Beyond the Material: Discovering the Secrets of the Ethereal Plane

“A Guide to the Ethereal Plane” is a guidebook detailing the Ethereal Plane, a region of the multiverse described as a chaotic, dreamlike place. The book covers the plane’s geography, cosmology, inhabitants, and dangers, including unique creatures and locations. It also explains the mechanics of entering and surviving on the plane, offering advice on travel, combat, and magical effects specific to the Ethereal Plane. Numerous tables and illustrations help players understand the complexities of this otherworldly realm within the context of a tabletop role-playing game. The book includes appendices with encounter tables and detailed information on specific locations.

1. How does the Ethereal Plane relate to the Prime Material Plane? The Ethereal Plane is coexistent with the Prime Material Plane. The Ethereal is like a “shadow” plane that mirrors the prime material world, and many things on one plane have a direct parallel on the other, like a skin over a body.
2. What is the “Border Ethereal,” and how does it function? The Border Ethereal is a transitional area that serves as the interface between the Prime Material Plane and the deeper Ethereal Plane. It is often described as a misty, shadowy space where objects and beings from one realm may have “echos” or distortions.
3. Describe some of the dangers of traveling within the Deep Ethereal. The Deep Ethereal is characterized by erratic currents and areas of unstable reality, where beings can become lost or even unmade. It presents significant dangers from creatures, effects of planar interactions, and other unknown variables.
4. What are Demiplanes? Demiplanes are smaller, self-contained pocket dimensions that exist within the Ethereal Plane. They often reflect the unique aspects or obsessions of their creator and can possess unusual properties not found elsewhere.
5. How does time function in the Ethereal? Time is not fixed in the Ethereal and can be fluid, variable, or even non-existent in some regions. There is a sense that things move “at different rates” based on locations within the plane.
6. What does “materialization” refer to in the context of the Ethereal Plane? Materialization refers to the process of objects or creatures from the Ethereal Plane becoming fully real within the Prime Material Plane or vice-versa. This process is not always reliable and can sometimes produce strange or dangerous outcomes.
7. What is the Wall of Color? The Wall of Color is a constantly shifting curtain of colored mists that separates the Border Ethereal from the deeper regions of the Ethereal, it has varying properties based on its colors.
8. Explain some differences between short-distance and long-distance Ethereal movement. Short-distance movement within the Ethereal happens more rapidly and with less overall effort than long-distance. It can be viewed as a form of “sliding,” where long-distance movement is more like sailing or navigating currents.
9. Why are some spells less effective on the Ethereal Plane, or vice versa? Many spells are specifically linked to the Prime Material Plane and do not always translate well into the Ethereal’s unique conditions. The Ethereal Plane’s unusual properties and fluctuating nature can warp or negate some magical effects, or, alternatively, certain magic works much better.
10. What is the Etherearfer Society? The Etherearfer Society is a group of explorers dedicated to the study and navigation of the Ethereal Plane. They seek to understand its mysteries and find ways to utilize its strange properties. They have established communities on the Ethereal and have developed methods for both travel and survival.

Quiz Answer Key

1. The Ethereal Plane is coexistent with the Prime Material Plane. The Ethereal is like a “shadow” plane that mirrors the prime material world, and many things on one plane have a direct parallel on the other, like a skin over a body.
2. The Border Ethereal is a transitional area that serves as the interface between the Prime Material Plane and the deeper Ethereal Plane. It is often described as a misty, shadowy space where objects and beings from one realm may have “echos” or distortions.
3. The Deep Ethereal is characterized by erratic currents and areas of unstable reality, where beings can become lost or even unmade. It presents significant dangers from creatures, effects of planar interactions, and other unknown variables.
4. Demiplanes are smaller, self-contained pocket dimensions that exist within the Ethereal Plane. They often reflect the unique aspects or obsessions of their creator and can possess unusual properties not found elsewhere.
5. Time is not fixed in the Ethereal and can be fluid, variable, or even non-existent in some regions. There is a sense that things move “at different rates” based on locations within the plane.
6. Materialization refers to the process of objects or creatures from the Ethereal Plane becoming fully real within the Prime Material Plane or vice-versa. This process is not always reliable and can sometimes produce strange or dangerous outcomes.
7. The Wall of Color is a constantly shifting curtain of colored mists that separates the Border Ethereal from the deeper regions of the Ethereal, it has varying properties based on its colors.
8. Short-distance movement within the Ethereal happens more rapidly and with less overall effort than long-distance. It can be viewed as a form of “sliding,” where long-distance movement is more like sailing or navigating currents.
9. Many spells are specifically linked to the Prime Material Plane and do not always translate well into the Ethereal’s unique conditions. The Ethereal Plane’s unusual properties and fluctuating nature can warp or negate some magical effects, or, alternatively, certain magic works much better.
10. The Etherearfer Society is a group of explorers dedicated to the study and navigation of the Ethereal Plane. They seek to understand its mysteries and find ways to utilize its strange properties. They have established communities on the Ethereal and have developed methods for both travel and survival.

