d20 Ronin Arts A Dozen Planar Traits.pdf

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A Dozen Planar Traits

A Dozen

Planar Traits

by Michael Hammes

Requires the use of the Dungeons & Dragons ®

Player’s Handbook

Introduction

While working on another plane-related

projected, I found myself frequently refer-

encing the SRD section on planes. Truth be

told, I found that section to be less than

inspiring. After all, the planes are the home to

countless strange and mysterious realms; to

have the possibilities reduced to what was in

the text really didn’t mesh with that idea. So,

I did what I always do in such a situation: I

wrote a PDF.

This PDF features a dozen planar traits

that a GM can use to give a little more per-

sonality to the various planes and help distin-

guish one light gravity, normal time, finite

shape, sentient, water dominant, neutral-

aligned, wild magic plane from another. As

such, these traits are designed to be added on

top of, and used in conjunction with, those

found within the SRD.

As always, if you find something in here

that doesn’t mesh with your idea, feel free to

change it to better suit your needs; it’s your

campaign and only you know how to run it.

R OLE -P LAY A LERT

One of the great things about venturing out among the planes and demiplanes is that it

gives the DM a chance to really stretch his or her imagination; it’s an excuse to really do

something unusual since planes can have any kind of conditions, from sentient fiery hells

with heavy gravity to a giant room with light gravity where normal characters are the size

of fleas.

Once you’ve determined the conditions, however, it is helpful to give some thought as to

what, if anything, lives on the plane and what form that life and any civilization would take;

life on a heavy gravity world will be much different than on a subjective directional gravi-

ty world even if every other aspect is the same.

More importantly, because sooner or later there will be conflict, it is important to ascer-

tain which creatures have great advantages in such a plane. While it is obvious that on fire

planes creatures immune to fire damage are naturally at an advantage over those that are not

immune to fire damage (and would be much more likely to visit or even live there and estab-

lish a civilization), other advantages are a bit more subtle. In fact, as you read through the

twelve planar traits in this PDF, you will find that undead and constructs would have sig-

nificant advantages on a number of them because they do not breathe, eat, suffer from poi-

son, or are affected by mind-affecting magics. So, by putting the right monsters in favorable

planar environments, the GM automatically increases the difficulty of combating them and

put a fresh twist on the idea of “yet another horde of skeletons”.

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A Dozen Planar Traits

C ORROSIVE

A corrosive plane has an acidic environ-

ment. Pools of acid, some as large as Material

Plane oceans, are everywhere on such planes

and the very air is acidic and poisonous in the

extreme. Such planes are among the most

hostile in existence to Material Plane crea-

tures and objects, and those without resist-

ance or immunity to acid are soon eaten to

nothing.

Unprotected objects and creatures take

2d10 points of acid damage every round they

are on a corrosive plane. Any object or crea-

ture unfortunate enough to become sub-

merged in an acid pool takes 10d6 points of

acid damage per round. Even if the acid itself

is protected against, the very air is poisonous

and a living creature must succeed at a

Fortitude save (DC 13) every round it is on

this plane or take 1 point of Constitution

damage.

miss chance in combat (all opponents have

total concealment), loses any Dexterity

bonus to AC, takes a –2 penalty to AC, moves

at half speed, and takes a –4 penalty on

Search checks and most Strength and

Dexterity-based skill checks.

Darkness-dominant: Not only is such a

plane completely dark, but the plane’s nature

actually works to reduce the effectiveness of

light sources, whether magical or mundane.

The two kinds of darkness-dominant traits

are minor darkness-dominant and major

darkness-dominant.

A minor darkness-dominant plane reduces

the radius that a light source illuminates to

one-half its normal effectiveness (rounded

down).

Example: A candle would shed no light at

all while a common lamp would shed bright

light in a 5 ft. radius and shadowy illumina-

tion in a 15 ft. radius, and a continual flame

spell would cast bright illumination out to 10

feet and shadowy illumination to 20 feet

beyond.

A major darkness-dominant plane reduces

the radius that a light source illuminates even

more. Any given light source becomes inca-

pable of shedding bright light and sheds only

shadowy illumination out to one-half its nor-

mal bright illumination radius.

Example: A candle would shed no light at

all while a common lamp would shed shad-

owy light in a 5 ft. radius, and a continual

flame spell would cast shadowy illumination

out to 10 feet.

D ARK

A dark plane has no existing planar source

of light and is under a state of constant dark-

ness. The types of darkness that are possible

on the various planes are detailed below:

Twilight : Light conditions are akin to dusk

or dawn on a Material Plane. In effect, a

shadowy illumination exists. This is usually

the result of bleed-over from a nearby plane

or other phenomena. Under these conditions,

all objects and creatures are considered to

have concealment (attacks have a 20% miss

chance), as only shadowy shapes are visible

unless artificial light sources are available.

