Mount Celestia: Difference between revisions

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align = Lawful Good |
align = Lawful Good |
layer_num = 7 |
layer_num = 7 |
faction = [[]] |
gatetown = [[Excelsior]] |
gatetown = [[Excelsior]] |
prev = [[Arcadia]] |
prev = [[Arcadia]] |
next = [[Bytopia]] |
next = [[Bytopia]] |
}}
}}
The Seven Heavens of Mount Celestia stand tall within the Upper Planes, the ultimate symbol of purification through struggle and trial.  To many the source of all that is right, the Mount is such a symbol of Good that the very word "celestial" is derived from it, regardless of where the being truly calls its home.  Many mortals, both those standing for justice and those seeking redemption through good works or personal trials, call the shores or slopes of Celestia home, in addition to the innumerous [[archon]]s, [[angel]]s, and other celestial beings that fill it from foot to peak.
Here, the watchword is "ascension".  While [[Lunia]] is open to all that wish travel there, moving beyond the Silver Sea requires indulging oneself in rites of redemption, self-discovery, or other means by which a person better brings themselves closer to an inner peace and purity that the Mount truly represents.  No matter how far a person climbs, they simply cannot reach a higher layer than Lunia without such acts, and the further one wishes to travel towards [[Chronias]], the more difficult or the more personal this self-discovery becomes.  There are many general paths of revelation that have been developed over the millennia, providing a known, if less personal, route: the [[Noble Eightfold Path]], the [[Path of Valor]], the [[Path of Renunciation]], and the [[Path of Gnosis]] only some of the many paths towards enlightenment that exist about the Mount.  But any method that achieves the same ends functions just as well to allow a person to ascend towards the summit.


==Physical Conditions==
==Physical Conditions==


Each layer is something of a paradise, though far from an easy one.  Each of the layers of the Mount shines on the one below as a sun, beaming through the clouds unto the realm below.  At the lowest layer, Lunia, the sweet waters of the [[Silver Sea]] lap at the shore, an entire ocean of holy water surrounding the peak, dotted with the occasional island here and there.  The weather on the peak is always mild, if slightly chilly, with just the right balance of rain, wind, snow, and sun.  To each layer is associated a symbolic metal, and veins of this metal can be found running here and there throughout each layer, accessible to those willing to put in the time to find it.
The lowest level is by far the most populated one, filled with smaller villages and larger towns devoted to one view or another of the pursuit of justice, enlightenment, or other such concepts.  Perhaps as a result, small portals connecting to all manner of areas across the multiverse can be found dotting Lunia; so many so that many Primes end up confusing the Mount with [[Mount Olympus]] as a result.  But mortal inhabitants can be found throughout the mountain; not all paths of enlightenment, after all, are devoted to the eventual reaching of Chronias, and many in the plane are perfectly happy to reach a chosen destination and settle there, wherever that may be and whatever personal truths it may bring them.
In keeping with the inner purification that paths towards enlightenment can bring, ascension through the layers of Celestia can bring bodily purification as well.  Each layer above Lunia, when successfully reached, purges one ailment or another from those that arrive, ranging from simple poisons to the most tenacious of curses.  While it may to some be a somewhat selfish reason, many come to Mount Celestia as a result to heal that which traditional methods or magics cannot; and indeed, many happen to find a spiritual restoration as a result alongside.


==Magical Conditions==
==Magical Conditions==
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{| class="wikitable" align="right"
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right;"
|-
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| '''LG'''<br>0%
| '''LG'''<br>0%
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** [[Jazirian]] - [[Couatl]], community, peace, learning, and parenthood
** [[Jazirian]] - [[Couatl]], community, peace, learning, and parenthood
** [[Trishina]]
** [[Trishina]]
==References==
* {{cite|Manual of the Planes|pp.132-136}}
* {{cite|Planes of Law - Mount Celestia}}


[[Category:Law]]
[[Category:Law]]
[[Category:Good]]
[[Category:Good]]

Revision as of 23:22, 15 July 2013


Mount Celestia
Rune of Mount Celestia
Alignment Lawful Good
Number of layers 7
Associated Faction None
Gate-Town Excelsior
Inhabitants of Mount Celestia
Previous
Arcadia
Next
Bytopia

The Seven Heavens of Mount Celestia stand tall within the Upper Planes, the ultimate symbol of purification through struggle and trial. To many the source of all that is right, the Mount is such a symbol of Good that the very word "celestial" is derived from it, regardless of where the being truly calls its home. Many mortals, both those standing for justice and those seeking redemption through good works or personal trials, call the shores or slopes of Celestia home, in addition to the innumerous archons, angels, and other celestial beings that fill it from foot to peak.

Here, the watchword is "ascension". While Lunia is open to all that wish travel there, moving beyond the Silver Sea requires indulging oneself in rites of redemption, self-discovery, or other means by which a person better brings themselves closer to an inner peace and purity that the Mount truly represents. No matter how far a person climbs, they simply cannot reach a higher layer than Lunia without such acts, and the further one wishes to travel towards Chronias, the more difficult or the more personal this self-discovery becomes. There are many general paths of revelation that have been developed over the millennia, providing a known, if less personal, route: the Noble Eightfold Path, the Path of Valor, the Path of Renunciation, and the Path of Gnosis only some of the many paths towards enlightenment that exist about the Mount. But any method that achieves the same ends functions just as well to allow a person to ascend towards the summit.

