Astral Plane

The Astral plane is a place of inchoate dreams and potential. It is part of, and incorporates, The Dreaming, the Fae Realms, and the Never-Never. It exists adjacent to virtually every dimension. A skilled traveler of the realms can dip in and out of the Astral plane to quickly move from one ideological node to another. This sort of travel requires great willpower and clear mental focus. It is the raw stuff of the universe, from which all things-- men, planets, and gods-- are made.

It is filled with a substance called phlogestein, which coalesces into physical matter in response to focus and willpower. Entities that attempt to project themselves into realspace convert this phlogestein into ectoplasm, which is sustained only as long as the entity is physically capable of maintaining their focus and the energy needed to be corporeal. Ectoplasm is chemically inert and electrically neutral, and disintegrates into nothing very rapidly without a consciousness specifically directing it.

The Astral incorporates a vast demesne called The Dreaming. It is where mortal ideas percolate and where their minds venture when resting. The souls of the uncertain departed linger here, as well as strange beasts and creatures of uncertain disposition and ambition. The Astral is infinite and the Dreaming is not, but one would be hard pressed to find a clear border between the two. Much of the Astral is populated by 'Ways', or pathways that are relatively predictable (though not totally constant). Ways can be mapped and help inexperienced navigators rapidly proceed through the realms. Not far from the borders of the Dreaming is the Fae Realms, and the Fae are responsible for a great deal of the mapping of the known Ways.

Unlike the burning energies of Hyperspace or the cold emptiness of the Negative Zone, the Astral realm is not overtly hostile to life or mortals. However, there are predatory spirits and rare creatures capable of harming souls and spirits, or even using cracks in the universe to project themselves into reality.

The Astral is on the road to everywhere, and everywhere leads to the Astral.