Planes

The Planes of Existence are a series of dimensions in which consciousness and/or material entities are able to exist. It is unknown how many planes actually exist, though many theorize the number is beyond reckoning, possibly even infinite.

Planar Travel
Though it is exceedingly rare to meet one that has done so, certain powerful mages have been able to traverse other planes of existence through magic that allows access to the Astral Pathway, a nether-realm between dimensions. This is an extremely dangerous process, and while few mages can even attempt it, even fewer survive the feat to tell the tale.

Planar Knowledge on Relia
In an effort to know more about the universe and the nature of reality, several mages took it upon themselves to document and study the planes. Some of this knowledge has been shared.

Other times, planes have been confirmed to exist by denizens of those planes venturing to Relia and interacting with the mortal races. Oftentimes these are violent exchanges, such as with demons from the Pit of Zarghuum, but not all planar visitors are threatening.

The most notable instance of planar involvement on Relia was the Shadowswell, an event where the Plane of Shadow nearly devoured the world. Since that time, rifts between the physical realm and the Plane of Shadow dot Relia's surface. The Shades use these rifts to travel between the two dimensions.

Death
Nearly all races and creatures have their own beliefs regarding death and the afterlife, yet most all of them share the belief that there is something waiting after death. Many feel that this existence after death takes place within the other planes.

It is possible that the soul of a mortal being crosses into the Astral Pathway after death, during which time they are taken to their place in the afterlife based on deeds or beliefs in life.

Given that communication with the dead, resurrection, demonic summoning, and other rituals dealing with things beyond this realm, it could be assumed that some practitioners are reaching into other planes without even realizing it.

The Planar Structure
The structure of the planes connected to Relia has been mapped in a rough hierarchy based on the direction in which one must travel the Astral Pathway to reach them. There are 3 levels to the hierarchy: The Skyrealm, which lies above Relia; the Physical Realm, which consists of Relia herself as well as the Elemental Planes; and lastly the Hellrealm which lies beneath Relia. Of the known planes, the following structure is accepted among theorists:

The Skyrealm
Ara

Plane of Life Ascension Plane of Light
 * Demi-plane of Growth
 * The Stairwell

The Physical Realm
Material

Elemental
 * Air
 * Earth
 * Fire
 * Water

The Hellrealm
Plane of Shadow

Descent
 * Pit of Zarghuum

Plane of Death
 * Demi-plane of Decay

Deadspire