Porphatys

Carceri — Layer the Fifth

The Chain of Black Snow, the Sea Without Succor

Themes of the Layer: The wine-dark ocean here is more than just a body of water—it’s a metaphor too, a reminder of the layer’s philosophy. The endless, shallow waves reflect the shallowness of the souls trapped here, those who could never be bothered to think deeply or care about anyone beyond themselves. The ocean is constantly moving, but never going anywhere, like the stagnant lives of the petitioners. And the acid snow, well, it’s just another layer of misery to remind them of the harm they caused to others—slow, corrosive, and inescapable.

The Lay of the Land

Oh dear, so you’ve got yourself marooned on Porphatys, the fifth layer of Carceri? You poor berk. I hope you brought a good pair of boots and something to shield your face, because this place is as inviting as a slap to the jaw with a poison-coated . Porphatys, known to some as the Sea Without Succor, is a place where the selfish and uncharitable souls of the multiverse are sent to stew. Quite literally, in fact, as the entire layer is a frigid, shallow ocean of acidic water with black, semi-solid snow drifting down from a sky that looks like it’s had the colour drained out of it.

The “land,” if you can call it that, is nothing more than a few sparse sandbars and rocky outcroppings that barely peek above the lapping waves. There’s not much to see—just endless expanses of cold, stinging water and the occasional snow-covered sandbar. The snow here isn’t the kind you’d catch on your tongue, though. It’s black as sin and burns the skin like a slow-acting poison.

Prisoners of Porphatys

The locals here, if you can call them that, ain’t much for conversation. The petitioners who dwell here, those who were too selfish to give a damn about anyone else in life, huddle together on these tiny islands. They’re a pathetic lot, clinging to the little space they have, fighting off the corrosive tides and the endless snowfall.

Now, don’t be fooled by their desperate eyes and outstretched hands. These petitioners would sell their own souls—if they had any left—for a chance to escape. They might offer you trinkets, baubles, or the promise of a favour in exchange for a way out. But remember, this is Carceri, and nothing here comes without a catch. Most of them are just looking to bob you, just the same way they did in life. They took everything they could grab from everyone they trick and gave nothing back, and they’ve learned nothing since they’ve been here. You’d be wise to keep your distance and not get too close, unless you fancy a dip in the acid sea.

The older petitioners, those who’ve been around long enough to toughen up against the acid, have developed a sort of chitinous shell. It’s not pretty, and it’s not friendly. They keep to themselves, preferring the cold embrace of the sea to the company of others. If you run into one of these hardened souls, best to keep your mouth shut and your hands to yourself. They’ve got no love for favours, and they don’t take kindly to anyone asking for one.

Key Features of the Layer

For those interested in a bit of sightseeing, there’s Oceanus’ Temple. It’s dedicated to the Titan Oceanus, who was cast down here when the Titans were overthrown by the Olympians. His temple here is a crumbling ruin, and much like the souls that worship him—forever bound to a sinking world. The temple itself is a sorry sight, barely standing amidst the snow and acid, constantly being eaten away by the elements. It’s said that if you’re foolish or desperate enough to venture into the temple’s depths, you might find a portal to Agathys, the deepest and darkest layer of Carceri. But then again, you’d have to ask yourself why you’d want to trade one hell for an even worse one.

Travel between the Porphatyian orbs—those distant, twinkling lights in the sky that are really just other parts of this miserable layer—is possible, but dangerous. The snow clouds between the orbs gather thick and fast, and the winds are strong enough to knock you off course and into the infinite void to be lost forever. If you do manage to find a gap in the storm, you’d better move fast before it closes up again. And don’t count on finding any safe harbour once you get to where you’re going. The ocean is the same wherever you go—cold, shallow, and unforgiving.

So, what’s the draw of Porphatys? Not much, unless you’ve got a penchant for suffering. But maybe that’s the point. This layer forces you to face the misery you’ve brought upon yourself and, perhaps, find a way to turn it around. But don’t expect any easy answers or quick fixes here. The only thing Porphatys offers is a mirror to your own selfishness and the slow, painful process of change. If you can survive the acid snow, the biting cold, and the treacherous waters, maybe you’ll find something worth holding onto. But if not, well, there’s always the next layer down…

Locations of Porphatys

Bastion of Broken Truths (realm of Kallida)
- Manual of the Planes [5e] p185
Deepstrike (realm of Nabassh)‡
Grotto of Divinity (realm of Divinity)
- Manual of the Planes [5e] p183
Reprieve (independent burg)‡
Ship of One Hundred (site)
- Manual of the Planes [3e] p106-107
Temple of Oceanus (realm of Oceanus)
- Planes of Conflict [2e] Liber Malevolentiae p23; Player’s Guide p18

Prisoner-Powers of Porphatys

Nabassh (Orcish power of the sea, pursuit, mercilessness)‡
Oceanus (Titan of the sea)
- Deities and Demigods [3e] p99,131; On Hallowed Ground [2e] p128; Planes of Conflict [2e] Liber Malevolentiae p18,23; Player’s Guide p18; Planescape Campaign Setting [2e] DM’s Guide p56

Movers and Shakers

Kallida (gehreleth Queen of Porphatys / [she/her])
- Manual of the Planes [5e] p185

Bestiary of Porphatys

Ahuizotl
- Muck-dwelling predators with the body of a monkey and the hind legs of a dog. Fiend Folio [3e] p14; Bestiary 2 [PF1e] p10
Heikegani†
- Scowling crabs with furious eyes, the heikegani are said to be trapped samaurai spirits. Bestiary 5 [PF1e] p141

Canonical Sources

Planescape Monstrous Compendium Volume 2 [2e] p114
Manual of the Planes [3e] p105-107
Manual of the Planes [5e] p182
Planes of Conflict [2e] Liber Malevolentiae p6,10-12,14,23; Player’s Guide p18
Planescape Campaign Setting [2e] DM’s Guide p56

Canonwatch: Entries are from D&D canon unless otherwise marked, although when the canon is sparse I’ve got creative with the details; † adapted from a 3rd party publication; ‡ homebrew. The name Porphatys probably derives from the Greek Πορφύριος, or Porphyrios, meaning “purple-clad”.

More details to follow!

Other Sources:

Jon Winter-Holt