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The Ethereal Plane connects every world within the expanse ofDungeons & Dragons.An empty stretch of misty space, the Ethereal Plane is nearly impossible to navigate without someone familiar with its pathways. Itis,however, embarrassingly easy for travelers to become lost in and accidentally shunted into the Deep Ethereal.
Unlucky adventurers may find themselves drifting along this plane, scrambling for a path or handhold to help make their way back home. While void of cultures and communication between planes, the Ethereal Plane has many spells dedicated to traversing within it and can be an excellent addition to any campaign.
What Is The Ethereal Plane?
The Ethereal Plane is a hazy domain surrounded by afog-like bordercalled theBorder Ethereal.It’s unique in that one can be within the Ethereal Plane while also belonging to another plane entirely.
Like other planes, the Ethereal Plane exists relative to the Material Plane.
So, simplified, this means that the Ethereal Plane and, say, the Prime Material Planeexist at the same time.If a character could see through the Ethereal Plane, they would see variousechoes interminglingamong those of the Material Plane, but speech would be completelyimpossible to convey.
When entering the Ethereal Plane proper, one would immediately notice a level ofincorporealityin landmarks such as rocks and trees, which would hover above their roots and dirt.
One can not travel the plane by foot or cart.Instead, all a creature would have to do would be to think of where they wanted to go, and they would be there, “floating” at their regular walking speed.
Plane Curtains
Each entrance and exit to the Ethereal Plane has a"plane curtain,“or a layer that keeps the area separate. These function as gateways to the multiverse and each curtain is a different color and can be identified fairly easily. Passing through these curtains has a slowdown effect, withtime slowing to a tenthof what it would be normally.
Often, these curtains were central to the Deep Ethereal, the most expansive and labyrinthine region in the plane.
Entering The Ethereal Plane
TheEthereal Plane can be accessed by a few spells, ranging from turning the caster into a similar incorporeal state or storing items within the plane.
Allows the caster to traverse the Border Ethereal.
Blink
A spell that causes the caster to “blink” randomly between the Material and Ethereal Plane.
Allows a passage to be created for the Ethereal Plane.
Ethereal Jaunt
Turns the caster ‘ethereal,’ becoming invisible to those on the Material Plane
True sightwill also allow a player to see the Ethereal Plane,though communication is limited.
Creatures Of The Ethereal Plane
The Ethereal Plane has no permanent settlements, save for theRadiant Citadeland an area to imprison enemies of Sigil’s Lady of Pain. Creatures such as Night Hags traverse the plane, searching for dreams to corrupt into nightmares.
Phase spiders use the plane to hunt, springing in and out of it to capture their prey.
Aside from those,living creatures are sparsein the plane, with ghosts making up most of the inhabitants. Most others that players will encounter will befellow travelers of the plane, likely from diverse worlds.
