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[[Image:Innerplanes.jpg|300px|thumb|right|An artistic rendering of the cosmology of the Inner Planes.]]
[[Image:Inner Planes00.jpg|382px|thumb|right|A cubic model of the Inner Planes, as depicted in ''[[Dragon mag|Dragon]]'' #73 (1983).]]
The '''Inner Planes''' are the planes of elemental substance and energy. The six main inner planes are the [[Elemental Plane of Fire]], [[Elemental Plane of Water|Water]], [[Elemental Plane of Air|Air]], and [[Elemental Plane of Earth|Earth]], and the [[Positive Energy Plane|Positive energy]] and [[Negative Energy Plane|Negative energy planes]]. The elemental planes combine to form the '''paraelemental planes''', and the elemental planes and energy planes merge to form the '''quasielemental planes'''.  
The '''Inner Planes''' are the planes of elemental substance and energy. The six main inner planes are the [[Elemental Plane of Fire]], [[Elemental Plane of Water|Water]], [[Elemental Plane of Air|Air]], and [[Elemental Plane of Earth|Earth]], and the [[Positive Energy Plane|Positive energy]] and [[Negative Energy Plane|Negative energy planes]]. The elemental planes combine to form the '''paraelemental planes''', and the elemental planes and energy planes merge to form the '''quasielemental planes'''.  


The Inner Planes are the innermost planes of existence in [[Greyhawk]]'s cosmology. They are the building blocks of the multiverse, the elements and energies from which all of the material universe (the [[Prime Material Plane]]) is made.
The Inner Planes are the innermost planes of existence in [[Greyhawk]]'s cosmology. They are the building blocks of the multiverse, the elements and energies from which all of the material universe (the [[Material Plane]]) is made.


The Inner Planes, the material building blocks of reality and the realms of energy and matter, stand in contrast to the intangible and esoteric Outer Planes, which include the realms of ideals, philosophies, and gods.
The Inner Planes, the material building blocks of reality and the realms of energy and matter, stand in contrast to the intangible and esoteric [[Outer Planes]], which include the realms of ideals, philosophies, and gods.


In ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' 2nd edition, the Inner Planes intersect each other to produce a number of other Planes. Probably the best analogy describing their relationship to each other is that of a globe: the northern pole is the Positive Energy Plane, the southern pole the Negative Energy Plane, and at the equator lie the Elemental Planes (based on the four classical elements): Air opposite Earth, Fire opposite Water. They were an important part of the Planescape setting.
In ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' second edition, the Inner Planes intersect each other to produce a number of other Planes. Probably the best analogy describing their relationship to each other is that of a globe: the northern pole is the Positive Energy Plane, the southern pole the Negative Energy Plane, and at the equator lie the Elemental Planes (based on the four classical elements): Air opposite Earth, Fire opposite Water. They were an important part of the Planescape setting.


==Elemental Planes==
==Elemental Planes==
The four '''Elemental Planes''' are the planes of Air, Fire, Water and Earth.
The four '''Elemental Planes''' are composed almost entirely of energy forces based on the four classic elements of creation: the planes of [[Elemental Plane of Air|Air]], [[Elemental Plane of Earth|Earth]], [[Elemental Plane of Fire|Fire]], and [[Elemental Plane of Water|Water]].  Some are lethal or inimical to mortal life, while it is possible to remain on some.  Magical resistance or protection can be used to survive or visit these planes.
 
