Beastlands

The Beastlands is a plane of natural purity, where the wilderness reigns in its most idealized and unspoiled form. It is a place of balance, harmony, and instinct, where the boundaries between beast and spirit blur, and where civilization has no place. This plane does not serve as a paradise for mortals, nor is it a realm of punishment or reward. Instead, it is a domain that reflects nature as it might exist without the interference of mortal ambition or artifice.   The Beastlands exists along the axis of good and neutrality. It represents a moral alignment of benevolence that is rooted in the natural order. Unlike the regimented laws of Mount Celestia or the passionate chaos of Arborea, the Beastlands does not concern itself with ideologies or moral debates. It embodies a living world where things are as they are meant to be, and where harmony is not enforced but emerges naturally through the coexistence of all creatures and forces.   Geographically, the Beastlands is composed of three layers. Each one is covered in vast stretches of wilderness, from thick forests and wide plains to rugged mountains and deep rivers. The sky is always filled with the soft glow of twilight or moonlight, depending on the layer, and there is no true darkness. The light here is not harsh but gentle, allowing the eyes to see clearly without the burning heat of day or the fear of shadow.   The first layer is known for its forests and grasslands. Massive trees dominate the landscape, providing shelter for birds, beasts, and travelers alike. The second layer shifts into higher elevations and more rugged terrain, including windswept hills and towering peaks. The third and deepest layer is more isolated, filled with dense thickets and deep canyons where the wildest of creatures dwell. Though the plane is beautiful, it is not without danger. Predators hunt, storms rage, and travelers who do not respect the land may find it turns against them without warning.   Inhabitants of the Beastlands include a vast array of animals, many of which are more intelligent than their material plane counterparts. Some are capable of speech. Others communicate through action, emotion, or shared instinct. Celestial creatures with animal forms also dwell here, acting as guardians of the plane’s balance. Mortal souls who embody a life lived in deep connection to nature may also find their rest here, not as rulers or saints, but as one with the world.   Deities of nature, hunting, and the wild are known to keep domains within the Beastlands. Their presence is not always marked by temples or palaces, but by sacred groves, clear springs, or circles of standing stones. These gods do not demand worship in the same way as more lawful powers might. Instead, reverence is shown through action, through living in accordance with the rhythms of the land and the needs of the creatures who share it.   The Beastlands can be accessed through portals hidden in deep wilderness on the Prime Material Plane. Travelers may stumble upon such a gateway while in a moment of perfect balance with nature, or while performing acts of great respect for the land. Others may enter through powerful druidic rites or the aid of planar beings.   Those who visit the Beastlands rarely return unchanged. It is a place that reveals what life might be without the walls and weight of civilization. To some, it is a welcome release. To others, it is a harsh reminder of what has been lost.