Manual of the Planes

MOVEMENT AND COMBATThe Elemental Plane of Fire has a relatively firm surface,making ground-based movement akin to walking acrossflaming coals. The coals themselves are only slightlycooler pieces of elemental fire, and often a traveler sinksankle-deep into the flaming mire of the plane.Flying creatures find the atmosphere above this surfaceto be thin but usable. Nonnatives find their fly speedhalved and maneuverability reduced by one grade whenflying on the Elemental Plane of Fire.Creatures with the ability to move through solidobjects (such as xorn) are similarly reduced to half theirnormal speed when passing through the ever-changingcrust of the Elemental Plane of Fire.The surface of the plane moves slowly, flowing as a riverof magma would, so permanent structures are few and farbetween. A traveler may find it wise to hire a native guide(either outsider or elemental) to navigate through the everchanginglandscape of the Elemental Plane of Fire.Fire CombatOther than the hazards of the plane itself, there is no additionaleffect on combat on the Elemental Plane of Fire.FEATURES OF THE ELEMENTAL PLANEOF FIREThe greatest danger on the Elemental Plane of Fire is itsfire-dominant trait. The heat of the plane, the omnipresentflames, and the hot, toxic smoke of the air are allrepresented in the effects of this trait on objects andliving creatures. Creatures on the Elemental Plane of Firetake 3d10 points of damage and risk catching on fire eachround they remain on the plane. But a traveler who hasbrought the proper spells or magic items to ward againstsuch damage can survive in the short term on the plane.Food and drink may prove a problem in the long term.The elementals (including elemental versions of MaterialPlane creatures) are made of the material of the planeitself. They don’t eat, and they return to their basic elementalnature if slain. Outsiders from the ElementalPlane of Fire can survive on flame itself in addition to“normal” food, so they rarely stock their larders for visitors.Such food is always served charred, burnt to a crisp,or otherwise well done, and the drink, whether water,wine, or ale, arrives piping hot.The Elemental Plane of Fire is continually bathed inlight. The ground, the air, the structures, and even some ofthe natives radiate flame continually. The impediment tovision is not the brilliance, however, but rather the effectsof the heat and the continually smoking atmosphere. Theair ripples because of the heat, so mirages dance at theedge of an observer’s vision, and the true nature of theland is concealed except for the area closest at hand.The smoky atmosphere limits normal sight to a rangeof 120 feet. Magical vision granted by items or spells canextend that range. Creatures native to the ElementalPlane of Fire with the elemental (fire) or outsider (fire)type and subtype can see up to 240 feet.Darkvision does not function on the Elemental Planeof Fire, except in those rare places where natural darknesscan be found—perhaps the palace of the sultan ofthe efreet in the City of Brass.Other senses are unaffected by the Elemental Plane ofFire, though the continual crackling of the flames providesa –2 circumstance penalty on Listen checks in most places.The City of BrassThe City of Brass is populated by powerful efreet, and isconsidered by many efreet to be their home and theircapital. Efreet may be found elsewhere on the ElementalPlane of Fire, but even far-flung settlements owe fealtyand allegiance to the grand sultan who rules the City ofBrass from his burning palace. The grand sultan is said tobe an efreeti of singular power and prowess, and isadvised by all manner of maliks, beys, and emirs. Hisdirect servants, both in the city and on the MaterialPlane, are six pashas of considerable power.The city itself is cradled in a brass hemisphere fortymiles across, floating above a plate of cracked obsidian atthe heart of the Elemental Plane of Fire. Stairs of burningbasalt and rivers of flame stream up from the surfacebelow to the well-armed gates of the city. The city wallsmay be reached by flying creatures, but the efreet take adim view of interlopers who refuse to present themselvesat one of the city’s gates.The City of Brass is the best known location on the ElementalPlane of Fire and is also the most likely to be visitedby travelers from the Material Plane. Within the bounds ofthe city, vision is normal, and the painful nature of theplane is suppressed at the will of the grand sultan. Whetherthe suppression of the plane’s great heat comes from thegrand sultan’s natural ability, an arrangement with anotherpowerful force, or a magic artifact is unknown. At the grandsultan’s whim, this protection can be revoked, exposing thecity to the natural trait of the plane.The City of Brass also has the mildly evil-aligned trait.Good-aligned creatures within the City of Brass suffer a–2 penalty on all Charisma-based checks and skills. Thisis due in part to the nature of the efreet within the walls,but the city also has a number of freestanding gates leadingto the Nine Hells of Baator. Devils are commonwithin the walls of the City of Brass, either on missionsfor their infernal masters or bringing tribute and gifts tothe grand sultan’s court.At the center of the city are its tallest towers and greatestfountains of flame. Here is the Burning Palace of theGrand Sultan of All the Efreet, where he rules from theCharcoal Throne. It is said that within the great palace arewonders beyond belief and treasure beyond counting.But here also is found death for any uninvited guest whoseeks to wrest even a single coin or bauble from the treasurerooms of the grand sultan.Steam CloudsHeated gas and smoke comprise the atmosphere abovethe surface of the Elemental Plane of Fire. Clouds ofCHAPTER 6:THE INNERPLANES75