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Where does Ao live?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Mulhull
Mar 31, 2007 9:17:40 It says his plane of residence is unknown, but he is overpower. Would you rule that perhaps there are planes even more powerful/beyond the outer planes where such a being would live, and the being he serves mentioned in the waterdeep novel.
#2
ripvanwormer
Mar 31, 2007 19:33:57 I think he lives on the Material Plane. I think he's the spirit of the crystal sphere that surrounds Toril and its solar system.

There are higher planes beyond the Outer Planes, however, and greater gods who evolve into something more are thought to journey there. Danu of the Celtic pantheon is thought to have ascended that way, and Nuada will shortly be joining her. The Sumerian pantheon is on its way out as well. Perhaps this is where Ao's master resides.

However, this is not what Ao is. Ao is very much a creature of the Material Plane, with no power beyond it except with regard to the gods worshiped only on Toril.
#3
Mulhull
Mar 31, 2007 21:21:55
I think he lives on the Material Plane. I think he's the spirit of the crystal sphere that surrounds Toril and its solar system.

There are higher planes beyond the Outer Planes, however, and greater gods who evolve into something more are thought to journey there. Danu of the Celtic pantheon is thought to have ascended that way, and Nuada will shortly be joining her. The Sumerian pantheon is on its way out as well. Perhaps this is where Ao's master resides.

However, this is not what Ao is. Ao is very much a creature of the Material Plane, with no power beyond it except with regard to the gods worshiped only on Toril.

On hallowed ground says Ao's plane of residence is unknown, not that he lives on the prime material plane.
#4
ripvanwormer
Mar 31, 2007 21:30:34 On Hallowed Ground also says Ao's word doesn't mean a thing outside of Realmspace, which to me implies that he dwells within Realmspace (or even that he is Realmspace).

It's true that his realm is unknown, but that doesn't mean it isn't in a known place - it's just that planar sages don't know for sure.
#5
Shemeska_the_Marauder
Apr 01, 2007 1:25:01 I'd also suggest that Ao doesn't so much live anywhere, but is the spirit of Toril's crystal sphere itself. When he chooses to manifest within Toril's demiplane of Cynosure, he's manifesting a form there rather than arriving from somewhere else that he normally hangs out at.

Alternatively, you might speculate that Ao lives on Toril, in what would amount to a patch of "hyper-reality" local to that region of the prime.
#6
gray_richardson
Apr 01, 2007 17:00:25 Here are 3 suggestions:

1) Ao's consciousness is diffused throughout Realmspace. He manifests as an avatar at a single point from time to time. But he is really everywhere within Realmspace.

2) Ao lives in a higher dimension beyond the cosmos, in a sort of hyperplane where overgods dwell.

3) Ao lives in Cynosure, in rooms or a layer not accessible by any other god or being. The meeting hall may just be his foyer.
#7
bob_the_efreet
Apr 03, 2007 14:09:08 Mulhull: The book says nobody knows where Ao lives. What do you guys think?
Rip: I think he lives here.
Mulhull: But the book says nobody knows!

Yeah... if you didn't want an answer, you shouldn't have asked.
#8
Mulhull
Apr 06, 2007 5:20:35
On Hallowed Ground also says Ao's word doesn't mean a thing outside of Realmspace, which to me implies that he dwells within Realmspace (or even that he is Realmspace).

It's true that his realm is unknown, but that doesn't mean it isn't in a known place - it's just that planar sages don't know for sure.

What form did he take in the first book of the avatar trilogy, where he held a meeting where all gods that have worshippers on Toril (not just FR specific gods, like others have said) must attend? I forget.

I don't suppose it's canon, but in the Baldur's Gate game it's said that he created realmspace and Selune and Shar.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Mulhull Mar 31, 2007 9:17:40	It says his plane of residence is unknown, but he is overpower. Would you rule that perhaps there are planes even more powerful/beyond the outer planes where such a being would live, and the being he serves mentioned in the waterdeep novel.
#2 ripvanwormer Mar 31, 2007 19:33:57	I think he lives on the Material Plane. I think he's the spirit of the crystal sphere that surrounds Toril and its solar system. There are higher planes beyond the Outer Planes, however, and greater gods who evolve into something more are thought to journey there. Danu of the Celtic pantheon is thought to have ascended that way, and Nuada will shortly be joining her. The Sumerian pantheon is on its way out as well. Perhaps this is where Ao's master resides. However, this is not what Ao is. Ao is very much a creature of the Material Plane, with no power beyond it except with regard to the gods worshiped only on Toril.
#3 Mulhull Mar 31, 2007 21:21:55	I think he lives on the Material Plane. I think he's the spirit of the crystal sphere that surrounds Toril and its solar system. There are higher planes beyond the Outer Planes, however, and greater gods who evolve into something more are thought to journey there. Danu of the Celtic pantheon is thought to have ascended that way, and Nuada will shortly be joining her. The Sumerian pantheon is on its way out as well. Perhaps this is where Ao's master resides. However, this is not what Ao is. Ao is very much a creature of the Material Plane, with no power beyond it except with regard to the gods worshiped only on Toril. On hallowed ground says Ao's plane of residence is unknown, not that he lives on the prime material plane.
#4 ripvanwormer Mar 31, 2007 21:30:34	On Hallowed Ground also says Ao's word doesn't mean a thing outside of Realmspace, which to me implies that he dwells within Realmspace (or even that he is Realmspace). It's true that his realm is unknown, but that doesn't mean it isn't in a known place - it's just that planar sages don't know for sure.
#5 Shemeska_the_Marauder Apr 01, 2007 1:25:01	I'd also suggest that Ao doesn't so much live anywhere, but is the spirit of Toril's crystal sphere itself. When he chooses to manifest within Toril's demiplane of Cynosure, he's manifesting a form there rather than arriving from somewhere else that he normally hangs out at. Alternatively, you might speculate that Ao lives on Toril, in what would amount to a patch of "hyper-reality" local to that region of the prime.
#6 gray_richardson Apr 01, 2007 17:00:25	Here are 3 suggestions: 1) Ao's consciousness is diffused throughout Realmspace. He manifests as an avatar at a single point from time to time. But he is really everywhere within Realmspace. 2) Ao lives in a higher dimension beyond the cosmos, in a sort of hyperplane where overgods dwell. 3) Ao lives in Cynosure, in rooms or a layer not accessible by any other god or being. The meeting hall may just be his foyer.
#7 bob_the_efreet Apr 03, 2007 14:09:08	Mulhull: The book says nobody knows where Ao lives. What do you guys think? Rip: I think he lives here. Mulhull: But the book says nobody knows! Yeah... if you didn't want an answer, you shouldn't have asked.
#8 Mulhull Apr 06, 2007 5:20:35	On Hallowed Ground also says Ao's word doesn't mean a thing outside of Realmspace, which to me implies that he dwells within Realmspace (or even that he is Realmspace). It's true that his realm is unknown, but that doesn't mean it isn't in a known place - it's just that planar sages don't know for sure. What form did he take in the first book of the avatar trilogy, where he held a meeting where all gods that have worshippers on Toril (not just FR specific gods, like others have said) must attend? I forget. I don't suppose it's canon, but in the Baldur's Gate game it's said that he created realmspace and Selune and Shar.