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Codex of the Infinite Planes PDF

370 Pages·2016·6.004 MB·English
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CCOODDEEXX OOFF TTHHEE IINNFFIINNIITTEE PPLLAANNEESS MMuullttiivveerrssee ooff WWoonnddeerr aanndd AAddvveennttuurree CCOODDEEXX OOFF TTHHEE IINNFFIINNIITTEE PPLLAANNEESS MMuullttiivveerrssee ooff WWoonnddeerr aanndd AAddvveennttuurree Credits Designer: Dave Coulson Layout: Dave Coulson Proofreaders/Playtesters: Matthew Anderson, Eric Brooks, Harris Cameron, Patrick Griffin, Luke Price, Akulas Psyhos Cover Illustrator: Jack Kaiser Interior Illustrators: Bruno Balixa, Critical-Hit!, Emmanuel Bou Roldan, Frank Turfler Jr, Jack Holliday, Jeshields, Michael Scotta, Rick Hershey, ON THE COVER Jack Kaiser illustrates the Orrery of the Infinite Planes in the Great Modron Cathedral on Mechanus, while a group of planar sages consult their copy of the Codex of the Infinite Planes. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, the dragon ampersand, Player’s Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master’s Guide, D&D Adventurers League, all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries. All characters and their distinctive likenesses are property of Wizards of the Coast. This material is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any repro- duction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of the Coast. ©2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC, PO Box 707, Renton, WA 98057-0707, USA. Manufactured by Hasbro SA, Rue Emile-Boéchat 31, 2800 Delémont, CH. Represented by Hasbro Europe, 4 The Square, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB11 1ET, UK. Contents Introduction ............................................................. 4 OUTER PLANES Infinite Layers of the Abyss ................... 139 Chapter 1: Essence of the Infinite Planes ............. 5 Infernal Battlefield of Acheron ............. 152 Definitions ................................................. 5 Olympian Glades of Arborea ................ 164 Chapter 2: Using the Infinite Planes ..................... 7 Peaceable Kingdoms of Arcadia .......... 176 Campaign Use ........................................... 7 Wilderness of the Beastlands ............... 189 Traveling the Planes ................................. 9 Twin Paradises of Bytopia .................... 201 Great Planar Paths ................................... 11 Tarterian Depths of Carceri ................. 214 Glossary of Interest .................................. 14 Blessed Fields of Elysium .................... 227 Bleak Eternity of Gehenna ................... 240 Chapter 3: Gazetteer of the Infinite Planes .......... 18 Gray Waste of Hades ............................. 254 INNER PLANES Ever-Changing Chaos of Limbo ........... 269 Plane of Air ............................................... 19 Clockwork Nirvana of Mechanus ........ 282 Plane of Earth .......................................... 32 Seven Heavens of Mount Celestia ....... 297 Plane of Fire ............................................ 44 Nine Hells of Baator .............................. 314 Plane of Water ......................................... 55 Windswept Depths of Pandemonium .. 332 Border Elemental Planes ...................... 68 Heroic Domains of Ysgard ..................... 345 TRANSITIVE PLANES Chapter 4: The Codex and Its Keepers ................ 360 Astral Plane ............................................. 80 The Codex ................................................ 360 Ethereal Plane ........................................ 92 Codex Keepers ........................................ 363 ECHO PLANES Chapter 5: Planar Toolbox .................................... 365 Plane of Shadow ..................................... 105 Random Tables ....................................... 365 Plane of Faerie ........................................ 115 Hazards & Phenomena Master List ..... 367 Plane of Dreams ..................................... 127 Introduction Codex of the Infinite Planes “Infinity is too large a concept for most to grasp. And, when added to the complexity of a philosophical mapping of existence itself, most people’s brains simply cannot process the sheer scope. It’s This book provides information for the Dungeon Master endless. It’s vast. It’s … well, infinite. We few who have chosen helpful to utilizing the known planes of existence in to dedicate our lives to the study of the infinite in terms of the their campaign settings. Alternately, it can be used as planes of existence may seem like we know a lot, but rest assured, this is simply an act. The Codex of the Infinite Planes is a mystery, a complete campaign setting in itself! The contents of even to us, and though we know a lot and have added our words the book are roughly defined as follows. Much of the to that collected tome, there is so much more the book holds. information is meant to supplement the content in the There are always more pages to be turned and more mysteries to Dungeon Master’s Guide, specifically Chapter 2: Creating discover. Infinitely more, it seems.” a Multiverse. Chapter 1 Essence of the Infinite Planes outlines the general principals of the planes of existence as they exist Astromarchus the Sage within Dungeons & Dragons, along with definitions for common terms used throughout the book. Your world is about to get much bigger. Infinitely