Planar essence

The stability of Basrakal in the Maelstrom is the result of a phenomenal resonant reaction in the plane's essence.

See also: Planar substrate, planar frequency, element, quintessence, and essence

Planar essence, synonymous with planar energy or planar power, is the essential substance and energy of a plane. Many kinds of planar abilities, creatures, and practices find ways to harness or infuse planar essence. Inhabitants of a given plane may refer to another plane's energy as extraplanar energy; for example, that of Heaven is extraplanar with respect to the Universe.

Properties

The form and content of planar essence varies wildly between planes based on their alignment or element.

The Universe's essence is composed of a mixture of all elemental and energetic essences, in contrast to the Outer Planes, which are composed of quintessence. Quintessence can replicate the properties of any material possible in the Universe, and can also take on a degree of sentience, though it does not possess an intelligence distinctly its own.

While it sometimes can be extracted or distilled from planar matter with material manifestations or effects, it can also be abstract in nature. For example, the planar essence of Elysium can be the spirit of cooperation.

Manifestations

• An outsider is a being created from the combination of quintessence and a soul, and takes the form of one of many templates innate to the planar source of the quintessence.
• The planar aegis spell weaves planar essence into a force shield.
• A planar harmonizer can shield themselves with the essence of their home plane.
• Planar power components are physical fragments of pure, concentrated planar essence.
• The bullets of a planar rifter, and rifters themselves, are infused with a plane's essence.
• A planar scion is a mortal being infused with the planar energy of one or more planes other than their native plane. For instance, nephilim are those influenced by the essence of the Outer Planes, and aphorites are specifically those who became infused with the ordered essence of Axis.

Planar frequencies

A selection of tuning forks attuned for planar travel.

Each plane's energy has a distinct planar frequency. A plane's frequency also has a negative harmonic resonant frequency that can be emitted as an audible tone.

Some planar phenomena exist due to a resonant interaction, such as the unusual stability of the island that supports the Foundation of Basrakal in the otherwise chaotic Maelstrom. Conversely, the Ineluctable Prison demiplane's resonant frequency constantly changes in a manner that no standard tuning fork can replicate, preventing most standard methods of plane shifting.

In religion

Covenants form foci of worship around the elemental spirits and planar energies of each of the Elemental Planes, allowing them to provide the benefits of a divine entity to their religious adherents. Examples include the Blooms of the Spreading Weald (Plane of Wood), Breath of the Endless Sky (Plane of Air), Light of the Everlasting Flame (Plane of Fire), Treasures of the Eternal Delve (Plane of Earth), and Waves of the Boundless Sea (Plane of Water).