Planar Mechanics

The first step to understand planar mechanics is to understand dimensionality. The base planes, that is the elemental planes, the Celestial planes the Infernal planes and the Absolute planes. Each exist in a number of pure states, but have areas of over-lap, and in these areas of over-lap various sub planes. Those between like planes (elemental-elemental or celestial-celestial) are termed demi-planes, while those between differing base planes (Elemental-celestial) are referred to as Quasi-planes.

At the center of all the existing planes, where all intersect, is the material plane, the universe as it is known to those of us on Telath. beyond this is the omniverse, encompassing all the planes of existence within the one reality, and beyond that is the multiverse, encompassing all the omniverses. An infinity of infinities, Fractal regress.

Each plane on its own can be likened to a flat square. Imagine another flat square intersecting the first at a right angle. In the area of intersection is a demi (or possibly quasi) plane. Along the intersecting margin likes the connective astral plane. In this analogy, the base planes are 2D, the demi plane is a 1D line, and the astral plane is a single point. Of course, actual existence is never this simple, the demi and Quasi planes (of which, the material plane is technically a member) exist in 3 Dimensions, as do the Base planes, and the astral plane exists in 2.

For simplification, liken the aforementioned square to a quartet of overlapping spheres. The overlapping regions are the demi plane, and the layer of interface is the astral plane. To confuse things further, add in the quartet of celestial planes and the quartet of infernal planes, each cluster of four at right angles to one another giving a 'three axis' omniverse, with the Absolute planes running as a series of four pillars, running through the whole affair diagonally.

The Ethereal Planes​

The groupings of the of the Celestial planes and the Infernal planes, also termed the energy planes, or the ether, or the essence planes.

The Celestial Planes: Harmony, Hope, Dreams and Purity.

The Infernal Planes: Cacophony, Dread, Nightmares and Taint

The Absolute Planes​

These planes are static an unchanging, save for the plane of absolute chaos, which by its nature, anything but static and ordered. They are the embodiment of singular definable concepts and by all accounts, though of as the most boring places in the omniverse. The much-theorized absolute plane of Taxes has yet to be found however.

Life, Death, Order and Chaos.

The Elemental Planes​

The planes of tangible structure, as opposed to conceptual planes already listed.

Earth, Air, Fire, Water

The Astral Plane​

The astral plane is a 'skin' on the borders of all other planes, existing just outside of tangible reality. It is the one plane that contacts all others, and to broach its surface is to tap into the immaterium that is interspaced with all of reality. With mental access to the astral plane one is able to tap into the energies of any one of the other planes within the omniverse. If one is able to fully submerge into it, travel to any point in the omniverse is possible

The Planar Cores​

At the core of each cluster of four planes lie the planar core, each planar core is akin to the 'seat of power' and it is in these zones that the high-gods are to be found.

The Elemental Core - Materia
The Celestial Core - Aetheria, the High Heavens
The Infernal Core - Aeternia, the Pit
The Absolute core - Intangi

Planar Over-Lap​

Along the interface between the planes lie the demi and quasi planes. It is unknown how many such planes exist, but the number is probably infinite. Prime quasi and demi planes are a mix of only two other planes, but any number of planar interactions could be mixed in a demi/quasi plane.

The Para-Elements​

Dust, Smoke, Vapor, Magma, Ice, Steam

Ether, the 'life force' of all that lives, can be alive or dead, and is referred to as positive (celestial) or negative (infernal), When it is present with elements or para-elements, it forms quasi-elements.

Celestial Elemental Quasi Planes​

Scent, Rebirth, Reflection, Crystal, Wind, Warmth, Rain, Growth, Thought, Spirit, Drift, Gem, Sky, Light, Tranquility, Metal.

Infernal Elemental Quasi Planes​

Lies, Slag, Storms, Salt, Stench, Pyre, Frost, Grave, Vacuum, Immolation, Marsh, Suffocation, Smog, Ash, Sludge, Haze.

