The Olympian Glades of Arborea,[11] also known as Olympus,[12] was the Outer Plane in the Great Wheel cosmology model embodying the disorganized but well-intentioned motives of the chaotic good alignment.[6] (In the Realms, people referred to the entire plane as Arvandor, since the Olympian powers were not known there.[13]) Its layers housed the elven and Greek pantheons, as well as the realms of the deities Lliira, Sune, and Tymora.[14][15]
Although the gods of the realm of Olympus and Toril occasionally interacted,[16] the people of Toril rarely concerned themselves with the affairs of the Olympians and vice versa. In the World Tree cosmology, the realms of Arvandor and Brightwater in the first layer were considered Celestial planes in their own rights.[17][18] Arvandor, in particular, survived the Spellplague and became part of the World Axis cosmology.[19]
Description
This plane had three layers with unique landscapes:
Arvandor
The layer of Arvandor was sometimes referred to as Olympus. Its two realms—so vast and influential that their names became synonymous with the plane and the layer they occupied—coexisted with little conflict: Olympus, home of the Greek pantheon, and Arvandor, domain of the Seldarine.[9] Even before the World Tree cosmology became popular, the influence of the Greek pantheon was primarily focused on other Prime Material Planes and had minor contact with the Forgotten Realms. Indeed, the two domains were separated by thousands of miles/kilometers of unclaimed wilderness[9] and, due to the slight curvature of the landscape, were not visible to each other despite being located at the highest peaks of their respective lands.[1] The layer also had a third realm known as Brightwater.[20]
Dominating the Greek-controlled realms was Mount Olympus, a towering edifice that served as home to many of the Greek gods as well as a multiplanar conduit connecting Olympus directly to Hades, Gehenna, Tarterus, and Alternate Prime Material Planes without passing through the Astral Plane.[21] The usual color pools existed for Astral travelers and the permanent portals to neighboring Outer planes Happy Hunting Grounds/Beastlands, Gladsheim, and Concordant Opposition took the form of large, spinning crimson disks. Divination was required to determine the destination of each portal and all pools and portals within thousands of miles/kilometers of the Greek or elvish demesnes were either guarded, surrounded by stone walls and iron gates, or both.[1]
This layer was starkly mountainous with deep chasms, huge passes, and foothills the size of Prime plane mountains.[9] Giant trees adorned the rugged terrain while the flatter parts were covered with untended vineyards, orchards and fields of wild wheat, eventually giving way to wilderness. Monsters and evil beasts took advantage of the lack of vigilance and roamed the wild places, providing a challenge to any who would go exploring.[1]
Aquallor
A representation of the layers of Arborea, according to the Great Wheel Cosmology. Hovering over the map will reveal main features. Clicking will link to the article for that location.
Ossa to the Greeks and Aquallor to the elves, this layer was mostly filled with shallow seas no more than three feet (one meter) deep,[1] with no islands or shores.[22] The River Oceanus had its outlet here,[1][22] delivering travelers from Elysium or the Happy Hunting Grounds/Beastlands safely in the middle of nowhere. The mighty sea was wracked with powerful storms.[22] The shallow seabed was occasionally broken by cavernous trenches leading to undersea domains of various sea gods[1] or by huge maelstroms that funneled water back to Thalasia in Elysium, thus completing the cycle.[1][22] The barriers between layers of this plane were somewhat rare compared to other Outer planes. Being the middle layer, Aquallor had barriers that led to the watery realms of Poseidon and Deep Sashelas in Arvandor, as well as a few that lead to the third layer, Mithardir.[1] Aquallor was also home to many sea elves and other aquatic creatures.[22]
Mithardir
Also known as Pelion; Mithardir meant white dust in the Elven language, and the mysterious third layer was a land of blowing white sand, with snow in the colder regions. Both the Greeks and the elves had stories and legends about powerful beings who once lived here, creating artifacts and architecture that became all but buried in the dust after they presumably died or departed. Their fate, and that of any creatures left behind, remains unknown.[1]
Inhabitants
Devas,[23], hollyphants,[24] planetars,[25] solars,[26] foo creatures,[27] and agathia[28] formed the usual cohort of creatures ubiquitous to the Upper planes. But Arvandor was also the home of giant beasts and legendary monsters, such as giant bears, eagles, wolves, serpents, boars, lions, and wild cattle. Gorgons, cyclopes, giants, medusae, chimerae, harpies, sphinxes, and pegasi all made nests or lairs in the mountainous terrain or lived and lurked in the wilderness of the first layer.[1]
Realms
Nearly all the known realms of this plane existed on the first layer.
