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    D&Demons - A Rough Guide to the Abyss
    Posted on Sat, November 05, 2005 by Dongul
    gvdammerung writes "The Infinite Layers of the Abyss. No listing is then possible of every layer. Scholars (to be polite) have, however, delved deep into the depths of the deparvity that is the Abyss. So. Put on your holy symbol. Tuck in your inhibitions. Roll up your sleeves. And say your prayers. A roll call of the layers of the Abyss awaits. Nearly 100 "officially" named layers guaranteed to flay the flesh from you bones, sear your soul and pop the gooey goodness from your eyeballs! Express elevator, going DOWN!

    D&Demons - A Rough Guide to the Abyss
    By: Glenn Vincent Dammerung, aka GVDammerung
    Posted with permission. Do not repost without obtaining prior permission from the author.

    The following is a simple listing, drawn from a number of published sources. It is a list of the known and named layers of the Abyss. Canon has been followed as nearly as possible but several caveats are in order.

    Canon in the day and age of the Third Edition of D&D is more various than it has ever been. Where once TSR and later Wotc controlled canon D&D materials almost exclusively, with the advent of the Third Edition of D&D and the Open Gaming License, third parties may now add to canon. They may add to at least that canon common to D&D, if not Greyhawk specifically. The following list looks to this broader canon but includes TSR and Wotc canon materials, as well.

    In the following listing, no nameless realms are included. A number of layers of the Abyss are variously described in a number of sources but are not named, nor their ruler, if any, identified. These are not included.

    In alternative cases, a layer of the Abyss may be named, and perhaps even its is ruler identified, but its number is not identified. In such cases, an attempt has been made to determine the layer number if there are any clues given in that plane’s description or in the description of another plane making reference to the plane in question. Resort has also been had to actual mythological references in the case of demons drawn from such sources or identifiably so, where such references may suggest correspondences between known demons that can be translated into approximate "layers." This same methodology has been applied to some of the more elusive "game demons," as well. In other words, sometimes resort is had to guesswork, hopefully educated. This is particularly the case with a number of Greyhawk specific layers.

    Finally, the lower planes are a source of infinite curiosity and fascination for any number of players and publishers who have or will continue to add numbered layers to the Abyss. This list, perhaps any list, cannot be entirely complete. Ever.

    Layer No. 1 - The Plain of Infinite Portals/The Wasteland of Gates/Pazunia
    Ruler - Pazuzu
    Notes - The first layer of the Abyss is variously given the three names above. Pazuzu is also noted as the ruler of 503rd Layer of the Abyss - Torremor.

    Layer No. 2 - Driller’s Hive
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 3 - The Forgotten Land
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 4 - The Grand Abyss
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 5 - Wormblood
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 6 - The Realm of a Million Eyes
    Ruler - The Great Mother
    Notes - This is the principle realm of the beholder mother deity.

    Layer No. 7 - The Phantom Plane
    Ruler - Sess’inik

    Layer No. 8 - The Skin-Shredder
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 9 - The Burning Water
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 10 - The Hellhole
    Ruler - Unknown
    Notes - The name of this layer is odd for a layer of the Abyss but suggests a connection to the Nine Hells.

    Layer No. 11 - Molrat
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 12 - The Twelve Trees
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 13 - The Blood Tor
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 14 - The Jagged Tor of Final Reckoning
    Ruler - Gamigin

    Layer No. 23 - The Ice Wastes/The Iron Wastes/Tschyrtolikya
    Ruler - Kostchtchie
    Notes - Kostchtchie’s realm is variously given the three names above.

    Layer No. 24 - Elenur/The Elemental Wastes
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 25 - Ic’vnign/The Swarming Jungle
    Ruler - I’tkk’chavni

    Layer No. 26 - Necrodus
    Ruler - Uruhz

    Layer No. 27 - Malignebula
    Ruler - Lissa’aere

    Layer No. 28 - Zahhak
    Ruler - Unknown(?)
    Notes - An interesting "layer of confluence," Zahhak is arguably referenced in three widely variant sources and is assigned this layer pending more in depth research.

    Layer No. 29 - Maldinach/The Desert of Broken Bones
    Ruler - Azazel
    Notes - This layer has two alternative names.

    Layer No. 30 - The Shadow Fortress
    Ruler - Iyaviht

    Layer Nos. 45/46/47 - Azzagrat
    Ruler - Grazzt
    Notes - Once Grazzt was noted as the only demon prince to control more than a single layer. While he still is the only demon prince to control three layers, arguably Pazuzu (1st and 503rd) and Lolth (65th and 66th) each control two layers and Lolth might control three (64th, 65th and 66th) as well. If deific beings are to be counted, Kali also controls two layers, the 500th and the 643rd, while Urdlen is said to control both the 339th and the 399th layers.

