#plane of air

[oldschoolfrp]

"Of all the inner planes, the plane of elemental Air is the most hospitable to Prime planar life," but which way is up? (Stephen Fabian, AD&D Manual of the Planes by Jeff Grubb, TSR, 1987)

[dailycharacteroption]

Planar Tour Guide: Plane of Air part 3

(art by Huy137 on DeviantArt)

Denizens

So now let’s talk about the sort of elemental beings that dwell in the Plane of Air!

It’s worth noting how First and Second Edition handle elementals. While each element has it’s unique entities in First Edition, the majority of elementals are basically different sizes of the same simple stat block. Meanwhile, Second Edition elementals may indeed have bigger or smaller ones, but their focus is on how each elemental type evokes different aspects of their home element, which we’ll soon see.

Air elementals typically consist of raw wind, lightning, or ice to a lesser extent, and this also includes the like of aerial servants, invisible stalkers (also known as phaedes), as well as belkers and other smokey entities. You’ll also see the likes of elementals that evoke emotions associated with air, such as despairing palls, Melodies-on-the-Wind, and Pictures-in-Clouds. Meanwhile, strange lightning elementals crackle with power, ranging from the curious comozant wyrds to the destructive storm lords.

Additionally, there are the air veela, beings androgynous beauty that inspire the arts through their elements.

The plane of air also has it’s share of mephits, or elemental scamps, particularly air, dust, and ice mephitis.

Also called Djinni, the Jaathoom are the genies of air, and deal in dreams and wonders, as well as visions of the future. Those that manage to secure a wish from them had best realize said wishes will take that future into account. However, they also tend to be paternalistic and stuffy around non-genies, despite their relative calm and benevolence.

The Jaathoom do not rule the plane alone, for the anemos, humanoid elementals of wind and lightning that rule over entire significant winds on the various worlds of the Universe, also have their place of rulership on the plane. It is their role to shepherd the winds and all they bring, and their individual powers and temperament vary based on what that wind brings, such as the warmth of summer, or the icy bite of winter. The greatest of them all, the cardinal anemos, rule over entire directions of wind on their assigned world. No matter their power level, they are mostly focused on the wind they shepherd, with little care whether the changes they bring are helpful or harmful.

There are also dragons in the Plane of Air, most notably cloud dragons, the primal dragons of air. Much like those that left for the material plane, they are mostly carefree explorers, ranging far and wide in search of new sights, information, and trinkets, though perhaps the open vastness of the Infinite Expanse makes them even more whimsical and prone to fancy than their universe-dwelling kin.

Though they are rare due to the fact that very few divinities dwell there, there are shades, also known as petitioners on this plane, souls that came under the control of the Elemental Lords after death due to their worship of these demidivinites. They’re even called pneuma, which when I first read that I thought that was a neat reference to the Ancient Greek believe that the air was filled with a vital spirit that was drawn in with breath… That is until I realized that all elemental petitioners all called pneuma. I guess you could argue they are also vital spirits in the elements, but I still think they could have done better there.

Anyway, speaking of the Elemental Lords, There are two known to the plane of Air, just like the other elemental planes. The first is Hshurha, the Duchess of All Winds, who has set herself up as the mother goddess of all air elementals, and is as convoluted and prone to changing her mind in her inscruitable plans as she is ruthless and cruel, especially to terrestrial creatures.

Meanwhile, recently freed from the Untouchable Opal is Ranginori, the Zephyrous Prince, a being of storms and wild freedom, is much more friendly and eager for new allies, especially since the counterattack of his counterpart and the other villainous lords is sure to come swiftly.

As we can see, there are many strange and dangerous beings living on the plane of air. All capricious, but not all villains or monsters. Braving the challenges of the plane will require a goal, of course, and so tomorrow we’ll look at what sort of challenges await there!

[enddaysengine]

Zephyr Hawk (Paths Beyond)

One of 2e’s many small adjustments that I love is no longer categorizing elementals by size. Instead, this edition gives us a variety of elementals of each type based on their niche. None of them get a lot of word count individually, but we can extrapolate from what we know.

Ptolemaic wind deities. We'll come back to them. Image is from THE ICONOGRAPHY AND FUNCTION OF WINGED GODS IN EGYPT DURING THE GRAECO-ROMAN PERIOD by Sara El-Sayed Kitat, which you should absolutely read.

Zephyr hawks are low-level elementals that travel the Plane of Air in large flocks. While they have “hawk” in their name, don’t get fooled - they could represent any small flying animal, as long as it has wings. Owls, vultures, bats, pterodactyls, and stranger beasts out of your imagination are all fair game. While elemental animals don’t need to feed and mate the same way as their mortal counterparts, they can still mimic some of their archetypal behaviour, giving you ways to get some personality.

