Plane

The cosmic forces, some of the main realms and the denizens of the universe.

Planes, also known as dimensions, realms of existence or simply realms, are cosmic regions within the Warcraft universe.

The multiverse is a term used to refer to all the possible universes in World of Warcraft.

Great Dark Beyond

Main article: Great Dark Beyond

The Great Dark Beyond represents the mortal and the physical universe. It is an infinite living realm composed of innumerable stars, worlds, moons, and mortal civilizations. Azeroth is found in it, and it is merely one of the countless worlds drifting through vast reaches of the Great Dark.

The physical world is referred to as the material world or corporeal realm and is in contrast with the realm of spirits.

Light and Void

Main articles: Light, Void

Light and Shadow are the most fundamental cosmic forces in existence. Although contradictory in nature, they are bound together on a cosmic scale as one cannot exist without the other. Pure Light and Shadow dwell in a realm outside the borders of reality, but shades of their presence are found in the physical universe. Light and Shadow bleed together at its boundaries, engulfing the Twisting Nether in perpetual chaos.

Emerald Dream

Main article: Emerald Dream

The Emerald Dream is an ethereal realm of spirits and untamed nature that exists alongside Azeroth. The titanic keepers forged it to act as a map for the evolutionary path of Azeroth's flora and fauna. As life ebbs and flows across the physical world, the spiritual energies that stature the Dream keep pace with it.

Ny'alotha

Main article: Ny'alotha

Ny'alotha is a realm inhabited by the Old Gods and their minions. It is separated from the physical world by a thin veil.

Shadowlands

Main article: Shadowlands

The Shadowlands are nightmarish realms of decay, labyrinthine spiritual planes teeming with the souls of the dead who have passed from the world of the living. They have existed ever since mortal life arose in the physical universe. Its main realms are Ardenweald, Bastion, Maldraxxus, Revendreth, and the Maw.

Twisting Nether

Main article: Twisting Nether

The Twisting Nether is the astral plane between worlds that lies in parallel with the Great Dark Beyond. The forces of Light and Void bleed together at its boundaries, engulfing the Twisting Nether in perpetual strife. Sometimes, the volatile energies that pervade the Nether intrude upon the physical universe, warping reality beyond measure.

Pocket dimensions

Pocket dimensions (or dimensional pockets) seem to be little parts of a dimension secluded by magic.

Elemental Plane

Main article: Elemental Plane

The Elemental Plane is the home of all elementals that were removed from Azeroth when the titan-forged Ra and Helya created four interlinked domains within a pocket dimension, imprisoning them millennia ago.

Halls of Valor and Helheim

Main articles: Halls of Valor, Helheim

Helya called upon the same powers she had used to secure the Elemental Plane and sealed off Odyn's fortress—the Halls of Valor—with an impregnable, magical barrier. She then proceeded to create Helheim as an enchanted refuge for herself and the other Val'kyr far below the Halls.

De Other Side

Main article: Other Side

De Other Side is Bwonsamdi's pocket dimension in the Shadowlands.

Other pocket dimensions

• A pocket universe was used by Krasus during the War of the Ancients in order to ensure the future of the blue dragonflight. The mage tore an opening in reality and put a few viable dragon eggs into this "pocket universe". He then sealed the opening until a later time when he could surrender the eggs to someone trustworthy. It is noted that time is significantly slower in the dimension.
• The Battle for Mount Hyjal timeway in the Caverns of Time is described as happening in a "time pocket" separated from the world and history.
• Phantasm Zone is a prison dimension in the Twisting Nether in which Magnus Manastorm is imprisoned.
• The mages of Dalaran wove a type of pocket dimension around Ambermill, hiding it from the Forsaken. A Horde adventurer eventually shattered the pocket dimension, bringing Ambermill back to reality.
• A pocket universe was created by Chromie, a bronze dragon in the guise of a gnome, within a room in the inn of Ruins of Andorhal.
• Malfurion Stormrage banished the worgen to a pocket dimension of the Emerald Dream where Daral'nir is located. From there Arugal summoned them.
• The chrysalun chambers are draconic artifacts that have a pocket universe within themselves.
• Void Storage is accomplished by housing items in a pocket dimension.
• Mardum, the Shattered Abyss was formerly an impregnable pocket dimension within the Twisting Nether called "Mardum, the Plane of Banishment". It was a prison-world created by the titan Sargeras where he imprisoned all the demons he defeated.
• Akazamzarak's Hat is a pocket dimension within the top hat of the goblin mage Akazamzarak.
• Prison of Ink is a location inside the Bloodshed Compendium book that inscription adventurers are sent to with the guidance of master blood scribe Kronah.

