Manual of the Abyss.
A listing of the known planes of the abyss. Gathered from the accumulated knowledge from academies all over Grayhawk. A huge thanks to Chris for stitching this together and making a slothful DM do some work on the demonic aspects of Grayhawk. There are 666 planes and only some of them are listed here...as new ones are discovered they will be added.
1 - Pazunia (also known as The Plane of Infinite Portals or The Palace of 1001 Closets) has been described as an infinite plane with only three types of distinct features:
The Astral Plane flows through it.
Large sinkholes which connect to other layers of the Abyss, some were drilled intentionally by ancient demons during the Abyss' original exploration. The largest of these holes is the Grand Abyss.
Iron Fortress which guard the physical bodies of Demon Princes when they leave the Abyss to travel astrally.
2 - Driller's Hives, realm of Tharzax the Chattering Prince.
3 - The Forgotten Land, realm of Zzyczesiya the Unpronounceable. Legend has it that if any creature is able to pronounce her (its?) name she will appear to help them.
4 - The Grand Abyss, a bottomless, nigh-infinite canyon that contains portals to virtually every other layer in the Abyss. Also known as The Highway this plane is used by most demons to get around.
5 – Wormblood
6 - Realm of a Million Eyes, home to the Great Mother S’Gara, Princess of Beholders.
7 - Phantom Plane, realm of the demon lord of the lizard kings, Sess’Innek.
8 – War, a desolate place filled with the remnants of huge battles and ruins. The place Loramas first waged war on the other arch demons. Countless souls and skeletons litter this plane.
9 – Famine, also known as the Plane of Hunger.
10 – Pestilence, or the Plane of Plagues as it is colloquially known. A place of experimentation where the demon princes and their mages let loose the grim creations.
11 – Death, home to Grimaal, Lord of the Dead. Known as The Pit this plane is deadly and the demons that inhabit it deadlier still. No human soul could withstand the terror of the Plane of Death.
12 – Desolation, this plane is also known as Fools Hope for the entire plane is just a series of endless corridors (resembling a prison).
13 – Blades, home to the demon lord Kazara who trained many of the demonic bodyguards employed by the arch demons. He appears as a slender Darklander and always uses a katana.
14 - The Steaming Fen, realm of Sithis Queen of Snakes. This demon princess has gained followers in the Lost Isles south of Grayhawk.
17 - Death's Reward, realm of Abraxas the Unfathomable. Also called the Plane of Mirrors.
18 – Abomination, a huge plane filled with unnameable horrors.
19 - The Plane of Slaves, a massive realm of dungeons, catacombs and slave pits. The demonic equivalent of a grand market where demons of all types are traded to those powerful enough to control them.
21 - The Sixth Pyre, realm of Kardum, lord of Balrogs. One of the oldest creatures in the Abyss Kardum has an army of vicious demons bred specifically from the slave pits that are prominent in his lands.
23 - Iron Wastes, home to Karrolor, demon lord of frost giants.
27 - Malignebula, realm of the Abyssal Lord Xiridor the Noxious. Also known as the Plane of Hatred.
30 - The Plane of Terror, plane of the Dracorians, a race of warrior / torturers who have become the backbone of Korven's forces on Grayhawk up until the demonologist's death (cy 4851 May 10th). Strong and numerous they are demonic bullies who like to throw their weight around.
32 – Darkness, the Plane of Eternal Night. A mysterious shadow world shunned even by some of the more powerful arch demons of the Abyss.
49 - Shaddonon, realm of the demon lord Rhyxali, Princess of Shadow. The woman whose smile can shred the soul of any man she resides in a huge forest and is accompanied everywhere by two gigantic wolves; Halask and Kalask.
50 - The Plane of Winds, or the plane that never sleeps. Howling storms plague this vast open wilderness.
51 - Algaroth, Plane of The Slayer - A dark realm of shadows and darkness inhabited by the renegade killers banished from all of the other planes of the Abyss. These demons cannot exist anywhere else in the universe because they are so dangerous, their last realm is Asgaroth where they seek to stay alive in the most dangerous plane in the universe. Supposedly ruled by a demon who manifests itself as a blade called Moonblade - a blade so powerful that it can travel beyond the Astral Plane and is outside the sphere of influence of even the most powerful gods.