    Layer No. 57 - The Torturous Truth
    Ruler - Alvarez

    Layer No. 58 - Sraosha
    Ruler - Azidahaka

    Layer No. 63 - The Final Highway
    Ruler - Seere

    Layer Nos. 65/66 - The Demonweb Pits
    Ruler - Lolth
    Notes - Lolth is variously noted as ruling both the 65th and 66th layers of the Abyss. It is suggested that she may also rule the 64th layer, which is noted only as that adjacent and prescendent to the 65th layer. There is a further suggestion that the presumptive 64th layer may be contained or "impacted" within the 65th layer.

    Layer No. 67 - The Heaving Hills
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 68 - The Soaking Canyon of Malignancy
    Ruler - Marbas

    Layer No. 69 - The Crushing Plain
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 70 - The Ice Floe
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 71 - Spirac
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 72 - Darklight
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 73 - The Wells of Darkness
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 74 - Smargard
    Ruler - Merrshaulk/Ramenos
    Notes - The 74th layer is variously said to be ruled by the first two aforementioned beings. The 74th layer is also one of two "yuan-ti" layers, the other being the 111th layer.

    Layer No. 75 - Kolopan
    Ruler - Vespar

    Layer No. 88 - The Brine Flats/The Gaping Maw
    Ruler - Demogorgon
    Notes - Demogorgon’s realms is known by the foregoing two alternative names.

    Layer No. 99 - The Sea of Screams
    Ruler - Unknown
    Notes - The 99th layer is particularly chaotic and is reported to contain a number of subrealms or demi-layers. See generally discussion of Layer Nos. 65 and 66 and the possible "impacted" 64th layer.

    Layer No. 110 - Charnalhome
    Ruler - Shax

    Layer No. 111 - The Mind of Evil
    Ruler - Sch’theraqpasstt
    Notes - This is one of two "yuan-ti" layers and likely the original, with the 74th layer and Merrshaulk coming into existence after Sch’theraqpasstt’s failed attempt at ultimate power.

    Layer No. 113 - Thanatos
    Ruler - Orcus
    Notes - Orcus in his complex history has gained, lost and regained Thanatos. He is also reputed to have controlled other layers, in one guise or manner or another, which are not named.

    Layer No. 128 - Slugbed
    Ruler - Lupercio

    Layer No. 176 - Hollow’s Heart
    Ruler - Fraz-Urb’luu
    Notes - Fraz-Urb’luu has, at times, been deposed as the ruler of this layer.

    Layer No. 180 - Restarion/The Rotting Palace
    Ruler - Sabnach

    Layer No. 181 - The Rotting Plane
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 182 - Duidan
    Ruler - Behemoth

    Layer No. 222 - The Slime Pits/The Amoebic Sea/Shedaklah
    Ruler - Juiblex/Zuggtmoy
    Notes - Both Juiblex and Zuggtmoy are said to rule this plane that is variously given the foregoing three names. It seems more likely that Zuggtmoy’s realm is otherwise. See Layer 223.

    Layer No. 223 - Mycorgi
    Ruler - Zuggtmoy
    Notes - See Layer No. 222.

    Layer No. 274 - Durao
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer 297 - The Sighing Cliffs
    Ruler - Lynkhab

    Layer No. 302 - The Bloodpyre Fields
    Ruler - Flauros

    Layer No. 303 - Sulfanorum
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 304 - The Battlefield
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 305 - Jahklout
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 306 - The Eternal Lists
    Ruler - Eligor

    Layer No. 307 - The Festival Everlasting
    Ruler - Ipos

    Layer No. 308 - The Cathedral Thelemic
    Ruler - Socothbenoth

    Layer No. 309 - Ablimikarn/The Evershifting Vale
    Ruler - Nocticula
    Note - This layer has two alternative names.

    Layer No. 313 - Illssender’s Realm
    Ruler - Illssender

    Layer No. 330 - The Plateau
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 331 - The Jungles
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 332 - The Layer of the Hunt
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 333 - Mezzafgraduun
    Ruler - The Abat-dolor
    Notes - This plain is home to the Abat-Dolor and has been variously held by Graz’zt and Elazalag.

    Layer No. 334 - The Cyanic Fens
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 339 - The Worm Realm (I)
    Ruler - Urdlen
    Notes - Urdlen is said to also control the 399th layer, also known as the Worm Realm.

    Layer No. 348 - The Fortress of Indifference
    Ruler - Tapheon

    Layer No. 366 - Ojukalazogadit
    Ruler - Ojukalazogadit
    Note - This is a sentient plane.

