Manual of the Planes

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THE MODRONCATHEDRALDeep in the heart of Regulus, there stands a towerthat appears to defy all the laws of mechanics. Thismodron cathedral, as it’s called, reaches far, far into thesky and seems much too slender for its height. Inside,it’s a vast place—much wider, taller, and deeper thanits outer dimensions should allow, with a vaulted ceilingthat disappears into darkness. Within this tower isa device that the modrons have been working on foryears, and it is said that to look upon their creation isto go mad. According to rumor, Primus uses this itemto keep track of the goings-on across the infiniteplanes.The modron cathedral rises out of the central gearof Regulus, not far from Primus’s tower. Surroundedby lesser buildings, it resembles nothing so much asa huge church steeple rising high into the sky.The modron cathedral isn’t nearly as tall as the talesclaim, nor is it really bigger on the inside than its outerdimensions would allow. It does seem that way becauseof some tricks the modrons have played with perspective,but if someone were to measure the entire structurewith painstaking accuracy, it would measure upjust right.Modrons are constantly buzzing across the cathedral,keeping it polished, adding fixtures, taking others away,and guarding against intruders. Each visitor wishing toenter must have a pass specifically for the modroncathedral from the Central Office of Processing andRequests, and even then an escort consisting of at leasttwo pentadrones per person must accompany any suchgroup.The interior of the cathedral is absolutely huge. Thestone walls support vaulted ceilings that seem tospring into the sky, their upper reaches lost in shadows.Balconies on hundreds of floors ring the openspace in the center of the structure, and modrons ofvarious ranks constantly move along the balconieson errands.The central feature of the cathedral’s interior is theOrrery, a gigantic device built of constantly movinggears. Spheres inscribed with various symbols rotateabout the device’s central point—a needle that risesinto the steeple of the cathedral. A successful Knowledge(planes) check (DC 15) reveals that the inscriptionson the spheres are in fact the symbols of theplanes.Anyone who watches the Orrery tick and whir for atleast 1 hour can attempt a Knowledge (planes) check(DC 30) to discover that the device is actually a workingmodel of the planes, incredibly detailed and infinitelycomplex. By concentrating on a particular feature ofthe Orrery as it moves, a viewer can use it as a giantscrying device to view what transpires on the plane correspondingto the chosen point. Failure by more than 5on any check made either to use or to understand theOrrery results in confusion, as the spell cast by a 20thlevelsorcerer, but affecting only the individual whofailed the check.The Orrery also has the power of teleportation,though no one except Primus and the secundi knowshow to initiate that function. These hierarchs find thedevice quite useful for planar transport.The modrons, of course, do not allow visitors the timeto examine the device, and doing so by stealth is difficult,as neither the Orrery nor visitors are ever unattended.There are always at least a few modronsperched on the device, swabbing at one surface oranother or making precise adjustments. Anyone caughtusing the Orrery without permission is killed, no questionsasked. Few other than modrons even try to usethe device anymore because of its reputation for causinginsanity.MODRON STATISTICSThis section provides statistics for modrons of eachcaste. In addition to the specific characteristics of theircaste, all modrons share certain additional qualities.Because of their single-minded devotion to followingorders from superiors, modrons are immune to mindinfluencingeffects. Their unique biology means thatthey are not subject to subdual damage, ability damage,ability drain, or energy drain. Because of their geometricshapes, they have no particular weak points, so theyare not subject to critical hits. Modrons speak theirown precise, mathematical language, but those of duodroneor higher rank can manage at least some of thetrade tongue used throughout the planes.MONODRONE (Base Modron)Small OutsiderHit Dice: 1d8 (4 hp)Initiative: +0Speed: 20 ft.; messenger monodrone 20 ft., fly 60 ft.(poor)6
AC: 13 (+1 size, +2 natural)Attacks: Bite +2 melee; or halfspear +2 melee; or lightcrossbow +2 rangedDamage: Bite 1d4; or halfspear 1d6; or light crossbow1d8Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5ft./5 ft.Special Qualities: Modron traits, outsider traits, resistancesSaves: Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +0Abilities: Str 10, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 3, Wis 7, Cha 8Skills: Hide, +4, Listen +2, Spot +2Feats: AlertnessClimate/Terrain: Any landOrganization: Squad 12 (plus 1 duodrone), patrol13–48 (plus 1 duodrone per 12 monodrones), platoon49–84 (plus 1 duodrone per 12 monodrones), battalion85–120, or company 121–144 (plus 1 duodroneper 12 monodrones and 3 tridrones)Challenge Rating: 1/2Treasure: NoneAlignment: Always lawful neutralAdvancement: 2 HD (Small); 3 HD (Medium-size)A monodrone looks like a small sphere with a singleeye. It has four spiderlike limbs (two arms and twolegs).Monodrones are barely intelligent modrons that makeup most of the population of Regulus. They are unableto speak or read, but they can understand commandsspoken in the modron tongue. They accept orders onlyfrom duodrones and exist only for their work.A monodrone is a single-function modron; that is, itcan carry out only one command at a time. If told toattack, it does so until slain or told to stop—even if thatmeans attacking another monodrone after obliteratingthe enemy. If ordered to guard, it does so without resting.It is fortunate that monodrones feed on the verysubstance of air around them; otherwise, it would benecessary to order them to eat every day.Monodrones are usually assigned to either simplelabor or service in the regiments of the modron army.Thousands of spherical monodrones armed with halfspears,crossbows, and an unswerving dedication to dutypresent a formidable challenge when marshaled againsta foe.One twelfth of all monodrones lack the spiderlikearms of their more numerous brethren and instead havefanlike wings joined to their bodies. Though they cannotwield weapons, these winged monodrones arefaster than their counterparts, so they often serve asmessengers—in fact, they are called messenger monodrones.CombatA regular monodrone attacks with either a halfspear ora light crossbow. If caught unarmed, it relies on its bite.Since a messenger monodrone has no arms, it is limitedto a bite attack in combat.Modron Traits: Immune to mind-influencing effects;not subject to subdual damage, ability damage, abilitydrain, or energy drain; not subject to critical hits.Outsider Traits: Darkvision 60 ft.; cannot be raised orresurrected.Resistances (Ex): Acid, cold, and fire resistance 10.DUODRONE (Base Modron)Small OutsiderHit Dice: 2d8 (9 hp)Initiative: +0Speed: 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (poor)AC: 14 (+1 size, +3 natural)Attacks: 2 claws +4 melee; or halfspear +4 meleeDamage: Claw 1d4+1; or halfspear 1d6+1Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5ft./5 ft.Special Qualities: Modron traits, outsider traits, resistancesSaves: Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +2Abilities: Str 12, Dex 11, Con 11, Int 6, Wis 8, Cha 9Skills: Diplomacy +3, Hide +4, Listen +5, Spot +5Feats: AlertnessClimate/Terrain: Any landOrganization: Solitary, squad 1 (plus 12 monodrones),pair 2Challenge Rating: 1Treasure: NoneAlignment: Always lawful neutralAdvancement: 3–6 HD (Medium-size)A duodrone is a blocky, rectangular creature with fourspiderlike limbs (two legs and two arms), plus a smallset of fanlike wings. It has one central eye and a largemouth.Duodrones can speak the modron tongue. They acceptorders from tridrones and can give instructions to monodrones,whom they often supervise. Though duo-7
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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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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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Page 187 and 188: CanolothMezzolothMedium-Size Outsid
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Page 191 and 192: Climate/Terrain: Any land and under
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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
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Page 215 and 216: Myriad PlanesCosmologyplanar clumpp
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 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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