The Abyss is the outer plane of chaotic evil in the shared cosmos, domain of the demons (tanar’ri) and home of Graz’zt in Azzagrat.
Description
It is infinite: over six hundred layers, each a realm with its own laws under a Demon Lord. Among the Lords of the Abyss are Graz’zt, Demogorgon, Orcus, Pazuzu, Lolth and Baphomet. The demons wage the eternal Blood War against the lawful demons of the Nine Hells.
In the shared cosmos
- Azzagrat, layers 45 to 47, where Graz’zt reigns, is a cosmological pillar of the demonic plot.
- The rescue: the Old Father, Arcoms, seeks to rescue his daughter Clarissa, fallen “into the clutches” of the monster of the Abyss in the orbit of Tiamat; a recurring arc.
- Spawning ground of succubi, balors, mariliths and vrocks; possibly of the bloody assassins of the Black Hand.
- Exile and punishment: the companions fall into it in critical arcs.
- Graz’zt stole the Gear, linked to the demonic power of Azzagrat.
- In the Calendar, Graz’zt “does not yet know what to do with his dual secrets” (Dual Magic): the gem holding the soul of Coyote, received as tribute.
- The nickname “Demonia” suggests that Antiterra is the earthly projection of the Abyss.