    Layer No. 377 - The Plains of Gallenshu
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 397 (399) - Iyondagur
    Ruler - Elazalag
    Notes - Iyondagur is named the 399th layer, which conflicts with Urdlen’s control of The Worm Realm, also identified as the 399th layer. A compromise suggests that Iyondagur is the 397th layer, the nearest "open" layer and then recognizing the primacy of "IP holder" canon." If Urdlen is said to erroneously hold the 399th layer, but only the 339th, then there is no difficulty acknowledging the 399th layer as Iyondagur. This may be the most workable solution.

    Layer No. 398 - Shaddonon
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 399 - The Worm Realm (II)
    Ruler - Urdlen
    Notes - Urdlen is said to also control the 339th layer, also known as the Worm Realm.

    Layer No. 400 - Woeful Escarand
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 403 - The Rainless Waste
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 422 - Yeenoghu’s Realm
    Ruler - Yeenoghu
    Note - Yeenoghu has at times been deposed as the ruler of this layer.

    Layer No. 489 - The Noisome Vale
    Ruler - Tarnhem
    Notes - Much like Orcus and Sch’theraqpasstt, Tarnhem has been, in the past, defeated and at certain points in time has lost control of the 489th layer.

    Layer No. 499 - Carroristo
    Ruler - Unknown

    Layer No. 500 - Kali’s Realm
    Ruler - Kali
    Notes - Kali is also said to control the 643rd layer.

    Layer No. 503 - Torremor
    Ruler - Pazuzu (Pazrael)
    Notes - Pazuzu is also noted to rule the 1st layer of the Abyss. He rules the 503rd layer at times as Pazrael in an attempt to confuse those aware of his true name.

    Layer No. 586 - The Prison of the Mad God
    Ruler - Diinkarazan

    Layer No. 587 - The Landless Aerie
    Ruler - Decarabia

    Layer No. 588 - Cerebulim/The Hermetic Horizon
    Ruler - Haagenti

    Layer No. 599 - The Caves of Chaos
    Ruler - Anarazel

    Layer No. 600 - The Endless Maze/Shubgottia
    Ruler - Bahomet
    Notes - Bahomet’s realm is known by both of the foregoing names.

    Layer No. 601 - Conflagratum
    Ruler - Alzrius

    Layer No. 643 - The Caverns of the Skull God
    Ruler - Kali
    Notes - Kali also rules the 500th layer of the Abyss.

    Layer No. 663 - Dizalakine
    Ruler - Raum

    Layer No. 664 - The Terminal Archive
    Ruler - Astaroth

    Layer No. 665 - Pleroma
    Ruler - Abraxas

    Layer No. 666 - The Bottomless Pit
    Ruler - Abaddon

    Author’s End Note

    This list is neither exhaustive nor authoritative (nor does it pretend to be) to the degree that a number of layers, perhaps a third, have been assigned a number that either suggested itself or was figured by reference to other material.

    The following sources were principally referenced in compiling this list:
    The Book of Fiends (Green Ronin)
    The Book of Vile Darkness (Wizards of the Coast)
    Faces of Evil - The Fiends (TSR)
    Gord the Rogue Series (TSR and New Infinities)
    Hellbound - The Bloodwar (TSR)
    The Manual of the Planes (1st Edition TSR and 3rd Edition Wizards of the Coast)
    The Mines of Bloodstone (TSR)
    The Monster Manuals (TSR and Wotc)
    Planes of Chaos (TSR)
    Planescape Campaign Setting (TSR)
    Slayers Guide to Demons (Mongoose)
    Tales of the Outer Planes (TSR)
    The Throne of Bloodstone (TSR)
    Zahhak (Mongoose)

    With the exception of the Bloodstone modules and Faces of Evil, which are "collectables" of one stripe or another, all of these products are generally available.

    Some more esoteric sources of official D&D demons have been intentionally excluded because they raise issues requiring too much explanation. Two such sources (The Fiend Factory demons from the UK and the Infernus/Infernum grouping of products) may be dealt with in separate articles that can look at their unique peculiarities. Quasi-official sources for D&D demons include Lou Zocchi’s Gamescience demon products, those of Judges Guild, those of the Arduin Grimore and some even more obscure titles from the early days of D&D when TSR granted licenses or "approvals" for D&D products or did not immediately bring suit against infringements of its IP claiming to be "official," at least not before the products saw print. All of these may warrant articles to fit their demons into a grand picture of D&Demons but all are sourced from "collectable" products that are not readily available.

    In addition to the foregoing, there are numerous books from d20 and OGL publishers that deal with demons somewhat directly or incidentally. In the latter case, any number of TSR products make mention of a demon here or there, as well. These products have been excluded for a variety of reasons, often because I have not settled on how they should be finally fit into my conception of D&Demons.

