The Para-Elemental Planes

The Para-Elemental Planes are the turbulent borderlands where the four core elements bleed into one another. Formed at the intersections of the Elemental Planes, these realms are not stable mixtures but primordial clashes—volatile domains shaped by the friction, fusion, and extremes of elemental opposition.

Para-Elemental Plane of Smoke

Between the planes of elemental Air and elemental Fire is the plane of para-elemental Smoke, also called Plane of Ash or the Great Conflagration. It appears as a cloud of foul-smelling fog which gets a little more pleasant as you approach the Plane of Air, or hotter and more luminous as you move toward the Plane of Fire. Smoke particles made breathing difficult to the point of asphyxiation so travelers need to be prepared or death was delayed only as long as one can hold their breath. Pockets of Air were a welcome relief. Pockets of Fire looked like free-floating fireballs. Using the sphere model discussed above, the para-elemental plane of Smoke touches the planes of Air, Fire, Lightning, Radiance, Vacuum, and Ash, and canbe reached directly through the Ethereal plane.

Para-Elemental Plane of Magma

Between the planes of elemental Fire and elemental Earth is the plane of para-elemental Magma, also known as the Fountains of Creation. It is a long sea of molten lava that thins out and becomes gaseous toward the Plane of Fire, or thickens until it becomes solid rock toward the Plane of Earth. Breathing difficulty goes from bad to worse in the same manner. Pockets of Fire are bubbles of elemental Fire and the thin gasses from that plane. Pockets of Earth are pillars of granite or rough-cut stone floating in the magma. The para-elemental plane of Magma touches the planes of Fire, Earth, Radiance, Minerals, Ash, and Dust, and can be reached directly through the Ethereal plane.

Para-Elemental Plane of Ooze

Between the planes of elemental Earth and elemental Water is the plane of para-elemental Ooze, also known as the Swamp of Oblivion. Close to Earth the rocks and dirt take on a clammy dampness. As one moves toward Water, the density decreases to a quicksand-like state and then thins out to muddy silt. Spells and devices that provide water breathing capability work in this plane also. Pockets of Water form an irregular bubble in the muck. Pockets of Earth are solid nuggets suspended in the ooze. The para-elemental plane of Ooze touches the planes of Earth, Water, Minerals, Steam, Dust, and Salt, and can be reached directly through the Ethereal plane.

Para-Elemental Plane of Ice

The plane of para-elemental Ice, also known as the Frostfell, is found between the planes of elemental Water and elemental Air. Scattered icebergs mark the border with Water, eventually becoming solid ice broken by fissures and caverns until finally jutting into the Plane of Air as ice cliffs. This plane shares the restrictively solid nature of the Plane of Earth. Inadequately protected travelers soon find themselves preserved for all time in sheer ice. Pockets of Water take the form of an underground lake while pockets of Air form ice caverns of any shape or size. The para-elemental plane of Ice touches the planes of Water, Air, Steam, Lightning, Salt, and Vacuum, and can be reached directly through the Ethereal plane.