This one on the other hand, is mine. And a fair shake better than the last time my art featured on the blog.

The other thing to remember is that these elementals don’t necessarily have to come from the Inner Planes. They could also arise from deities or realms tied to air or flight, so don’t limit yourself.  They could be spirits of the wind, like the Ptolemaic deities above, especially on the Golden Road. The four-headed goat would be a better fit for a different elemental species, but the winged goat-headed scarab could work well. Its an excellent way to both play up the weirdness while sneaking in some bonafide mythology as well.

While Gozreh doesn’t have many elemental servitors, the Wind and the Waves is fond of zephyr hawks. These elemental birds serve as their eyes and ears on the Plane of Air, keeping the God apprised of plots from the Elemental Lords and djinn that threaten to spill into the mortal realm. Others arise from the Goddess directly as she travels the material world. Such seabirds are blessings when sighted by Gozreh’s clergy.

In the depths of the Abyss, Isph-Aun-Vuln commands flocks of bizarre zephyr hawks. These fiendish elementals are little more than two wings that unite in a singularity of tentacles and teeth. Many spawn directly from the Feaster Within’s domain, but others result from her poison winds possessing and corrupting elementals or even mortal’s breath. 

Natul is a ghoul sorcerer within the Cenotaph Society who seeks to turn Nex’s use of planar allies against them. He has perfected summoning zephyr owls from the Plane of Air’s Sea of Night’s Embrace and now seeks more information on the darkened expanse. While his society creates planar havens where undead are accepted by the living, Natul is under no illusions that the plane’s benthic undead will embrace him with open arms. He will need adventures unafraid of death and the endless expanse to accompany him or act as his proxies. 

[justavulcan]

Airmark's Guide to Planar Vegetables: Urchin Bush

Urchin bushes are immediately recognizable by their spherical shape and huge barbed seeds, which bristle from the plant on every side. Like many plants that grow in low-gravity environments, urchin bushes have no true central stalk or trunk, instead growing radially from a roughly centralized root mass.

Aside from its many needle-like leaves and seeds, the surface of an urchin bush is relatively bare, mostly due to its growing conditions. They requires solid ground to sprout and grow to maturity, but once their barbed, thorn-like seeds are nearly mature, they uproot themselves and start their free-fall, a state in which they remain for most of their lives.

Due to their structure and resilient branches, urchin bushes are totally immune to damage from collisions, which enables them to crash into earthbergs and other solid or semi-solid objects, breaking off seeds as they roll away and likely resume their free fall.

Urchin bushes are sentient and capable of defending themselves with considerable psionic talents and their sharp seeds. However, they are typically more interested in conversation than attacking those that come into contact with them, and have been known to attract birds, aarakocra, and air genasi as students and conversational partners.

[leviatic]

I'm gonna miss playing my DnD character SO much, all the way from 1 to 20! So I drew a little hint at her very first outfit change after almost 3.5 years of campaign! can't wait for the final session! It's going to be so weird not playing this forcibly motherly, snooty, stressed out, immortal, living weapon, extremely strong (20 STR and 22 WIS), extremely tall, Soratami woman with PTSD and a realm to rule!

Commissions are open! feel free to dm me! https://www.artstation.com/leviatic <- see more of my stuff here https://twitter.com/98_zelda <- or here https://www.twitch.tv/leviatic_ <- or watch me make it here

[cagemasterfantasy]

DND Cosmology: Elemental Plane of Air

Planar Portal Color: Pale Blue

The Plane of Air is home to constant winds of varying strength. Here and there chunks of earth drift in the openness many covered with lush vegetation. These earth motes serve as homes for Djinn and other natives of the planes. Other creatures live on cloud banks infused with magic to become solid surfaces supporting towns and castles.

Drifting clouds can obscure visibility in any direction in any plane. Storms are frequent ranging from strong thunderstorms to fierce tornadoes or mighty hurricanes. The air is mild except near the Para Elemental Planes at either end of the plane where the temperature is more extreme. Rain and snow fall only in the part of the plane nearest to eh Para elemental Plane of Ice.

Although few landmarks distinguish one area of the Plane of Air from any other the following are notable features of the plane:

Aaqa: Here and there are hidden realms reachable only by following a particular sequence of flowing winds. Fabled Aaqa is one such realm a shining domain of silver spires and verdant gardens atop a fertile earth mote. The Wind Dukes of Aaqa are dedicated to law and good and they maintain a vigilant watch against the depredations of Elemental Evil. They are served by Aarakocra

Labyrinth Winds: Much of the Plane of Air is a complex web of air streams currents and winds called the Labyrinth Winds. These range from stiff breezes to howling gales that can rip a creature apart. Even the most skilled flying creatures must navigate these currents carefully flying with the winds not against them.

