The term plane (often called "zone") refers to one of several planes of existence - areas of physical space which comprise the greater Nexus. A single plane may be aligned or neutral by its very nature.
Characters may travel between the different planes through the use of portals. Transferring between planes nearly always incurs a cost in Magic Points (though there exist some powers, such as Stepping of the World Gate, that offset this cost).
If a plane is aligned, characters who are considered non-native will suffer damage as they move through it. If a plane is non-aligned, movement does not cause pain or damage.
Valhalla is the official name for the "Earth" zone in Nexus War. It consists of the Caivan Sea and the islands of the Saint Germaine Archipelago.
The zone takes its name from Norse mythology: Valhalla was the realm where warriors went to when they died. They would continue to fight for all eternity.
There is a normal Day/Night cycle in Valhalla.
Beneath the islands of St. Germaine lie the sewers. While technically not a seperate plane, the sewers count as their own zone and have their own map. The sewers are accessed through one of many manhole covers scattered about the islands.
Paradise is the formal name for the plane of existence populated by all things good. It is the home plane for Angelic character classes (Paladin, Shepherd, and their child classes).
Movement in Paradise will cause damage to most characters. Characters who have become angels (either by selecting the Paladin or Shepherd classes) will not suffer damage, nor will those who have learned the Planar Protection skill, nor will those who are members of a Faction with a Stronghold in the plane. Otherwise, this damage is unsoakable, as it is a purifying, fundamental fire.
It is always considered "Day" in Paradise. Daytime searching bonuses apply, and Revenants will always burn.
Stygia is the formal name for the plane of existence populated by all things evil and chaotic: demons, devils, their dark servants and even darker masters.
Stygia is a land of extremes. The bulk of the plane is filled with howling, screaming Frozen Wastes, punctuated by enormous, hellish Fire Pits. Standing dominant over the entire plane are several Iron Fortresses.
Movement in Stygia will cause damage to most characters. Characters who have become demons (either by selecting the Pariah or Defiler classes) will not suffer damage, nor will those who have learned the Planar Protection skill, nor will those who are members of a Faction with a Stronghold in the plane. Otherwise, this damage is unsoakable, as it is corrupting on a vile yet fundamental level.
It is always considered "Night" in Stygia. Nighttime searching penalties apply, and Revenants will always receive full bonuses.
Purgatorio is the formal name for the plane of existence populated by all things neutral and unaligned, focused on free will.
Like its ethical alignment, Purgatorio is a fragmented land, consisting of hundreds of small (and large) rocky land-masses floating within an endless void of nothingness. Some of these islands are connected to one another by giant iron chains, which serve the dual purpose of keeping the islands from floating apart and providing a method of travel between them (for those who do not possess the ability to fly).
Purgatorio is an extremely large plane - easily twice the size of the Saint Germaine Archipelago - and "medium" sized land areas there can be the equivalent of "large" islands in the archipelago.
The Purgatorio has a normal Day and Night cycle.
Nimbus is the formal name for the plane of existence that lies above Paradise. It is a realm built upon the backs of clouds connected by rainbow bridges.
Movement in the Nimbus will cause damage to most characters. Characters who have become angels (either by selecting the Paladin or Shepherd classes) will not suffer damage, nor will those who have learned the Planar Protection skill, nor will those who are members of a Faction with a Stronghold in the plane. Otherwise, this damage is unsoakable, as it is corrupting on a vile yet fundamental level.
It is always considered "Day" in the Nimbus. Daytime searching bonuses apply, and Revenants will always burn.
The Warrens is the formal name for the plane of existence that lies below Stygia. It is a maze-like realm built through the "back" of the Elder Power, Tholaghru.
Movement in the Warrens will cause damage to most characters. Characters who have become demons (either by selecting the Pariah or Defiler classes) will not suffer damage, nor will those who have learned the Planar Protection skill, nor will those who are members of a Faction with a Stronghold in the plane. Otherwise, this damage is unsoakable, as it is corrupting on a vile yet fundamental level.
It is always considered "Night" in the Warrens. Nighttime searching penalties apply, and Revenants will always recieve full bonuses.
Niflehiem is the formal name for the unaligned plane of death. It is a vast area, dominated by enormous deserts of dust, as well as a gothic, enchanted forest that was once home to dread vampire lords.
Though light "rises and falls" in Nifleheim, it is considered to always be night for the purposes of Revenant abilities. However, searching and other day/night penalties follow the ambient light pattern.
Further, as Niflehiem is the land of the dead, Lich skills that summon undead will work in every location.