The Abyss, also called the Abyssal Plane, The Abyssal, Infernal Realms, or Baator, is the home of the gods of Darkness, in the Outer Planes of the Cosmology of Krynn. Following the creation of the Dome of Creation by the good gods above the world of Krynn, The Abyss was constructed by the gods of Darkness, and provides the foundations for the Dome itself, as well as being the source of negative energy for the world. Both domains have effectively become tied to the other, and if one was to completely fall, the other would cease to exist. The Abyss is said to be a vast realm of emptiness, whose landscape can change to suit the nightmares of those who enter. The souls of all those who either worshipped the dark gods, or those who blasphemed against the other gods end up in the Abyss. Without direct intervention by particularly powerful mortals or a god, then a soul is doomed to remain in the Abyss eternally.
All the dark gods have a home within the Abyss, except for Nuitari who chose to dwell in The Gray back in the Age of Dreams. Even though Nuitari is no longer present in the Abyss, the power of his moon is ultimately sourced from the dark realm. From its creation up until the War of Souls, it was governed by the goddess Takhisis. Following the fall of Takhisis, the Abyss is now governed by Sargonnas.
It is near impossible for a mortal to enter the Abyss, except via a few singular breach points, the Gate of Souls, or the direct intervention of one of the gods. One instance where it has been known to enter the Abyss is when the Wizards of High Sorcery discovered many of their portals directly led to the infernal plane. At this time, the wizards placed a series of restrictions on the use of these portals, to prevent anyone entering or anything leaving the Abyss. Another known entry point is the shattered remains of the Temple of Istar, which was used by Takhisis as a gatway to Krynn during the Age of Despair.
Beyond the gods, there are countless creatures that dwell in the Abyss including devils, hellhounds, achaierai, barghests, xill, rakshasas, demons, howlers, nightmares, fiendish Undead, night hags, vargouilles, fiendish oozes, and fungi.
Realms of the Abyss[]
- Death’s Manse
- The Bronze Tower
- The Red Arena
- The Shadowed Streets
- The Temple of Neraka
- Vault of the Condemned
- Zeboim’s Grotto
References[]
- Dragonlance Campaign Setting, p.118
- Dragonlance Dungeon Master's Screen, p.22-23
- Holy Orders of the Stars, p.77-78
- Legends of the Twins, p.79-83
- A Hero’s Justice, p.145
- Amber and Ashes, p.4
- Blades of the Tiger, p.16
- Brothers Majere, p.130
- Chosen of the Gods, p.30, 220
- Conundrum (Novel), p.14
- Dark Thane, p.4
- Divine Hammer, p.6
- Dragons of Summer Flame, p.66, 305, 308, 335, 527
- Dragons of the Highlord Skies, p.182
- Dragons of Time, p.183, 219
- Emperor of Ansalon (Novel), p.58
- Fistandantilus Reborn, p.5
- Flight of the Fallen, p.309
- Galen Beknighted, p.219
- Heroes and Fools, p.38
- Kaz the Minotaur, p.162
- Kendermore (Novel), p.320
- Knight of the Black Rose (Novel) pgs 25, 28
- Knights of the Crown, p.9
- Knights of the Rose, p.53
- Lord Toede, p.1, 3, 6, 224
- Night of Blood (Novel), p.326
- Rebels and Tyrants, p.95
- Redemption, p.169
- Relics and Omens, p.180
- Riverwind the Plainsman, p.255
- Shadow of the Flame, p.23
- Steel and Stone, p.212
- The Magic of Krynn, p.59
- Tales of Uncle Trapspringer, p.6
- The Annotated Dragonlance Chronicles, Autumn Twilight, p.125
- The Annotated Dragonlance Legends, Test of the Twins, p.960
- The Annotated Dragonlance Legends, Time of the Twins, p.28
- The Annotated Dragonlance Legends, War of the Twins, p.511-526
- The Black Wing (Novel), p. 251, 252, 256
- The Dargonesti, p.6
- The Dark Queen, p.3-5
- The Dawning of a New Age, p.2
- The Day of the Tempest, p.96
- The Doom Brigade, p.1
- The Dragons, p. 13, 95
- The Dragons at War, p.57
- The Eve of the Maelstrom, p.11
- The Kinslayer Wars, p.142
- The Lake of Death, p.149
- The Legend of Huma, p.79
- The Players of Gilean, p.131
- The Search for Power, p.14
- The Wayward Knights, p.6
- Tides of Blood, p.117
- Vinas Solamnus, p.281