The Ethereal Plane

The Transitional Plane

The Ethereal Plane is a Quasi-Material Plane of Existence that exists parallel to Cynos. It came into being in the same moment as did the planet, and neither Ashra nor Boda holds any dominion over it.

Gateway to the Beyond

Whatever the circumstances of its creation, the primary purpose of the Ethereal Plane seems to be to provide passage for spirits as they leave Cynos and enter the Astral Sea. In this way, it acts as a sort of barrier between the Material Plane and all other Planes of Existence, and no one can enter or leave Cynos without traversing the Ethereal Plane.

Geography and Effects

Like the Feywild and the Shadowfell, the Ethereal Plane exists parallel to Cynos, but in a much more direct way than the other Quasi-Material Planes. They Feywild and Shadowfell each amalgamate The Material Plane with one of the Transcendent Planes, creating an alternative reality that exhibits either the abundance or absence of Life on Cynos. The Ethereal Plane, on the other hand, is an exact copy of the Cynos, and it exists directly adjacent to, around, and throughout Cynos, shrouding it like a cloak. The two are so closely linked that, while in the Ethereal Plane, one can still see and hear the Material Plane despite not being able to interact with it.

Inhabitants

Since the Ethereal Plane exists mainly as a sort of transition between the Material Plane and the Astral Sea, there aren't any creatures that are natively born there. However, the Ethereal Plane is full of the ghosts of departed mortals. These ghosts are usually en route to their final resting places, but they have been known to become trapped in the Ethereal Plane for any number of reasons.