The Seven Heavens of Mount Celestia
The Seven Heavens of Mount Celestia, also known as the Seven Mountains of Goodness and Law, the Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia, or the Seven Heavens - was the pinnacle of lawful goodness. The Seven Heavens were dedicated to goodness shaped by law and justice tempered with mercy.
Celestia was the ultimate in law and good. All aspects of Celestia were beautiful and perfect; it was where the souls of many creatures of lawful good alignment went to after death. Celestia was home to numerous celestial creatures including various types of archons, the petitioners of this plane. As an outer plane, Celestia was spatially infinite and consisted of seven infinite layers (or sub-planes). The seven individual layers formed a colossal mountain that rose from an infinite sea of holy water on the bottommost layer, to the summit on the topmost layer. Ascending the mountain was analogous to travelling through subsequently higher or 'deeper' layers to the top. Each of the seven layers contained at least one mountain or high structure rising into the sky, and most had whole mountain ranges. The barriers between the seven layers were arranged such that entrances were at the lowest geographical points and exits were at the highest, so a traveler from the Astral Plane would enter the first layer at the base of a mountain (actually, in the surf of the ocean surrounding the mountain) and had to climb to the peak to reach the next layer, only to emerge at the nadir again. The sky of each layer had its own hue which softly bathed everything in gentle shades of luminance.
The Celestial Hebdomad was the name given to the seven celestial paragons that ruled Mount Celestia, and the celestial archons that lived there. These archon paragons were also called tome archons. The first seven martyrs to live a righteous mortal life and die in suffering forhte cause of good. When their souls reached Celestia, they experienced an apotheosis that changed them all into beings of pure goodness. The first, Zaphkiel, the first of the tome archons. He and his six companions were given a mandate to serve as the rulers of the Seven Heavens. Of all his companions, Zaphkiel was the only original tome archon to remain until modern times. Only the gods know his original identity as a mortal. The only entities of existence to have seen Zaphkiel was the gods and other tome archons. Evil beings have not survived the encounter, and truly good beings are those who have ascended to the summit of Mount Celestia to be joined willingly with the essence of the holy plane. When one tome archon died, another archon was promoted, instantly taking on the form and powers of their predecessor. KNOWN MEMBERS
The archons were the native and most numerous inhabitants of the Seven Heavens, cheerfully going about the business of serving the Higher Powers. Many types of archons lived in the first six layers but only rumors existed of a ruling archon ensconced in Chronias. Other creatures found on this plane were solars, planetars, hollyphants, devas, foo creatures, and agathia. Human and non-human pilgrims, shedu, lammasu, ki-rin, and dragon horses would visit fairly often. Collectively, the inhabitants of Celestia were called "Celestians".
The spirits of those who earned a place in the Seven Heavens would become lantern archons much the same as evil souls became larvae in the Lower Planes.
When the multiverse was first created, before any mortals had yet died, Mount Celestia had no archons. The first seven martyrs of law and goodness whose souls arrived from the Material Plane were transformed into the plane's first archons and mandated with the role of ruling its seven layers for eternity. The seven martyrs and their successors continued to rule Celestia as the Celestial Hebdomad.
DESCRIPTION
Celestia was the ultimate in law and good. All aspects of Celestia were beautiful and perfect; it was where the souls of many creatures of lawful good alignment went to after death. Celestia was home to numerous celestial creatures including various types of archons, the petitioners of this plane. As an outer plane, Celestia was spatially infinite and consisted of seven infinite layers (or sub-planes). The seven individual layers formed a colossal mountain that rose from an infinite sea of holy water on the bottommost layer, to the summit on the topmost layer. Ascending the mountain was analogous to travelling through subsequently higher or 'deeper' layers to the top. Each of the seven layers contained at least one mountain or high structure rising into the sky, and most had whole mountain ranges. The barriers between the seven layers were arranged such that entrances were at the lowest geographical points and exits were at the highest, so a traveler from the Astral Plane would enter the first layer at the base of a mountain (actually, in the surf of the ocean surrounding the mountain) and had to climb to the peak to reach the next layer, only to emerge at the nadir again. The sky of each layer had its own hue which softly bathed everything in gentle shades of luminance.
