Manual of the Planes

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CHAPTER 1:NATURE OFTHE PLANES14on a dead magic plane feel immediately uncomfortableand experience mild headaches.Wild Magic: Spells and spell-like abilities function inwildly different and sometimes dangerous ways onplanes with the wild magic trait. Any spell or spell-likeability used on a wild magic plane has a chance to goawry. The caster must make a level check (DC 15 + theattempted spell level) for the spell to function normally.For spell-like abilities, use the caster level for the abilityto determine the DC and the level or HD of the creaturefor making the level check.Failure means something strange happens. When youcreate a plane with the wild magic trait, you also need atable to determine how spells and spell-like abilities aretwisted by the nature of the plane.A typical wild magic table is shown at right.In addition, wild magic planes may have particularmodifications to the wild magic level check according tothe school or descriptor of the spell (adding +4 to the DCfor necromancy spells, or –2 to the DC for good spells).Impeded Magic: Particular spells and spell-like abilitiesare more difficult to cast on these planes, oftenbecause the nature of the plane interferes with the spell.Fireball spells may be cast on the Elemental Plane ofWater, but the opposing natures of the spell and the planemakes it difficult.When you create a plane with the impeded magic trait,make a list of which spells are so impeded. Impededmagic planes may stop spells based on their school, subschool,descriptors, or level. Individual spells are rarelyimpeded on a planewide basis, but they may be impededon a demiplane or in the kingdom of a deity.To cast an impeded spell, the caster must make a Spellcraftcheck (DC 15 + the level of the spell). If the checkfails, the spell does not function but is still lost as a preparedspell or spell slot. If the check succeeds, the spellfunctions normally.Enhanced Magic: Particular spells and spell-like abilitiesare easier to use or more powerful in effect on theseplanes than they are on the Material Plane.When you create a plane with the enhanced magictrait, make a list of which spells are enhanced. Just aswith impeded magic planes, such a list is usually based onthe spells’ school, subschool, descriptors, or level.Natives of a plane with the enhanced magic trait areaware of which spells and spell-like abilities are enhanced,but planar travelers may have to discover this on their own.If a spell is enhanced, certain metamagic feats can beapplied to it without changing the spell slot required orcasting time. Spellcasters on that plane are considered tohave that feat for the purpose of applying it to that spell.Spellcasters native to the plane must earn the feat normallyif they want to use it on other planes as well.For example, spells with the fire descriptor are maximizedand enlarged on the Elemental Plane of Fire. Wizardscan prepare maximized, enlarged versions of theirfire spells even if they don’t have the Maximize Spell andEnlarge Spell feats, and they use the same spell slots theyTable 1–1: Wild Magic Effectsd% Effect01–19 Spell rebounds on caster with normal effect. If thespell cannot affect the caster, it simply fails.20–23 A circular pit 15 feet wide opens under the caster’sfeet; it is 10 feet deep per level of the caster.24–27 The spell fails, but the target or targets of the spell arepelted with a rain of small objects (anything fromflowers to rotten fruit), which disappear upon striking.The barrage continues for 1 round. During this timethe targets are blinded and must make Concentrationchecks (DC 15 + spell level) to cast spells.28–31 The spell affects a random target or area. The DMshould randomly choose a different target fromamong those in range of the spell or center the spellat a random place within range of the spell. To generatedirection randomly, roll 1d8 and count around thecompass, starting with north. To generate rangerandomly, roll 3d6. Multiply the result by 5 feet forclose range spells, 20 feet for medium range spells, or80 feet for long range spells.32–35 The spell functions normally, but any material componentsare not consumed. The spell is not expendedfrom the caster’s mind (a spell slot or prepared spellcan be used again). An item does not lose charges,and the effect does not count against an item’s orspell-like ability’s use limit.36–39 The spell does not function. Instead, everyone (friendor foe) within 30 feet of the caster receives the effectof a heal spell.40–43 The spell does not function. Instead, a deeper darknessand a silence effect cover a 30-foot radius around thecaster for 2d4 rounds.44–47 The spell does not function. Instead, a reverse gravityeffect covers a 30-foot radius around the caster for 1round.48–51 The spell functions, but shimmering colors swirlaround the caster for 1d4 rounds. Consider this aglitterdust effect with a save DC of 10 + the level of thespell that generated this result.52–59 Nothing happens. The spell does not function. Anymaterial components are used up. The spell or spellslot is used up, and charges or uses from an item areused up.60–71 Nothing happens. The spell does not function. Anymaterial components are not consumed. The spell isnot expended from the caster’s mind (a spell slot orprepared spell can be used again). An item does notlose charges, and the effect does not count against anitem’s or spell-like ability’s use limit.72–98 The spell functions normally.99–100 The spell functions strongly. Saving throws againstthe spell suffer a –2 penalty. The spell has the maximumpossible effect, as if it were cast with theMaximize Spell feat. If the spell is already maximizedwith the feat, there is no further effect.would to cast these spells normally (not maximized orenlarged) on the Material Plane. Sorcerers can cast maximized,enlarged fire spells without using higher-levelslots, and it takes them no extra time to do so.Limited Magic: These planes only permit spells andspell-like abilities from certain schools, subschools,descriptors, or levels to be cast. Other spells and spell-likeabilities simply don’t work; for them, this plane functionslike a dead magic plane.
