Planescape: The Aether
Well Met Travelers,
Welcome to another of my worldbuilding sessions. Last week, I covered the Convergence, A planes where the elements collide with one another and make for very dangerous situations.
This week, I will be covering the Aether, the plane of origin for magic, genies, and some restless spirits.
The Landscape of the Aether is composed is composed of a series of floating islands suspended over the large open expanse of land. This plane just as many of the other planes that surround it is a mirror of Antediluvian. The Islands are suspended through fountains of mana below them, and they are often home to very extreme and very arcane environments.
Because this plane is the origin of mana, magic flows freely through this plane and is easier to cast here. This free flow of mana also occasionally causes mana storms which make magic that is wild and unpredictable in their midst.
Many of the plants and other materials in the Aether are either naturally infused with magic (thus being good for crafting magic items), or they make excellent spell components. This makes the Aether home for constant study by mages and any other scholar who seeks to understand Magic.
Major Locations
The Grand City of Tempestwatch and the Palace of the High Sultan
The Grand City of Tempestwatch is the Capital City of the Djin. It is a large City that is divided into districts based upon the different societal castes. These districts are divided into several concentric rings; the lowest caste is in the outermost ring, and the Palace of the High Sultan is at the center of the city. The entire city is built in the architectural style of the Persians.
The Palace is a grand structure with massive courtyards, endless hallways, high walls, and hundreds of guards. This entire complex is reminiscent of the Grand Palace of Constantinople. Inside this palace is so much wealth that even a red dragon would envy the Sultan's hoard.
Manzil'alru
Manzil'Alru is a small shrine constructed atop of a large plateau. The building itself is a marble dome held in the air by Ionic Pillars; this whole dome structure rests upon a Marble dias painted with a Compass Rose upon its surface. Surrounding this Shrine is a lake of liquid mana that has been drawn from across the plane in mana rivers that flow up the side of the Plateau by the Force of the Shrine's Resident. A long snaking path is the only way for any pilgrims to reach the top of this Plateau, for teleportation magic is blocked there. Each of the mana rivers coincides with a Ley Line on Antediluvian. The Shrine itself Coincides with the location of the City of Highthorn and the tower of Ander Shattersoul.
Mirror Lake Sanitorium
A magical body of water that is so still its surface reflects like a mirror Upon reaching the Mirror Lake, Travelers will find a long, stone bridge that extends to a platform at the center of the lake. On this platform is a Magical circle. Any who look into the lake from this platform will see the reflection of a large Asylum. Using the magic Circle will transport the user to the mirror pocket Dimension in which the Mirror Lake Sanitorium is housed. This is a protective measure to keep the asylum's patients in.
The Mirror Lake Sanitorium is an Asylum constructed to house both those driven insane by magic and mages who have gone insane. This is good in theory, however, rumors have surfaced that the Sanitorium's doctors and healers are using illegal and experimental magics on their patients. These may just be rumors, or they may not.
The Frozen Tower
Deep within the ethereal wilderness, lies the Paradoxical Frozen Tower. Centuries ago, this tower belonged the Mage Elsbeth Delacroix, a Diviner who sought to use the Aether's infinite Mana supply to channel incredible power. Elsbeth had not considered the Danger involved in the power, and the mana overwhelmed her, creating a blast so powerful that it shattered the tower's uppermost levels, but the nature of the spell also froze time at the moment before her death. This means that both Elsbeth and her tower remain in a state of suspended animation. At the top of the tower, she floats in mid-air, alive, but unable to move. Many who have wandered by her tower speak of a voice echoing in their mind, trying to draw them into the tower.
Healer's Vigil
This location coincides with the Tomb of Uther Dawnward on Antediluvian and appears identically to the shrine. Uther Dawnward was a Paladin during the Age of Dawn. He fought alongside the Gods in a war against their brother Vadhumal and his Demon Armies. During the Final Battle, Dawnward went up against Vadhumal in single combat. During this fight, he struck a vital blow against the Demon King. This blow weakened the Dark God enough that his siblings could bind him into Araqar and keep him from destroying Mankind, but this blow came at a cost. Dawnward was struck by Vadhumal's Soulbiter Blade. Uther's soul was damaged, and he was thought lost, but for his bravery, the gods built a tomb for him before they departed the world.