- Aerdrie Faenya, Seldarine Goddess of Air and Weather, wandered among the layers of Arvandor and Gladsheim accompanied by dozens of huge birds,[29][30] taking her realm with her.[31][32]
- Araleth Letheranil, Seldarine Prince of Stars, stayed in his House of Glowing Stars on Arvandor.[33]
- Corellon Larethian, chief deity of the Seldarine, once had a realm here.[34][35]
- Deep Sashelas, sea god of the Seldarine, inhabited the waters that bordered the other great elvish realms.[34][36] Some sages put his realm named Elavandor in Aquallor.[32]
- Erevan Ilesere, Seldarine God of Mischief and Change, once made his home on this plane.[34][30]
- Finder Wyvernspur ascended to demigod status at the end of the Godswar[37] and initially chose this plane for his realm, which he called Fermata.[38]
- Hanali Celanil, Seldarine Goddess of Romantic Love and Beauty, had a crystal palace here that surrounded an enchanted fountain which fed the magic pool Evergold (called Canathas by the Greeks).[34][39]
- Hlal, the draconic Jester, was know to lair somewhere on this plane, though the site was a secret.[40]
- Iallanis, giant goddess of love and beauty, had her realm of Florallium on the first layer.[41]
- Labelas Enoreth, elvish God of Longevity and rival to Erevan, once had a realm here.[34][39]
- Lliira, Goddess of Joy, Carefree Feeling, Contentment, Release, Hospitality, Happiness, Dance, and Patron of Festivals, once shared the welcoming realm of Brightwater on in this plane with several other goddesses.[42][43][44][45]
- Nephthys of the Mulhorandi pantheon had a large palace carved from rock which blended in with the desert far away from the demesnes of the Greek and the elves.[34] Some sages put her realm called Amun-thys in Pelion/Mithardir.[46]
- Poseidon, god of waters, maintained his marine realm, Caletto, in Aquallor.[47][48]
- Rillifane Rallathil the Leaflord, whose realm was also his body, once put down his roots on this plane.[34][49]
- The Seelie Court of the Faerie Queen Titania, including Oberon, Caoimhin, Damh, Eachthighern, Emmantiensien, Fionnghuala, Nathair Sgiathach, Sqeulaiche and Verenestra, often stayed in Arborea as part of its wanderings.[50][51]
- Sehanine Moonbow, the Daughter of the Night Skies, resided with Corellon in Arvandor.[52][53]
- Sharess, the Lustful Mistress, joined her fellow goddesses in the realm of Brightwater in Arvandor after the Time of Troubles.[54]
- Shevarash, the Black Archer, had no realm of his own, but often stayed within Arvandor.[55]
- Solonor Thelandira, God of Archery and Hunting, had a realm of thick forests and rapidly flowing streams named Pale Tree here.[34][30][56]
- Sune, human Goddess of Love, Beauty, Passion, and Charisma, once made her home, Brightwater, on this plane. She shares the waters of Evergold with Hanali Celanil.[57][58][59][45]
- Syranita, goddess of the aarakocra, had her realm named Whistledge in Olympus.[60]
- Tymora, human Goddess of Good Fortune, Luck, Victory, Skill, and Patron of Adventurers and Warriors, resided in the realm of Brightwater in Arvandor.[61][62][63][45]
Appendix
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 93. ISBN 0880383992.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (April 1987). “Plane Speaking: Tuning in to the Outer Planes”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #120 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 42–43.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 62. ISBN 0880383992.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan (September 2001). Manual of the Planes 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 49. ISBN 0-7869-1850-8.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins, James Wyatt (2014). Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 47. ISBN 978-0786965622.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 73. ISBN 0880383992.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 75. ISBN 0880383992.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), pp. 78–82. ISBN 0880383992.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 92. ISBN 0880383992.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan (September 2001). Manual of the Planes 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 144–147. ISBN 0-7869-1850-8.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins, James Wyatt (2014). Dungeon Master's Guide 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 58. ISBN 978-0786965622.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (1994). Planescape Campaign Setting, A DM Guide to the Planes. Edited by David Wise. (TSR, Inc), p. 50. ISBN 978-1560768340.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “Cyclopedia of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 18. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “The Book of Chaos”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), pp. 41–50. ISBN 1560768746.
- ↑ Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 173, 181. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ Gary L. Thomas ed. (May 1988). Tales of the Outer Planes. (TSR, Inc.), p. 4. ISBN 978-0880385442.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 258. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 146. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
- ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 62. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “The Book of Chaos”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), pp. 48–50. ISBN 1560768746.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 72. ISBN 0880383992.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 Richard Baker, Joseph D. Carriker, Jr., Jennifer Clarke Wilkes (August 2005). Stormwrack. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 10. ISBN 07-8692-873-5.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 43. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 75. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 101. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 111. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 65. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 9. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), pp. 94, 95. ISBN 0880383992.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Gary Gygax (August, 1985). Unearthed Arcana (1st edition). (TSR, Inc.), p. 113. ISBN 0880380845.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “The Book of Chaos”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), p. 107. ISBN 1560768746.
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 95. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ Chris Perry (December 1996). “The Seldarine Revisited”. In Pierce Watters ed. Dragon #236 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 11–17, 25.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 34.5 34.6 34.7 Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 94. ISBN 0880383992.
