The Windswept Depths of
Pandemonium was the Outer Plane associated with the chaotic neutral and chaotic evil alignments in the
GREAT WHEEL cosmology and an abandoned astral dominion according to the
WORLD AXIS cosmology. Some characteristics of this plane were ascribed to the
DEEP CAVERNS in the
WORLD TREE cosmology model which was also known as the "Dismal Caverns" in the
WORLD AXIS model.
Pandemonium was made entirely of rock pierced by innumerable tunnels and caverns large and small. All open space was filled with howling winds that carried the sound of every word, shout, or scream uttered in the place. Without adequate protection, beings with hearing were rendered temporarily deaf in a matter of seconds and permanently deaf in a few minutes. Normal fires could not survive and there was no natural light. Conversation could only be accomplished by shouting at close range. Pandemonium had four known layers, each with slightly different conditions.
PANDESMOS
The topmost layer with portals to
LIMBO, the
ABYSS, and the
OUTLANDS was called Pandesmos and was the most habitable layer of the four. This layer had the largest caverns and the river
STYX flowed through the rocky wastes. Nearly all great cities and citadels in Pandemonium were found here.
COCYTUS
The second layer was called the layer of lamentation because the wind whistling through the tunnels carried the cries of anguish and the sounds of sorrow. The passages on this level were narrower making the noise shrill enough to drive insane anyone with unprotected hearing. Unlike the natural looking tunnels and caves of Pandesmos, the passages of Cocytus were carved by beings unknown to even the gods.
PHLEGETHON
The third layer was the layer of dark and damp. The walls were matte black and absorbed all light with no reflection—all light sources could only illuminate half as far as normal. Many rivers and streams cut through the black rock and the constant dripping of eons built up stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave formations.
AGATHION
Agathion (pronounced: a-GAY-thee-on) was the deepest known layer of Pandemonium and was made of solid rock with no tunnels and only giant spherical bubbles of air or vacuum. Those bubbles with a barrier to
Phlegethon were filled with huge windstorms capable of flinging even large humanoids around. Pockets without a connection to the next level were often the final resting places of things that should not be awakened.
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