Celestial Demi-Planes​

Glory, Logic, Melody, Cure, Patience, Time.

Absolute Celestial Quasi-Planes​

Nature, Silence, Justice, Creativity, Joy, Birth, Honor, Love, Laughter, Peace, Bliss, Euphoria, Faith, Sacrifice, Truth, Loyalty.

Infernal Demi-Planes​

Anger, Rage, Hate, Discord, Loathing, Murder.

Absolute Infernal Quasi-Planes​

Delerium, Slaughter, Bureaucracy, Elseplace, Worry, Fear, Torture, Terror, Horror, War, Spite, Insanity, Infection, Rot, Corruption, Contagion.

Absolute Elemental Quasi-Planes​

Breath, Shroud, Knowledge, Mist, Spark, Smoke, Radiance, Flicker, Blood, Bile, Snow, Squall, Flesh, Bone, Clockwork, Quake.

A Brief Survey of the Planes​

Of course, these are just the 'Tier 1' Planes many, many others exist, but the task of listing them all would be impossible. It is likely that most do not even have names in our sense of the word, let alone a catalogued position. It is all well and good to think of these things in terms of simple geometric forms, but simple they are not, the omniverse is a swirling reality, with the planes intermingled in a way makes a mockery of any and all attempts to sort them.

The Shadow Realm
Not a plane so much as a formless nil-scape that flows around the omniverse. Traversing through omniverses is only possible through the Shadow realm, a suicidal prospect for all save for the most skilled of heroes.

Universes
Each plane, demi-plane and quasi-plane is a universe unto it self, and to each is a unique mixture of variables and constants that govern the physical laws that hold sway in that plane.

Omniverse
The entirity of planes within the one astral bubble.

The Multiverse
The stacked reality. Multiple omniverses stacked into an infinite fractal web. Bordering this is the nil-space, the realm of shadows, linking all the singular omniverses into the one multiverse.

The Named Planes
Through exploration and communion with higher beings, mortal sages have collected and compiled volumes of information on the planes. Some of these planes have been visited and explored, while others are only known of from the tales and stories of those who claim to have knowledge on such subjects. The accuracy of planar studies can be questionable, but they usually make for good reading.

The Infernal Bureaucracy
Located in the intersection of Order and Cacophony, the infernal bureaucracy is a reality of dead-end mazes, twisting corridors and one of the largest staffs of daemons imps and memphits ever assembled. Their job is to catalogue the omniverse, collecting and recording data on every aspect of existence, from the price of elven steel in Trisfal, to the volume of a cloud of vapor on the quasi-plane of steam. Everything must be noted and recorded, right down to the last stray atom. These reports are sorted, ordered and filed, and then another team of accountants and scribes sets to assessing and noting the particulars of the reports... Their size shape and weight, before these documents are sent off to be compiled by another department who compile and arrange reports, all under the watchful gaze of another department who's job it is to assess how well the compilers of documents are working. It is quite possibly the only plane in existence where one will see daemons waiting in line, sitting at desks, or wearing glasses.

Every being that enters this realm will soon acquire a gaggle of attendants; Daemon scribes and accountants who note, measure, record and tabulate each and every movement, thought and decision that is made. The attendants likewise have associated staff who measure, record and tabulate their progress as well. Anyone who remains on the plane too long is liable to be issued a ledger and told to "follow so-and-so and count how often they look left" or something equally inane.

For every decision and thought, the Infernal Bureaucracy requires a summary of intent and outcome, usually in triplicate, to be filed with the proper department, so long as a writ of author-ship has been issued to the intent-ee, and they have sought filing consent from the department of filling affairs, and holds a current class II scribes license, that covers ink and quills, and a waiver against physical harm or burns from improper use of paper. Failure to comply will result in punitive measures pending an investigative report as ordered by the Bureau of preliminary reports for investigative writs into punitive corrections.

