The Material Plane

The Material Plane is the nexus where the philosophical and elemental forces that define the other planes in Gaia collide in the jumbled existence of mortal life and mundane matter. The rest of the multiverse is defined in relation to the Material Plane. The world of the Material Plane is incredibly diverse, for it reflects the creative imagination of the Divine Beings that created it, as well as the players whose heroes adventure there.

This Plane is home to the continents, the oceans, political powers, adventures, and history that makes Gaia what it is.

Beyond the Material Plane

Beyond the Material Plane, the various planes of existence are realms of myth and mystery. They're not simply other worlds, but different qualities of being, formed and governed by spiritual and elemental principles abstracted from the ordinary world, and ruled and inhabited by strange beings and creations.

Planar Travel

In order to get to the various planes surrounding the Material Plane, one must break the Divine Gate, or barrier, that separates them. The more distant the plane, the harder it is to break this Divine Gate, even for but a moment. It is also thought that travelling to higher planes of existence from lower ones is a much more difficult task, requiring much more magical energy. These openings, once created, are short-lived and incredibly unstable. For certain planes, these openings attract extra-planar beings that wish to be free or spread their wrath outside of their own plane, so it is advised that this travel not be done unless carefully and methodically researched.

As such, the extra-planar travel that is common amongst skilled casters is but a drop in the bucket when compared to the mechanisms that certain bastions of power maintain and research in order to reach the far planes. Being precise in their endeavors, these mechanisms are safeguarded to ensure this power isn't abused or used by those lacking credentials or working towards nefarious purposes.