bigger, specifically. Chapter 2 Using the Infinite Planes provides tips and suggestions on how to use the planes of existence in your Codex of the Infinite Planes is a Dungeons & campaign, along with details on traveling through them Dragons supplement expanding upon the various and a glossary of keywords that can be helpful to find planes of existence. The planes have been a presence in useful information in the book. Dungeons & Dragons since the earliest days of the game, with multiple sourcebooks (and even an entire setting) Chapter 3 Gazetteer of the Infinite Planes forms the bulk of the book and includes detailed descriptions of 26 dedicated to describing the fantastic worlds that exist planes of existence. beyond the Material Plane. Most of these previously released sourcebooks are Chapter 4 The Codex and Its Keepers describes the Codex of the Infinite Planes itself, along with the planar constrained in scope and content by serving multiple sages dedicated to studying its mysteries. purposes. Codex of the Infinite Planes is dedicated to detailing exciting and usable content centered around Chapter 5 Toolbox provides information for crafting new planes of existence. It includes a master list of all the known planes of existence for the purpose of using in hazards and phenomena from Chapter 3 along with memorable adventures. The known planes of existence, suggestions on how to build new planes of existence. in this case, includes the four elemental Inner Planes and They’re not known as the Infinite Planes for nothing! their intersections, the two transitive planes, three echo planes, and sixteen Outer Planes. Each plane receives a detailed description, including game mechanics handling hazards and phenomena, notes on traveling to and within the plane, a look at the powerful people and organizations operating on the plane, a review of the monstrous inhabitants, a host of interesting sites and treasures, random encounter tables for each plane, and adventure hooks providing examples of using the plane in a scenario. The information is largely aimed at Dungeon Masters looking to craft exciting adventures utilizing the planes, but the information is valuable to players looking to create characters tied to the greater multiverse of the campaign setting. Other releases in the Infinite Planes series provide content useful in different ways. Monsters of the Infinite Planes provides creature statistics for over 200 monsters inhabiting the planes along with helpful generic statistics for planar NPCs. Heroes of the Infinite Planes includes new subclass options for each class along with new feats, spells, and magical items. Look for these releases on the DMs Guild! Introduction 4 Essence of the Infinite Planes Definitions “Those of us who have dedicated our lives to studying the Codex have strived to organize the planes of existence into understandable components. It’s not particularly useful from a The following terms are used frequently throughout this traveling standpoint I’ll admit – it won’t matter that the Abyss is book. considered a Plane of Chaos when you’re being hunted by a pack Codex of the Infinite Planes. An enormous book that of slavering demons, for example. But as an esoteric thought exercise, it helps us better understand the nature of existence contains information on all of the planes of existence. The to try and classify the qualities of the planes. Our goal is not just original book is an artifact of supreme but uncontrollable academic here, as we believe by finding the core of the multiverse power that not only contains information about the planes we can understand the mystery of creation itself. ” of existence, but can be used as a gate to them! A group of planar sages have dedicated themselves to studying the wonders of the Codex and have created mundane copies Lillandri the Moon Mage of the original that contains their notes and theories regarding the nature of the multiverse and the known Most adventurers travel the length and breadth of their planes of existence. land, facing an array of challenges from a variety of Demiplane. A pocket dimension of finite size created sources, such as monsters, dastardly villains, corrupt from the raw protomatter of the Ethereal Plane. Certain organizations, and even the perils of the landscape spells can create demiplanes, usually as temporary itself. These challenges, though daunting and difficult at locations, and some magical items access demiplanes times, are nonetheless rooted in the reality of the land as part of their enchantment. Many demiplanes can be around them. Magic can twist and distort to add an extra accessed directly through a portion of the Ethereal Plane dimension to the challenges, but the scope of such power known as the Deep Ethereal but others are locked except is necessarily limited by the hands that wield it. through specific portals or gates. These are all but a tiny fraction of the whole picture, Echo Plane. A reality “adjacent” to the Material Plane however. They occur on the Material Plane, a sort of that includes some parallel aspects of the Material Plane, conjunction of extraplanar powers governed by invisible but usually not all. Each of these planes are an “echo” forces beyond the vision or even understanding of most of the Material Plane that most planar sages believe are people in the Material Plane. Beyond the boundaries of the under the effect of a powerful exterior force. The Plane