfell is a realm of stark contrasts—a world of breathtaking, melancholic beauty and unspeakable dangers. It challenges adventurers not just with its fearsome inhabitants and treacherous landscapes, but also with existential dilemmas that strike at the very core of their beings.
Read more, consider purchasing book or support on Patreon.
To Read More
Purchase eBook here: Amazon eBook
Purchase support on Patreon here: Unveiling the Multiverse
For Patreon Supporters, please use password here: Unveiling the Multiverse PDF