Essay Questions

1. How does the Ethereal Plane’s properties as a “parallel” plane to the Prime Material affect the way entities experience existence, and what are the implications for travel between the planes? Consider both the opportunities and limitations inherent in this parallel relationship.
2. Analyze the concept of materialization within the Ethereal Plane. How does it differ for objects and creatures, and what are the practical and theoretical implications for both the Ethereal and Prime Material planes?
3. Discuss the Ethereal Plane as a setting for adventure, using specific examples from the source material. How do the unique dangers and opportunities of the plane shape the kinds of stories and challenges that might be encountered there?
4. Compare and contrast travel within the Border Ethereal and Deep Ethereal. What strategies are appropriate for each, and what are the key differences that must be considered when navigating these two regions of the plane?
5. Evaluate the role of magic and spellcasting within the Ethereal Plane. How do the Ethereal’s unique properties affect different schools of magic, and what are the implications for those seeking to use magic for travel, defense, or offense on this plane?

Glossary of Key Terms

• Ethereal Plane: A plane coexistent with the Prime Material Plane, often described as a misty, shadowy reflection of the material world. It is a realm of potential and is highly fluid.
• Prime Material Plane: The primary plane of existence, often viewed as the “real world,” comprised of the known universe of a specific setting.
• Border Ethereal: The transitional region of the Ethereal Plane closest to the Prime Material Plane. It is less dangerous than the Deep Ethereal but can still have distorting effects.
• Deep Ethereal: The deeper, more chaotic region of the Ethereal Plane, filled with unstable reality and dangers.
• Demiplane: A smaller, self-contained pocket dimension found within the Ethereal Plane, often unique to its creator and with its own rules.
• Materialization: The process of bringing something from the Ethereal Plane into full existence in the Prime Material Plane or vice-versa.
• Wall of Color: The shimmering curtain that marks the transition between the Border Ethereal and the Deep Ethereal, with varying properties tied to its coloration.
• Etherearfer: One who travels and navigates the Ethereal Plane. Often used in reference to members of the Etherearfer Society.
• Etherearfer Society: A group of explorers dedicated to the study and navigation of the Ethereal Plane.
• Vapor Weave: An ethereal substance created by certain proficiencies or magical effects, which can then be used to modify the material of the Ethereal or other planes.
• Chronolily: An unusual plant native to certain areas of the Ethereal Plane, notable for how it allows those who gaze into its “eye” a vision of the past, present, and future.
• Ether Gap: A rip or anomaly in the fabric of the Ethereal plane. Can cause unexpected effects and may lead to other regions of the plane.
• Protomatter: A quasi-material substance found in the Ethereal Plane. It is malleable and can shift into various states, from solid to gaseous.
• Vortex: Powerful, spinning currents in the Ethereal Plane that can pull objects into the Deep Ethereal.
• Planar: In the context of this source, planar refers to something that relates to any of the planes of existence, including the Ethereal Plane.
• Dreamscape: A region of the Ethereal where the power of dreams has been given an unusual level of agency. They can take on physical form and allow travelers to interact with the dreams of others.