Material Plane, what most accept as “reality,” the wider of Shadow is connected to the Negative Energy Plane multiverse opens with an infinite array of options that while the Plane of Faerie is connected to the Positive stretches the boundaries of what’s possible – or breaks it Energy Plane. The other known echo plane is the Plane entirely. of Dreams, which contains a distorted version of the Beyond the Material Plane, a multiverse of adventure Material Plane affected by the dreaming minds of sentient awaits – and the Codex of the Infinite Planes offers a creatures. The Ethereal Plane consists of two regions, guide to that adventure for those willing to travel beyond the Border and Deep, and the Border Ethereal can be the shackles of “reality” and experience the truly fantastic considered an echo plane as well. and wondrous places that exist beyond. Energy Plane. A plane that consists wholly or partially of pure energy. The two known Energy Planes are the What is a Plane? Positive and Negative Energy Planes, which contain the source of radiant and necrotic energy respectively. These planes are hostile to life though accessible pockets exist. In the context of this book, a plane is broadly defined The Energy Planes touch the Inner Planes and Material as any reality separated by metaphysical borders. They Planes, creating regions of mixed aspect that generally can could be infinite or finite in size, but each plane is a be visited. self-contained dimension with its own laws governing Inner Plane. A plane that contains the source of one existence. They usually cannot be accessed by physical of the four basic elements of existence – air, earth, fire, or means, though exceptions exist. Most of the known planes water. These are referred to as the Inner Planes because of existence are not inherently hostile to life, though again they form the nucleus of the multiverse itself, and on a exceptions exist. metaphysical level are believed to be the core of all known reality. Each element is held within its own infinite plane, but the Inner Planes also “bleed” together, creating border elemental planes with non-opposing elements. Where air and fire meet, the Plane of Ash exists; where air and water meet, the Plane of Ice exists, and so on. Chapter I Essence of the Infinite Planes 5 Great Wheel. The most commonly understood grouping Outer Plane. A plane of existence defined by a broad of the planes understood by planar sages. Wheels, spheres, philosophical force. Most planar sages identify sixteen and circles are a common theme found amongst the planes Outer Planes as part of the Great Wheel that correspond of existence, so planar sages have connected the greater roughly to the intersections of good/ evil and law/chaos. multiverse to the idea of the Great Wheel. At the center of An Outer Plane in this sense contains strong philosophical the Great Wheel is the Material Plane, surrounded by the influence along these spectrums, which can include its Inner Planes, and then orbiting around them are the Outer absence as well. Mechanus, for example, is the plane of Planes. This is just one theory of the multiverse, however, ultimate law devoid of good or evil, while the Abyss is and others exist that may be just as valid. the plane of ultimate evil and chaos. Some Outer Planes, Layer. A subset of a plane of existence defined by especially the ones at the extreme, help those that align different physical or metaphysical traits. Many of the with it philosophically but rarely are they directly hostile to known planes contain multiple layers, which function non-aligned travelers. largely as separate planes themselves but connected to the Planar Sages. A sage that specializes in planar broader plane by easier accessed portals and gates. knowledge. In the context of this book, the planar sages Material Plane. The plane of existence that sits at the include Astromarchus the Sage, Emirikol the Chaotic, conjunction of all the other planes. Also known as the Issilda the Unbreakable, LIllandri the Moon Mage, and Prime Material Plane, each Material Plane is comprised of Malakara the Warden. They provide the intros for each elements from all the other planes, in varying degrees and chapter and gazetteer, and their full descriptions can be amounts. They are infinite in size and scope and as varied found in Chapter 5. as the rest of the multiverse, but they form the core of what Transitive Plane. A plane that exists primarily as a most inhabitants call “reality.” means to an end. There are two known Transitive Planes – Multiverse. A generic term used to describe all of the the Astral Plane and Ethereal Plane. The Astral Plane is a known planes of existence. There are multiple theories strange realm where time functions differently and serves of how the multiverse is connected together; the most as the connective “tissue” between all of the other planes common is the Great Wheel cosmology, but others exist as of existence. The Ethereal Plane is considered a Transitive well. Plane as well though it only directly connects to the Inner and Material Planes. Chapter I Essence of the Infinite Planes 6 Using the Infinite Planes Planar Influence “What’s the point of knowing so much about the planes? For me, it’s not just theory and philosophy – I want to understand how the The planes of existence contain powerful forces, and planes feel, in my bones and my spirit. I read and write about their these forces can directly