Seven Bulwarks

The Outer Planes: The Seven Bulwarks of Heaven

"From the walls of the Seventh Bulwark, one can see all of creation. It is a breathtaking vista of perfect, harmonious order. It is the final, beautiful, logical conclusion to the Song of Creation. And it is a fortress. Never forget, it is a fortress."

-An Idyllian, Angel of the Celestial Concord

Overview & Philosophy Heaven is the ultimate expression of lawful good. It is not a place of idle rest, but a perfectly functioning, city-plane of immense scale, dedicated to the principles of justice, community, and the defense of the cosmos against chaos. Ruled by the Celestial Concord of deities, Heaven is a bastion of divine order, a fortress of light against the encroaching darkness of Hell and the Abyss. Its philosophy is that true good can only flourish under the protection of righteous law and selfless duty.

The Nature of the Afterlife: A Joyful Purpose Souls of the lawful good who arrive in Heaven are welcomed into the great design. Their afterlife is not one of eternal leisure, but of meaningful, joyous purpose. A soul's virtues and skills are put to use contributing to the perfection and defense of the plane. A selfless soldier might join a celestial legion, a just judge might help preside over a divine court, and a skilled artisan might help construct new, beautiful wonders. In Heaven, every soul has a vital role to play in the harmonious Song of Creation.

The Seven Bulwarks (The Layers) Heaven is a single, massive city-plane, protected by seven concentric, shimmering walls of divine energy known as the Bulwarks. Each ring is a self-contained district or "Ward" with a specific function.

  1. The First Bulwark: The welcoming gate and the primary defensive line.

  2. The Second Bulwark: The Ward of Justice, home to the celestial courts.

  3. The Third Bulwark: The Ward of Mercy, a realm of healing and restoration.

  4. The Fourth Bulwark: The Ward of Knowledge, containing the divine libraries.

  5. The Fifth Bulwark: The Ward of Courage, the primary training grounds for the celestial armies.

  6. The Sixth Bulwark: The Ward of Community, the primary home for mortal souls.

  7. The Seventh Bulwark: The Celestial Citadel, where the gods, including Sol Invictus and The Sentinel, preside.

Key Deities & Inhabitants Heaven is ruled by the Celestial Concord, led by Sol Invictus. The Forge-Mother and The Sentinel are also key members. The native celestials, known as Idyllians or Angels, are divine constructs of pure law and starlight, their forms often resembling intricate clockwork beings or warriors in gleaming, golden celestial armor.