While Uther's soul was damaged, he did not die, thus his body did not rot. Clerics view this as a Miracle and a sign of Uther's Glory, but it is more than that, it is a sign that Uther Dawnward yet lives. In the Aether, Uther's soul rests in the Tomb, a shattered and broken mess, but it is tended to by Sandra the Spirit Healer. She tends to his soul, hoping to repair it so that if the time ever arises that he is needed, Uther Dawnward can rise again to Defend Mortalkind.
Creatures of Note:
The High Sultan of the Djin
This Genie is a Powerful entity on this plane and others. He is perhaps the Richest individual in the Planescape. He uses his wealth to his advantage, buying the best equipment and protection that his money can buy. He is attended to by an army of servants and never wants for anything. He is a short, fat, blue-skinned Djin with Glowing orange eyes. He holds power over all other Djinkind and it is rumored that he can grant five wishes to an individual as opposed to the three of other Djin Nobility.
Djin
Also called Genies, this race of bright skinned humanoids are known for their natural affinity for magic. Almost every Djin is born with some ability to manipulate magic. Their appearances are as varied as those of humans but a few common traits carry through all Djin: they have bright colored skin ranging from red to blue to even pink, Their eyes are solid colors and glow brightly, and they have an inborn greed greater than that of even dwarves. Culturally the Djin value wealth and power, which are synonymous in Djin culture, and to show off their power, they often build grand monuments in their own names. Djin who reach a certain amount of wealth are referred to as noble Djin, and can grant wishes.
Alruhmin Kli'Arkin
This entity is the Immortal of the Aether, they are the physical embodiment of magic; they ARE magic. They are an androgynous entity, appearing as neither male nor female, and not naming themself either way. This entity is tall and slender, standing at just over six feet tall. They have long, waist length hair that is just as white as snow. Their skin is nearly as pale as their hair. Their eyes are very strange, for the sclerae are as black as night and the Pupils are glowing royal blue. They adorn themselves in flowing Strands of silver silk that seem to shift and move of their own accord, they wear simple silver jewelry and no shoes or sandals. Being in their presence, one is overcome by an overwhelming magical aura that can be felt by even non-magicusers, maigcusers in their presence can feel pain equivalent to a violent migraine.
Elsbeth Delacroix
Elsbeth Delacroix was a bold and daring Diviner who sought to achieve greatness by using the limitless magical power of the Aether to awaken her mind to near divine levels. This spell partially succeeded, for while it froze her body and rendered it useless, it opened her mind up to the wider world. She can telepathically communicate with all of the creatures within 12 miles of her tower. She can also still cast spells anywhere within that area around her tower.
Uther Dawnward
Uther Dawnward is the legendary hero from the age of Dawn. He is a tall Grey haired man with a beard. He dressed in Silver Plate Armor engraved with the Holy Symbols of all of the gods, and he carried a greatsword made from blessed silver.
Sandra the Spirit Healer
Sandra is a spirit of the Aether who has been blessed with the power to heal spirits and other aethereal creatures. When Uther Dawnward was wounded by Vadhumal, she swore to prepare Uther for the time when he would be needed again. Now she kneels by his body, prayin and restoring the Damage that the Demon Lord Caused. She appears as an ethereal woman dressed in white robes with long black hair and sterling blue eyes. She has a kindly disposition but will allow no one to harm Uther's soul. She has fallen madly in love with this mythical hero.
Damien Haymes
Damien Haymes is the Chief Healer at the Mirror Lake Sanitorium. He oversees that all of the patients are taken care of appropriately and that the staff does all of their jobs. He is also responsible for the trickier magical treatments at the Asylum. He is also one of the figures suspected of illegal and experimental magical procedures upon the patients.
Mana Elementals
Due to the Nature of The Aether, sentience may occur among a mass of Mana. These creatures, much like mortal creatures of Antediluvian, have their own drives, their own ambitions, their own hates, their own loves.
Blur Rabbits
These creatures are similar to their kin on Antediluvian, but they have been exposed to the magic of the plane, turning them blue. These Rabbits are sentient and capable of speech and higher thinking, making them great companions to mages. Blur Rabbits have the odd ability to blink across great distances between Antediluvian and the Aether.
I think that is all for this time. As always, leave your thoughts in the comments, and if you want to see more from me, click the Follow Button over in the sidebar
Until Next Time,
Farewell and Safe Journeys, Travelers.
Welcome to another of my worldbuilding sessions. Last week, I covered the Convergence, A planes where the elements collide with one another and make for very dangerous situations.
