The Material Plane; The Material Gem; The Middle Ground

The common ground that each of the inner planes hold is known as the Material Plane. This is the gem of the multi-verse. Nestled in the midst of the other planes an infinite existence that is always at danger of being consumed and reborn through cosmic tragedy. It is constantly populated however with many worlds that hold life and creatures upon them. Most of the younger deities of the various religions have the majority of their faithful on this plane of existence. The material plane is an example of harmonious relationships between the inner planes and the outer planes with most of the elemental domains being represented in one way or another and the energetic realms being tapped in various forms and manifestations. There are many hubs within the multiverse that connect the planes together but the Material plane and the accompanied parallel planes are by far the largest of the confluences.

The known universe resides upon the material plane. Everything that astronomers see and most oracles divine, occur upon this plane. Great beings of power who existed before the creation of the material plane cannot fully manifest within its folds of reality and are forced to only act through avatars that are at a tenth of their full strength. The younger deities are forced into similar restrictions based upon their power. Less they wrack the fabric that holds the Material plane aloft in the Aether and subject the petitioners of the material plane to planar atrocities and horrors that only outsiders are familiar with. They manifest through lesser versions of themselves to interact mainly with the followers of their faiths. Sometimes to grace them with divine instruction and intervention. Or to save them from harrowing conflict amongst overwhelming odds. Rarely enough, they choose to reincarnate amongst the mortals of the material plane to experience the world over which they hold sway.

The Material plane possesses portals, some seen and unseen, to the Astral plane. It is through the Astral Plane that the Material Existence is kept safe and guarded against the tumultuous Aether. There are multiple orders of Druids and Sorcerers who guard the material plane and is host against outsider invasions and divine machinations. The most known of these portals between the Demi Planes and Inner Planes are usually hubs of magical activity and inter-planar trade. Universities of Arcane Scholars study the passages through the Astral Plane and catalogue the differences between these active routes and the forcefully torn dimensional gateways created by spell casters and deities. There are, however, passages through the Astral Plane that circumvent the Inner and Demi-planes. These Great Gates are links to the outer planes. There are not many known or active upon the Material Plane. The ones that are active go to the Heavens and the Nine Hells respectively and Mechanus, the plane of absolute Law.[/ju