Mistral Reach: Located near the Para Elemental Plane of Ice the Mistral Reach is a region of frigid winds and driving snowstorms. Earth motes in the reach are covered with snow and ice.

Sirocco Straits: The Sirocco Straits is the region of the plane nearest to the Para Elemental Plane of Ash where hot dry winds scour Earth motes into barren chunks of rock.

Plane of Air adventures: The essential nature of air is movement animation and inspiration. Air is the breath of life the winds of change the fresh breeze that clears away the fog of ignorance and the stuffiness of old ideas.

When turned toward wicked ideals by cultists of Elemental Evil Elemental Air represents destructive power turned to vengeful ends. Cultists of Evil Air wield howling storms to forcefully express their personal freedom or lay claim to things they feel they have been wrongfully denied.

@doodl3

[snatching-ishidates-wig]

Air Canada's first delivered A320, with ear warmers and a scarf (1990).

[ladymayflower]

Teenage Devia’s appearance from when she still lived on the Elemental Plane of Air.

I don’t think it’s blue enough, do you?

[planeyboys]

do you think the plane could be pet like a cat . when the face is all squashed back

they are surprisingly malleable

[yudol-skorbi]

they are late for the season 3 premiere

[ghostwarriorrrr]

[dailycharacteroption]

Planar Tour Guide: The Plane of Air part 1

(art by wuggynaut on DeviantArt)

Intro

And so we’re moving beyond the spiritual, the shadow, and the forces of life and death to something a bit more strange, with the first of the elemental planes!

While many versions of D&D’s cosmology painted the elemental planes as being like orbs floating in the astral plane (often with quasi- and para-elemental mini-planes connecting the elemental planes and the energy planes together), Pathfinder decided to take inspiration from the Ancient Near Eastern cosmology (the same one that inspired Ancient Greek and Hebrew faiths in their own cosmologies), by surrounding the universe in a “Firmament”

Of course, while in those faiths the firmament was a barrier that blocked the Upper Sea from flooding the dry land of the world (remember that this was a geocentric viewpoint at the time), the elemental planes instead form concentric layers around the universe in a metaphysical sense. So no, you couldn’t travel linearly to the edge of the universe and suddenly enter the endless atmosphere of the Plane of Air.

In any case, the Plane of Air! Also known as the Endless Sky, Endless Expanse, or even yes, the Firmament,this plane provided the concepts of every naturally gaseous form of matter, and borders the universe on one side, and the elemental Plane of Water on the other. However, the Plane of Wood once existed between them, and is indeed slowly returning, though that will take countless eons.

While the majority of the Endless Sky is a vast unfathomable atmosphere of breathable air with no ground, it is filled with areas of pretty much every atmosphere that exists as well, as well as all manner of weather as well. And that’s just the things that are atmospheric in nature, for there are islands of solid terrain as well, often brought in from other planes or the interaction between the plane of air and other planes, such as massive icebergs broken off from the barrier between air and water, and so on.

And the plane isn’t uninhabited either, with all manner of elementals, genies, and other powerful entities dwelling there. Many are peaceful and freedom-loving, evoking air’s tendency to be the most “free” element. However, many of these beings also evoke the crueler aspects of the wind, and even the more peaceful can be just as volatile as a storm in the right circumstances.

Over the coming week, we’ll see exactly what it is that fills this Endless Expanse, starting tomorrow with it’s ironically-termed geography!

[usafphantom2]

B-17’s

@Asethic_Aries via X

[justavulcan]

Airmark's Guide to Planar Vegetables: Cloudfruit Tree

This small, twisted tree grows on earthbergs spotted throughout the Plane of Air.  Growing needles instead of leaves to cut down on damage it can suffer in high winds and rarely growing taller than the average humanoid, cloudfruit are adapted to windy environments with only occasional rain and an abundance of sunlight.  Cloudfruit is most notorious and named for its fruit, which are small, hard, and sour to most palates, with a pit that takes up a third of the fruit’s mass.  They are also coated in a huge tuft of fluffy down that, when the seed is mature enough to take root, takes flight in the Plane of Air’s storms.  Locals know better than to fly near groves of cloudfruit when the seeds are ready to take flight- the resulting hailstorm a strong gust can bring has been known to cause bruises or broken bones.  Still, it’s a hardy tree, and one of the few vegetables native to the Plane of Air.

[usairforcehistoricsociety]

[thiagodasilva]

this plane with a whole chunk missing is FALLING out of the SKY and their only hope is Athena, a 9 year old plane enthusiast, and firefighters on speaker phone