This week, I will be covering the Aether, the plane of origin for magic, genies, and some restless spirits.
The Landscape of the Aether is composed is composed of a series of floating islands suspended over the large open expanse of land. This plane just as many of the other planes that surround it is a mirror of Antediluvian. The Islands are suspended through fountains of mana below them, and they are often home to very extreme and very arcane environments.
Because this plane is the origin of mana, magic flows freely through this plane and is easier to cast here. This free flow of mana also occasionally causes mana storms which make magic that is wild and unpredictable in their midst.
Many of the plants and other materials in the Aether are either naturally infused with magic (thus being good for crafting magic items), or they make excellent spell components. This makes the Aether home for constant study by mages and any other scholar who seeks to understand Magic.
Major Locations
The Grand City of Tempestwatch and the Palace of the High Sultan
 |
| https://goo.gl/images/uuPdPN |
The Grand City of Tempestwatch is the Capital City of the Djin. It is a large City that is divided into districts based upon the different societal castes. These districts are divided into several concentric rings; the lowest caste is in the outermost ring, and the Palace of the High Sultan is at the center of the city. The entire city is built in the architectural style of the Persians.
The Palace is a grand structure with massive courtyards, endless hallways, high walls, and hundreds of guards. This entire complex is reminiscent of the Grand Palace of Constantinople. Inside this palace is so much wealth that even a red dragon would envy the Sultan's hoard.
Manzil'alru
Manzil'Alru is a small shrine constructed atop of a large plateau. The building itself is a marble dome held in the air by Ionic Pillars; this whole dome structure rests upon a Marble dias painted with a Compass Rose upon its surface. Surrounding this Shrine is a lake of liquid mana that has been drawn from across the plane in mana rivers that flow up the side of the Plateau by the Force of the Shrine's Resident. A long snaking path is the only way for any pilgrims to reach the top of this Plateau, for teleportation magic is blocked there. Each of the mana rivers coincides with a Ley Line on Antediluvian. The Shrine itself Coincides with the location of the City of Highthorn and the tower of Ander Shattersoul.
Mirror Lake Sanitorium
A magical body of water that is so still its surface reflects like a mirror Upon reaching the Mirror Lake, Travelers will find a long, stone bridge that extends to a platform at the center of the lake. On this platform is a Magical circle. Any who look into the lake from this platform will see the reflection of a large Asylum. Using the magic Circle will transport the user to the mirror pocket Dimension in which the Mirror Lake Sanitorium is housed. This is a protective measure to keep the asylum's patients in.
The Mirror Lake Sanitorium is an Asylum constructed to house both those driven insane by magic and mages who have gone insane. This is good in theory, however, rumors have surfaced that the Sanitorium's doctors and healers are using illegal and experimental magics on their patients. These may just be rumors, or they may not.
The Frozen Tower
 |
| https://goo.gl/images/U5DTJo |
Deep within the ethereal wilderness, lies the Paradoxical Frozen Tower. Centuries ago, this tower belonged the Mage Elsbeth Delacroix, a Diviner who sought to use the Aether's infinite Mana supply to channel incredible power. Elsbeth had not considered the Danger involved in the power, and the mana overwhelmed her, creating a blast so powerful that it shattered the tower's uppermost levels, but the nature of the spell also froze time at the moment before her death. This means that both Elsbeth and her tower remain in a state of suspended animation. At the top of the tower, she floats in mid-air, alive, but unable to move. Many who have wandered by her tower speak of a voice echoing in their mind, trying to draw them into the tower.
Healer's Vigil
This location coincides with the Tomb of Uther Dawnward on Antediluvian and appears identically to the shrine. Uther Dawnward was a Paladin during the Age of Dawn. He fought alongside the Gods in a war against their brother Vadhumal and his Demon Armies. During the Final Battle, Dawnward went up against Vadhumal in single combat. During this fight, he struck a vital blow against the Demon King. This blow weakened the Dark God enough that his siblings could bind him into Araqar and keep him from destroying Mankind, but this blow came at a cost. Dawnward was struck by Vadhumal's Soulbiter Blade. Uther's soul was damaged, and he was thought lost, but for his bravery, the gods built a tomb for him before they departed the world.