    The above list is the present "baseline" that I use in my Greyhawk campaign, edited as noted, supra, to stick to material everyone can get a hold of should they wish to do so and which makes reasonable sense.

    Some may ask why no descriptions of the layers have been added. Space is one consideration. The other is that many layers are nothing more than a name.
    "
     
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    Re: D&Demons - A Rough Guide to the Abyss (Score: 1)
    by rasgon (notnotallowedyet@hotmail.com) on Sat, November 05, 2005
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    It's a pretty good list, though not completely comprehensive - you missed a few of the layers described in Throne of Bloodstone (the Layer of Chaos Incarnate, for example, although it could be argued that this is the Mind of Evil), and there are a few obscure layers mentioned in Planescape products that you apparently didn't know about. My only correction is that Pazuzu doesn't rule Pazunia, despite its name - he's only frequently found there, as he claims ownership of the skies in every layer and it conveniently borders the Astral Plane. The Plain of Infinite Portals is unruled, neutral ground, quarreled over by numerous minor lords and princelings but owned by none. Honestly, letting the Abyss' entry layer be commanded by a single lord is a bit too unbalancing. While Pazuzu claims all the skies, Torremor is his only true realm.



    Re: D&Demons - A Rough Guide to the Abyss (Score: 1)
    by GVDammerung on Mon, November 07, 2005
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    Hi Rasgon,

    Per canon, although the sources conflict and one can pick and choose, Pazuzu rules the first layer. 

    I left out all unnamed and unnumbered planes from Throne of Bloodstone.

    By my count, I missed four planes from PS/FR that I have subsequently become aware of.  I imagine there are more.  To my knowledge there is no definitive list of all named and numbered planes and I doubt there ever will be as authors keep adding to the list.  This, I think, is a good idea as it leaves DMs free to add layers for their own demon princes.


    ]


    Re: D&Demons - A Rough Guide to the Abyss (Score: 1)
    by rasgon (notnotallowedyet@hotmail.com) on Mon, November 07, 2005
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    What's your source for Pazuzu's rulership of the Plain of Infinite Portals? The Manual of the Planes (1st edition) says he doesn't.

    "Pazuzu has no abode, but is ceded the air above the surface of every layer of the Abyss."

    "...the first layer that is called Pazunia (for Pazuzu, who is most often found here)."

    I can see how that might be misinterpreted so that is most often found becomes rules over, but per 1st edition he has no single domain, and per 2nd/3rd edition his true domain is elsewhere (though, as in 1st edition, he spends most of his time wandering). Or was this in the Monster Manual II?

    That the Howling Threshold is unruled is pretty integral to its basic conception.


    ]


    Re: D&Demons - A Rough Guide to the Abyss (Score: 1)
    by Kirt on Sat, November 05, 2005
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    Great compilation!  It would be a bit more useful if there was a source reference for each layer, though.  For example, I am left wondering who put a beholder diety in the Abyss if beholders are the etome of Lawful (evil).

    Have you considered adding the layers from here on Canonfire?  Both the long-running forum post and the layer of Tempest, for example.




    Re: D&Demons - A Rough Guide to the Abyss (Score: 1)
    by GVDammerung on Mon, November 07, 2005
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    Hi Kirt,

    I considered that and decided to go with the source list at the end, mostly because that was the way my campaign notes had it.  In retrospect, I agree with your suggestion.  I also think I should have added descriptions, even if I had to make them up. 

    Of course, this list was compiled before Wotc announced the Fiendish Codex, the first volume of which will cover the Abyss and release June 2006.  Doubtless, it will have an exhaustive list of layers and, hopefully, at least capsule descriptions of all of the named and numbered layers.


    ]


    Re: D&Demons - A Rough Guide to the Abyss (Score: 1)
    by Anced_Math (mlheath@mindspring.com) on Thu, November 10, 2005
    (User Info | Send a Message) http://www.greyhawkonline.com/granmarch/
    While it certainly wont, it would be nice if wizards took the time to assign plane numbers that do not conflict with those in the Canonfire thread.  That remains one of my favorite threads of all time, and the sheer inventiveness of some of it is marvelous.


    ]


    Re: D&Demons - A Rough Guide to the Abyss (Score: 1)
    by Breetai on Tue, November 08, 2005
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    I wonder if anyone else here has considered adding layers?  Ya know all those lesser undiscovered layers.

    Is this compolation complete enough that if we start adding to it we won't be stepping on any published toes?



    Re: D&Demons - A Rough Guide to the Abyss (Score: 1)
    by Breetai on Tue, November 08, 2005
    (User Info | Send a Message)
    ignore may last messge




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