52 – Vorganund, also known as the Plane of Disjunction. A plane of extremes where glaciers form in the middle of sweltering deserts. Ruled by Mag’rannor a vicious cheat and liar who will torment his victims by giving them spurious quests or impossible challenges. Slain by Vohaas. In cy 4851 Vohaas became arch demon after being released from the imprisonment of Malakar by Morikand.
54 - Court of Sceirion. All four planes are interconnected throughout, and share planar geographical features. The Keep of Rhieaz is Sceirion's stronghold.
57 - Torturous Truth, realm of the Abyssal Lord Alvarez the Purging Duke. A scheming torturer who likes to exert pain on his many victims. Also known as the Plane of Torment.
58 - Gladiatus, a huge amphitheatre that houses many different varieties of demon. Demon Lords and Arch Demons use this plane to blood their minions and slaves. It possesses very little magic which makes it an ideal venue for the contests and trials that take place within it's thick walls. This plane has no ruler but attracts many powerful and dangerous creatures.
59 - The Plane of Deception, a dark shadowy realm home to Alabar, Lord of Lies. He was cast from Loramas' palace because of his untrustworthiness. But he took with him Loramas' Book of Lies, an early tome she wrote when in consort with Quizet Daesil. Almost a biography of the dead god it has come to seen as a training manual for spies, assassins and thieves.
66 – The Demonweb Pits, home of Lolth, queen of Spiders. She was destroyed in the First Millennium and the place now lies desolate. Some travellers still venture down into her lair in search of her treasure…none return.
67 - The Heaving Hills (Verrangoin Realm)
68 - The Swallowed Void, also known as the Plane of Darkfire. Loramas used this plane as a breeding ground for her enormous army.
69 - The Crushing Plane
70 - The Ice Floe, or the Plane of Ice. A massive expanse of ice, snow and glaciers with very little to stop the terrifying storms that batter the plane. Only the hardest demons can survive this place.
71 - Spirac, hunting grounds of the demon lords. Herds of wild animals roam free on Spirac – fodder for the sport of the lords and princes.
72 – Darklight, realm of Nocticula the Undeniable.
73 - The Wells of Darkness, currently serve as the prison of several demon lords such as Shami-Amorae, Ansitif and Ebulon.
74 - Smargard, home to Merrshaulkthe and Ramenos. Also contains The Viper Pit, and the Silent Temple. These places represent notorious demonic landmarks and are sometimes referred to as one of the eight wonders of darkness.
77 - The Gates of Heaven, realm of Munkir and Nekir. Also known as the Plane of Panacea. On the surface a paradise but this plane holds a dark secret.
79 - The Emessu Tunnels, realm of Anarazel the Daring Darkness.
81 - Aggragar, the Plane of Hunters. A huge prison-like holding jail run as a game reserve for the sport of demonic nobility. Run by Cusar, Arch Demon and ruler of the plane. He was slain by Vetrick and Headlock (cy 4851 - Mar 6th) after Headlock engineered a prison break out.
85 – The Plane of Dragons, and home to many abyssal dragons, this was also the court of the Tiamat pretender Miatta. Miatta's hoard and consorts were scattered after her demise at the hands of Trillz the Dark.
88 - The Gaping Maw (or Brine Flats or Abysm), home to Demogorgon, Prince of Demons, one of the highest-ranking demons in the abyss. Loramas courted this monster (as one of his many concubines) and some say it is from him that she gained the knowledge and power to create the Bloodlines. Demogorgon was banished by Cedron in the First Millennium and has a deep-rooted hatred for all things Grayhawkian.
89 - Shadowsea, oceanic realm of the demon lord Dagon, Prince of the Depths. Also known as the Plane of Tides.
90 - The Guttering Cove, realm of Ilsidahur the Howling King.
91 – The Plane of War, one of the largest of the planes of the Abyss and one that has seen most action. In a constant state of turmoil this plane is the staging ground for many demonic fights. Loramas blooded her armies here many times.
