Not even [the Guvnors](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Factions_Of_The_Planes_\(PCS\) "Factions Of The Planes (PCS)") have been able to count the layers of the Abyss, though it's not for lack of trying. No one knows whether there's an infinite number of layers or whether most of them are just so deadly that not even powers call them home. Although describing the planes of the Abyss is a thankless and endless task, most any cutter is glad to flap her bone-box with what she knows (or doesn't know) about it. It seems everyone but the Clueless has a tale to tell about how bad it is. In fact, it's always worse, because words really aren't enough to describe the nightmare of the Abyss. Realms and layers are often one and the same in the Abyss, as each power and even the lesser Abyssal lords don't tolerate intruders on their layers; though the struggles may take cons, the result is always the complete submergence of the entire layer into a single realm. Several well-known open (independent) layers answer to no one because no lord or power permits a single ruler, most famously [the Plain of Infinite Portals](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/The_Plain_of_Infinite_Portals_\(PoC\) "The Plain of Infinite Portals (PoC)"). A similarly crucial point is the gateway layer of Duraq, a major debarkation point for [tanar'ri](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Tanar%27ri "Tanar'ri") off to fight the Blood War. ## A Brief Catalogue of Survivable Layers[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D1&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") The more well-known layers and realms are named, described, and numbered below. Each number refers to the order in which the layer was discovered and recorded in the Sigil records by the Guvnors, not any relationship between the layers themselves. 'Course, most of the discoveries were unpleasant ones. The current count is 679 layers, 141 of them habitable by most [planars](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Planars_\(PCS\) "Planars (PCS)"). Direct portals from Sigil to the Abyss only reach the Plain of Infinite Portals and a limited number of the other layers. Some others layers are known only by reputation, their entrances on the Plain of Infinite Portals having long since been forever sealed. These are called the Lost Planes of the Abyss — sealed zones where each summoned gate only loops back into itself, no matter how powerful the summoner. Many Abyssal lords dread finding themselves in one of these pocket planes, helpless until someone releases them. Many other lords, of course, are struggling and paying a bloody price to find out the dark of how to put their enemies here. The cross-trade in rumors and half-truths is a quick one. ### Realm of a Million Eyes[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D2&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") One of the worst Abyssal realms is the 6th layer, the home of the [Great Mother](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Great_Mother_\(MoMy\) "Great Mother (MoMy)") (MM), ruler of the beholder pantheon. Every form of evil beholder and beholderkin dwells here, preying on one another and any tanar'ri foolish enough to wander into the crossfire. ### Phantom Plane[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D3&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") The Phantom Plane is the 7th layer of the Abyss, though it has long been sealed against intruders. Weary of the Blood War and far from the front, [Sess'inek](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Sess%27innek_\(MoMy\) "Sess'innek (MoMy)") (MM) is one of the few tanar'ri who spends little time concerned with the Blood War. The gates to this plane, more often called Kearackinin by the tanar'ri themselves, are all sealed: An extraordinary effort would be required merely to release the locks. Sess'inek is worshiped by lizard men, and his realm is rife with lizard kings, his servitors. ### Twelvetrees[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D4&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") The 12th layer has been abandoned since the tanar'ri lords captured twelve devas and brought them here to be sacrificed. It's haunted by their tortured cries, which make conversation impossible. Twelvetrees is the site of much diabolical magic-working, for the fiends use the place where the devas died as a power focus to enchant engines of war and magical amulets capable of destroying the baatezu. The greatest project currently underway is a flying construction called the _[Ship of Chaos](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/The_Ship_of_Chaos_\(PoC\) "The Ship of Chaos (PoC)")_ (see page 26). ### Blood Tor[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D5&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") This was the site of a baatezu incursion into the Abyss, one of their greatest successes early in the Blood War. The 13th layer is now the realm of Beshaba (FR), the Maid of Misfortune. Her realm contains both the black stags that are her totem as well as bad luck that haunts visitors to the realm. The reddish waters of the Blood Tor are also the home of Umberlee (FR), the bitch goddess of the seas. ### Iron Wastes[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D6&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") A bitterly cold plane of ice miles deep, the Iron Wastes are the province of frost giants who serve [Kostchtchchie](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Kostchtchie_\(MoMy\) "Kostchtchie (MoMy)") (MM), their tanar'ri lord. Devoid of most life, this 23rd layer of the Abyss is illuminated by a single distant light no brighter than a moon. Here Kostchtchcie trained the first frost mages, who dwell in the Glacier Citadel, an ice fortress carved into the moving ice between two towering peaks at the height of the plane. Spring never comes to the Iron Wastes, and most of its inhabitants live deep underground in strongholds or caverns. ### Lolth's Web (the Demonweb