THE SEVEN HEAVENS
LUNIA Celestia's first (bottommost) layer shared borders with the neighbouring planes of the Peaceable Kingdoms of Arcadia and the Twin Paradises of Bytopia; travel was possible between Celestia and these planes at certain locations. Its leader was Baracheil, one of the celestial paragons of the archons, leader of Celestia's defences and the trumpet archons, patron of mortal heralds. Divided into 196 provinces, each with a throne archon serving as governor, each reporting to Barachiel. Known as the Silver Heaven, or sometimes called the Silver Sea, after its great ocean. Lunia was the first layer travellers encountered. The sky of Lunia was a nighttime sky filled with stars that illuminated the layer with a silver glow. The colour pools of the Astral Plane would deposit visitors in the surf of a vast ocean, the Silver Sea, full of clean, fresh water that had the properties of holy water. The sky above Lunia was perpetually dark, filled with beautiful constellations of silver stars bright enough to illuminate the base of the mountain. The dark, starry Silver Sea was full of many good aquatic beings, including celestial whales and sea elves. The adjacent beach belonged to an island with a majestic mountain decorated with grand citadels made from polished white stone. Descriptions of the citadels varied among travellers leading cosmologists to theorize that there were many of these mountain islands. Also in the surf of Lunia were the portals to the Twin Paradises, Arcadia, and Concordant Opposition which were large, permanent, free-standing blocks of finished stone. Black granite blocks veined with gold led to Arcadia, white granite blocks with veins of silver led to the Twin Paradises, and red granite blocks flecked with blue took you to Concordant Opposition. Travellers merely had to touch a block to activate the portal. Lunia was the location of a number of godly realms. The largest trading centre of Lunia was known as Heart's Faith, located not far from a portal from the Outlands. The town had a central plaza that flooded at high tide to serve as a harbour for travellers. Besides Heart's Faith, another well-known complex was the Fortress Eternal and Everlasting. Barachiel's palace, the Citadel of Stars, was located on the shore of the Silver Sea. Far out into the Silver SEa, was an abandoned tower known as the Tower of Fire. Powerful magic prevented anyone from flying to the tower, the only way to reach it seemed to be by water. It's purpose was unknown, but it was filled with an eerie blue fire that was very hot but caused no harm. The rooms of the towers seemed to change and shift without reason, though some claimed that there was a yet-to-be-discovered pattern to this. MERCURIA The second layer, Mercuria was known as the Golden Heaven because a warm golden light suffused everywhere. This layer contained the armoury for the noblest warriors who came here for their eternal rest. If necessary, Mercuria was the marshalling ground for the armies of the Heavens. This layer was ruled by Domiel the Mercy-Bringer. Gentle hills and lush green valleys comprised this layer, which was also dotted with small settlements of archons and other good-aligned beings. Mercuria was known for its great tombs and monuments to noble fighters and paladins resting on the layer. These warriors were honoured during an annual Day of Memory. The air in Mercuria was very thin, which could make unaccustomed creatures dizzy until their bodies adapted to it. The mountainous landscape included high mountains and deep valleys, carved by rivers that ran fast down the gentle slopes. Although flatlands and prairies were uncommon, Mercuria had several high plateaus on which most settlements were located. The entire layer was constantly bathed in golden light. The layer also served as the armoury of Mount Celestia, as well as the gathering place for its troops. It was also the site of numerous mausoleums dedicated to fallen noble warriors. Their memory was honoured annually during the Day of Memory by all inhabitants of Mercuria. VENYA The third heaven, also called the Pearly Heaven, or Heaven of Pearls, was a lush and verdant land with crops, meadows, moors, hills, and rolling countryside all bathed in the soft glow from a sky reminiscent of the luster of white pearls. It was somewhat colder than the previous two layers, its slopes often seen covered with a gentle layer of