92 - Ulgurshek
95 - The Plane of the Mage - Little information seeps out from this unusual plane, said to be ruled by the greatest sorcerer in the universe. Those demons that do escape from it rarely reveal the secrets of this mysterious place.
101 - The Endless Enigma. A prison layer of non-euclidean and tesseractian chambers, created through the combined powers of Alrunes, Fraz-Urb'luu, Sceirion, Obox-ob, and Abraxus. This level is often the destination of gate traps. The only being to have ever escaped its confines, Baphomet, entered on a bet and emerged 7500 years later. Most demonic scholars believe that each of the plane's creators built special strongholds and caches throughout its structures. In addition to creatures indigenous to this unique environment, the plane is inhabited by various failed experiments, political prisoners, invaders, adventurers (Prime-planar, demonic, and otherwise), and such.
103 - The Plane of Doom. A desperate world filled with desperate creatures. Ruled by a powerful arch demon called Gasharn, a creature so fierce he stood against Loramas and lived.
111 - The Mind of Evil, also known as the Plane of Telepathy this realm is ruled by Xomar the Mind Lord. An ever-changing land some say that this plane only exists as a figment of Xomar’s imagination.
113- Thanatos, the realm of Orcus, demon prince of the undead. This beast was destroyed in the First Millennium but some say the spirit of Orcus haunts Thanatos.
120 - Court of Yeenoghu, Demon Lord of Gnolls and Ghouls. Also known as the Dire Plane. Layer 120 is a hilly, forested plane, and Yeenoghu's personal domain where he hunts. Layer 121 has similar geography, and is a training-ground for Yeenoghu's gnolls, gnoles, gholes, thouls, ghouls, trolls, and legions of demons.
121 - Court of Baphomet, High King of Demonkind. Also known as the Plane of Nobles. Baphomet's layer is mazey, with various open "courtyards" that contain forests, seas, and his palace (at the centre of the plane, of course). The demon Belitfint is Baphomet's chancellor.
123 - Sylthiand, the Plane of Spies. The training ground for those demons adept in he arts of espionage. Ruled by Sedrek the Sly, an arch demon who sells his services to the highest bidder. Extensively used in the reign of Loramas Sedrek's spy network extends far beyond the reach of the Abyss.
128 - Slugbed, realm of the Abyssal lord Luperio the Baron of Sloth. Also known as the Plane of Sleep.
137 - Outcasts' End, realm of Azazel, Prince of Scapegoats. A demon much persecuted by his peers Azazel harbours a deep hatred for all demonkind.
142 – Horrors, The Plane of Horrors is a vast swamp inhabited by failed experiments, cross-bred horrors that roam in search of lost souls. The wretched and the infirm end up here.
143 - Galgar, The Plane of Lost Spirits. A strange mountainous realm ruled by a powerful archdemon called Volandir. This brute hires himself out as an assassin for hire and has a reputation for merciless cruelty and efficiency.
144 – Kythar, also known s the Plane of Poison.
148 - Torrent
150 – Plane of Combat, this plane is where the demon princes and arch demons train their guards in the arts of combat. The grand master of the largest academy is called Gulgothra, a horned demon of great skill.
153 – Withering, a place where nothing grows. Mainly deserted no human soul is able to contend with the harsh environment of the Plane of Withering.
160 - The Lassar Maze, supposedly the secret passageways that Promethius created to aid his movement throughout the Abyss. The fabled arch demon Lassar (now dead) produced a map of maze and was the only creature to be able to navigate it. The map was lost when he died. The unusual aspect of this plane is that it exists in a one second slice of time. Any spells cast there last forever...
176 - Hollow's Heart, or the Plane of Illusions, realm of the demon lord Fraz-Urb'luu, which, due to his magical illusions, appears to be flat, colourless, and featureless to the human eye.
177 - The Writhing Realm, realm of Ugudenk the Squirming King.
180 - The Plane of Dreams, academics argue whether this plane exists at all, or whether - as many of them believe - it is just the figment of a vast demonic mind. There are those that believe that Mystiva, the Queen of Dreams, inhabit the forest-like realm.
