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Planar Structure of the Multiverse
Lecture Cycle, Vol. 1
by Sage Miriel of Visimontium

ATU Abridged Edition (2200)

* Definition of "Plane" and Planar traits

From the introduction of "The Transitive Planes":

The Planes of existence are different realities. Each one is effectively its own universe, where reality follows separate laws. A Plane is traditionally described by a number of traits. These are physical traits, defining the laws of nature such as gravity and time (1); elemental and energy traits which determine the dominance of particular elemental or energy force (2); magic traits which refer to the way magic works within the Plane (3); the incline of the Plane towards chaos or law, or towards good and evil (4).

* Planes and space

* The Planes as self-contained infinities

Each Plane is a self-contained infinity. This means that the space which it contains is infinite. Therefore, the Multiverse, "the collection of universes" or Planes, disregards space. It is easiest to think of space as a defining trait of a Plane, only valid within a Plane.

* Planar Layers

"Infinities can be broken into smaller infinities". This refers to the case when Planes are broken into smaller, inter-related Planes, also known as "Layers". Each Layer of a Plane is effectively a separate Plane of existence, and can have its own Planar traits. The Layers of a Plane however have an affinity to each other, and are connected to each other. This happens through Planar gates, natural vortices, paths, and shifting borders.

* Demiplanes

In addition to the Planes which are internally infinite in space, there also is the notion of Demiplanes. The Demiplanes are limited in size and access. Some evolve naturally, or by will of a god, while others can be created by spell cast by a mortal. Some Demiplanes are only accessible at a particular time of the year, or require a ritual to enter. The secret room of a powerful mage, or a savvy adventurer's magic bag, can too be a Demiplane.

* Planar Structure of the Known Multiverse

* The Great Wheel

The Planes are generally divided into Material, Inner, Outer and Transitive. The names "Outer" and "Inner" hint at a structure. This structure belongs to the popular concept of the Multiverse as "the Great Wheel", with the various Planes arranged in concentric circles and connected to one another in various ways.

Some scholars insist that the Multiverse cannot be fully perceived and known, and that the Great Wheel concept is but a theory. Still, this is the theory that depicts the known worlds and their inter-relations in the most easily conceivable and ordered manner.

Let us place the Planes along the Great Wheel. Going from the outer rim to the centre, there are the Outer Planes, Inner Planes, Prime Material Plane.

* The Prime Material Plane

The Prime Material Plane is commonly referred to as "the Material Plane". It is also known as "Prime", or basic, since us mortals tend to think of the world we live in as the norm and base of existence. "Prime" is also the common reference to the denizens of a Material Plane. An example of a Material Plane world is Avlis itself, as well as Abeir-Toril, Krynn, Arkaz.

Past lecture attendees spoke of a land called Mystara, or Rockhome, which to my knowledge belongs to the world of Oerth. Tairis'nàdur was also mentioned, however this is not a separate Prime world. It is another planet in the same crystal sphere as Avlis. If you look up at night, you can see it as a large star, low on the southern horizon.

* The Outlands

The Outlands are traditionally depicted outside the surface of the Wheel, or rather, above it. They contain numerous gate cities to the Outer Planes and the imaginary Axis around which the Wheel is spun. The Axis is manifested as a Rock Spire, atop which lies Sigil, the fabled City of Doors.

The Outlands are categorized as an Outer Plane. However, due to their unique status, the Outlands could well be a standalone entity.

There is one distinct trait after which such a separation is made. It is the flow of magic, the one tool to operate with matter, elements, energies and time throughout the Planes. By "magic" I mean both the lot accessible to mortals, and the lot with which the gods operate. On the Outlands, going from the periphery to the centre magic weakens. Reaching the Spire, magic becomes non-existent.

* The Transitive Planes

The Transitive Planes have no exact placement over the Wheel. They are grouped together by their purpose: getting from one place to another. Most libraries of Southern Negaria hold a series of tomes which go into details about the terms of travel through the Transitive Planes.

In brief, the Astral Plane is used to reach other Planes, while both the Ethereal Plane and Plane of Shadow are used for transportation within the Material Plane they are connected to. The Plane of Shadow is a preferred means of transportation because the distances that one can travel in a day are at least eight times greater than on the Prime. The Ethereal Plane reaches out to the Inner Planes as well as the Prime.

Neither of the Transitive Planes are empty, they have their own denizens and civilizations. There are pathways in-between the Planes, such as rivers, mountains, actual roads and even a giant tree.

* Accessing a Plane from other Planes

* Separate Planes

These are any Planes that do not overlap, or directly connect to each other. As a rule, an Outer Plane may not have direct connection with the Material Plane. Any Outer Plane is therefore separate to any Material Plane. The only way to get from the one to the other is to go through a third Plane (such as the Astral Plane).

* Coterminous Planes

These are Planes that link together at specific points. Where they "touch", a connection exists: Travelers can leave one reality and enter the other directly. The Astral Plane is a coterminous Plane to most other Planes. It exists alongside them, and can be accessed from them. The Outlands are coterminous to all Outer Planes. They are interlinked through the gate cities of the Outlands.

* Coexistent Planes

If a link between two Planes can be created at any point of the space these Planes contain, these two Planes are "coexistent". They overlap each other completely. When moving within a coexistent Plane, it is often possible to see into, or even interact with the Plane it coexists with. The Transient segment of the Ethereal Plane is coexistent with the Material Plane. Denizens of the Ethereal Plane can see into the Material Plane. With the right use of magic, inhabitants of the Material Plane can in turn perceive and interact with those on the Ethereal Plane. Think of spells such as Ethereal Visage.

However, there is also a larger section of the Ethereal known as the Deep Ethereal, which is not coexistent with any Material Plane. There are only swirling mists of various colours. It is thought that the Ethereal Plane is coexistent with all of the Inner Planes, and thus if one were to journey from the Prime to the Ethereal and then, to the Deep Ethereal they would eventually reach the Transient portion of the Ethereal which borders on these Planes. This is thought to be also true for alternate Primes.

* Coexistent and Coterminous Planes

A Plane can be both coexistent, and coterminous. For instance, the Plane of Shadow is coexistent since it overlaps the Material Plane and can be accessed from there with the right spell, or ability. But it also is coterminous, as it is possible to enter the Plane of Shadow at a certain point and travel from there to realms beyond the part of the Plane of Shadow coexistent with the Material Plane.

* Access to Layered Planes

A peculiar notion about the Layered Planes, of any sort, is that the access to them usually happens on a specific Layer. This is the first Layer of a Plane, which can be either the top, or the bottom, depending on the Plane. For example, the Abyss and Celestia are both Layered Outer Planes. The first Layer of the Abyss, Pazunia, is the top one, the surface of a bottomless pit of horrors. The first Layer of Celestia, Lunia, is the base of the Mount Celestia. Celestia's Layers ascend with the mountain slopes.

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Appendices not included in this volume:

* Schematics of the Great Wheel
* The Inter-Planar Pathways of Wonder

[[Category:Books|Planar Structure of The Multiverse, Volume 1]]
[[Category:Arcane Books|Planar Structure of The Multiverse, Volume 1]]