Great Beyond

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The Great Beyond is a collective term used by scholars to describe all the planes of existence. They include the universe that is home to the galaxy of the Pact Worlds system, the planes of the Inner Sphere and the Outer Sphere, as well as the Astral Plane that seperates the latter two.

Inner Sphere

The Inner Sphere is a collective term used by scholars to describe the planes that metaphysically reside "within" the envelope of the Astral Plane. The Inner Sphere includes the universe of the Pact Worlds system, also known as the Material Plane, the Drift through which starships travel, the Elemental Planes of Air, Earth, Water, and Fire, the Ethereal Plane, the First World of the Eldest, the Negative and Positive Energy Planes, and the Shadow Plane.

Astral Plane

The Astral Plane, serving as a barrier between the Inner Sphere and the Outer Sphere, ripples with a silvery-gray mist. Deceased souls from the Material Plane traverse this plane within the River of Souls, making their journey toward ultimate judgment by the goddess Pharasma in the Outer Sphere.

Outer Sphere

After leaving the Astral Plane, souls travel via the River of Souls to the Outer Sphere for Pharasma's judgement and end up in one of the Outer Plane where they are often transformed in the service of a deity into a demon, angel, or other outsider. In alphabetical order, the planes of the Outer Sphere are Abaddon, the Abyss, Axis, the Boneyard, Elysium, Heaven, Hell, the Maelstrom, and Nirvana.

Contact with and travel to other planes

Numerous spells exist that allow the caster to contact and seek the guidance of powers from the Outer Sphere. These include spells such as augury and vision, which mystics believe are directly answered by their patrons. Other casters use spells such as planar binding to trap beings from other planes on the Material and force them to perform tasks.

Magic also allows casters to travel to other planes using spells such as ethereal jaunt, plane shift, and shadow walk.