181 - The Rotting Plain, realm of the Troglodyte demon Laogzed.
184 – The Plane of Reversal, a barren vacuum. An open conduit to the Negative Material plane has drained this plane of all life. For all practical purposes, this plane is an extension of the Negative Material Plane, and all magics that require contact with that plane function normally on this layer of the Abyss.
193 - Vulgarea, realm of the arche demoness Eshebala, half fox half woman.
213 214 215 - Court of Tsuggtmoy, Demon Queen of Fungi. This layer is a vast plain of moldering fungus that sinks into vaporous swampy masses of putrescence. Rivers and lakes of slime cross its surface. Tsuggtmoy holds court in a bowl-like depression in the lowest depths of the layer's swamps. This plane connects to layer 457.
222 - Shedaklah (aka The Slime Pits), home to Jubilex demon Prince of Slimes.
223 – The Plane of Life, a huge sprawling wilderness sixty times the size of Grayhawk. This plane represents all living creatures; allegedly every single species in the entire universe can be found in the Plane of Life.
229 – The Plane of Whores, the entire plane is a vast urban mess full of taverns, dark alleyways and hidden areas. Ruled by Feistus the Grand Pimp, this arch demon has a veritable army of concubines and whores. It is sometimes called the Plane of Pleasure…(cure disease is essential!)
230 - The Dreaming Gulf, a windy realm home to the dreams of dead gods. Thought to be where the dreams of the Old Gods of the First Millennium came to rest. Their ideas, ideology and many of their secrets lie in this plane. Also known as the Plane of Dreams.
241 - Palpitatia, home to Vantul, demon lord of humanoids. Thought to be the reincarnation of Fermat this demon prefers the form of a giant black orc but can be seen as any of the humanoid races.
245 - The Scalding Sea, a watery plane that contains nothing but boiling sulphurous oceans. What few islands there are tend to teem with demonic life.
246 – Towers, the plane of Towers is covered by a vast ocean of lava. All inhabitants that dwell there do so in large tower-like structures that sprout from the maelstrom. Ruled by Qasadar, an infamous and powerful arch demon who stood against Loramas in her bid for domination of the Abyss.
248 - The Hidden Layer, realm of Eltab and his son Aggrizael - who is supposedly one of the greatest thieves in the Abyss. Also known as the Plane of Thieves.
247 – The Fens, a swampy layer that houses many will-o-wisps, hags, lower demons, etc.
248 – Stygia, also known as The Plane of the Lake. (Anywhere but the Abyss it would be an ocean).
267 - Library of Gresil. Three planes of row and rows of books, scrolls, tapestries, and other records enclosed in stone shelves. Paved flagstone floors and walls, ceiling that just go up . . . Gresil's library demons know who is permitted to delve the archives. This plane is neutral ground, at least temporarily, as few demons are willing to risk Gresil's wrath. Supposedly the greatest library anywhere Gresil is a hoarder and will travel far for a good book.
268 269 – The Twin Hells, academics are unsure whether this is one plane or two interconnecting ones. Ruled by Xavaros the Lord of Death; a tormentor who allegedly has captured many devils from Hell for his twisted experiments.
274 – Durao, also known as the Plane of Mustering. Where the armies of the Abyss as they prepare for battle – used by Loramas to muster her forces and drive them across the Abyss.
280 – Kazzaar, also known as the Plane of Blades. Supposedly the final resting place of the soul of Heredius – Grayhawk’s greatest swordmaker – some say the great sorcerer was captured and forced to work on Kazzaar training fledgling blade makers.
297 - The Sighing Clifs, a mountainous realm of the Lady Krianna. She resides in a palace at the top of Ghendor, the highest mountain in the universe, allegedly unclimbable (now there’s a challenge!)
300 - Feng-Tu, also known as the Plane of Edo. Darkland demons were more honourable than their Grayhawkian counterparts and virtually all the demonologists summoned from Feng-Tu. These demons resemble Darklanders and many have the skills and lore associated with that land.
303 - The Sulfanorum, also known as the Plane of Fire.
