High Heavens
The High Heavens are the ultimate expression of light and law. All aspects of the High Heavens are beautiful and perfect. It's where the souls of many creatures of lawful alignment drift to after death, particularly those who find their faith in Angelicism ; the worship of angel as gods. The High Heavens are home to numerous angelic creatures including cherubim, archangels, and seraphim, all of which could be categorized under the angel moniker.
Shining citadels of gold and silver spires float through a glowing sunset horizon, built upon plateaus of crystal miles across. Ornate pools of the purest holy water run like rivers from these citadels and plunge into the Twilight Mists below, evaporating before meeting any form of solid ground. Each gargantuan citadel orbits a massive, central pinnacle stretching up for a thousand miles, comprised of many hundreds of large golden cathedrals.
The light is so bright from the High Heavens that many unprepared travelers may find themselves blind within the first few minutes of arrival, and flight is also a necessity, as souls who find themselves brought to the High Heavens are granted wings.
The High Heavens float between two infinite layers of distant, drifting clouds as if between two layers of the purest atmosphere, and are divided into a central dimensional plane, orbited by three smaller demi-planes.
Ascensius is not a large demi-plane by any means, but it has significant status not just in Angelicism, but even in the High Heavens themselves. There are few records of Ascensius' appearance, but it has been described as the brightest light any mortal can bear to withstand. A sense of overwhelming awe and humbleness to the point of tears has also been described.
The barrier between the High Heavens and the Cosmic Etherium is at its weakest through Celestius. This is taken advantage of by way of angelic rifts; great portals through the clouds from which angels and their armies descend into the Etherium to do eternal battle with viscous, fiendish creatures called Infernals and the mind-warping monstrosities of the Realm of Insanity.
There are frequent incursions into Celestius by Infernals that occasionally slip through the rifts, but so far none have broken through into the High Heavens.
Most features of Elysius are found on or near the banks of a lake which is comprised of the purest holy water. Lands near the shores of the lake are lush with pines and flowering trees that fill the air with natural perfume and grow the sweetest fruit. Further from the lake smaller trees grow and start to thin until it gives way to fertile grasslands.
One particular thing of note is the trees that bear golden apples. Eating these apples would give mortals the capability to browse the vast libraries of knowledge sealed away for only worthy eyes to see.
Ascensius
The seat of the High Heavens. Ascensius is where the ruling council of the High Heavens reside: Gabriel, Archon of Faith, Azrael, Archon of Retribution and Hadriel, Archon of Knowledge. A rare select few throughout the past thousand years have ever been invited for an audience with them, and it is unlikely that there will be another any time soon, as angels prefer to keep to the background, guiding their followers from afar as commanded by the Archons. There is said to be a seat high above the council that belongs to Yahweh.
Celestius
Celestius is the demi-plane of war for the High Heavens. Under the leadership of Azrael, the Archon of Retribution, legions of angels are trained here by battle-hardened Archangels to fight a grand crusade within the Cosmic Etherium. The most faithful souls are conscripted into the front lines, bound to great suits of armor constructed of angelic steel and gold.
Elysius
Cultivated by Hadriel, Archon of Knowledge, Elysius is a beautiful, ordered paradise of green groves, autumnal gardens, and grand spire-like libraries of vast, incomprehensible knowledge. It is a veritable Eden. There are no suns, moons, or stars in Elysius, only a golden sky similar to the warmth of a more glorious afternoon glow. Depending on who or what is aloft, the shade of the sky can be deep indigo to a bright cerulean at any given moment. Elysius takes the form of a floating citadel; a large landmass of crystal, lush forests, and green grass surrounded on three sides by enormous golden towers many hundreds of feet tall liked by glistening silver bridges. In the center of the landmass is a perfectly round lake several miles across
Type
Dimensional plane
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Inhabiting Species
Azrael
Gabriel
Hadriel
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