Second edition also included the Para-Elemental and Quasi-Elemental Planes. The '''Para-Elemental Planes''' are produced where the Elemental Planes come into contact with each other: [[Paraelemental Plane of Smoke|Smoke]] (Air and Fire), [[Paraelemental Plane of Ice|Ice]] (Air and Water), [[Paraelemental Plane of Ooze|Ooze]] (Earth and Water), and [[Paraelemental Plane of Magma|Magma]] (Fire and Earth). The '''Quasi-Elemental Planes''' are produced where the Elemental Planes touch the Energy Planes: At the intersection of the Positive Energy Plane and the planes of Air, Earth, Fire, and Water are [[Quasielemental Plane of Lightning|Lightning]], [[Quasielemental Plane of Minerals|Minerals]], [[Quasielemental Plane of Radiance|Radiance]], and [[Quasielemental Plane of Steam|Steam]] respectively. Around the Negative Energy Plane are the planes of [[Quasielemental Plane of Ash|Ash]], [[Quasielemental Plane of Dust|Dust]], [[Quasielemental Plane of Salt|Salt]], and [[Quasielemental Plane of Vacuum|Vacuum]].


2nd edition also included the Para-Elemental and Quasi-Elemental Planes. The '''Para-Elemental Planes''' are produced where the Elemental Planes come into contact with each other: [[Paraelemental Plane of Smoke|Smoke]] (Air and Fire), [[Paraelemental Plane of Ice|Ice]] (Air and Water), [[Paraelemental Plane of Ooze|Ooze]] (Earth and Water), and [[Paraelemental Plane of Magma|Magma]] (Fire and Earth). The '''Quasi-Elemental Planes''' are produced where the Elemental Planes touch the Energy Planes: At the intersection of the Positive Energy Plane and the planes of Air, Earth, Fire, and Water are [[Quasielemental Plane of Lightning|Lightning]], [[Quasielemental Plane of Minerals|Minerals]], [[Quasielemental Plane of Radiance|Radiance]], and [[Quasielemental Plane of Steam|Steam]] respectively. Around the Negative Energy Plane are the planes of [[Quasielemental Plane of Ash|Ash]], [[Quasielemental Plane of Dust|Dust]], [[Quasielemental Plane of Salt|Salt]], and [[Quasielemental Plane of Vacuum|Vacuum]].
=== Elemental Chaos ===
In some editions, particularly fourth and fifth, the Elemental Planes are surrounded by the '''Elemental Chaos''' in a similar way to how the [[Outer Planes]] are surrounded by the [[Astral Plane]].  "At the outermost extents of the Elemental Planes, the pure elements dissolve and bleed together into an unending tumult of clashing energies and colliding substance called the Elemental Chaos. Elementals can be found here as well, but they usually don’t stay long, preferring the comfort of their native planes."{{csb|DMG2024|174}}{{csb|DMG5e|52-53}}{{csb|DMG4e|160}}


==Energy Planes==
==Energy Planes==
Line 17: Line 20:


===Negative energy plane===
===Negative energy plane===
Also called the Negative Material Plane (in 1st Edition), this plane is the home of stagnation, entropy, and the undead. Any unprotected living creature exposed to the Negative Energy plane has its life force rapidly drained and will die when they run out. Most Necromantic spells, including bolstering undead and "rebuke undead" abilities, draw on this plane and most undead creatures have an inherent connection to it.
Also called the Negative Material Plane (in first edition), this plane is the home of stagnation, entropy, and the undead. Any unprotected living creature exposed to the Negative Energy plane has its life force rapidly drained and will die when they run out. Most Necromantic spells, including bolstering undead and "rebuke undead" abilities, draw on this plane and most undead creatures have an inherent connection to it.


===Positive energy plane===
===Positive energy plane===
Also called the Positive Material Plane (in 1st Edition), this is the plane of creation and energy, and is the total opposite of the Negative Energy plane. Despite the plane's life giving effects, living creatures entering the positive energy plane quickly become overloaded with life energy and may explode. Necromantic spells harming undead and "turn undead" abilities draw on this plane and most deathless creatures have an inherent connection to it.
Also called the Positive Material Plane (in first edition), this is the plane of creation and energy, and is the total opposite of the Negative Energy plane. Despite the plane's life giving effects, living creatures entering the positive energy plane quickly become overloaded with life energy and may explode. Necromantic spells harming undead and "turn undead" abilities draw on this plane and most deathless creatures have an inherent connection to it.