Pits)[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D7&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") This infamous place is a convoluted plane that connects to the prime-material worlds where the spider-queen [Lolth](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Lolth_\(MoMy\) "Lolth (MoMy)") (MM) has worshipers. The plane folds in upon itself so that it resembles a great web. Four strands of tunnels wind through infinite mist, each strand looping in a circle and each strand passing (somehow) both over and under each of the others. Each strand is strung with gates into the planes where Lolth is strongest, as a string is strung with pearls. Lolth's palace is said to be a mobile iron fortress, perpetually crawling across her planar web. Her layer is the 66th layer of the Abyss. ### Smaragd[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D8&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") The 74th layer, a realm of ever-shifting colors, is a radiant emerald jungle of heat, acid rain, and fermenting poisons. The jungle floor is difficult to find, as the forest has as many as seven canopies in places. The jungle is the home of [Merrshaulk](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Merrshaulk_\(MoMy\) "Merrshaulk (MoMy)") (MM), god of the yuan-ti, as well as many roving tribes of bar-lgura. Merrshaulk slumbers in a vast set of snake-infested pits and caverns, and is uninterested in being roused from his slumber by anything less than a direct threat. Most who intrude on his caverns are simply devoured; the rest survive only because of the power's all-consuming sloth. [Ramenos](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Ramenos_\(MoMy\) "Ramenos (MoMy)") (MM), the god of the bullywugs, also sleeps in a realm within Smaragd, though his resting place is an enormous hollow tree. His tanar'ri followers call him the Sleeping God, and offer him sacrifices by placing them within his perpetually open mouth. Other than the vipers, boas, pythons, venomous toads, and acidic rains, Smaragd is a relatively quiet and benign layer of the Abyss. Its dangers are passive rather than active. ### Gaping Maw[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D9&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") This is a layer of briny water and rocky prominences used as rookeries by flying tanar'ri. The depths are ruled by kraken, ixixachitl, and their lord [Demogorgon](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Demogorgon_\(MoMy\) "Demogorgon (MoMy)") (MM), whose stony home is guarded by the most powerful representatives of each of his servant races. Many wastrilith (water lords) make this layer their home as well. The area above water is only the slightest portion of his palace; most of it is underwater, in chill and darkened caverns that have never seen light. The tanar'ri lord hoards his strength, attacking the sahuagin from time to time and only rarely exhausting his strength in the Blood War. This is the 88th layer of the Abyss. ### Rotting Plain[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D10&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") A pungent expanse of baking, dry savanna and shallow swamplands is the home of [Laogzed](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Laogzed_\(MoMy\) "Laogzed (MoMy)") of the troglodytes (MM), a gluttonous eater of carrion and spirits. Supposedly the offspring of Panzuriel and a reptilian tanar'ri mother, the stinking toad/lizard creature was quickly banished from Panzuriel's realm. Laogzed seems to have barely noticed; food simply became something more difficult to find. Laogzed serves other powers as a planar dumping ground, since he devours everything, regardless of its origin or foulness. Whatever he devours becomes part of the substance of the plane, so other tanar'ri often dispose of items permanently by placing them within a tasty morsel before that ultimate scavenger. Laogzed also devours herds of least tanar'ri, and those who disturb him with petty concerns (anything other than food). The Rotting Plain is the 181st layer of the Abyss. ### Shedaklah[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D11&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") The 222nd layer of the Abyss is more commonly referred to simply as the Slime Pits, a bubbling morass of oozing, fetid sludge. Its landscape is little more than the name implies, with vast expanses of caustic and unintelligent slime. Strange organic forms are believed to rise from the ocean of molds at the whim of [Juiblex](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Juiblex_\(MoMy\) "Juiblex (MoMy)") (MM), who rules a portion of the plane. The remainder of the plane is the province of Zuggtmoy (MM), the Abyssal Lady of Fungi, a dread and fell ruler of the Abyss. Together with Luz the Old, himself a son of an Abyssal lord, she established the Temple of Elemental Evil and - for a time - wrought death, destruction, and great suffering. Then the forces of Good fought a campaign against her, and she was surprised and bound during the intaking of the Temple. The opposing clerics and mages confined her somewhere beneath the ground, reputedly with the aid of one or more deities. Until she is released, her realm will continue to slowly rot and crumble. Zuggtmoy's realm is filled with ascomids, basidiords, black pudding, brown mold, brown pudding, dun pudding, gray ooze, green slime, intellect devourers, ochre jelly, olive slime, phycomids, russet mold, ustilagor, violet fungi, yellow mold, and zygom. ### Durao[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D12&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") Durao is an open layer that serves as the embarkation point for many tanar'ri hordes on their way to Gehenna. It consists largely of a set of rusting iron wharves and barracks built between a fetid section of swamps and the sluggish waters of the Styx. When troops march through the sprawling iron streets - which is most of the time - the entire layer seems to reverberate with the sound. The tanar'ri use enormous barges to ship their troops, though the marraenoloths are paid