influence the Material Plane in traits, yes, but this is based on the visceral experiences I have had profound or subtle ways. Campaigns that focus on a single by actually traveling to these places, talking with the inhabitants, Material Plane can still feature influences from the other and facing the dangers. Some of my colleagues who study the planes. These often take the form of confluences – places Codex are content to simply read about these experiences and or times in the setting that have a strong connection to to generalize what it must be like. For me though? It has to be one of the other planes of existence. In these situations, experienced to be real, and when you’ve experienced as much you can use the hazards and phenomena described under about the planes as I have, it helps to write it down to remember the selected plane in Chapter 3 as a feature of the region, it.” perhaps in a lesser degree as necessary. A planar confluence from Hades could leech the color Emirikol the Chaotic out of the area, leaving only gray, while a cave under the influence of Pandemonium may have light-devouring The planes of existence can be daunting to tackle from darkness. The descriptions of the various hazards and a Dungeon Master’s perspective. The sheer amount of phenomena in Chapter 6 can be helpful in finding the right information out there, content both new and existing influence for the story you’re looking to tell. across multiple editions of the game, makes finding a good place to start difficult. This book covers a vast amount of Temporary Visit detail spread out across 26 planes of existence. A group of characters may need to visit one of the planes of This chapter is designed to be that starting point. The existence for a specific purpose. Perhaps the villain behind information here is to help the Dungeon Master create the campaign has a fortress in the Outer Planes that needs stories featuring the planes, whether they are fully realized to be destroyed, or perhaps the villain originated from one adventure sites or simply influencing the core campaign of the Outer Planes and the party needs to travel there to setting already established. Chapter 3 provides the learn more about their foe or to retrieve an item helpful in gazetteer information for the known planes of existence defeating them. with helpful guides on powerful and influential NPCs The Glossary of Interest in this chapter includes points and organizations, notes on monsters, rules for hazards of interest related to keywords that can be helpful in and phenomena, a list of mysterious sites and treasures, finding the right location based on the nature of the need. adventure seeds, and random encounter tables. All of that Need a prison? Carceri is known as the prison plane for information is fun to read and digest, but it doesn’t help if a reason, but other places exist, such as the fourth layer you don’t have an idea of how you’re going to use any of it. of Pandemonium, Agathion. Want to know some major deserts, or the key metropolises? Look to the Glossary of Campaign Use Interest to help guide you through the infinite planes. Focused Plane Taken either individually or as a whole, the planes of For a major change of pace the entire campaign could existence provide a rich backdrop for adventures and be focused on one of the planes other than the Material stories of an infinite variety. There are multiple ways they Plane. Each plane of existence has enough mystery, can be used in a campaign setting, whether the setting is danger, and excitement to fuel an entire campaign without based on a Material Plane or not. having to rely upon the standard tropes. The planes with major metropolises, such as the City of Glass on the Plane Planar Campaign Frameworks of Water or Mithrendain the Autumn City on the Plane of Faerie, could easily support this type of campaign, serving There are as many ways to use the planes in a campaign as the backdrop for thrilling urban adventures with a as there are planes in existence (i.e., infinite), but they can unique planar twist. be roughly categorized into four campaign frameworks depending on how they are used and introduced. The Across the Planes frameworks outlined here are Planar Influence, Temporary In a multiverse of infinite planes, why limit yourself to just Visit, Focused Plane, and Across the Planes. a few? Why not encompass the entirety of the multiverse as the setting? The incredibly varied content available across the planes, from the Inner Planes to the Outer Planes to everything in between, is enough to sustain multiple campaigns of many different types. A key component in a campaign of this nature is the feasibility of travel. Characters would need to use portals or gates frequently, but it may be useful for them to have access to a resource that allows them to move around with relative ease. Chapter II Using the Infinite Planes 7 Chapter II Using the Infinite Planes 8 Traveling the Planes A vast array of options are available in this situation. One of the easiest to use is the concept of a plane traveling ship or vessel. The Demonwing is a ship known in the Each plane exists as its own self-contained reality, with Abyss that has the capability of sailing on the planes, but separate laws governing how time, magic, and energy even a regular boat traveling down the River Styx or River interact. As part of the larger multiverse, though, each Oceanus would make for