Post by thedungeonmaster on Mar 11, 2009 15:07:18 GMT 8
The cosmos of the D&D is vast and provides alot of adventuring fun. Your PCs start in the world of the Forgotten Realms. No doubt, the world is already huge and big enough to host hordes of adventuring, dungeon crawling and monster-slaying. But, sometimes saving 23 princesses all over the continent isn't going to do your PCs any good.
You need a break. And that's when the other planes of existence; or other realms, come into play. I have just given a very brief outline on the subject matter. More details would be fleshed out as your PCs rise in level and when I am going to introduce these interesting places into the adventures.
The Underdark
This is the realm beneath the surface of the world that your PCs tread upon. This is where the sun does not reach. It is a dark city in the underground realm where 'Forests, mountains, cities, and seas lie underground, although they would not be familiar to the people who live so complacently above them' (Sernett, pg. 34). This is where the Dark Elves reside; the Vault of the Drow. This is where Drizzt came from. The farther regions of the Underdark lead to the madness of the Far Realms.
The Feywild
The Feywild is a magical enchanted plane situated next to the very world your PCs reside in; it is like a mirror reflection. No doubt, your PCs are already living in a magical world of fantasy; but the Feywild is probably where that magical fantasy comes from. The roots of elves and eladrins lie in the Feywild. But; that does not necessarily mean that the Feywild is without danger. The 'points of light' theory applies to the Feywild as well.
Based on this theory, when Marmertus or even Mobius is presented 'with a swarm of pixies, you'll probably giggle or even laugh out loud. Initially. Then you'll discover that the miniature winged elves with tiny spears and cherubic smiles are a distant memory. The new pixies are swarming, flying, tearing teeth, like flying piranhas, that can quickly reduce a hapless adventurer to a pile of picked-clean bones' (Slavicsek, pg. 42)
The Shadowfell
This will be my personal favourite place; and this is probably where most of your adventures would take place. *evil laughter* Just as the Feywild is a mirror reflection of the world; so is the Shadowfell... just that the reflection is a dark and sinister one. This is the Land of the Dead; or rather... the Undead. This is probably where I shall put Mobius' tests to the limit.
The Elemental Chaos
The name speaks for itself. This is where the elemental primordials reside. I probably wouldn't touch on this plane unless PCs really reach a high level and there is a constant need for challenge. I mean; why pit yourselves against Titans and Elemental Beings?
The Astral Sea
Simply put... this is the place where Dominions of Gods are found. I doubt I need to go further here. But this plane would be really epic-level tier adventuring stuff.
The Far Realm
As mentioned earlier, the Far Realm is the outer regions of the Underdark. It is where logic is never fathomed; and thats where the most perverse and absurd beings derive from. Mind flayers... beholders all come from the Far Realm. It is an alien world.
References:
Clarke Wilkes, J. (ed.) Dungeons & Dragons Wizards Presents Worlds and Monsters (2008) Renton WA: Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
You need a break. And that's when the other planes of existence; or other realms, come into play. I have just given a very brief outline on the subject matter. More details would be fleshed out as your PCs rise in level and when I am going to introduce these interesting places into the adventures.
The Underdark
This is the realm beneath the surface of the world that your PCs tread upon. This is where the sun does not reach. It is a dark city in the underground realm where 'Forests, mountains, cities, and seas lie underground, although they would not be familiar to the people who live so complacently above them' (Sernett, pg. 34). This is where the Dark Elves reside; the Vault of the Drow. This is where Drizzt came from. The farther regions of the Underdark lead to the madness of the Far Realms.
The Feywild
The Feywild is a magical enchanted plane situated next to the very world your PCs reside in; it is like a mirror reflection. No doubt, your PCs are already living in a magical world of fantasy; but the Feywild is probably where that magical fantasy comes from. The roots of elves and eladrins lie in the Feywild. But; that does not necessarily mean that the Feywild is without danger. The 'points of light' theory applies to the Feywild as well.
Based on this theory, when Marmertus or even Mobius is presented 'with a swarm of pixies, you'll probably giggle or even laugh out loud. Initially. Then you'll discover that the miniature winged elves with tiny spears and cherubic smiles are a distant memory. The new pixies are swarming, flying, tearing teeth, like flying piranhas, that can quickly reduce a hapless adventurer to a pile of picked-clean bones' (Slavicsek, pg. 42)
The Shadowfell
This will be my personal favourite place; and this is probably where most of your adventures would take place. *evil laughter* Just as the Feywild is a mirror reflection of the world; so is the Shadowfell... just that the reflection is a dark and sinister one. This is the Land of the Dead; or rather... the Undead. This is probably where I shall put Mobius' tests to the limit.
The Elemental Chaos
The name speaks for itself. This is where the elemental primordials reside. I probably wouldn't touch on this plane unless PCs really reach a high level and there is a constant need for challenge. I mean; why pit yourselves against Titans and Elemental Beings?
The Astral Sea
Simply put... this is the place where Dominions of Gods are found. I doubt I need to go further here. But this plane would be really epic-level tier adventuring stuff.
The Far Realm
As mentioned earlier, the Far Realm is the outer regions of the Underdark. It is where logic is never fathomed; and thats where the most perverse and absurd beings derive from. Mind flayers... beholders all come from the Far Realm. It is an alien world.
References:
Clarke Wilkes, J. (ed.) Dungeons & Dragons Wizards Presents Worlds and Monsters (2008) Renton WA: Wizards of the Coast, Inc.