==Publishing history==
==Publishing history==
[[File:Cosmos3.jpg|352px|thumb|right|Jeff Swycaffer's elemental polyhedron, folded out.]]
[[Image:cosmos4.jpg|300px|thumb|right|The Inner Planes according to ''Deities & Demigods'' (1980).]]
[[Image:cosmos4.jpg|300px|thumb|right|The Inner Planes according to ''Deities & Demigods'' (1980).]]
In the original ''Monster Manual'' (1977) by [[Gary Gygax]], the only elementals that appeared were those of fire, air, water, and earth. In the original ''Players Handbook'' (1978), no para- or quasielemental planes were mentioned. The Inner Planes were described simply as above (Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and what were then called the Positive and Negative Material Planes).  The [[Ethereal Plane]] and [[Prime Material Plane]] were also counted among their number.  
In the original ''Monster Manual'' (1977) by [[Gary Gygax]], the only elementals that appeared were those of fire, air, water, and earth. In the original ''Players Handbook'' (1978), no para- or quasielemental planes were mentioned. The Inner Planes were described simply as above (Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and what were then called the Positive and Negative Material Planes).  The [[Ethereal Plane]] and [[Material Plane]] were also counted among their number.  


In ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #27 (July, 1979), Jeff Swycaffer suggested a far more expansive elemental scheme in which twelve new "elements" were proposed. The elements were envisioned here as a complex polyhedron with 18 square sides and 8 triangular ones. Four of the square sides represented Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. Between these elements were four qualities: Cold (between Air and Water), Moist (between Water and Earth), Hot (between Earth and Fire), and Dry (between Fire and Air). These elements and qualities formed an "equator" around the polyhedron, equidistant between the "poles" of Good and Evil. Between the equator and Good were placed the qualities Pleasure, Fertility, Beginning, and Light. Between the equator and Evil were placed the qualities Pain, Barren, Ending, and Dark.  
In ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #27 (July, 1979), Jeff Swycaffer suggested a far more expansive elemental scheme in which twelve new "elements" were proposed. The elements were envisioned here as a complex polyhedron with 18 square sides and 8 triangular ones. Four of the square sides represented Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. Between these elements were four qualities: Cold (between Air and Water), Moist (between Water and Earth), Hot (between Earth and Fire), and Dry (between Fire and Air). These elements and qualities formed an "equator" around the polyhedron, equidistant between the "poles" of Good and Evil. Between the equator and Good were placed the qualities Pleasure, Fertility, Beginning, and Light. Between the equator and Evil were placed the qualities Pain, Barren, Ending, and Dark.  
Line 36: Line 40:
*''The Plane of Vapor'', at the meeting of ''Earth'' and ''Water.''
*''The Plane of Vapor'', at the meeting of ''Earth'' and ''Water.''


In 1983, ''[[The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror]]'' was the first place to feature a lightning quasielemental, although the description says they inhabit the Positive Energy Plane and the Elemental Plane of Air, indicating that Gygax didn't expect anyone to know what the Quasielemental Plane of Lightning was.
In 1983, ''[[The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror]]'' was the first place to feature a lightning quasielemental, although the description says they inhabit the Positive Energy Plane and the Elemental Plane of Air, indicating that Gygax did not expect anyone to know what the Quasielemental Plane of Lightning was.


In ''Dragon'' #73 (May 1983), Gygax criticized the inner planar cosmology depicted in ''Deities & Demigods'' while taking sole responsibility for it.  
In ''Dragon'' #73 (May 1983), Gygax criticized the inner planar cosmology depicted in ''Deities & Demigods'' while taking sole responsibility for it.  
Line 45: Line 49:


:''After several hours of rooting around in the mess which I laughingly term my files, I discovered my notes on the Inner Planes. Atop the heap was an illustration of a tetrahedral structure for the Elemental Planes proposed by my Worthy Confederate, Steve Marsh. (count ‘em) Para-Elemental Planes, viz. [[Quasielemental Plane of Lightning]], [[Paraelemental Plane of Magma|Magma]], [[Quasielemental Plane of Dust|Dust]], [[Paraelemental Plane of Ice|Ice]], [[Quasielemental Plane of Steam|Vapor]], and [[Paraelemental Plane of Ooze|Ooze]] —all material substances, not conditions, by the by! The four faces are the Positive Material, Negative Material, and Shadow Planes, plus the infinity of the Prime.''
:''After several hours of rooting around in the mess which I laughingly term my files, I discovered my notes on the Inner Planes. Atop the heap was an illustration of a tetrahedral structure for the Elemental Planes proposed by my Worthy Confederate, Steve Marsh. (count ‘em) Para-Elemental Planes, viz. [[Quasielemental Plane of Lightning]], [[Paraelemental Plane of Magma|Magma]], [[Quasielemental Plane of Dust|Dust]], [[Paraelemental Plane of Ice|Ice]], [[Quasielemental Plane of Steam|Vapor]], and [[Paraelemental Plane of Ooze|Ooze]] —all material substances, not conditions, by the by! The four faces are the Positive Material, Negative Material, and Shadow Planes, plus the infinity of the Prime.''
[[Image:Innerplanes.jpg|300px|thumb|right|An artistic rendering of the cosmology of the Inner Planes.]]
After fiddling with this structure for some time, Gygax decided (as described in the same article in ''Dragon'' #73) to change the structure from a tetrahedron to a cube in which four of the six faces were the "Inner Planes" described in the ''Players Handbook'': Earth, Fire, Air, Water, and the Negative and Positive Material Planes. The edges of the cube, where the various faces met, represented "Para-Elemental" and "Quasi-Elemental" planes. Gygax listed the Para-Elemental planes, where the elementals mingled, as [[Paraelemental Plane of Smoke|Smoke]] (where Fire met Air), Ice (between Air and Water), [[Paraelemental Plane of Ooze|Ooze]] (between Water and Earth) and Magma (between Earth and Fire). He listed the Para-Elemental planes as Lightning (between Air and the Positive Material Plane), [[Quasielemental Plane of Steam|Steam]] (between Water and the Positive Material Plane), Radiance (between Fire and the Positive Material Plane), [[Quasielemental Plane of Mineral|Mineral]] (between Earth and the Positive Material Plane), [[Quasielemental Plane of Vacuum|Vacuum]] (between Air and the Negative Material Plane), [[Quasielemental Plane of Ash|Ash]] (between Fire and the Negative Material Plane), [[Quasielemental Plane of Salt|Salt]] (between Water and the Negative Material Plane, and Dust (between Earth and the Negative Energy Plane).


After fiddling with this structure for some time, Gygax decided (as described in the same article in ''Dragon'' #73) to change the structure from a tetrahedron to a cube in which four of the six faces were the "Inner Planes" described in the ''Players Handbook'': Earth, Fire, Air, Water, and the Negative and Positive Material Planes. The edges of the cube, where the various faces met, represented "Para-Elemental" and "Quasi-Elemental" planes. Gygax listed the Para-Elemental planes, where the elementals mingled, as [[Paraelemental Plane of Smoke|Smoke]] (where Fire met Air), Ice (between Air and Water), [[Paraelemental Plane of Ooze|Ooze]] (between Water and Earth) and Magma (between Earth and Fire). He listed the Para-Elemental planes as Lightning (between Air and the Positive Material Plane), [[Quasielemental Plane of Steam|Steam]] (between Water and the Positive Material Plane), Radiance (between Fire and the Positive Material Plane), [[Quasielemental Plane of Mineral|Mineral]] (between Earth and the Positive Material Plane), [[Quasielemental Plane of Vacuum|Vacuum]] (between Air and the Negative Material Plane), [[Quasielemental Plane of Ash|Ash]] (between Fire and the Negative Material Plane), [[Quasielemental Plane of Salt|Salt]] (between Water and the Negative Material Plane, and Dust (between Earth and the Negative Energy Plane).  
This new structure became the default one for the first and second edition ''AD&D'' game, described in greater detail in the ''Manual of the Planes'' (1987), the ''Planescape'' campaign setting (1994), and ''The Inner Planes'' (1998). The cosmology remained the same in all these sources, though in ''Planescape'' the Negative and Positive Material Planes were renamed the Negative and Positive Energy Planes.