Illus. by A. Swekelven if a plane is infinitely large, it’s not the onlything out there. Myriad planes exist apart fromeach other, but even two separate universes may beconnected through misty border regions, ancienttemple doorways, or powerful magic spells. Howthe planes connect to each other is important, whetheryou’re using the Great Wheel (the D&D cosmology) orbuilding a unique cosmology for your campaign.Connecting the planes happens twice: once when theDungeon Master defines the cosmology and decideswhich planes lie close to which other planes, and againwhen characters actually travel from plane to plane.We’ll tackle each of these in turn.PLANAR INTERACTIONBy definition, planes are infinite or near-infiniteexpanses, whether they are flat worlds, layered vaults, orspheres hanging in space. How, then, can they interact?As a metaphor, imagine the various planes floatingnear each other in a three-dimensional constellationor cluster. They are not necessarily “above” or “below”each other, though there is a social tendency to callgood-aligned planes “upper” planes and evil-alignedplanes “lower” planes. What is important to the cosmologyis whether two given planes are separate,coterminous, or coexistent.Separate Planes: Two planes that are separatedo not overlap or directly connect to each other.They are like planets in different orbits. An OuterPlane, for example, may have no direct connectionwith the Material Plane. The two planes areseparate, and the only way to get from one planeto the other is to go through a third plane, such asthe Astral Plane.Coterminous Planes: Planes that linktogether at specific points are coterminous.Think of coterminous planes as touching eachother. Where they touch, a connection exists,and travelers can leave one reality behind andenter the other. The Astral Plane is a coterminousplane to most other planes; it exists alongsidethem and can be accessed from them.Coexistent Planes: If a link between twoplanes can be created at any point, the twoplanes are coexistent. These planes overlapeach other completely. A coexistent planecan be reached from anywhere on theplane it overlaps. When moving in a coexistentplane, it is often possible to see intoor interact with the plane it coexists with. TheEthereal Plane is coexistent with the MaterialPlane. Inhabitants of the Ethereal Planecan see into the Material Plane. With the15
Page 2 and 3: MANUAL OF THE PLANESJeff Grubb, Bru
Page 4: INTRODUCTIONIntroductionThis book i
Page 7 and 8: of the universe (earth, air, fire,
Page 9 and 10: within a plane where the rules are
Page 11 and 12: Shapes of the PlanesinfiniteGreat W
Page 13: save (DC 25) or gain a negative lev
Page 17 and 18: Planar RelationshipsPlaneAPlane ACo
Page 19 and 20: Creatures that use positive or nega
Page 21 and 22: GETTING FROM PLANETO PLANEThe plane
Page 23 and 24: Illus. by A. Swekelhe planes are la
Page 25 and 26: Spot (Wis), and Use Magic Device (C
Page 27 and 28: Direction (Wis), Jump (Str), Knowle
Page 29 and 30: damage bonus does not apply to crea
Page 31 and 32: to a limited extent. On planes with
Page 33 and 34: Greater planar bindingHoly wordLess
Page 35 and 36: elemental form to put out nonmagica
Page 37 and 38: Audible Alarm: An audible portal al
Page 39 and 40: On planes you create yourself, safe
Page 41 and 42: Illus. by A. Swekelhe Material Plan
Page 43 and 44: Oerth’s cosmology is laid out in
Page 45 and 46: Illus. by A. Swekelhe Transitive Pl
Page 47 and 48: spells and spell-like effects that
Page 49 and 50: often used by astral travelers who
Page 51 and 52: There is no day or night on the Ast
Page 53 and 54: Table 5-3: Astral Encountersd% Enco
Page 55 and 56: try to lure adventurers away from e
Page 57 and 58: even if prisoners escape, they’re
Page 59 and 60: Any creature becoming ethereal (inc
Page 61 and 62: The Plane of Shadow does not connec
Page 63 and 64: describes some typical abilities an
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Illus. by A. Swekelhe Inner Planes
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positiveElementalPlane ofWaterThree
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A maximum of 20d6 points of damage
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of material and have his life crush
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Table 6-2: Elemental Plane of Earth
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MOVEMENT AND COMBATThe Elemental Pl
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ELEMENTAL PLANEOF WATERIt is an oce
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Red TidesA dangerous contagion has
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• Impeded Magic: Spells and spell
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Class abilities that use positive e
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Illus. by A. Swekelf the Inner Plan
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CHAPTER 7:THE OUTERPLANES87Beastlan
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everything within a ten-mile radius
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Only those who suffer mortal wounds
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Plane drift through the miasma: bit
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FamiliarityVery familiarStudied car
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Every word, scream, or shout is cau
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oulders, and worked stone, as if a
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directional gravity. Unless stated
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sun no brighter than the Material P
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and Colothys confines liars whose u
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OthrysCathrysMinethysColothysPorpha
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Normal petitioners in Hades gain on
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PlutonThe third gloom of Hades is a
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Gehenna CombatCombat on Gehenna is
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NINE HELLS OF BAATORIt is Hell, whe
