Outer Planes

In the Realms , the entire plane was known by its elven name, Arvandor , since the Olympian powers were not known there. Its many names failed to truly capture its scope, Olympus and Arvandor only being two massive realms within it, and Arborea being a misnomer given its many environments. In the World Tree cosmology , the realms of Arvandor and Brightwater in the first layer were considered celestial planes in their own rights, and the realm of Arvandor survived the Spellplague and became part of the World Axis cosmology .

Acheron was the bridge between the ultimate order of Mechanus and the regimented evil of the Nine Hells . As such, each layer emphasized order primarily, evil secondarily. Acheron was comprised of four layers, each consisting of gigantic floating iron cubes within an infinite airy void. These cubes were illuminated by gray light, resembling moonlight at its brightest.

Arcadia connected to Seven Heavens , Nirvana , and Concordant Opposition by portals made of either white ivory or black steel, shaped like flower trellises. These portals were few in number but rested at fixed locations in the first layer. Little is known about the other two layers.

Celestia was the ultimate in law and good. All aspects of Celestia were beautiful and perfect; it was where the souls of many creatures of lawful good alignment went to after death. Celestia was home to numerous celestial creatures including various types of archons , the petitioners of this plane.

Some characteristics of this plane were ascribed to the World Tree cosmology planes of Arvandor , Brightwater , Gates of the Moon , and Jotunheim when that cosmology model became popular. When the Spellplague hit the cosmos, Brightwater merged with the Gates of the Moon which survived, along with Arvandor. Jotunheim was cast into the Elemental Chaos but only parts of it survived as described by the World Axis cosmology model.

Some characteristics of this plane were ascribed to the World Tree cosmology planes of Golden Hills and the House of the Triad when that cosmology became popular. The Golden Hills became part of Arvandor after the Spellplague and the House of the Triad became known as Celestia as described by the World Axis cosmology .

The six layers of Tarterus had a seemingly infinite number of worlds arranged like a string of pearls stretching into the air-filled void. In the top layer, Othrys, each orb was about the size of a Prime Material world and averaged about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the nearest orb. In each successive lower layer the planetoids grew smaller and farther apart. There was no sun but the soil of each orb gave off heat and a dull reddish glow, similar to the phosphorescence of fire beetles . The planets did not rotate and there was no day or night unless a greater deity wished it so in their realm. Seasons and weather occurred randomly and what little plant life there was would rapidly mature after rainfall and then wither hours later. Each orb was connected to one specific Prime Material world.

Most features of the four layers of Elysium were found on or near the banks of the river Oceanus which linked the plane with two other Upper planes : the Beastlands and Arborea . Oceanus was the counterpart to the river Styx which flowed through the Lower planes except that Oceanus had only natural hazards and contained potable water. Lands near the riverbanks were lush with pines and flowering trees that filled the air with natural perfume . Farther from the river smaller trees grew and started to thin until finally, after hundreds of miles/kilometers, the forest gave way to fertile veldt regions, vast grasslands, and eventually badlands and desert. Elysian pears were considered some of the best tasting fruit and were sold as far as the planar city of Sigil .

The plane of Warrior's Rest in the World Tree cosmology was similar to Limbo in many ways but not quite as morphic. The batrachi formed a realm in Limbo called the Supreme Throne which became its own plane in the World Tree cosmology model. Limbo was lost during the Spellplague and may have fallen into the Elemental Chaos .

This plane was filled with an infinite number of country-sized circular interlocking gears which were habitable on one or both sides. These great flat wheels were at least 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) in diameter and had teeth that meshed at right angles, all turning slowly in synchronicity. Each disk had its own gravity that operated in a sphere circumscribing it exactly and pulling normal to the top and bottom surfaces. The void between the gears was filled with air, allowing easy flight. Outside a gravity sphere, objects would feel only very weak attraction to nearby disks.

Pandemonium was made entirely of rock pierced by innumerable tunnels and caverns large and small. All open space was filled with howling winds that carried the sound of every word, shout, or scream uttered in the place. Without adequate protection, beings with hearing were rendered temporarily deaf in a matter of seconds and permanently deaf in a few minutes. Normal fires could not survive and there was no natural light. Conversation could only be accomplished by shouting at close range.