thrilling adventures. The roots of plane is connected through a convoluted series of invisible Yggdrasil could easily provide access to the planes as well. pathways that crisscross the dimensions in varied and surprising ways. A campaign that starts out on the Material Scale and Scope Plane needs to have a means of accessing the rest of the multiverse just as much as a planar based campaign, It’s not uncommon for some campaigns to move to the so the information outlined here can be useful in many planes once the characters achieve a high enough level, scenarios. generally 11th level and higher. The party has enough It should be noted that these definitions are simply resources at their disposal to deal with most threats, suggestions. Feel free to mix and match the rules as you environmental and monsters, but there is still room to see fit – with infinite planes, there’s an infinite variety of challenge them. The planes often have the benefit of options available! expanding the scope of adventures as well – other heroes may deal with threats facing the Material Plane, but Portal characters that move about the planes deal with threats to the multiverse itself! Portals are the most common way to access other planes There is nothing wrong with this mentality, and there of existence. Simply put, a portal is an invisible locked certainly are extraplanar powers and threats that could doorway that directly connects two stationary points on easily scale to such a level if you wanted to go down that different planes. To pass through a portal, a traveler needs route. However, this is not the only way to use the planes. to have the correct key. Certain spells known to planar Like anywhere else in the multiverse, not every threat on sages allow for the close examination of a portal in order the planes is a cosmic one that has the potential to tear to ascertain the nature of the key which could be anything down reality itself. – an object, a phrase, a motion, or anything else. The Adventure Hooks section of each planar entry in The nature of the key is usually related to the destination Chapter 3 provides story ideas on how to utilize elements of the portal. For example, a portal to the Plane of Air may of the plane in smaller adventures. Many of these can be a feather, while a portal to Acheron may be a small easily be expanded upon to fit with the ongoing campaign iron cube. A portal to Nishrek, the home of the Horde of or just as a one shot, and they are designed to highlight the Gruumsh on Acheron, may be an iron cube inscribed with nature of the plane in a usable format. They can be used the Orc word for “war.” Portals typically remain open for as a springboard to get the party into the plane, or to bring 1 minute before closing, though certain conditions and the element of the plane to the party wherever they may be. portals may extend or shorten this. The information found in the Getting There section of each plane in Chapter 3 Role of Gods provides some examples of portal keys. Once opened, most portals show the destination point Historically, the planes of existence have been known as clearly as though a viewer were on the same plane, so primarily as the realm of the gods. For the purposes of it can be easier to ascertain the nature of the destination this volume, that presence has been reduced, largely once the portal is opened. This isn’t a universal truth, because most of the related content is already mapped however; some portals are opaque, revealing nothing about out in previous products. The Deities & Demigods books their destination, while others are simply swirls of vapor, are good resources on utilizing the gods and their homes perhaps colored in the same way as a color pool (see across the planes. below). Most portals are the size of a typical door, requiring How much of a presence the gods have in your campaign larger creatures to squeeze, but other sizes exist as well. is up to you, but for planar campaigns this should be a And some stretch to fit the size of the creature passing consideration more than most typical Material Plane through it! campaigns. Perhaps the gods have a greater reliance on Typically, portals that lead from one layer of a specific worship with fluctuating power based on the number of plane to another layer are easier to open, and most mortal worshippers they have; the rules for Piety in Mythic function as simple gates. Odysseys of Theros can be helpful in crafting such a campaign. Gate The default assumption in this book is that the gods exist but their power and stature put them largely above the A gate is very similar to a portal with one primary struggles of lesser beings. They are aloof and inscrutable, difference – using a gate doesn’t require a key. Some gates though many of their planar sanctuaries hold priests and are open constantly, creating a permanent link between other devotees who are more than interested in engaging two planes, while others are based on time, opening or with “lesser” beings, being lesser beings themselves. closing based around seasons, the phase of a moon, or other external factors. On a plane, access between layers is usually through open gates. For example, the Abyss and its infinite number Chapter II Using the Infinite Planes 9

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Most books are stored in the elastic cloud where traffic is expensive. For this reason, we have a limit on daily download.