Originally Posted by Abits
Just to make sure I understand, your theory is that a lot of the story is some sort of an illusion?

Yup; based on my limited knowledge of Forgotten Realms I think it's most likely related to Shadowfell (there is plenty of gods that would love for Shadows to take over), but considering there is also a Phase Spider Matriarch aka Predator of the Ethereal plane, it could be something else entirely. Demons could still fit in the story, as it seems there is something off going on with the souls once they enter Shadowfell. Larian can basically take this anywhere. I really think it's intended to be as some sort of the playground, alas not a complete one right now.
While it is possible to see into the Material Plane from the Ethereal Plane, the Ethereal Plane is usually invisible to those on the Material Plane. Normally, creatures on the Ethereal Plane cannot attack creatures on the Material Plane, and vice versa. A traveler on the Ethereal Plane is invisible, incorporeal, and utterly silent to someone on the Material Plane. This makes the Ethereal Plane very useful for reconnaissance, spying on opponents, and other occasions when it's handy to move around without being detected.


It would also explain some of the 'factions' so far. It also explains why Omeluum is convinced, that the nautiloid templates were lost in the war against Gith and honestly there is so many other breadcrumbs like that.. We might have been time warping through the planes. Honestly I can go on about the crazy possibilities... Lore has grown so much and it keeps growing not to mention it's clear Larian did get some creative approval and this is not just your typical 5e homebrew. This looks like it will be a rather epic adventure in the end. At least I definitely want to see Astarion as a master vampire!
WotC seems to want to have more multiverse as well, more inclusivity, etc... so I really wouldn't be surprised, if we did see Illithid Sthrad mastermind. Cheesy, but ok.

Last edited by Vamathi; 09/11/20 05:25 PM.
“There is only one thing we say to Death:
Not today.”