Further information may be obtained from the department of external data reports, pending the submission of an information request claim and a certificate of literacy, which can be obtained from the departments of Claim Request forms and Literacy assessment respectively.

Intangi
The convergence of the four absolute planes, Intangi has no physical form, but is the co-existence of absolute concepts, opposite quantities and defined values. Intangi exists totally without 'middle ground' it is simultaneously light and dark, spacious and confined, simple yet totally incomprehensible.

Quake
On the overlap of Earth and Chaos is the plane of Quake, otherwise known as the Seismoscape. It is a convoluted, fractured plane of mirror smooth obsidian planes, rippled granite and fractured buttresses of marble. The ground constantly twists and shifts, and is punctured periodically by great rock spires; pillars of basalt or quarts that jut at impossible angles sometimes colliding together, showering the surrounding terrain with jagged shards and flakes.

There is no semblance of reason to the shape and form of the terrain, it is a continual work in progress, painted by the whimsy of random chance. There is no telling if the form of the terrain will hold in place for the next few minutes, or linger of a millennia.

Frost
The intersection of the Infernal plane of Dread and the Elemental plane of water. While it may sound similar to the Demi-plane of ice, it is not. It is a stark frozen wilderness of lost potential and stifled hope. Icicles adorn every surface that remains still and the land is painted in frigid motes of blue, white and gray.

The plane seems to sucks the spirit from everything it contacts, sucks desire, hope and strength, gnarls the trees and withers the plants. Even the stars themselves are feeble embers of what they would normally be, weak and shrunken red blots on the sky, the worlds below them cast in perpetual dusk. Long shadows reach out across the landscape from the ruined stone structures that dot the terrain, trackless fields of ice and snow, bare bones and scraggy tussock, dark forests and silent icy seas. It is a realm of nothing but blasted desolation and lonely abandonment.

Machania
The great plane of clockwork, the endless machine that works thought the motions of eternity nestled on the border of Earth and Order. None save for the high Deities know its purpose, the reason for its innumerable cogs, countless gears, dizzying ball runs, balancing water timers and ever spinning flywheels. Through the endless halls and tunnels of the plane Machania reverberates the tick and chime of the tireless mechanisms moving through the endless cycles of their unseen purpose. The air throughout hangs heavy with the odor of oaken sawdust, brass filings and oil. At every level, at every turn, their is a gear a pulley, a spring. Vast, planet sized disks serve as the flywheels for the continental cogs that rest upon them, ever smaller trails of cogs, gear and chains branching off in various directions

Even that which does not appear part the gear-work has a function. Every door, every flag-stone, the tables and the chairs, all are strung, tethered, ratcheted and gimbaled so that the every movement of those who move about on the plane trigger yet more devices, turning all those who visit into what is effectively just another moving part in the great machine.

The Evermoor
The plane of marsh, on the overlap of Water and Nightmare, is and endless wilderness of peat bogs and fetid swamps. A pall of mist is draped across the drab green landscape, making the twisted black and leafless trees that reach out from the sodden ground that much more intimidating.

The land is home to all manner of beast, seldom seen, but their eerie hoots and howls echo out from the mist, always seeming to be just outside of the obscuring veil of mist. From time to time travelers may come across the sunken or smashed remains of civilization, half swallowed up by the ground, the cold black stone bearing deep scars from the attentions of some or other giant beast that lurks in the mist. Seldom will one actually be attacked, but the constant lingering presence of the ever-present dangers is enough to rupture the sanity of even the most self-assured of folk.

Drift
The plane of the great silent ocean, the plane of drift.
There is no discernable night and day, and no sun to speak of, but the entire seafloor glows, causing the waters to radiate with all manner of soft pastel shades. Vast monolithic structures stand watch at the horizons but no mater how long one travels towards them, their faint gray forms remain ever distant, their cavernous edifices and looming buttresses forever out of reach.

