Acheron (plane)

Acheron is a outer plane of existence formed by the lower river of classical mythology, in which Acheron is called the "river of woe." The upper river serves as a boundary across which the dead must be ferried by Charon, through the land of Hades. After merging with the river Cocytus ("river of wailing), the Acheron plunges in a cascade, dropping thousands of feet, to form a plane adjacent to Tartarus, where it's counted by some as a part of Hades.

Named Katharsis, the cascade purifies the sorrowful waters, purging those who enter the pool beneath of shame or guilt. The plane of Acheron is therefore not a place of punishment, but of cleansing the human spirit. The lands surrounding the lower waterfall are extensive, and serve as a garden for nymphs and dryads who dwell in the outer planes. A path from Acheron is said to lead to the planes of both Nirvana and Arcadia.

The heights above Acheron are guarded by Ascalaphus, a demi-god in the form of an enormous eagle-owl, described as the vilest bird and a messenger of grief.