Ysgard
It is a perfect day to die — just like yesterday, and the day before...The Heroic Domains of Ysgard, also referred to as Gladsheim, is the plane straddling the alignments of chaotic good and chaotic neutral. The three layers of Gladsheim consist tremendous rivers of earth and stone that form cosmic arches through the void, like very tightly packed asteroid belts. Millions of miles/kilometers wide, each river is made up of gigantic chunks of matter that bumps and ground against each other at a glacial but noticeable pace, raising up mountains and opening vast chasms. These "earthbergs" all share the same gravity field and most are inhabitable on the top side while the underside of the rivers burn with a radiant fire that provide a ruddy light to the rivers below. Earthquakes and landslides are a commonly occurring danger in Gladsheim as the landscape slowly buckles and breaks under the influence of chaos. Multiple rough-hewn landings of the Infinite Staircase connected to each of Gladsheim's three layers:
- Ysgard The name of this layer is also the name known as Asgard, Each realm is the size of a Prime plane empire. The usual color pools connecting Asgard to the Astral Plane existed but are little used. Portals in the guise of wells connected this layer to the neighboring planes of Arborea, Limbo, and Concordant Opposition.
- Muspelheim The earthbergs of this layer are reversed (or alternatively, gravity is reversed) so the flaming side is up and the earthen side down. Surtur and the fire giants make their home here and guard the barriers that lead to Asgard and its neighboring realms.
- Nidavellir The rivers of earth are in such close proximity in this layer that the entire sky is filled with fire, making it appear to travelers that they are in underground caverns and passages with a river of fire for a ceiling.
Inhabitants
Hollyphants and planetars are fairly plentiful in Gladsheim but many of the other Upper plane regulars avoid it. Wildlife includes bears, wild boars, stags and other woodland creatures, all bigger and tougher than their Prime plane counterparts. Giants of all kinds lived mostly in Jotunheim but can be encountered just about anywhere. The giants of Gladsheim are generally more intelligent and better equipped (with giant-sized magic weapons) than those found on the Prime Material Plane. Some are accomplished clerics and mages, and illusionists who can even fool the gods. In addition, some devas and celestial eladrin make their homes on this plane.
Type
Plane of Existence
Included Locations
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