The sea itself is mirror smooth, nary a ripple graces it surface, and only the gentlest of breezes blow across its waters. For reasons unknown, gigantic sculptures rise from the water all across the plane; twisting abstract forms, whimsically posed figures of man and beast mingle with representations of inanimate objects and improbable items. Made from the purest of materials, glass, both transparent and colorless, white marble, and intricately veined quarts the effigies rise tens, hundreds and even thousands of feet from the seafloor, out from the surface of the water and towards the sky.
Ever more peculiar are the great ships of glass that rest on the surfaces of the water, boats forever voyaging the plane of drift; eternally silent, ever subdued, permanent hush.

Flicker
The candle-lit plane of dancing shadows and shifting lights. Flicker is located along the borders of Chaos and Fire. Strange twisting shapes twist across the sky; some tracing the image of mythical creatures and heroic events, others just seem to grow into unusual abstract shapes. The whole plane is lit as if by fire-light; shades of maroon, orange, red and yellow, all shifting and mixing. Everything that exists on the plane develops an insubstantial and hazy outline, edges become blurred and lines less defined. Over time, objects will begin to darken and smoke, and may take on a halo of flame although no damage ever seems to be caused by this burning.

The sky is constantly lit by the contrails of pieces of the stars themselves as they fall to the ground, catching aflame as they hurtle towards the ground. From time to time, these ‘Star-shards’ survive their decent, and glassy fragments of all sizes can be found all across the plane of Flicker. Most are jet black and veined with streaks of yellow red and orange. The rarest are crystal clear, with a core tinted in such a way to make it look as if a flame burns within the rock as it is turned in the light. It is rumored that when heated in some way, star-shards give off an intense white light. Those that know of this property will often go to great lengths to obtain them, as they will throw off an illumination enough to read by when held in the hand, and can turn the heat of a candle into a glow almost as bright as daylight.

The Great Library
The plane of Knowledge, found on the inception of Order and Air. It is said to contain the assembled wisdom of the entire Omniverse, every fact, every tidbit of data, all can be found here. One may occasionally hear the footsteps on another within its vast halls and passageways, but rarely would two being ever happen across one another.

The smell of leather and musty parchment permeate the air, mingling with the dusty motes of old polished wood and fresh ink that waft down from the towering shelves.

The Eternal Battlefield
The plane of War and conflict, on the boundary of the planes of Death and Nightmare. There is nothing here but barren and blood-soaked fields, hastily constructed tent cities, wooden palisades and stone fortresses that have changed hands from one side and back again more times that any can remember. Rusty weapons and abandoned suits of armour litter the ground, trampled under the feet of the vast armies that constantly war over possession of some or other site. Of the fallen there is no sign, for at the rise of every dawn, all wounds are healed and the dead are given life once more. There is no peace in this place, only eternal struggle and violence.

Elsespace
A realm of twisted impossibility at the joining of Cacophony and Chaos. Elseplace simply should not and cannot be. The is no rhyme or reason to its layout, everything about it defies understanding. A place where objects get further away the nearer you approach, where water runs uphill and traveling in straight lines will lead you in circles.

Everything about it defies definition, it is the anema to logical thought and defined reasoning. It is the illogical means to all ends, the impossible result, the greatest of all paradoxes and definition of all that is surreal.

Necropolis
The plane of the Endless Graveyard, the Tombscape, the Ever-Crypt. The single greatest burial site in the omniverse, a dark and dismal land of the dead that stretches in all directions. The cities are vast etched marble structures, catacombs and reliquaries, crypts and barrows, the population shuffles about, always hooded, moving from funeral march to funeral march in a never ending wake. Everything is cobbled and paved, decorated with leering gargoyles and somber epitaphs, to the accompaniment of quiet sobs and the chip chip chip of the masons as they continue their never ending task.

Out in what passes for the countryside in such lands, there are no trees, only row after row of grave marker, and a quilt-work of freshly dug earth and trampled grass. Some small and simple, others great towering monoliths. The sound of shovel on earth and the hoot of owl can almost always be heard somewhere on the plane.