How Many Outer Planes Are There in D&D?
The fantasy world of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is vast and wondrous, spanning countless realms and planes of existence. One of the most fundamental aspects of this cosmic tapestry is the concept of the Outer Planes. These realms serve as a conduit for gods, mortals, and all manner of celestial entities to interact with each other. But the question remains: how many Outer Planes are there in D&D?
16 Outer Planes
According to official D&D lore, there are sixteen Outer Planes, each bearing its own unique character and energy. These realms are categorized into different alignment groups, from the benevolent forces of good to the malevolent energies of evil. Here is a breakdown of the sixteen Outer Planes:
- Good- Aligned Planes:
- Arcadia: A plane of great beauty and tranquility, where angelic beings dwell.
- Elysium: The divine realm of the gods, where all is serene and joyful.
- the Beastlands: A plane teeming with life and nature, where powerful druidic circles exist.
- Neutral- Aligned Planes:
- Limbo: The afterlife of mortals, where all souls reside after death.
- Elysium’s Lower Kingdoms: A plane of twilight serenity, where gods and heroes dwell.
- the Positive Energy Plane: A realm of vital energy, where the very essence of creation resides.
- the Negative Energy Plane: A realm of death and the void, where negative energies flow.
- the Feral Plane: A plane of chaotic wilderness, where few mortals have ever ventured.
- the Nine Hells: The sulfurous realms of hell, ruled by Baator and its powerful lord, Asmodeus.
- Evil- Aligned Planes:
- Baator: A kingdom of darkness, fire, and smoke, ruled by Asmodeus, lord of the underworld.
- Avernus: A burning waste of souls, where demons roam and feasting is rife.
- Dis: The third layer of Avernus, a city of perpetual smoke and fire.
- Malbolge: A dark realm of treacherous terrain, home to demons, devils, and fiendish beings.
- Stygia: The darkest realm of all, shrouded in shadow and fear.
- Abandon: A planar crossroads, where chaos and disorder reign.
Each of these planes serves as a battleground for the eternal conflict between good, neutral, and evil forces. Rulers of the Outer Planes includes powerful deities, fallen gods, or even mere mortals imbued with great power.
Curse of Strahd: A Prime Example of Outer Plane
One exemplary adventure, Curse of Strahd, allows players to enter the realm of Ravenloft, a demiplane within the demiplane of the Gray Waste, also known as Hades, the neutral evil Outer Plane. Within Ravenloft, the demigod Strahd von Zarovich holds dominion, summoning mortals to his court for the purposes of testing their will, exploring their mortality, or even to punish their hubris.
Significance of Outer Planes
These 16 Outer Planes hold significance for DMs, as they serve as a canvas for epic adventures, offering worlds to explore, allies to aid or thwart, and challenges to overcome. Campaigns may begin in the mortal realms, only to discover hidden connections and paths leading to the Outer Planes. Conversely, planes walkers may be tasked with navigating this cosmic terrain to reshape the balance between good and evil, or to stop malevolent forces from corrupting entire worlds.
In conclusion, there are sixteen Outer Planes in D&D, each a testament to the creative force and diversity of this legendary roleplaying game. From the celestial balm of Elysium to the unforgiving crucible of Avernus, each realm presents possibilities for adventurers, challenges for heroes, and endless scope for the imagination.
So, embark on a journey to traverse the Outer Planes, where alliances are forged and shattered, where mythic entities shape the tides of destiny, and where the power of creation hangs in the balance!
Table of Contents:
[TOC]
References:
- The Planes.
- The Planewalker.
- Curse of Strahd.