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Acheron: The Infinite Battlefield of Cosmic Order and Strife

Acheron
William Blake (1757-1827) Illustrations to Dante’s “Divine Comedy”, object 5 (Butlin 812.5) “The Vestibule of Hell and the Souls Mustering to Cross the Acheron” , ca. 1824-7.

Overview: Acheron, also known as the Infinite Battlefield, stands as a cosmic battleground between ultimate order and regimented evil. This Outer Plane forms a bridge between the harmonious realms of Nirvana and the disciplined malevolence of the Nine Hells. Acheron is a plane where each layer accentuates order over evil, creating a visually stunning and dynamic environment that captivates the imaginations of those who dare to venture into its depths.

Landscape: Acheron’s canvas is a spectacle of floating blocks, each akin to the size of nations, suspended in an ethereal sea of air. Gravity, a silent maestro, adheres to each surface, orchestrating a dance where beings of high intelligence discern patterns amid the ever-shifting realms. The blocks collide and part without causing upheaval, allowing for a carefully orchestrated movement.

Layers:

  • Avalas: Known as the “iron-shod battle planes,” Avalas resonates with the echoes of warfare. Clashing armies from the Outer Planes engage in afterlife battles, with landscapes featuring cone-shaped mountains, iron fortresses, and the enigmatic River Styx.
  • Thuldanin: A surreal repository, Thuldanin serves as the Sargasso Sea, Elephants’ graveyard, and scrap heap. Hollow blocks turn flotsam and jetsam into stone, creating a haunting landscape of failed experiments and broken devices.
  • Tintibulus: Gray volcanic stone forms blocks with varying edges. Colliding blocks fracture into hexagons, creating an empty expanse alluring to magical researchers seeking isolation.
  • Ocanthus: The final layer features razor-thin, two-dimensional blocks, square and deadly. Edges are razor-sharp, posing a threat to any who tread. Gravity pulls to the surface, creating a treacherous and captivating terrain.

Inhabitants: Acheron is home to spirit legions dominating Avalas, composed of the spirits of those who turned war into an end in itself. These legions form nations on block surfaces, engaging in perpetual battles. Wandering imps, rust monsters, achaierai, and occasional appearances by devils and modrons add to the plane’s enigmatic inhabitants.

Conclusion: Acheron, with its cosmic order and perpetual conflict, beckons adventurers to explore an intricate and captivating realm. The Infinite Battlefield, with its layers, inhabitants, and ever-shifting dance of floating blocks, unfolds as an enigmatic tapestry that invites those willing to embrace the harmonious chaos that defines this celestial dimension.

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