• What exactly is the Ethereal Plane, and how does it relate to other planes? The Ethereal Plane is often described as a “planar soup” or “glue-like” reality that connects the various planes of existence. It acts as a transitional space, encompassing and overlapping the other planes, especially the Prime Material Plane, Inner Planes (Elemental), and even Demiplanes. It is considered less a place itself, but more of a state of being. This plane does not have fixed distances or relationships. The connections between the Ethereal and other planes happen at the “border” where the planes are adjacent.
• How does a traveler enter the Ethereal Plane? A traveler generally enters the Ethereal through magic or magical items, though sometimes this can happen when a body is knocked from the Material Plane violently or abruptly. The method of entering influences the traveler’s experience on the plane, labeled as “temporary” or “permanent.” Reaching the Ethereal involves shifting one’s existence out of “phase” with the material world. Once within the plane, the traveler can move through the Ethereal border into other adjacent planes.
• What are the main differences between the Border Ethereal and the Deep Ethereal? The Border Ethereal, the area adjacent to another plane, is described as misty, subdued, and translucent, with reduced visibility and muted sounds. While in the Border Ethereal, one is in phase with the adjacent plane and can perceive it, though they are not fully a part of it. By contrast, the Deep Ethereal is a deeper, more alien realm that doesn’t have the same adjacency to the other planes. The Deep Ethereal is constantly in motion, and is where “islands” of demiplanes exist.
• What are the dangers of traveling in the Ethereal Plane? The Ethereal Plane is filled with various hazards. One needs to be aware of their breathing, as the Ethereal has only a few particles needed to live, and can quickly kill. A variety of creatures, some bizarre and many hostile, inhabit the plane, ranging from thought eaters to the ghastly Memedis. Materializing from the plane improperly can cause a variety of effects ranging from the unpleasant to the deadly. The Deep Ethereal is especially dangerous, because it can trap travelers in its depths. Ether cyclones can disrupt travel and cause harm. Also of note, magic is altered on the plane.
• What are demiplanes, and where are they located within the Ethereal Plane? Demiplanes are small, self-contained pocket dimensions within the Ethereal Plane. These often result from a concentrated amount of creation energy that congeals to form a “bubble” of reality, often in the Deep Ethereal. They are diverse and can vary drastically in size, shape, and laws of physics, often reflecting the mind and will of their creators. While a demiplane might be adjacent to the Ethereal Plane, it is functionally detached and has its own rules of existence.
• What are some of the unusual effects that occur on the Ethereal Plane? There are many unusual effects on the Ethereal, such as the ability to move through solid objects, though this can carry risks. Ethereal cyclones can abruptly redirect travelers through the Ethereal and even towards other planes. Vortices can also form that pull or push travelers. The ‘Wall of Color’ is a chromatic, swirling light that has a variety of effects on travelers that come into contact with it. Ethereal materials also have unique properties. In particular, Ethereal Protomatter can be altered to various effects.
• How is magic affected on the Ethereal Plane? Magic operates differently on the Ethereal Plane. Spells that rely on material forms are ineffective unless converted to ethereal forms by their user. Abjuration spells are less powerful on the Ethereal, where it is thought that nothing can be wholly removed. Also, divination spells can be unreliable in the Ethereal Plane. Some spells, especially those dealing with ethereal travel or forces, can become more effective, like those of the Alteration school. The Ethereal Plane is more responsive to the caster’s mind, and so spells based on emotion are powerful there.
• What kinds of entities and locations can be found on the Ethereal Plane? The Ethereal Plane is home to a vast array of entities and locations. There are many strange creatures that have adapted to the Ethereal, some originating from the Material Plane, and some uniquely from the Ethereal itself. These include thought eaters, cerebral parasites, ethereal servants, and a variety of planar beasts. Locations such as the Etherearer Society, Freehold, the Station, the Maze, and the Castle at the Edge of Time offer unusual opportunities and encounters. The plane also features unique phenomena such as ether gaps, vortex fronts, and the curtain of vaporous color. Demiplanes, often bizarre and containing unique inhabitants of their own, are scattered throughout the Deep Ethereal.