Chaosium

A deep outer plane, home to demons and entropy

From a lecture given by Master Uliboros of the Holy Slayers, The Spires of Concept, Jansor in the Kingdom of Nador, to slayer initiates:

"Of the three Nether Planes [Chaosium, Infernus, and Nightrealm], Chaosium is, as its name implies, the most chaotic and random. It is the home of all demonkind, a realm of unbridled confusion, danger, and misery. It is the cradle of chaos in its purest form.

"From the accounts of the learned Kalyourn the Knowing, the plane is divided into seven demi-planes, each effectively infinite in scope; if Kalyourn's journals are accurate, each level of Chaosium is a complete and closed universe. As can be expected, each level is typified by separate climatic conditions and features. As nearly as Kalyourn could discern, these levels are as follows:

"Aquinus is a universe much like the Elemental Plane of Water, in that it is completely occupied by an infinite ocean. Unlike [the Elemental Plane of Water], however, the depths of Aquinus are finite, as Kalyourn wrote of submerged plains of sand, vast mountains of coral, and forests of vegetation akin to the sea frond tangles found in our own oceans. The water itself is uniformly cold and murky and populated by myriad demonic beings, the most common of which is the aqua demon. Kalyourn also wrote of living tendrils of sea grass, immense krakens, hordes of wickedly spined urchins, and piceans. Undoubtedly, there are other creatures to be found. The watery realm is said to be ruled from a palace of living coral by a tentahedrix of exceptional malice and evil disposition.

"Frisia, the second level of Chaosium, is demi-plane of relentless cold and biting winds. It is typified by an endless plain of ice and snow, from which the occasional hold of some petty demon lord crops up. Temperatures here are rarely above freezing, and the skies are permanendy obscured by clouds heavy with snow. Frost demons inhabit Frisia, as do furred snakes, white dragons, and other cold-dwelling creatures. Kalyourn specifically notes that while there are many creatures to be found on Frisia with counterparts on the Plane Prime, all such creatures have been subverted with demonic qualities and possess powers not seen in specimens indigenous to our world. As a result of their cold environment, denizens of Frisia are particularly vulnerability to fire, a detail apparently discovered by Kalyourn while combatting a band of ice rovers.

"Floris is the third demi-plane of Chaosium, and it is known by the vast jungles that cover the whole of its surface. These jungles are deep and thick with plant growth, and teem with predators of myriad form, the greatest of which seems to be the weed demons, sproutlings, and pollinators who hold sway here. Little is known about Floris—even Kalyourn has scant words of description regarding this demi-plane—but it is assumed that the jungles of Floris are a nest of extreme danger.

"Pyronis, the fourth level of Chaosium, is akin to the Elemental Plane of Fire, except that it is composed of a rocky surface that stretches into a vast plain as far as one might see. The plain is ever-burning, pierced intermittantly with rivers of lava and liquid fire. Pyro demons, fireshards, and thermavrax inhabit this realm, and while undoubtedly dangerous, they seem to exhibit a specific intolerance for water or cold.

"Avernus is the fifth level of Chaosium. It is an infinite desert, marked by endless dunes of sand lit by a white-hot sun that never moves. Kalyourn wrote of the blistering heat, though he hastened to add that the occasional oasis was to be found on the demi-plane. In most cases, these were illusions, and all were inhabited by fierce sand demons, duneriders, and pebblekin. Kalyourn posited that these demons promoted mirages to ensnare travellers, but other sages disagree, pointing out that, in such a uniformly arid environment, such an ability would be useful only against the rare outsider.

"Terrax is the sixth demi-plane of Chaosium, and its environment is the closest of all demi-planes to that of the Plane Prime. Terrax is a seemingly endless series of rocky vales and peaks, though steady streams of water weave their way throughout. Kalyourn remarked on the obviously demonic influence here, as he noted several times that streams flowed as easily up hills as down and the there were abundant growths of flowers that bloomed at night but closed during the light of day. The land itself is home to populations of earth demons, gem urchins, mudspores, and cephaloterrans. The habits of earth demons were discovered much to the delight of Kalyourn's party, for while these creatures ingest earth, they cannot digest gems. From Kalyourn's account, the place was virtually littered with precious stones and jewels. The skies of Terrax are perpetually violent and noisy with thunderstorms. Lightning bolts frequently crash down from above, apparently the result of the storm demons who fly about the swirling stormfronts with glee. As a result, Kalyourn warned potential travellers to insulate themselves before venturing through the dales and summits of Terrax.

"The seventh and final level of Chaosium is known simply as The Void, and of it, Kalyourn wrote very little. It is known, however, that this level is black and featureless, without surface, and devoid of breathable air. It is believed to be the breeding ground for all demonkind, and it is from The Void that the whole of Chaosium is apparently ruled. Void demons, the most powerful demons, dwell here with their attendant netherspawn and and nightshades.

"Kalyourn wrote of these latter demon types, based mostly on his account of encounters with them while he travelled through the upper levels of the Chaosium. Apparently, both netherspawn and nightshades travel freely throughout Chaosium, overseeing the activities of their lesser counterparts, and directing the designs of same. Kalyourn stated that the effect of these greater demons is oppressive and fear-inspiring; Kalyourn suggests that they are instruments of the void demons who rule Chaosium, and they are afforded no little respect.

"With that we conclude our overview of Chaosium. Read well Kalyourn's scrolls in the Catacomb Library. To those of you who might someday cross the expanses of Chaosium's realms, the knowledge gained will undoubtedly serve you well.

"And now, continuing our itinerary of the Nether Planes, we arrive at Infernus, the Realm of Bones..."