Physical Conditions

Each layer is something of a paradise, though far from an easy one. Each of the layers of the Mount shines on the one below as a sun, beaming through the clouds unto the realm below. At the lowest layer, Lunia, the sweet waters of the Silver Sea lap at the shore, an entire ocean of holy water surrounding the peak, dotted with the occasional island here and there. The weather on the peak is always mild, if slightly chilly, with just the right balance of rain, wind, snow, and sun. To each layer is associated a symbolic metal, and veins of this metal can be found running here and there throughout each layer, accessible to those willing to put in the time to find it.

The lowest level is by far the most populated one, filled with smaller villages and larger towns devoted to one view or another of the pursuit of justice, enlightenment, or other such concepts. Perhaps as a result, small portals connecting to all manner of areas across the multiverse can be found dotting Lunia; so many so that many Primes end up confusing the Mount with Mount Olympus as a result. But mortal inhabitants can be found throughout the mountain; not all paths of enlightenment, after all, are devoted to the eventual reaching of Chronias, and many in the plane are perfectly happy to reach a chosen destination and settle there, wherever that may be and whatever personal truths it may bring them.

In keeping with the inner purification that paths towards enlightenment can bring, ascension through the layers of Celestia can bring bodily purification as well. Each layer above Lunia, when successfully reached, purges one ailment or another from those that arrive, ranging from simple poisons to the most tenacious of curses. While it may to some be a somewhat selfish reason, many come to Mount Celestia as a result to heal that which traditional methods or magics cannot; and indeed, many happen to find a spiritual restoration as a result alongside.

Magical Conditions

Abjuration No change
Conjuration Chaotic or evil mages cannot compel service from any summoned creature, regardless of their efforts. Creatures neither lawful nor good summoned to Mount Celestia can at times break from control, gaining a saving throw vs. spell to break free for every action in the name of Good they're forced to make.
Divination All divinations on the mount are completely true, except where blocked by spells such as obscured alignments or a philter of glibness. The false results from these protections still seem entirely truthful, however.
Enchantment No change
Evocation No change
Illusion No change
Necromancy Life-enhancing necromantic spells are doubled in effectiveness in all respects - duration, range, area of effect, and end result. Spells intended to kill, however, are reversed, instead doubling the strength of their target for 24 hours. Hit Dice and damage dealt by the target are doubled, and their AC gains a +1 bonus.
Transmutation No change
Elemental Summoned elementals are soothed by the plane, serving willingly and with no chance to break free of control. Wild, directly destructive elemental magic fails completely here; no floods, earthquakes, or firestorms occur on the plane without the will of a deity behind them.
LG
0%
NG
10%
CG
30%
LN
10%
TN
30%
CN
60%
LE
30%
NE
60%
CE
90%

Beyond the above modifications, most magic works as intended on Mount Celestia, though a number of spells fail entirely in the same manner as wild magic. Most spells that encourage chaos, disruption, and evil cannot be cast here with any degree of success: these include blur, chaos, confusion, contagion, delude, demand, distance distortion, enervation, fool's gold, misdirection, mislead, trap the soul, and all spells of the Chaos sphere.

Spellcasting ability is also restricted by the purity of spirit of the caster. Every step of the caster's alignment from LG incurs a cumulative 10% casting penalty, as shown on the table here. Even chaotic evil spellcasters here, though, do have a 10% chance of casting success, due to the sense of fairness which the plane wishes to encourage.

Spell Keys

Spell keys on the mount all take the form of metallic objects, the specific type of metal determining the level of spell they allow. The school allowed by the key is determined by the shape of the key, with each school having a unique shape representing it: hearts for necromancy, stars for conjurations, bowls for divination, circles for abjurations, cups for enchantments, wands for alterations, dust or filings for illusions, and blades or spikes for evocations. The metal must be pure (both literally and ritually) and untarnished, with great care taken to avoid corruption, or the key won't function. Spell keys also do not prevent the alignment-based chance for spell failure, as spiritual purity is as important as material purity on Mount Celestia.

Power Keys

In the Seven Heavens, power keys are bestowed much more frequently than in most other planes, though they are closely regulated to prevent them from falling into the hands of those that would tarnish the Mount. Further, power keys only have a limited period of effectiveness even if they manage to slip out of watch, lasting only 30-90 days from the time they were bestowed before becoming useless.

Layers

Powers

  • Babylonian Pantheon
  • Cerilian Pantheon
    • Haelyn - Noble war and leadership
  • Chinese Pantheon
  • Dwarvish Pantheon
  • Faerunian Pantheon
    • Torm - Duty and loyalty
    • Tyr - Justice
  • Halfling Pantheon
  • Indian Pantheon
  • Japanese Pantheon
  • Krynnish Pantheon
    • Paladine - Order, hope, light, rulership, and guardianship
  • Oerthian Pantheon
    • Heironeous - Justice, honor, and war
    • Rao - Reason, intellect, and peace
  • Other

References

  • Manual of the Planes, pp.132-136
  • Planes of Law - Mount Celestia