Khalas, sometimes called the Gentle Land,[2] was the first layer of Gehenna.[3] It contained the divine realms of Bhaal[4][5] and Gaknulak.[6]
Geography[]
Despite being finite as it floated in the endless void of the plane,[2] Khalas stretched for an unimaginably large distance and was larger than any known landmass of any world in the Prime Material plane. There was no level ground to be found anywhere in the layer: all slopes were inclined at least 45 degrees, and sheer cliffs were common.[3]
Marked by abundant volcanic activity, the air of Khalas was saturated with ash and smoke. Close to the ground, the air glowed red due to the lava flows reflecting off the smoke. Above this glow, the sky was permanently dark.[3]
The layer was marked by numerous waterfalls that descended the bottomless slopes until evaporating away or going underground through fissures. As the water evaporated, it filled the entire layer with steam and cloaked it in mist.[3]
The largest waterfalls were the ones along the course of the river Styx,[3] which flowed rapidly and violently through the layer in gorges, canyons, and sometimes free-falling waterfalls off ledges along the mountain.[7]
This layer touched the Astral Plane and had connections to the planes of Hades, Baator, and the Concordant Opposition. The portals appeared as black chasms that opened up in the ground in deep underground caverns. While there was no way of telling where these would lead, intelligent travelers had made markings on the walls by many of them to indicate the portal's destination, if one could read them.[8]
Geographical Features[]
The violent waterfalls and rugged mountainscape conferred to Khalas an eerie beauty.[9] Above the red glowing mist, the second layer, Chamada, was visible in the distance.[3]
Notable Locations[]
- Aknuthrak, realm of Gaknulak.[6]
- Corriegrave, realm of the Celtic god Math Mathonwy.[10]
- The Throne of Blood, realm of Bhaal.[5][4]
- The Cloudy Path, a bi-directional always-open portal to the Quasi-Elemental Plane of Steam.[11]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (April 1987). “Plane Speaking: Tuning in to the Outer Planes”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #120 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 42–43.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Colin McComb (December 1995). “Liber Malevolentiae”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Conflict (TSR, Inc.), p. 24. ISBN 0-7869-0309-0.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Jeff Grubb, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan (September 2001). Manual of the Planes 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 111–113. ISBN 0-7869-1850-8.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 182. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 44–45. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 176. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ Colin McComb (December 1995). “Liber Malevolentiae”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Conflict (TSR, Inc.), p. 27. ISBN 0-7869-0309-0.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 108. ISBN 0880383992.
- ↑ Colin McComb (December 1995). “Liber Malevolentiae”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Conflict (TSR, Inc.), pp. 32–34. ISBN 0-7869-0309-0.
- ↑ Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 74. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ Monte Cook and William W. Connors (December 7, 1998). The Inner Planes. Edited by Michele Carter and Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 105. ISBN 0-7869-0736-3.
Connections[]
| Khalas | Chamada | Mungoth | Krangath |
| Aknuthrak Teardrop Palace Throne of Blood |
Bastion of Hate Rictus Thraotor |
Death's Embrace Ondtland |
Night Below |