Ysgard, the Heroic Domains, is an outer plane of chaotic good and chaotic neutral alignment defined by its untamed wilderness and eternal conflict. It is a plane where valor is the highest currency, death is temporary, and the deeds of heroes are woven into the fabric of existence.
Geography
Ysgard consists of three layers, each distinct in character.
The first layer, also called Ysgard, is a realm of eternal twilight where massive earthbergs float in an endless sky. The aurora borealis regularly illuminates the heavens. The wild nature of this layer is inseparable from daily life, a constant expression of the plane’s primal spirit.
Muspelheim, the second layer, is a realm of fire and lava. The ground itself is a hazard, and survival demands constant vigilance. The layer embodies the plane’s relentless fury and indomitable will.
Nidavellir, the third layer, is a realm of deep caverns and underground cities. Life thrives here in defiance of the surrounding darkness, sustained by the resilience and determination of its inhabitants.
Localized Phenomena
The Eternal Twilight. The sky of the first layer is perpetually bathed in the soft glow of twilight, creating a landscape of long shadows and subtle colors. This is not a time of rest but of constant activity, as the plane’s inhabitants carry on their battles and quests under its persistent glow.
The Aurora Borealis. Celestial lights paint the sky in shifting colors visible throughout the plane. The phenomenon is both a visual spectacle and a symbol of the wild energy that permeates Ysgard.
The Resurrection Cycle. Death on Ysgard is a temporary setback. Those who die on the plane find themselves restored to life at dawn the following day, ready to continue their battles. This cycle of death and rebirth sustains the plane’s eternal conflicts and reinforces the heroic ethos of its inhabitants.
The Mead of Power. The mead brewed in Ysgard is said to grant enhanced abilities to those who drink it, imbuing them with the spirit of the plane. It is both a practical boon and a symbol of the rewards earned by those who prove their worth.
Optional Rule: Immortal Wrath
Ysgard is the home of slain heroes who wage eternal battle on fields of glory. Any creature, other than a construct or undead, that is killed by an attack or a spell while on Ysgard is restored to life at dawn the next day. The creature has all its hit points restored, and all conditions and afflictions it suffered before its death are removed.