- ↑ James Ward, Robert J. Kuntz (August 1980). Deities & Demigods. Edited by Lawrence Schick. (TSR, Inc.), p. 106. ISBN 0-935696-22-9.
- ↑ James Ward, Robert J. Kuntz (August 1980). Deities & Demigods. Edited by Lawrence Schick. (TSR, Inc.), p. 107. ISBN 0-935696-22-9.
- ↑ Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 154. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 14–15. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Gary Gygax (August, 1985). Unearthed Arcana (1st edition). (TSR, Inc.), p. 114. ISBN 0880380845.
- ↑ Dale Donovan (January 1998). Cult of the Dragon. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 120. ISBN 0-7869-0709-6.
- ↑ Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 175. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “Cyclopedia of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 12. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 23. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 96. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 171, 181. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 117. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ R.A. Salvatore (1989). The Bloodstone Lands. Edited by Elizabeth T. Danforth. (TSR, Inc), p. 43. ISBN 0-88038-771-8.
- ↑ Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 127. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ James Ward, Robert J. Kuntz (August 1980). Deities & Demigods. Edited by Lawrence Schick. (TSR, Inc.), p. 108. ISBN 0-935696-22-9.
- ↑ Carl Sargent (May 1992). Monster Mythology. (TSR, Inc), p. 119. ISBN 1-5607-6362-0.
- ↑ Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 137, 175. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 125. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 99. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 51–52. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 129–130. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 97, 99. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “Cyclopedia of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 14. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 31. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 149. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 177. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “Cyclopedia of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 15. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 33. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 166. ISBN 978-0786903849.
Connections
| Arvandor | Aquallor | Mithardir | |
| Arvandor (The Aerie • Gwyllachaightaeryll • Evergold • Erevan's changing palace • Hanali's crystal palace • House of Glowing Stars • Lolth's Grove • Pale Tree • Tethridar) |
Brightwater Fermata Florallium Olympus Whistledge |
Caletto Elavandor |
Amun-thys |
Wandering: Seelie Court
Demiplanes: Court of Stars
Prime Material plane • Feywild • Shadowfell • Fugue Plane
Transitive Planes: Astral Plane • Ethereal plane
Inner Planes: Elemental Plane of Air • Elemental Plane of Water • Elemental Plane of Earth • Elemental Plane of Fire • Elemental Chaos
Para-Elemental Planes: Frostfell • Swamp of Oblivion • Fountains of Creation • Great Conflagration
Quasi-Elemental Planes: Lightning • Radiance • Minerals • Steam • Vacuum • Ash • Dust • Salt
Outlands: Sigil
Outer Planes: Arcadia • Mount Celestia • Bytopia • Elysium • Beastlands • Arborea • Ysgard • Limbo •
Pandemonium • Abyss (Layers) • Carceri • Hades • Gehenna • Nine Hells • Acheron • Mechanus
Energy planes: Positive Energy plane • Negative Energy plane
Planar Pathways: Infinite Staircase • Oceanus • Mount Olympus • Styx • Yggdrasil
Far Realm
Prime Material plane • Cynosure • Fugue Plane
Transitive Planes: Astral Plane • Ethereal plane • Plane of Shadow • Spirit World
Celestial Outer Planes: Arvandor • Brightwater • Dwarfhome • Dweomerheart • Gates of the Moon • Golden Hills • Green Fields • House of Knowledge • House of the Triad
Fiendish Outer Planes: Abyss (Layers) • Barrens of Doom and Despair • Blood Rift • Clangor • Deep Caverns • Demonweb Pits • Fated Depths • Fury's Heart • Hammergrim • Nine Hells • Nishrek • Supreme Throne
Neutral Outer Planes: Dragon Eyrie • Heliopolis • House of Nature • Jotunheim • Warrior's Rest
Inner Planes: Elemental Plane of Air • Elemental Plane of Earth • Elemental Plane of Fire • Elemental Plane of Water • Positive Energy plane • Negative Energy plane
Planar Pathways: Infinite Staircase • River of Blood • World Tree
Far Realm
Prime Material plane
Fundamental planes: Astral Sea • Elemental Chaos
Astral dominions: Arvandor • Banehold • Celestia • Cynosure • Deep Wilds • Demonweb Pits • Dismal Caverns • Dwarfhome • Eternal Sun • Fugue Plane • Gates of the Moon • Green Fields • House of Knowledge • Nine Hells • Nishrek • Supreme Throne • Towers of Night • Tu'narath • Warrior's Rest
Elemental realms: Abyss (Layers) • City of Brass • Cresting Spires • Fimbulwinter • Hidden Realm • Muspelheim • Root Hold • Sky Home • Steading • Thraotor • Undying Pyre • Zerthadlun
Parallel planes: Feywild • Shadowfell
Anomalous planes: Far Realm