Manual of the Planes

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APPENDIX:VARIANT PLANES& COSMOLOGIES214given plane, “nearby” planes are coexistent in the sameway the standard Material Plane is coexistent with theEthereal Plane. In the Myriad Planes cosmology, planesare serially coexistent.Each plane can be thought of as a soap bubble in acloud of similar bubbles. Any given bubble simultaneouslytouches at least one other bubble, but usuallytouches about five simultaneously. Using this model, agiven plane can touch (be coexistent with) five otherplanes. If a traveler moves from the starting plane to oneof the coexistent planes, she finds that the new plane alsohas several coexistent planes. Some also connect to theplane where the journey started, but other connectionslead elsewhere.The bubbles slowly swirl and move through the cloud,so over the course of hundreds of years, planes that werecoexistent become separate and new coexistent planestake their place. Perhaps the movement of the planes israndom, or maybe it follows a complex planar circuit.In the Myriad Planes cosmology, every plane is finite.Inhabited planes slowly grow, and abandoned planesslowly evaporate to nothingness. Sometimes two planesmerge into one larger plane, mixing and averaging thetraits of both planes. Planes with strikingly opposite traitsare unlikely to merge in this fashion.Natives of a given plane are aware of the coexistentplanes, just as creatures in the D&D cosmology areaware of the Ethereal Plane. But while a traveler in theD&D cosmology finds the Ethereal Plane to be aghostly realm, a traveler in the Myriad Planes cosmologydiscovers that once the barrier is pierced, the planenext door seems every bit as real as the home plane.Phase spiders, ethereal filchers, and a wide assortmentof similar monsters exist across the Myriad Planes.Rather than retreating to the Ethereal Plane, these creaturesretreat to one of many coexistent planes theymight call home.Deities have their place in the Myriad Planes cosmology.But a deity lives on its own plane coexistent with theplane where its worshipers live, instead of being relegatedto the Outer Planes. In the slow roil of the planes’relative position, certain deities may move farther andfarther away from their worshipers’ plane until finallythey fade from memory over the millennia. And deitiesdon’t necessarily have a plane to themselves: A pantheonmight share a larger plane, or enemy deities may belocked in constant struggle on a war-torn plane.Likewise, there is no single Elemental Plane of Fire,but rather many slightly different fire planes. The othermajor elements also have multiple planes, as do nonclassicalelements such as wood, iron, blood, and others. Iftwo or more Elemental Planes of the same type are coexistent,they sometimes merge. If two or more ElementalPlanes of antagonistic types ever move into coexistence,they may birth a new plane along their boundaries.In planes coexistent for millennia, it is not uncommonfor many features of landscape and culture to develop inparallel. A mighty hero of legend may be the same acrossseveral coexistent planes, though the details of historymay vary from plane to plane. It’s also possible that a heroon one coexistent plane is a figure of horror in the next.MYRIAD PLANES TRAITSMany of the myriad planes share features with the MaterialPlane of the D&D cosmology. However, all planes arefinite in size, though some may be inestimably large.Alternatively, some planes are more like Inner Planes orlayers of an Outer Plane, with abnormal gravity, time,shape, morphic traits, magical impediments, elementaland energy traits, or alignment traits.MYRIAD PLANES LINKSPortals may link points on the same plane, but portalsbetween planes that are not already coexistent are rareif not altogether absent. Moving between planesrequires the use of the Myriad Planes cosmology’s versionof ethereal jaunt or etherealness. Spells such as astralprojection are nonexistent because there is no AstralPlane in this cosmology, though there may be a verylarge plane coexistent with many other planes in themanner of the Astral Plane. Instant planar transportspells such as plane shift are likewise not available orseverely restricted.FEATURES OF THE MYRIAD PLANESBecause the Myriad Planes cosmology is really just a differentparadigm for a multiplanar universe, specificplanar locations, cultures, and even individuals are just aslikely in this variant cosmology as in the D&D cosmology.The only difference is how these features interactwith each other.Magic Planes: Though not mandatory for this cosmology,it is possible that certain planes are sources of magic.When magic planes are nearby (not necessary coexistent,but no more than a few planes distant), nearby planes arecharged with magic, allowing spells and magical creaturesof every type to exist at full power. But if a magicplane drifts too far away, magic on these other planes mayslowly weaken. Creatures that rely on magic for theirexistence (magical beasts, constructs, and undead) mayalso weaken and eventually disappear.Taken a step further, perhaps each school of magichas a magic plane. As some of these planes drift too faraway from some other plane, others might drift closer.On closest approach, a magic plane gives spellcastersthe power to cast spells of up to 9th level. However, as amagic plane drifts too far afield, it is possible that only8th-, 7th-, or even just 1st-level spells are available. Asthe school-specific magic planes drift farther away as agroup, the maximum HD of magical creatures alsoslowly decreases.There could be planes that were once awash in magic.But over the eons, all the magic planes drifted too far away,and now spells and dragons are only legends. These wouldbe very interesting places to live if the long-missing magicplanes ever drifted closer again.
