Planes of Existence

The Planes of Existence are the various realms and dimensions that comprise the universe. Exandria, the setting of Critical Role exists within the Material Plane.

The Cosmos
The Divine Gate is a barrier between the Prime Material Plane and everything else, preventing the gods of Exandria, both good and evil, from physically crossing into the Prime Material Plane. The Gate was made by the Prime Deities after the Calamity to better protect mortals from the influence of the Betrayer Gods in the event known as the Divergence. The Divine Gate apparently cuts through some planes, as

Planerider Ryn's notes (found by the Mighty Nein while in the Elemental Plane of Fire) included theories about possible future gradual or sudden shifts in planar structure, all with the potential to drastically reshape the cosmos.

Material Plane
The Material Plane is the plane in which the world of Exandria exists and in which the bulk of Critical Role's story takes place.

Echo Planes
The Echo Planes are layered on top of the Material Plane just out of phase like a strange reflection. These echoes have similar geography and landmarks as the Material Plane, but are changed or twisted.
 * The Feywild: The Feywild overlaps the Material Plane, and there are many portals from Exandria to the Feywild. It is considered a wilder and more chaotic mirror of the Material Plane, and is home to the fey.
 * The Shadowfell: The Shadowfell is a plane of negative energy, which helps funnel the transition of souls in either direction between life and death. The Raven Queen's domain is on this plane.

Inner Planes (Elemental Planes)
, which were created during the Founding to organize elemental energies, are considered Inner Planes.


 * The Elemental Plane of Fire
 * The Elemental Plane of Water
 * The Elemental Plane of Air
 * The Elemental Plane of Earth
 * The Frostfell

Transitive Planes
Transitive Planes are planes that connect other planes together, or are used as a means of travel between points on a single plane.
 * The Ethereal Plane, overlaps the Material Plane. When Beau and Molly were able to perceive it, it appeared in grayscale only, with a strange, snow-like dust floating in it.
 * The Astral Plane, one of the boundary planes that lie between many of the other realms. It is an amorphous realm where the will and the imagination have influence over the surrounding space, where one can will oneself to float and move. Zehir, the Cloaked Serpent and his nemesis Erathis, the Law Bearer both reside in the Astral Plane.

Outer Planes
The Outer Planes are where many of the gods exist.
 * The Abyss, an infinite plane of chaos and evil dreamed into existence by Tharizdun. Without strict hierarchy, the Abyss is chaotic and unorganized.
 * Arborea, where the palace of Crescent Grove stands. It is home to Corellon, the Arch Heart and Sehanine, the Moon Weaver. This plane embodies the chaotic good alignment.
 * Elysium, an idyllic plane of good where the Dawnfather and the Everlight live.
 * Endless Athenaeum, a secret realm on an undisclosed plane. It is the domain of the goddess Ioun, the Knowing Mistress.
 * Limbo, a chaotic neutral plane to which the githzerai moved after escaping enslavement under the mind flayers.
 * Mount Celestia, a plane of seven heavens that embody the alignment of lawful good.
 * The Nine Hells, home plane of the devils. It is a plane of evil and, unlike the Abyss, is highly organized with a strict caste system. Avernus and Dis are located here.
 * Pandemonium, a plane of madness.
 * Ysgard, where Kord, The Storm Lord dwells. It is a plane of chaotic good and chaotic neutral.

Far Realm
The Far Realm is a plane of madness situated very far from the planes, and is home to aberrations.

Demiplanes
Demiplanes are extradimensional spaces with their own unique rules. Demiplanes can exist naturally, or they can be created through spells or through the desire of powerful entities.
 * The Folding Halls of Halas
 * The Netherdeep