snow. Peaceful brooks and carefully terraced fields were common on Venya. The ruler of Venya was Erathaol the Seer (his symbol was the dragon). The patron of seers and prophets, a great prophet himself, predicting events before their occurrence in the planes. He dwelt within the library fortress of Ziranthador, located under the sea. The halfling pantheon made its home in Venya in the realm of Green Fields. It was a place of safety for the many halflings that lived there; their crops always gave plentiful harvests and there were no large predators to speak of. The layer was softly illuminated by an iridescent white sky whose appearance resembled mother-of-pearl. Unlike Mercuria, whose mountains were jagged and tall, Venya's mountains were smooth and round, all covered in meadows, arable land, woodlands, or mountain vegetation such as alpine grasses and shrubs. Some had snowy peaks. The rivers that ran through the layer were warming, only partially freezing during winter. The layer's petitioners had dammed some of the smaller creeks to form lakes to irrigate their fields and to power mills in the carefully tended fields. The Glass Tarn, was a notable location, as a cold mountain that contained conduits to the Astral Plane, the Elemental Plane of Water, Ysgard, and the OUtlands. It was rumoured to grant prophecies or visions to visitors who provided it with sincere offers. SOLANIA Solania, the fourth layer, had a sky that glowed like burnished silver and was called the Electrum Heaven, or sometimes the Crystal Heaven. Its valleys were enveloped in mist, fog, and strange scents. The peaks were home to numerous holy shrines, including monasteries and magnificent cathedrals controlled by demigods. Many of the slopes were rich in precious ores and minerals and were mined by populations of dwarves that resided there. Many pilgrims came questing to the roof of this layer in the hopes of finding answers to life's persistent questions. The layer had a sky that glowed like burnished silver. Its valleys were enveloped in mist, fog, and strange scents. The peaks were home to numerous holy shrines, including monasteries and magnificent cathedrals controlled by demigods. Many of the slopes were rich in precious ores and minerals and were mined by populations of dwarves that resided there. The ruler of Solania was Pistis Sophia, the Acetic. Her symbol was the eagle. She was a patron of ascetics, monks and mystics. Here lies the First Monastery of the Planes-Militant, located on a high plateau above the clouds, this monastery was rumoured to be the source of power for all paladins. MERTION With a sky not too different from Solania's, the fifth layer was known as the Platinum Heaven. Vast plains and savannas served as the mustering ground for paladins and other lawful good servants. Instead of mountains, Mertion had majestic citadels and huge black spherical domes dotting the plains. Access to the next higher layer was found at the tops of the domes. The ruler of Mertion was Raziel, one of the celestial paragons of the archons. He was called the Crusader, or the Firestar, and was the patron of paladins. The city of Empyrea, also known as the City of Tempered Souls, was located on the edge of a cold mountain lake. It was known to host many magical fountains with powerful healing properties, as well as many hospitals and expert healers. Arvenna, also known as the Chanting Grounds, was a dusty plain and home to the souls of lawful good warriors. Rempha, also known as the City of the Sands of Time, was a town known for its temporal anomalies. Soqed Hezi, the City of Swords, was a terraced town filled with paladins and martial organisations. JOVAR The sixth layer, Jovar, was known as the Glittering Heaven or the Heaven of Gems. Its hills were studded with precious gemstones that glittered in the light. This layer was actually a vault lined floor to ceiling with huge rubies and garnets that gave off a glow like a hearth fire. Jovar was ruled by Sealtiel, the Defender. He was charged with preventing incursions into Chronias and defending against the machinations of fiends. He was also the patron of warden archons. His symbol was the dog. A seemingly unending ziggurat was the home of the Jovarian archons and guarded the entrance to the seventh heaven. Known as Yesteria, the Heavenly City, the huge seven-layered ziggurat displayed a large staircase on each face connecting the terraces