13.7 Planets of the Material Plane
The Material Plane consists of planets orbiting a central sun, named Sol. Each planet has its own composition and structure, and many are inhospitable for normal humans. It is possible to fly through space between the planets, though space is extremely dangerous, so magical transportation is much more common. Each planet is listed below in order of its distance from the sun.
13.7.1 Terra
Terra is an unusually large planet with intense gravity. Many of its inhabitants are adapted to the experience, but it is challenging for newcomers.
The surface of Terra is almost devoid of air, burning hot during the day, and freezing at night. Its variable and harsh conditions make it inhospitable to almost everything. Instead, creatures on Terra live underground in its sturdy rock. A labyrinthine series of mostly airless tunnels weave their way through the planet. Some underground cities even contain air, which is carefully controlled to prevent it from escaping.
Deep tunnels on the plane can lead to gems, diamonds, and rare metals like mithral. However, the dense rock and airless environment make successful mining difficult. In addition, earthquakes periodically reshape the environment by collapsing old tunnel systems and constructing new ones. The deepest tunnels are blisteringly hot, and terminate in vast oceans of magma.
Terra has the following nonstandard realm traits:
- Gravity: Heavy.
13.7.2 Ignis
Ignis is a burning planet with a thick atmosphere. It is hot enough to light ordinary wood on fire within minutes. Instead of rivers of water, it has rivers of lava, and firestorms frequently illuminate the sky. Unlike Terra, the planet’s surface is generally a mixture of sand and glass, so tunneling to escape the hostile conditions is infeasible. There are a few enclaves that maintain slightly more liveable temperatures through magical means, but they are rare.
13.7.3 Nexus
Nexus is an Earth-like planet inhabited by humanoid creatures and covered in a mixture of biomes. Almost all fantasy adventures typically start on this world, and many never leave it. The name of this planet may change in a particular campaign setting, or there may be multiple separate planets that fit this general description.
Luna / Arcadia
Luna is a moon of Nexus. Although it appears barren and lifeless from Nexus, like the real life moon, that is an ancient magical illusion. In reality, Luna is a verdant paradise ruled by fae, who call it Arcadia. This is not common knowledge, but it is also not a closely guarded secret. A DV 15 Knowledge (local) check is enough to know Luna’s true nature. Even people who do not know about the illusion generally know that fae are associated with Luna.
13.7.4 Ventus
Ventus is a gas giant with powerful winds and frequent storms. It does not have an ordinary surface, though the air becomes thicker as you descend into its depths in a way that eventually renders all travel impossible. The vast majority of creatures on Ventus can fly, though there are flying cities where landbound creatures from other worlds can reside.
13.7.5 Aqua
Aqua is a water planet with an ocean that is up to a hundred miles deep. Its surface is covered in a thick layer of ice, and creatures adapted to the cold live on its surface. The deepest depths of the ocean terminate in a mysterious ice-like substance that seems to exist despite the warmth of the water. Towering underwater mountains break up the underwater landscape, though they rarely reach above the ice cap.
Powerful currents sweep through the ocean, but much of it is calm, and many forms of aquatic life abound in the water. Magnificent underwater cities are carved from huge rocks that float peacefully suspended in the water, or are embedded into mountains. Though the sun is distant and diffused by the surface ice, the ocean is warmed by extensive underwater vents. Simple creatures akin to plankton feed on the energy from those vents and form the base of the ocean’s food chain. Many of them are bioluminescent
13.7.6 Space
The space between planets is vast and hostile to travellers. It is almost entirely empty, though asteroids and comets may pass by on rare occasions. There are no creatures native to space.
Space has the following nonstandard realm traits:
- Atmosphere: Vacuum.
- Gravity: None. If you are sufficiently close to a planet, you begin experiencing its gravity, but most of space is devoid of gravity for practical purposes.