This new structure became the default one for the 1st and 2nd edition ''AD&D'' game, described in greater detail in the ''Manual of the Planes'' (1987), the ''Planescape'' campaign setting (1994), and ''The Inner Planes'' (1998). The cosmology remained the same in all these sources, though in ''Planescape'' the Negative and Positive Material Planes were renamed the Negative and Positive Energy Planes.
In the third edition ''Manual of the Planes'' (2001), the paraelemental and quasielemental planes were removed, and the Inner Planes were assumed, by default, to be completely separate and not border one another. Paraelemental creatures were said to exist in both their constituent planes. Later third edition sources, such as ''Sandstorm'' (2005), generally did assume the Inner Planes bordered one another. The quasielemental planes were never mentioned in third edition at all, although an article on the Plane of Radiance appeared in ''Dragon'' #321 as the antithesis of the [[Plane of Shadow]] rather than as a quasielemental plane.  


In the 3rd edition ''Manual of the Planes'' (2001), the paraelemental and quasielemental planes were removed, and the Inner Planes were assumed, by default, to be completely separate and not border one another. Paraelemental creatures were said to exist in both their constituent planes. Later 3rd edition sources, such as ''Sandstorm'' (2005), generally did assume the Inner Planes bordered one another. The quasielemental planes were never mentioned in 3rd edition at all, although an article on the Plane of Radiance appeared in ''Dragon'' #321 as the antithesis of the [[Plane of Shadow]] rather than as a quasielemental plane.  
In the fourth edition of the game, the Inner Planes were replaced with a plane called the '''Elemental Chaos''', which combined features of the Inner Planes and [[Limbo]], and also contained within it the [[Abyss]]. The Negative Energy Plane was combined with the Plane of Shadow and [[Ravenloft]] to form a plane called the '''Shadowfell'''.


In the 4th edition of the game, the Inner Planes were replaced with a plane called the '''Elemental Chaos''', which combined features of the Inner Planes, the [[Ethereal Plane]], and [[Limbo]], and also contained within it the [[Abyss]]. The Negative Energy Plane was combined with the Plane of Shadow and [[Ravenloft]] to form a plane called the '''Shadowfell'''.
==See also==
*[[:Category:Characters of the Elemental Planes]]


==Bibliography==
== External links ==
*Richard Baker, Rob Heinsoo, and [[James Wyatt|Wyatt, James]]. ''Manual of the Planes''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2009.
{{External link disclaimer}}
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inner_Plane The Inner Planes at Wikipedia]


== References ==
=== Notes ===
<references group="note" />
=== Citations ===
<references />
=== Bibliography ===
{{index}}
*Richard Baker, Rob Heinsoo, and [[James Wyatt]]. ''Manual of the Planes''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2008.
*[[David Cook|Cook, David "Zeb"]]. ''Planescape Campaign Setting.'' Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1994.
*[[David Cook|Cook, David "Zeb"]]. ''Planescape Campaign Setting.'' Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1994.
*[[Monte Cook|Cook, Monte]], with William W. Connors. ''The Inner Planes.'' Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.  
*[[Monte Cook|Cook, Monte]], with William W. Connors. ''The Inner Planes.'' Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.  
*[[Bruce R. Cordell|Cordell, Bruce R.]], Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, JD Wiker. ''Sandstorm''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005.  
*[[Bruce R. Cordell|Cordell, Bruce R.]], Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, JD Wiker. ''Sandstorm''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005.  
*Grubb, Jeff. ''Manual of the Planes''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1987.
*Grubb, Jeff. ''Manual of the Planes''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1987.
*Grubb, Jeff, [[Bruce R. Cordell]], and [[David Noonan]]. ''Manual of the Planes''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.  
*Grubb, Jeff, [[Bruce R. Cordell]], and [[David Noonan]]. ''Manual of the Planes''. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.  
*[[Gygax, Gary]]. "From the Sorcerer's Scroll." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #32. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1979.  
*[[Gygax, Gary]]. "From the Sorcerer's Scroll." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #32. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1979.  
*-----. "From the Sorcerer's Scroll." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #73. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
:———. "From the Sorcerer's Scroll." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #73. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
*-----. ''The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror.'' Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
:———. ''The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror.'' Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
*-----. ''Monster Manual''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1977.
:———. ''Monster Manual''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1977.
*-----. ''Players Handbook''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1978.
:———. ''Players Handbook''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1978.
 