a small fortune to pilot these barges down the river. Other than rusty piers with access to the rest of the Lower Planes and the horrifically deformed creatures of the swamp-land (which the Abyssal lords consider good hunting), the layer (number 274 by the Guvnors' count) has nothing to recommend it. ### Sulfanorum[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D13&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") The 303rd layer is a place where tanar'ri come to relax and smoke a pipe of dried flesh, dung, or whatever it is they smoke. The foul stuff clogs the air, making planars and pilgrims alike wheeze and ache with each breath. The stench is almost unbearable, though it doesn't bother the tanar'ri. Fires are constantly burning, pouring smoke and filth into the skies. Sulfanorum's fires are weak, though - just enough to light a pipe or start incense smoking. ### Worm Realm[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D14&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") A set of endlessly twisting tunnels dug from constantly-collapsing clay, earth, and stone. This 399th layer of the Abyss is the burrow of [Urdlen](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Urdlen_\(MoMy\) "Urdlen (MoMy)") (MM), the mole-god of evil gnomes, who digs out from each collapse. The realm grinds up most visitors, and suffocates and poisons the rest. Its inhabitants are gnome petitioners, manes, purple worms, hezrou, and umber hulks. Oddly, many of the creatures of the Worm Realm suffer from florid fungal and cancerous growths that rot the victim from within after 2–12 months; long-term visitors to the realm eventually contract this disease as well. Speculation among the Bargainers is that this disease is the result of a feud between Urdlen and Zuggtmoy, but this is impossible to confirm. ### Woeful Escarand[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D15&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") This is one of the few layers of the Abyss that follows any sort of pattern or order. Throngs of petitioners and new arrivals are herded from the entrances to the layer over treacherous terrain toward the layer's single visible feature, a great mountain; the gates exiting the plane are all within the central Mountain of Woe, but these gates are strictly guarded by the nalfeshnee, who... are the primary occupants of the 400th layer of the Abyss. They sit on mighty thrones of flame in the Mountain of Woe, or herd more creatures toward judgment. From atop their thrones, the nalfeshnee (also known as the lords of woe) cast judgment upon the mortal life of forces that pass into the Abyss, more dreadful than the judgment of the Guvnors in Sigil. Rumors are whispered of the Pits of Despair, where the worst petitioners are sent. ### Yeenoghu's Realm[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D16&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") This is the dismal and fetid 422nd layer of the Abyss, a layer of endless yellow forests and dun savannas where the gnoll god and his retinue hunt the lesser tanar'ri and any visitors. The grasses are edged as sharp as daggers, thornslingers and strangleweed are common, and the water is infested with parasites and diseases. Since tanar'ri are immune to poison, the waters themselves are venomous. [Yeenoghu](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Yeenoghu_\(MoMy\) "Yeenoghu (MoMy)") (MM) rules the layer from an enormous pile of cracked bones that looks like a white mountain visible from most points; those who have disobeyed or displeased him are added to it at regular intervals. ### Prison of the Mad God[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D17&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") The 586th layer of the Abyss, this layer serves as nothing more than the prison of [Diinkarazan](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Diinkarazan_\(MoMy\) "Diinkarazan (MoMy)") (MM), the mad god of the duergar. It's a swirling vortex of air and gas, with rings of whirling rocks flying about a central point. Diinkarazan is magically bound to a stone throne at the center of the storm. The plane constantly distorts space, much like a distance distortion spell that varies from 10-80% from minute to minute. Cursed and banished by [Ilsensine](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Ilsensine_\(MoMy\) "Ilsensine (MoMy)"), the power of the [illithids](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Illithid "Illithid"), the Mad God cannot be freed by anything less than a greater power, and he is permanently insane and tormented by illusions of the things he most fears (terrible monsters, Ilsensine itself, drowning in water or lava, and the like). The chant is that the high-up stops raving once every 50 years, but he's obsessed with revenge and kills visitors even when he's sane, as like as not. The prison is always torn between slipping over into Carceri and slipping into Pandemonium; the balance of prison and madness keeps it in the Abyss. ### Caverns of the Skull[](https://auth.fandom.com/signin?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fadnd2e.fandom.com%2Fwiki%2FThe_Infinite_Layers_of_the_Abyss_%28PoC%29%3Fveaction%3Dedit%26section%3D18&uselang=en "Sign in to edit") [Kali](https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Kali_\(LL\) "Kali (LL)") (LL) rules a place of perpetual blood sacrifice and suffering. The plane is home to bloodthirsty, four-armed xorn, eyewings, fetch, fireshadows, and hordes of fanatical petitioners. The petitioners constantly slaughter one another and are reborn to kill again. Likewise, the layer's caverns are constantly being created and destroyed, and only the goddess knows what tunnels will seal up next. Visitors are grist for the altars. The Caverns have no regular gates — they're hidden near the most powerful proxies. These gates can only be activated by slaying the proxy. The Caverns are catalogued as the 643rd layer of the Abyss, though the Guvnors assume that many travelers found their way into this layer before anyone found a way out to tell of it.