The Outer Plane of Yggdrasil
by HåvardThe Major Norse Realms: Svartalfheim, Swergheim, Jotunheim, Vanaheim, Asgard, Muspelheim, Niflheim, Helheim, Alfheim, Midgard, Bifrost, Yggrdrasil
Lesser Norse Realms:
The Planes of Mystara: Plane of Fire, Plane of Air, Plane of Earth, Plane of Water, The Inner Planes, The Outer Planes, The Plane of Fairie, Limbo
Yggdrasil
Note: This is my interpretation of the Outer Plane of Yggdrasil as introduced in Gaz7: The Northern Reaches.
Yggdrasil, the World Ash, is a gigantic interplanar nexus. To mortals visiting it will appear as a gigantic tree with branches reaching into a number of planes of existence. The Tree drinks water from three magical wells: Urd's Well, Mimir's Well and Hvergelmir. Dragons and serpents gnaw at its roots, attempting to drain power from the World Ash. Some say that exploring the tree fully can unlock wisdom and magical abilities. It is believed that this is how Odin first got his powers. A sapling of Yggdrasil is secretly found among the Antalians of the Hollow World.
Planar Statistics
* Sphere: Special, Planar Nexus
* Adress: Yggdrasil, Astral Plane
* Size: Continent
SPECIAL EFFECTS
Spells related to travel have limited effect. Once entering the plane of Yggdrasil, it is impossible to use Gate or similar spells to exit the plane. Fly, Teleport, Dimension Door or similar spells allow you to travel along the branch you are already on, but you cannot travel from one branch to another except by following the branches themselves.
(click to view larger version)
Geographical Features
THE HIGH BRANCHES
The Great Eagle lives in this part of the plane along with a hawk named Veðrfölnir that lives between the Great Eagle's Eyes. The Squirrel Ratatosk carries messages from the Great Eagle to the Dragon Níðhöggr at the bottom of the tree. Four magical stags, Dáinn, Dvalinn, Duneyrr and Duraþrór live among the branches and eat the foilage.
UPPER BRANCHES
These branches contain gates to Asgard and Ljosalfheim (Plane of Alfheim). Approaching Asgard, we find Urd's Well.
- Urd's Well - Urðarbrunnar - Well of the Norns: The three Norns, Urd, Skuld and Verthandi once made their home here near this great well. The well can be found underground near one of the roots of Yggdrasil. Only Verthandi still remains anywhere near the Mystara multiverse these days. The cave where this well is found is where the threads of Fate are spun. The Well is an Artifact of Time that can only be used with the aid of the Norns.
SOUTHER BRANCH
This branch leads to Muspelheim. Fire Giants can sometimes be seen travelling across this branch.
WESTERN BRANCH
This Branch leads to Vanaheim. Elves, Fey and Lycantropes can sometimes be seen travelling along this branch.
MIDDLE BRANCHES
These branches leads to Mystara and Midgard (LaTerre)
EASTERN BRANCHES
This Branch leads to Jotunnheim and Swergeim. This is where we find Mimir's Welll
- Mimir's Well: This well is said to be the location of the Eye of Odin. The cave with this well is protected by dwarves from Swergheim.
NORTHERN BRANCH
This Branch leads to Niflheim. At the end of the branch, we find the Serpent Caves.
- The Serpent Caves: This is the home of dragon Níðhöggr and a vast number of giant serpents and dragons. Within lies The Well of Hvergelmir.
LOWER BRANCHES
These branches lead to Svartalfheim and Helheim.
Denizens
Squirrelfolk (TBD)
Monsters
Treant, Yggdrasil
Stag, Yggdrasil
The Great Eagle (Eagle Monster Ruler)
Veðrfölnir (Hawk Monster Ruler)
Ratatosk (Squirrel Monster Ruler)
Níðhöggr (Dragon)
Gates to Elsewhere
In addition to the gates and planar connection mentioned here, branches from Yggdrasil lead to the Astral Plane and a number of other Inner and Outer Planes and even other dimensions.
Further Reading
- Gaz 7 the Northern Reaches
- Dragon #90
More thoughts on this later.