*Marks, Bennet. "The Limitless Light: A Tour of the Plane of Radiance." ''Dragon'' #321. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, July 2004.
*Marks, Bennet. "The Limitless Light: A Tour of the Plane of Radiance." ''Dragon'' #321. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, July 2004.
*Swycaffer, Jeff. "Elementals and the Philosopher's Stone." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #27. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1979.
*Swycaffer, Jeff. "Elementals and the Philosopher's Stone." ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' #27. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1979.
*[[James Ward|Ward, James M.]] and [[Robert J. Kuntz]]. ''Deities & Demigods''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980.
*[[James Ward|Ward, James M.]] and [[Robert J. Kuntz]]. ''Deities & Demigods''. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980.
{{index}}


==See also==
[[Category:Inner Planes]]
#[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inner_Plane The Inner Planes at Wikipedia]
 
[[Category:Greyhawk planes]]

Latest revision as of 08:55, 2 May 2025

A cubic model of the Inner Planes, as depicted in Dragon #73 (1983).

The Inner Planes are the planes of elemental substance and energy. The six main inner planes are the Elemental Plane of Fire, Water, Air, and Earth, and the Positive energy and Negative energy planes. The elemental planes combine to form the paraelemental planes, and the elemental planes and energy planes merge to form the quasielemental planes.

The Inner Planes are the innermost planes of existence in Greyhawk's cosmology. They are the building blocks of the multiverse, the elements and energies from which all of the material universe (the Material Plane) is made.

The Inner Planes, the material building blocks of reality and the realms of energy and matter, stand in contrast to the intangible and esoteric Outer Planes, which include the realms of ideals, philosophies, and gods.

In Advanced Dungeons & Dragons second edition, the Inner Planes intersect each other to produce a number of other Planes. Probably the best analogy describing their relationship to each other is that of a globe: the northern pole is the Positive Energy Plane, the southern pole the Negative Energy Plane, and at the equator lie the Elemental Planes (based on the four classical elements): Air opposite Earth, Fire opposite Water. They were an important part of the Planescape setting.

Elemental Planes

The four Elemental Planes are composed almost entirely of energy forces based on the four classic elements of creation: the planes of Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. Some are lethal or inimical to mortal life, while it is possible to remain on some. Magical resistance or protection can be used to survive or visit these planes.

Second edition also included the Para-Elemental and Quasi-Elemental Planes. The Para-Elemental Planes are produced where the Elemental Planes come into contact with each other: Smoke (Air and Fire), Ice (Air and Water), Ooze (Earth and Water), and Magma (Fire and Earth). The Quasi-Elemental Planes are produced where the Elemental Planes touch the Energy Planes: At the intersection of the Positive Energy Plane and the planes of Air, Earth, Fire, and Water are Lightning, Minerals, Radiance, and Steam respectively. Around the Negative Energy Plane are the planes of Ash, Dust, Salt, and Vacuum.