Other realms

These realms exist but there is not much known about them:

• Quetz'lun's underworld is a special underworld separate from the material world created by the loa at the time of her death as a home of her and her cursed worshipers that killed her.
• Twilight Realm is a plane used by members of the Twilight dragonflight.
• Realm of Y'Shaarj is a twisted version of Azeroth visited when fighting the tyrannical Warchief Garrosh Hellscream.
• Void realm visited in alternate Draenor and on Argus.
• The Shadow Realm is a plane of existence visited by the arakkoa in alternate Draenor. It is related to the Void.
• Pure Light and Shadow dwell in a realm outside the borders of reality, but shades of their presence are found in the physical universe. Light and Shadow are the most fundamental cosmic forces in existence. Although contradictory in nature, they are bound together on a cosmic scale as one cannot exist without the other. Light and Shadow bleed together at its boundaries, engulfing the Twisting Nether in perpetual chaos.
• Za'qul casts spells which move adventurers into a "Fear realm" or a "Delirium realm". These two realms are referred to as "insanity realms".

In the RPG

This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

Main article: Plane (RPG)

Notes

• In the Warcraft universe there have been some quotes about the "Heavens" and "Hell". These are likely flavor lore.
  • Heavens: It is said that archangels or guardians took up swords of light to defend the heavens.
    • It It has also been said that the Light "burns eternal in Heaven" on a website for a official Blizzard paladin themed T-Shirt.
  • Hell: Warcraft I makes reference to Hell and Hades. As Uther the Lightbringer died he told Arthas Menethil that "I dearly hope that there's a special place in hell waiting for you, Arthas." and Sylvanas Windrunner when almost killing Arthas Menethil with a poison arrow told him to "Give my regards to hell".
    • Hell could be referring to: the Shadowlands as that's where souls of the dead travel to, Helheim where some of the spirits of the dishonorable spend eternity, the Twisting Nether as Warcraft I says daemons are hellspawn, the Firelands in the Elemental Plane as there are creatures called hell hounds from there and there is a quest called  [35] Through the Gates of Hell with the goal of entering the Firelands.
• The Old Gods ruled over the primal (first, original) plane until the coming of the titans. This likely means the Great Dark Beyond.
• Murmur came from a dimension of the cosmos unfathomable to mortal minds.
• The Reliquary owns a "Grand Vault" the location of which is a closely-guarded secret. Some believe it is not even on this plane of existence.
• When Garrosh Hellscream had Theramore Isle destroyed with a mana bomb, its arcane power caused anomalies of realities and dimensions ripped asunder. One could even glimpse other worlds.
• The void revenants are a race of parasitic void-beings that tear holes through the planes of reality, consuming and absorbing the energies and beings within.
• Warp Shades partially tear an enemy into another dimension.
• Aluneth is a strange, fickle and powerful entity of pure arcane energy hailing from another realm of existence that was brought to the Nexus when blue dragons at some point while manipulating the fabric of reality tapped into this other realm and made contact with the strange arcane entity.
• Consumers of souls in Brawler's Guilds are seen in an alternate dimension by wearing special goggles.

Speculation

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

• The Wizard's Sanctum Stormwind Portal Room could be it's own pocket dimension, as it's entered from a portal atop the Wizard's Sanctum tower.
• Caverns of Time could be its own plane.
• Inner Veil is inside the "spectral realm" in the Kalecgos fight in the Sunwell Plateau raid, it's possibly its own plane.
• The Eye of Eternity is the personal domain of Malygos and as such may be its own plane.
• The Mind's Eye entered by portals open in the fight with Yogg-Saron could be its own plane.
• There are five portals within the Chamber of Aspects beneath Wyrmrest Temple two of which are open and lead to the Ruby Sanctum and Obsidian Sanctum. They may be their own planes or unknown locations in the world.
• Frostmourne (Icecrown Citadel) is a location where a player is transferred into if a player survives the Lich King's Harvest Soul ability. It could be its own plane.
• Bastion of Twilight entered through a portal above the Twilight Citadel could be in a separate plane.
• Dread Expanse is a location were the Sha of Fear retreats to, it could be it's own plane.
• The Nexus Vault is accessed by way of portal and has a specific otherworldly appearance so it maybe its own plane. But Kalec says: "The Nexus Vault lies deep beneath the main spire. You will find its entrance in the lowest chamber of the spire's base." But this may only mean it's former entrance was there.
• Realm of the Mage Hunter is the domain of the eredar lord Balaadur, however the Archive of the Tirisgarde mentions that Balaadur took Ebonchill when its owner got ripped into the Twisting Nether, so it's uncertain if Balaadur's realm is a place in the Twisting Nether or it's own dimension. For comparison the  [45] Between Worlds quest has Kruul's Twisting Nether location described as his realm.
• Forge of Aeons a place sacred to the Army of the Light accessed by a Lightforged beacon on the Vindicaar may be its own plane.
• Visions of N'Zoth could be on a separate plane.
• A version of the Chamber of Heart that Wrathion has constructed as a place between places as a way to distance himself from the corruption of the Horrific Visions entered from the Chamber of Heart.
• Entering the mind of N'Zoth is done in the N'Zoth, the Corruptor raid fight which could be it's own plane.

See also

• World-souls
• Alternate universes