While Uther's soul was damaged, he did not die, thus his body did not rot. Clerics view this as a Miracle and a sign of Uther's Glory, but it is more than that, it is a sign that Uther Dawnward yet lives. In the Aether, Uther's soul rests in the Tomb, a shattered and broken mess, but it is tended to by Sandra the Spirit Healer. She tends to his soul, hoping to repair it so that if the time ever arises that he is needed, Uther Dawnward can rise again to Defend Mortalkind.
Creatures of Note:
The High Sultan of the Djin
This Genie is a Powerful entity on this plane and others. He is perhaps the Richest individual in the Planescape. He uses his wealth to his advantage, buying the best equipment and protection that his money can buy. He is attended to by an army of servants and never wants for anything. He is a short, fat, blue-skinned Djin with Glowing orange eyes. He holds power over all other Djinkind and it is rumored that he can grant five wishes to an individual as opposed to the three of other Djin Nobility.
Djin
Also called Genies, this race of bright skinned humanoids are known for their natural affinity for magic. Almost every Djin is born with some ability to manipulate magic. Their appearances are as varied as those of humans but a few common traits carry through all Djin: they have bright colored skin ranging from red to blue to even pink, Their eyes are solid colors and glow brightly, and they have an inborn greed greater than that of even dwarves. Culturally the Djin value wealth and power, which are synonymous in Djin culture, and to show off their power, they often build grand monuments in their own names. Djin who reach a certain amount of wealth are referred to as noble Djin, and can grant wishes.
Alruhmin Kli'Arkin
This entity is the Immortal of the Aether, they are the physical embodiment of magic; they ARE magic. They are an androgynous entity, appearing as neither male nor female, and not naming themself either way. This entity is tall and slender, standing at just over six feet tall. They have long, waist length hair that is just as white as snow. Their skin is nearly as pale as their hair. Their eyes are very strange, for the sclerae are as black as night and the Pupils are glowing royal blue. They adorn themselves in flowing Strands of silver silk that seem to shift and move of their own accord, they wear simple silver jewelry and no shoes or sandals. Being in their presence, one is overcome by an overwhelming magical aura that can be felt by even non-magicusers, maigcusers in their presence can feel pain equivalent to a violent migraine.
Elsbeth Delacroix
Elsbeth Delacroix was a bold and daring Diviner who sought to achieve greatness by using the limitless magical power of the Aether to awaken her mind to near divine levels. This spell partially succeeded, for while it froze her body and rendered it useless, it opened her mind up to the wider world. She can telepathically communicate with all of the creatures within 12 miles of her tower. She can also still cast spells anywhere within that area around her tower.
Uther Dawnward
Uther Dawnward is the legendary hero from the age of Dawn. He is a tall Grey haired man with a beard. He dressed in Silver Plate Armor engraved with the Holy Symbols of all of the gods, and he carried a greatsword made from blessed silver.
Sandra the Spirit Healer
Sandra is a spirit of the Aether who has been blessed with the power to heal spirits and other aethereal creatures. When Uther Dawnward was wounded by Vadhumal, she swore to prepare Uther for the time when he would be needed again. Now she kneels by his body, prayin and restoring the Damage that the Demon Lord Caused. She appears as an ethereal woman dressed in white robes with long black hair and sterling blue eyes. She has a kindly disposition but will allow no one to harm Uther's soul. She has fallen madly in love with this mythical hero.
Damien Haymes
 |
| https://dopaprime.deviantart.com/art/LotC-Havart-the-Healer-672250140 |
Damien Haymes is the Chief Healer at the Mirror Lake Sanitorium. He oversees that all of the patients are taken care of appropriately and that the staff does all of their jobs. He is also responsible for the trickier magical treatments at the Asylum. He is also one of the figures suspected of illegal and experimental magical procedures upon the patients.
Mana Elementals
Due to the Nature of The Aether, sentience may occur among a mass of Mana. These creatures, much like mortal creatures of Antediluvian, have their own drives, their own ambitions, their own hates, their own loves.
Blur Rabbits
 |
| https://goo.gl/images/8eYVfn |
These creatures are similar to their kin on Antediluvian, but they have been exposed to the magic of the plane, turning them blue. These Rabbits are sentient and capable of speech and higher thinking, making them great companions to mages. Blur Rabbits have the odd ability to blink across great distances between Antediluvian and the Aether.
I think that is all for this time. As always, leave your thoughts in the comments, and if you want to see more from me, click the Follow Button over in the sidebar
Until Next Time,
Farewell and Safe Journeys, Travelers.
Comments