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added to the Bronze Citadel. Work g
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dribble of slimy water sluices into
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StygiaThe fifth layer of the Nine H
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they first enter the downdraft or b
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are big enough for whole cities and
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the truth, the ice sheet has object
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Scion Queen Mother at all times, an
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they have three possible courses of
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always find themselves in the surf
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amid treasure gathered over eons—
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BYTOPIA INHABITANTSBytopia is home
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on the Material Plane, sounds more
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BelierinBelierin is a land of misty
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without touching the ground. The Be
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ARBOREA LINKSArborea borders the Be
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CHAPTER 7:THE OUTERPLANESOUTLANDS I
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OutlandsExcelsiorSigilTradegateEcst
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CHAPTER 7:THE OUTERPLANES152Table 7
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CHAPTER 8:DEMIPLANES154to multiple
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of naivete. Neth doesn’t know how
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Illus. by A. Swekelhe planes suppor
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BARIAURMedium-Size OutsiderHit Dice
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precious and lovely, firres take up
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Summon Tanar’ri (Sp): Tanar’ri
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Spinagon (Baatezu)Narzugon (Baatezu
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Xag-YaXeg-YiMedium-Size Outsider (I
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dull black orbs that reflect noligh
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DaoMaridLarge Outsider (Air, Evil)L
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is drawn in melee, the blade transf
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When an inevitable is created, it r
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matter at hand. They use alter self
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Ice Paraelemental, Small Ice Parael
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Magma Paraelemental, Huge Magma Par
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succeed at a Fortitude save or inha
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CanolothMezzolothMedium-Size Outsid
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strange and often distasteful rites
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Climate/Terrain: Any land and under
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Elemental: Immune to poison, sleep,
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Skills: Water element tigers receiv
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Damage: Bite 1d6+3, claw 1d3+1; spi
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Alignment: Always chaotic (any).Adv
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Appendix: VariantPlanes & Cosmologi
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Region of DreamsDreamscapesDreamsca
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A mirror-self is created somewhere
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ever-shifting ice floating on a fro
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Time onTime ond% Material Plane Tem
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FAERIE INHABITANTSThe Plane of Faer
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are needed to swim through it. Movi
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Myriad PlanesCosmologyplanar clumpp
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sends that character’s double fro
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WINDING ROAD LINKSPlanar travelers
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Planar Rips: Planar rips are holes
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Lolth 100, 103Lucid Dreaming 203Lun
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Table 1: Modron CastesCaste No. of
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4pursuit of order is particularly b
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THE MODRONCATHEDRALDeep in the hear
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drones have limited conversational
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10tually any environment, withstand
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12Modron Traits: Immune to mind-inf
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Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./10 ft.Sp
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16Spell-Like Abilities: At will—c
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Wholeness of Body (Su): A secundus
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2of the common room into other part
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credence to this theory by occasion
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PLAY MOREFREE D&D® V.3.5 ACCESSORY
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Table of ContentsThe Nature of the
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Pandemonium: Electricity and sonic
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Manual of the Planes MonstersFeats
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Manual of the Planes

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