The Maps of Myrist: The
The Plane of Justice is a somber, bleak realm consisting primarily of a large prison. Beings of all races and origins are sent here for severe crimes against their society or against the gods. A council of six entities, known as The Tribunal, governs the plane. They act as judge and jury, deciding the guilt or innocence of the creatures that are sent before their judgment, and choose any applicable punishments. A warden controls the administrative aspects of the prison. Dark, axe-wielding guards maintain tight security and dispense executions with mechanical precision.
At the center of the prison is a large courtyard where a guillotine, a tree with a noose, and other instruments of executions are found. The cells nearest the courtyard house the inmates scheduled to be imminently executed. The halls of the prison are busy with the marching of guards who keep a constant vigil and the scurrying of rats and other vermin. Escape tunnels exist behind a hidden cell in the southeast corner, chiseled out over the years by prisoners seeking to flee, or at least hide. Recently, deadly creatures have entered the deeper tunnels, effectively preventing any further work on them.
Prisoners in the Plane of Justice come from a wide range of backgrounds, places, and even eras. Those convicted are never punished purely for who they are in terms of mortal origin, rather divine judgment is based on actions they have taken within the framework of the society and culture from whence they came. Time does not pass in the planes as it does in mortal realms, so there are beings here from civilizations that no longer exist upon Norrath.
Aside from personal vendettas, the prison population is generally divided into two camps – the humanoid and the bestial. In addition to the major Norrathian races, creatures like the aviaks and the ottermen are at odds with the Akheva, froglok, ghouls, evil eyes, and other beings of fiendish origin. While exceptions do exist, it generally behooves one to take a side in this dispute – or life can become rather uncomfortable.
A number of spirits can be also be found among the jails. Some are remnants of those who have died there, others are ghosts of prisoners' victims who have come to haunt those who have wronged them.
Reigning Deity
The Tribunal has existed for as long as there has been a semblance of order in the world. They remain neutral in almost every conflict, meting out justice as fairly as they can, without prejudice. Legends speak of a "Seventh Hammer," a powerful being who acts as as The Tribunal's messenger and bailiff.
It is impossible to bribe The Tribunal to influence a verdict or sentence, but they are not immune to deception. True justice being their charge, they are not loathe to reverse a decision based on new and compelling evidence. They have also been known to grant leniency or even freedom to prisoners who have proven worthy.
A fundamental concept behind the justice of The Tribunal is cultural relativity. While a high elf of Tunare may be condemned for practicing necromancy, a gnoll may be accused by his clan of excessive leniency towards prisoners. Sending someone before The Tribunal is usually reserved for serious crimes, as it can mean a virtual eternity of imprisonment and suffering. However, the definition of "serious crimes" can vary widely among societies. Some acts aimed against the gods themselves are considered under a broader scope, but The Tribunal looks primarily at the rules of particular civilizations.