Mechanus

Mechanus is where perfectly regimented order reigns supreme. It consists of equal measures of light and dark, and equal proportions of heat and cold. It is as predictable as the drip of a water clock and as obvious as a tree in a field. On Mechanus all law is reflected in a single infinite realm of clockwork gears, all interlocked, all turning according to their own measure. The cogs seem to be engaged in a calculation so vast that no deity knows its purpose, except that it is somehow a function of law.

At first glance Mechanus seems as straightforward as anything on the Outer Planes. However, subtleties lurk just below the surface. Every kind of law can be found in the Clockwork Nirvana of Mechanus, from simple maxims to devilishly twisted rules of decorum. But for the most part, Mechanus contains no passion, illusion, or pain. When all consciousness is completely subsumed into the whole, perfection follows.

Geography

Mechanus is a single infinite plane without defined layers. The plane is filled with gargantuan interlocking wheels, like the internal cogs of an ornately carved clock. Some connect at right angles, and others connect along a single plane.

The wheels, also called cogs, are composed of stone, earth, and metal ores, as if a deity carved them from the mantle of the Material Plane. Many of the cogs are more than a thousand miles across, and they turn so slowly that their rotation is imperceptible. Yet turn they do, as witnessed by much smaller island-sized cogs that interlock with the much larger wheels. These smaller cogs seem to turn at an almost dizzying pace, although inhabitants feel no centripetal force once inside of a small cog.

The gravity on mechanus is "inverted," denizen of mechanus live inside them, as walk on the edge as they would in an inverted globe. Some globe as miles thick allowing for complete society within them. On other cogs the objective directional gravity means that inhabitants won't be spun off the edge of a cog unless they're standing within 10 feet of the rim.

Vision is normal on Mechanus. The plane is lit by a white, all-encompassing light for 12 hours, and is dark for 12 hours. Hearing is also normal, though the bass rumbling of cog turning on cog is sometimes audible near the edge of a face.

Getting There

Free-standing portals from elsewhere usually connect at the center of any given cog. Some portals lead to other Outer Planes, Inner Planes, or even the Ethereal Plane. Some portals even lead to other cog faces.

Portals on Mechanus appear as enlighten coglike circles, slowly turning. A portal appears regularly once per revolution of the cog it resides upon, though some portals appear according to the interaction of several cogs (and which ones are not always readily apparent). Once it appears, a given portal usually remains open for at least 1 hour and possibly as long as 24 hours.

Creatures & Denizens

Denizens

The inhabitants of Mechanus make their homes in or on the cogs that turn. The gear faces are normally devoid of vegetation and native wildlife, although colonists from other planes, including the Material Plane, the Seven Hells, and mount Olympus, transform many faces into elaborate hedge mazes, parks, or nature reserves.

Modrons are the primary inhabitants of Mechanus.

Features

Law of Averages

While on Mechanus, creatures always use the average damage result for attacks and spells. For example, an attack that normally deals 1d10 + 5 damage always deals 10 damage on Mechanus.

Objective Directional Gravity

The strength of gravity is the same as on the Material Plane but the direction is oriented to the face of each rotating cog or to the inner surface of a hollow cog. Walking between cogs can be dizzying for newcomers—and dangerous if a traveler falls between the cogs.

Type

Plane of Existence