Elemental Chaos

In some editions, particularly fourth and fifth, the Elemental Planes are surrounded by the Elemental Chaos in a similar way to how the Outer Planes are surrounded by the Astral Plane. "At the outermost extents of the Elemental Planes, the pure elements dissolve and bleed together into an unending tumult of clashing energies and colliding substance called the Elemental Chaos. Elementals can be found here as well, but they usually don’t stay long, preferring the comfort of their native planes."[1][2][3]

Energy Planes

The Energy Planes are unique in that they are not composed of matter but rather a tangible form of creativeness or destructiveness. All life (or unlife) depends on them. Despite this, energy elementals or other forms of native life are not common. The Xag-Ya (positive) and Xeg-Yi energons were the earliest such denizens to be introduced.

Negative energy plane

Also called the Negative Material Plane (in first edition), this plane is the home of stagnation, entropy, and the undead. Any unprotected living creature exposed to the Negative Energy plane has its life force rapidly drained and will die when they run out. Most Necromantic spells, including bolstering undead and "rebuke undead" abilities, draw on this plane and most undead creatures have an inherent connection to it.

Positive energy plane

Also called the Positive Material Plane (in first edition), this is the plane of creation and energy, and is the total opposite of the Negative Energy plane. Despite the plane's life giving effects, living creatures entering the positive energy plane quickly become overloaded with life energy and may explode. Necromantic spells harming undead and "turn undead" abilities draw on this plane and most deathless creatures have an inherent connection to it.

Publishing history

Jeff Swycaffer's elemental polyhedron, folded out.
The Inner Planes according to Deities & Demigods (1980).

In the original Monster Manual (1977) by Gary Gygax, the only elementals that appeared were those of fire, air, water, and earth. In the original Players Handbook (1978), no para- or quasielemental planes were mentioned. The Inner Planes were described simply as above (Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and what were then called the Positive and Negative Material Planes). The Ethereal Plane and Material Plane were also counted among their number.

In Dragon #27 (July, 1979), Jeff Swycaffer suggested a far more expansive elemental scheme in which twelve new "elements" were proposed. The elements were envisioned here as a complex polyhedron with 18 square sides and 8 triangular ones. Four of the square sides represented Fire, Air, Earth, and Water. Between these elements were four qualities: Cold (between Air and Water), Moist (between Water and Earth), Hot (between Earth and Fire), and Dry (between Fire and Air). These elements and qualities formed an "equator" around the polyhedron, equidistant between the "poles" of Good and Evil. Between the equator and Good were placed the qualities Pleasure, Fertility, Beginning, and Light. Between the equator and Evil were placed the qualities Pain, Barren, Ending, and Dark.

In Dragon #32 (December 1979), in his column "From the Sorcerer's Scroll," Gygax said that Jeff Swycaffer's ideas "were good indeed," but noted that vapor should be substituted for moist and dust instead of dry/dryness.

So it was that in Deities & Demigods (1980), the "Para-Elemental Planes" were listed as:

  • The Plane of Ice where Air and Water meet.
  • The Plane of Dust, at the conjunction of Air and Fire.
  • The Plane of Heat, where Fire and Earth converge (lava).
  • The Plane of Vapor, at the meeting of Earth and Water.

In 1983, The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror was the first place to feature a lightning quasielemental, although the description says they inhabit the Positive Energy Plane and the Elemental Plane of Air, indicating that Gygax did not expect anyone to know what the Quasielemental Plane of Lightning was.

In Dragon #73 (May 1983), Gygax criticized the inner planar cosmology depicted in Deities & Demigods while taking sole responsibility for it.

Note that, in the torus, the Para-Elemental Planes (Ice, Dust, Vapor, Heat) occupy too much area. Discerning Students will also remark that three of these intervening planes are denoted by some material manifestation, while the remaining one is designated by a condition. Thus, the logical question: Which one in the series does not belong? Do not blame the Learned Authors of the work in which the depiction occurs — I am the one responsible for it, and I offer my apologies...