Myriad PlanesCosmologyplanar clumpplanar neckplanar clumpAPPENDIX:VARIANT PLANES& COSMOLOGIESplanar archipelagolone planeAnd what about the magic planes themselves? Whatare they like? They could be similar to the Outer Planes ofthe D&D cosmology. Or they could resemble energyplanes, orbs of pure power radiating their particularschool or type of magic.DOPPEL COSMOLOGYThe Doppel cosmology consists of two Material Planes,each one considering itself the “real” center of the universeand the other being merely an alternate MaterialPlane (if it is known at all). The two Material Planes areseparated by a Plane of Shadow, so that the heart of theDoppel cosmology resembles a sandwich cookie: twoslabs of reality with a layer of Shadow between them.The two Material Planes are nearly identical in appearance.Physical features on one are reproduced exactly onthe other, and the nations, monsters, and characters on oneplane have alternate versions on the other.The big difference between the two Material Planes isthat one tends to be disposed toward good and the othertends toward evil. The Material Planes do not have thegood-aligned trait or evil-aligned trait, but what is goodon one plane is evil on the other. A kindly wizard in oneworld is a diabolic necromancer in the other, while asavage barbarian’s doppel-twin is a calculating despot.A traveler between the two worlds finds that old alliesare now enemies, while former foes now have sympatheticviews. More important, those the traveler instinctivelytrusts are now rivals or bitter enemies and treat thetraveler accordingly. Characters with neutral alignmentsare least affected, acting in familiar ways.DOPPEL PLANAR RELATIONSA wedge of the Plane of Shadow separates the twinMaterial Planes, functioning as the main TransitivePlane between them. Each Material Plane has its ownEthereal Plane.pqqqqrsMODIFYING ETHEREAL ACCESS SPELLSTravelers using ethereal jaunt and etherealness in the MyriadPlanes cosmology see their home plane through the mist, justas if they were on the Ethereal Plane. In fact, they are onanother coexistent Material Plane and can interact with creaturesand elements there normally. Because every plane iscoexistent with several other planes, a traveler could continueto shift through world after coexistent world, getting fartherand farther afield from the home plane while the spell lasts.When ethereal jaunt ends, travelers are pulled back to thehome plane. But when etherealness ends, characters canremain on the new plane if they wish.pqqqqrs215
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MANUAL OF THE PLANESJeff Grubb, Bru
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INTRODUCTIONIntroductionThis book i
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of the universe (earth, air, fire,
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within a plane where the rules are
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Shapes of the PlanesinfiniteGreat W
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save (DC 25) or gain a negative lev
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Illus. by A. Swekelven if a plane i
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Planar RelationshipsPlaneAPlane ACo
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Creatures that use positive or nega
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GETTING FROM PLANETO PLANEThe plane
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Illus. by A. Swekelhe planes are la
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Spot (Wis), and Use Magic Device (C
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Direction (Wis), Jump (Str), Knowle
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damage bonus does not apply to crea
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to a limited extent. On planes with
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Greater planar bindingHoly wordLess
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elemental form to put out nonmagica
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Audible Alarm: An audible portal al
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On planes you create yourself, safe
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Illus. by A. Swekelhe Material Plan
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Oerth’s cosmology is laid out in
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Illus. by A. Swekelhe Transitive Pl
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spells and spell-like effects that
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often used by astral travelers who
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There is no day or night on the Ast
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Table 5-3: Astral Encountersd% Enco
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try to lure adventurers away from e
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even if prisoners escape, they’re
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Any creature becoming ethereal (inc
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The Plane of Shadow does not connec
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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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Page 169 and 170: Xag-YaXeg-YiMedium-Size Outsider (I
Page 171 and 172: dull black orbs that reflect noligh
Page 173 and 174: DaoMaridLarge Outsider (Air, Evil)L
Page 175 and 176: is drawn in melee, the blade transf
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Page 179 and 180: matter at hand. They use alter self
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Page 183 and 184: Magma Paraelemental, Huge Magma Par
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Page 187 and 188: CanolothMezzolothMedium-Size Outsid
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Page 191 and 192: Climate/Terrain: Any land and under
Page 193 and 194: Elemental: Immune to poison, sleep,
Page 195 and 196: Skills: Water element tigers receiv
Page 197 and 198: Damage: Bite 1d6+3, claw 1d3+1; spi
Page 199 and 200: Alignment: Always chaotic (any).Adv
Page 201 and 202: Appendix: VariantPlanes & Cosmologi
Page 203 and 204: Region of DreamsDreamscapesDreamsca
Page 205 and 206: A mirror-self is created somewhere
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Page 209 and 210: Time onTime ond% Material Plane Tem
Page 211 and 212: FAERIE INHABITANTSThe Plane of Faer
Page 213: are needed to swim through it. Movi
Page 217 and 218: sends that character’s double fro
Page 219 and 220: WINDING ROAD LINKSPlanar travelers
Page 221 and 222: Planar Rips: Planar rips are holes
Page 223: Lolth 100, 103Lucid Dreaming 203Lun
Page 226 and 227: Table 1: Modron CastesCaste No. of
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Page 230 and 231: THE MODRONCATHEDRALDeep in the hear
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Page 234 and 235: 10tually any environment, withstand
Page 236 and 237: 12Modron Traits: Immune to mind-inf
Page 238 and 239: Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./10 ft.Sp
Page 240 and 241: 16Spell-Like Abilities: At will—c
Page 242 and 243: Wholeness of Body (Su): A secundus
Page 244 and 245: 2of the common room into other part
Page 246 and 247: credence to this theory by occasion
Page 248 and 249: PLAY MOREFREE D&D® V.3.5 ACCESSORY
Page 250 and 251: Table of ContentsThe Nature of the
Page 252 and 253: Pandemonium: Electricity and sonic
Page 254 and 255: Manual of the Planes MonstersFeats
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Manual of the Planes

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