Overview of the Planes of Existence

In Nathakra, the planes of existence are different realms or dimensions that exist alongside the mortal realm. These planes are interconnected but distinct, each with its own unique characteristics, inhabitants, and rules. 

Material Plane: The material plane is the primary plane of existence where mortals reside. It encompasses the physical world with its continents, oceans, and celestial bodies. It is governed by natural laws and inhabited by mortal races, creatures, and civilizations. 

Ethereal Plane: The ethereal plane is an intangible realm that exists in parallel to the material plane. It is a plane of mists and shadows, where ethereal beings, spirits, and energies dwell. It acts as a conduit between different planes, allowing for the passage of certain entities and magical forces. 

Astral Plane: The astral plane is a realm of pure energy and consciousness. It is a plane of thought, dreams, and psychic energy. Astral travelers can traverse this plane, projecting their consciousness or traveling through astral projection. It is also believed to be a realm through which souls pass after death. 

Elemental Planes: The elemental planes are realms of pure elemental energy and matter, each dominated by its respective elemental force. They include the Plane of Fire, Plane of Water, Plane of Air, and Plane of Earth. Within these planes, powerful elemental beings and creatures thrive, embodying the raw essence of their elements. At the heart of these elemental realms lies the Fey Nexus (also known as the Feywild), a vibrant and enchanting realm that binds the four elements together. The Fey Nexus serves as a magical center where lush gardens, whimsical landscapes, and fey courts exist in harmony with the elemental forces, creating a world of wonder and beauty. Here, the elemental spirits maintain the balance between the planes, ensuring that the energies flow harmoniously while providing a unique space for fey beings and adventurers alike to explore the interplay of magic and nature.

Shadow Plane: The shadow plane is a dim and twisted reflection of the material plane. It is a realm of darkness, illusions, and shadow magic. Shadows take on a physical presence, and creatures native to the plane often possess shadow-like qualities or abilities. 

Void Plane: The void plane is a mysterious and desolate realm that exists outside the boundaries of the known planes. It is a realm of emptiness, darkness, and nothingness, devoid of any tangible substance or form. It is said to be the realm that separates and connects all other planes, existing as an endless expanse of emptiness between them. The void plane is often associated with primal chaos, unknown mysteries, and the vast expanses of the cosmos. It is a plane rarely explored by mortals due to its inhospitable nature and the inherent dangers it poses. However, powerful entities or beings with the ability to traverse the void may find hidden secrets or ancient knowledge within its depths. 

Divine Realms: These are the realms of the gods, where deities and their divine servants reside. Each god may have their own unique divine realm that reflects their domain or portfolio. These realms can vary greatly, from heavenly paradises to forbidding underworlds. 

Void vs Ethereal

In the context of Nathakra, the Void Realm and the Ethereal Realm are distinct dimensions with their own unique characteristics and properties. Scholars debated for the longest time that both realms were both one and the same. However, they came to learn that they were in fact two separate entities each with their own set of rules and boundaries. 

Nature of Existence: The Void Realm is a realm of nothingness, a vast expanse of emptiness and absence. It lacks substance, form, and defined boundaries. It represents the void or the absence of existence. On the other hand, the Ethereal Realm is a plane of subtle energies and interwoven planes. It is a realm of ethereal matter, where things have a semi-translucent, ephemeral quality. 

Elemental Composition: The Void Realm is devoid of any elemental forces or energies. It lacks the fundamental building blocks of reality and is characterized by emptiness and darkness. The Ethereal Realm, on the other hand, is imbued with ethereal energies and is often associated with the element of ether or aether, representing the subtle, intangible aspects of the world. 

Connectivity: The Void Realm exists as a vast expanse beyond the reach of mortal perception and understanding. It is a realm of isolation and separation, disconnected from the other planes of existence. The Ethereal Realm, however, serves as a bridge or conduit between different planes, acting as a transitional space that allows beings and energies to move between realms. 

Beings and Entities: The Void Realm is often associated with ancient and primordial entities, such as voidspawn or shadowy creatures that dwell in the absence of light and existence. The Ethereal Realm, on the other hand, is home to ethereal beings, spirits, and entities that embody the intangible aspects of reality, such as ghosts, specters, and other ethereal creatures. 

Perceptibility: The Void Realm is generally beyond mortal perception, as it represents the absence of existence itself. Mortal senses struggle to comprehend or perceive the void. In contrast, the Ethereal Realm can sometimes be glimpsed or perceived by those with heightened spiritual or magical senses. It exists as a veil of subtle energies interwoven with the material plane. 

While both realms share a connection to the spaces between worlds, they differ in their nature, elemental composition, connectivity, inhabitants, and perceptibility. The Void Realm represents emptiness and absence, while the Ethereal Realm embodies the subtle energies and transitional nature between realms.