If these odd relationships have troubled you, Gentle Readers, half as much as they have disturbed me, you have been sorely put upon. I, for one, could stand it no longer.
After several hours of rooting around in the mess which I laughingly term my files, I discovered my notes on the Inner Planes. Atop the heap was an illustration of a tetrahedral structure for the Elemental Planes proposed by my Worthy Confederate, Steve Marsh. (count ‘em) Para-Elemental Planes, viz. Quasielemental Plane of Lightning, Magma, Dust, Ice, Vapor, and Ooze —all material substances, not conditions, by the by! The four faces are the Positive Material, Negative Material, and Shadow Planes, plus the infinity of the Prime.
An artistic rendering of the cosmology of the Inner Planes.

After fiddling with this structure for some time, Gygax decided (as described in the same article in Dragon #73) to change the structure from a tetrahedron to a cube in which four of the six faces were the "Inner Planes" described in the Players Handbook: Earth, Fire, Air, Water, and the Negative and Positive Material Planes. The edges of the cube, where the various faces met, represented "Para-Elemental" and "Quasi-Elemental" planes. Gygax listed the Para-Elemental planes, where the elementals mingled, as Smoke (where Fire met Air), Ice (between Air and Water), Ooze (between Water and Earth) and Magma (between Earth and Fire). He listed the Para-Elemental planes as Lightning (between Air and the Positive Material Plane), Steam (between Water and the Positive Material Plane), Radiance (between Fire and the Positive Material Plane), Mineral (between Earth and the Positive Material Plane), Vacuum (between Air and the Negative Material Plane), Ash (between Fire and the Negative Material Plane), Salt (between Water and the Negative Material Plane, and Dust (between Earth and the Negative Energy Plane).

This new structure became the default one for the first and second edition AD&D game, described in greater detail in the Manual of the Planes (1987), the Planescape campaign setting (1994), and The Inner Planes (1998). The cosmology remained the same in all these sources, though in Planescape the Negative and Positive Material Planes were renamed the Negative and Positive Energy Planes.

In the third edition Manual of the Planes (2001), the paraelemental and quasielemental planes were removed, and the Inner Planes were assumed, by default, to be completely separate and not border one another. Paraelemental creatures were said to exist in both their constituent planes. Later third edition sources, such as Sandstorm (2005), generally did assume the Inner Planes bordered one another. The quasielemental planes were never mentioned in third edition at all, although an article on the Plane of Radiance appeared in Dragon #321 as the antithesis of the Plane of Shadow rather than as a quasielemental plane.

In the fourth edition of the game, the Inner Planes were replaced with a plane called the Elemental Chaos, which combined features of the Inner Planes and Limbo, and also contained within it the Abyss. The Negative Energy Plane was combined with the Plane of Shadow and Ravenloft to form a plane called the Shadowfell.

See also

Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.

References

Notes

Citations

  1. ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2024), p.174.
  2. ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2014), p.52-53.
  3. ↑ Dungeon Master's Guide (2008), p.160.

Bibliography

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

The Inner Planes (AD&D 2e) Publication Rulebook, Dragon magazine #347 34
  • Richard Baker, Rob Heinsoo, and James Wyatt. Manual of the Planes. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2008.
  • Cook, David "Zeb". Planescape Campaign Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1994.
  • Cook, Monte, with William W. Connors. The Inner Planes. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1998.
  • Cordell, Bruce R., Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, JD Wiker. Sandstorm. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005.
  • Grubb, Jeff. Manual of the Planes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1987.
  • Grubb, Jeff, Bruce R. Cordell, and David Noonan. Manual of the Planes. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2001.
  • Gygax, Gary. "From the Sorcerer's Scroll." Dragon #32. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1979.
———. "From the Sorcerer's Scroll." Dragon #73. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
———. The Land Beyond the Magic Mirror. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
———. Monster Manual. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1977.
———. Players Handbook. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1978.
  • Marks, Bennet. "The Limitless Light: A Tour of the Plane of Radiance." Dragon #321. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, July 2004.
  • Swycaffer, Jeff. "Elementals and the Philosopher's Stone." Dragon #27. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1979.
  • Ward, James M. and Robert J. Kuntz. Deities & Demigods. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980.

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

The Inner Planes (AD&D 2e) Publication Rulebook, Dragon magazine #347 34
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