of each layer. The stones that made up the city were made of precious gemstones, similar to those seen around the surrounding hills. On the topmost terrace was the bridge of al-Sihal, formed of pure light, where the portal to the topmost layer of Celestia, Chronias, was located. It is guarded by a powerful solar named Xerona who judged who was allowed to enter. CHRONIAS The topmost and final layer of Celestia, Chronias was called the Illuminated Heaven. Little was known of its structure because nothing was ever recorded by the few who had visited and returned. The legends said that Chronias was so good and lawful that it glowed of its own accord and any who entered had all evil and neutrality burned out of them, leaving them inherently good, if they survived. Many religions made this level the home of their lawful good deities, believing any lesser realms were merely to accommodate less worthy souls. The ruler of Chronias and all of Celestia was Zaphkiel, the Watcher (the symbol he held was the donkey). He was the first and greatest of all archon created, and the leader of the Celestial Hebdomad. It was thought to be the ultimate goal of the inhabitants of Celestia to ascend the layers one by one in order to reach Chronias, where their souls would join with the essence of the plane itself. Little was known of its structure because nothing was ever recorded by the few who had visited and returned. The legends said that Chronias was so good and lawful that it glowed of its own accord and any who entered had all evil and neutrality burned out of them, leaving them inherently good—if they survived.THE CELESTIAL HEBDOMAD
The Celestial Hebdomad was the name given to the seven celestial paragons that ruled Mount Celestia, and the celestial archons that lived there. These archon paragons were also called tome archons. The first seven martyrs to live a righteous mortal life and die in suffering forhte cause of good. When their souls reached Celestia, they experienced an apotheosis that changed them all into beings of pure goodness. The first, Zaphkiel, the first of the tome archons. He and his six companions were given a mandate to serve as the rulers of the Seven Heavens. Of all his companions, Zaphkiel was the only original tome archon to remain until modern times. Only the gods know his original identity as a mortal. The only entities of existence to have seen Zaphkiel was the gods and other tome archons. Evil beings have not survived the encounter, and truly good beings are those who have ascended to the summit of Mount Celestia to be joined willingly with the essence of the holy plane. When one tome archon died, another archon was promoted, instantly taking on the form and powers of their predecessor. KNOWN MEMBERS
- Barachiel the Messenger: ruler of Lunia and coordinator of Mount Celestia's defences should it ever be attacked. (lion)
- Domiel the Mercy-Bringer: ruler of Mercuria. (Ox)
- Erathol the Seer: ruler of Venya and patron of seers and prophets. (Dragon)
- Pistis Sophia the Ascetic: ruler of Solania.
- Raziel the Crusader: ruler of Mertion and patron of paladins. (Bear)
- Sealtiel the Defender: ruler of Jovar and charged with protecting Chronias. (Dog)
- Zaphkiel the Watcher: ruler of Chronias and the Celestial Hebdomad. (Donkey)
INHABITANTS
The archons were the native and most numerous inhabitants of the Seven Heavens, cheerfully going about the business of serving the Higher Powers. Many types of archons lived in the first six layers but only rumors existed of a ruling archon ensconced in Chronias. Other creatures found on this plane were solars, planetars, hollyphants, devas, foo creatures, and agathia. Human and non-human pilgrims, shedu, lammasu, ki-rin, and dragon horses would visit fairly often. Collectively, the inhabitants of Celestia were called "Celestians".
AFTERLIFE
The spirits of those who earned a place in the Seven Heavens would become lantern archons much the same as evil souls became larvae in the Lower Planes.
HISTORY
When the multiverse was first created, before any mortals had yet died, Mount Celestia had no archons. The first seven martyrs of law and goodness whose souls arrived from the Material Plane were transformed into the plane's first archons and mandated with the role of ruling its seven layers for eternity. The seven martyrs and their successors continued to rule Celestia as the Celestial Hebdomad.
Type
Dimensional plane
