Manual of the Planes

Time onTime ond% Material Plane Temporal Energy Plane01–10 1 day 1 round11–40 1 day 1 hour41–60 1 day 1 day61–90 1 hour 1 day91–100 1 round 1 dayEven a few hours on the Temporal Energy Plane mayturn into weeks away from the Material Plane, and longtermvisitors (or prisoners) may find themselves exiledfrom their home time line, never to return.• Infinite Size.• Alterable Morphic.• No Elemental or Energy Traits: The Temporal EnergyPlane is neither positive- nor negative-dominant.However, parts of its eternal windstorm may haveeither the minor positive-dominant or minor negativedominanttrait.• Enhanced Magic: Spells and spell-like abilities thathave time-based effects, including such spells as hasteand time stop, are extended (as the Extend Spell feat).Spells and spell-like abilities that are already extendedare unaffected by this trait. A time stop spell is particularlyuseful on the Temporal Energy Plane because itcreates a bubble around the user that protects againstthe effects of the dust-laden winds. Such a bubble thendrifts across the plane.• Limited Magic: Spells that affect wind and weatherdo not affect the winds on the Temporal EnergyPlane. These winds are moved not by natural causes,but by the relentless advance of entropy through thecosmos.TEMPORAL INHABITANTSThe Energy Planes lack the traditional elemental formsof the other Inner Planes, or, if they have them, they areso unlike life on the Material Plane that they don’t interactwith travelers.Even by the standards of an Energy Plane, the Plane ofTime is particularly empty of living things, whether visitorsor natives. Most of the creatures there seem to betrapped by some magical mishap or a failed attempt tocapture time’s power for themselves.Metallic constructs similar to golems and inevitablesare liable to be found on the Temporal Energy Plane.Many of them are ancient creatures, their shells sandblastedto a shining gleam. These creatures, originallysent here by spellcasters of bygone ages, have beentrapped here ever since. Many constructs attempt to“mercifully” destroy new interlopers to save them fromthe eternal madness of the storm.MOVEMENT AND COMBATAll creatures in the Temporal Energy Plane are consideredin flight, whether or not they are normally capableof flying. Those of great size or resilience may be able tostruggle against the stream of time-borne particles, butmost are swept away like reeds in a flood.Even magical flight, whether by spell or spell-like ability,must struggle against the power of the time-winds.Small or smaller creatures must make a Fortitude save(DC 18) every round or be blown away 2d6×10 feet andtake 2d6 points of subdual damage. Medium-size creaturesmust make a similar save each round or be blown1d6×10 feet. Large and Huge creatures must make a similarsave each round or be blown 1d6×5 feet. Gargantuanand Colossal creatures are unaffected by the wind,though the windblown dust still affects them.Temporal Combat: Ranged combat is effectivelyimpossible on the Plane of Time—the wind seizes arrowsand whisks them away, never to be seen again. Combat isotherwise as on the Elemental Plane of Air.FEATURES OF THE TEMPORALENERGY PLANEThe greatest immediate danger on the Temporal EnergyPlane is the eternal wind that sweeps through it, billowingwith the dust that used to be worlds, structures, andother travelers leveled by the power of time.There is an atmosphere of sorts in the Temporal EnergyPlane: bits of matter ground so fine as to be as light as air.The dust can suffocate unprotected characters (see Duststormin Chapter 3 of the DUNGEON MASTER’s Guide). Characterscaught unprepared can hold their breath for anumber of rounds equal to twice their Constitutionscore, and those with a scarf or other protection overtheir mouth and nose can last a number of rounds equalto ten times their Constitution score. Creatures that don’tbreathe (such as undead and constructs) are freed fromthis difficulty.The storms of the Temporal Energy Plane are moredangerous than even a great duststorm on the MaterialPlane because this dust is corrosive, flailing away at theflesh itself with bits of temporal energy. The dust deals1d6 points of subdual damage for every round a characterspends on the plane.The dust obscures vision, including darkvision, beyond 5feet. Objects 10 feet away are dim shapes (nine-tenths concealment),and nothing beyond 10 feet is visible. The howlingof the wind imposes a –8 penalty on Listen checks.Temporal WhirlpoolsWithin the storm are whirlpools, swirling basins of dust.Those caught in the eddies take 1d12 points of damage(not subdual) for 1d10 rounds before the whirlpool ejectsthem back into the storm. A portal to a random plane sitsat the base of such a maelstrom 60% of the time.Fighting the WindSages contend that a flying creature strong and resilientenough can plunge into the dust-borne timestream andmove backward in time by flying headfirst into the wind,reversing time’s flow and eventually reaching some sortof source. The technique is unproven; those who claim tohave traveled against the wind have still seen time passon the Material Plane in their frame of reference.APPENDIX:VARIANT PLANES& COSMOLOGIES209