Note that because there is no natural

source of light, low-light vision does not

allow a creature to see further on a twilit

plane (although low-light vision still pro-

vides the usual benefits for artificial light

sources). Also, because it is not completely

dark, darkvision is completely ineffective.

Darkness: This plane is completely with-

out light. On such plane, creatures without

darkvision are effectively blinded without

external light sources. In addition to the obvi-

ous effects, a blinded creature has a 50%

D ENSE A TMOSPHERE

The atmosphere of such a plane is a pal-

pable force, affecting everyone and every-

thing within the area. Movement through

such a plane is difficult as the very air resists

any such attempt.

As a result, all creatures can take only a

single move action or standard action each

turn, but not both; full-round actions are not

possible. In addition, creatures take a -2

penalty on all attack rolls, AC, and Reflex

saves. Furhtermore, all ranged attacks have

their range increments reduced to one-half.

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A Dozen Planar Traits

Finally, all creatures move at half normal

speed (round down to the next 5-foot incre-

ment).

The only advantage to the dense atmos-

phere is falling. Creatures that fall do so at

half speed and take 1d6 points of damage for

every 20 feet fallen (10d6 maximum).

take penalties in bright light, such as those

with light blindness, suffer them throughout

this plane. Note that because this is not true

sunlight, at the DM’s option creatures that are

damaged or destroyed by bright light are not

affected by this light.

Dazzling: This is an amount of light equiv-

alent to looking directly at a bright source of

light. All creatures are dazzled (–1 penalty on

attack rolls, Search checks, and Spot checks)

while creatures that are particularly sensitive

to light, such as those with light blindness, are

blinded (50% miss chance in combat, lose

Dexterity bonus to AC, –2 penalty to AC,

move at half speed, –4 penalty on Search

checks and most Strength and Dexterity-

based skill checks). Note that because this is

not true sunlight, at the DM’s option creatures

that are damaged or destroyed by bright light

are not affected by this light.

Blinding : This is an amount of light equiv-

alent to looking directly at the sun. All crea-

tures are blinded (50% miss chance in com-

bat, lose Dexterity bonus to AC, –2 penalty to

AC, move at half speed, –4 penalty on Search

checks and most Strength and Dexterity-

based skill checks). Creatures that are partic-

ularly sensitive to light, such as those with

light blindness, are also blinded and must suc-

ceed at a Fortitude save (DC 15 +1 for every

hour of exposure) or be permanently blinded.

Note that because this is not true sunlight, at

the DM’s option creatures that are damaged

or destroyed by bright light are not affected

by this light.

Light -dominant: Not only is such a plane

either dazzling or blinding, but the plane’s

nature actually works to reduce the effective-

ness of darkness magic. The two kinds of

light-dominant traits are minor light-domi-

nant and major light-dominant.

A minor light-dominant plane reduces the

radius of darkness magic to one-half its nor-

mal effectiveness (rounded down).

Example: A darkness spell casts shadowy

illumination out to a 10-foot radius and a

deeper darkness spell casts shadowy illumi-

nation out to a 30-foot radius.

F OGGY

A perpetual and all-encompassing fog per-

vades the entire plane hampering vision. The

fog obscures all sight, including darkvision,

beyond 5 feet. A creature within 5 feet has

concealment (attacks have a 20% miss

chance). Creatures farther away have total

concealment (50% miss chance, and the

attacker can’t use sight to locate the target).

I NVISIBLE

The entire plane is covered by a powerful

effect that renders every creature, every fea-

ture, and every object (attended or unattend-

ed) upon the plane invisible at all times; spell

resistance does not negate the invisibility

caused by such a plane.

Visitors to the plane find that both they

and their equipment also become invisible; a

visitor can see neither its own hands, nor its

own equipment, much less any other crea-

tures or features. As with the spell invisibili-

ty, light itself does not become invisible,

although its source does.

L IGHT

A light plane has an existing planar source

of light. But this source is not a sun or other

specific source. Rather, it is a condition of the

plane itself (the very air is charged with light,

every natural object sheds light, etc.). This

condition provides a constant level of light

throughout the plane. This means that there

are no shadows or other areas of darkness

(whether this extends to any below-ground

areas is up to the DM).

The types of light that are possible on the

various planes are detailed below:

Daylight: This is an amount of light equiv-

alent to a bright summer’s day. Creatures that

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A Dozen Planar Traits

A major light-dominant plane is always

blinding and reduces the radius of darkness

magic to one-quarter its normal effectiveness

(rounded down).

Example: A darkness spell casts shadowy

illumination out to a 5-foot radius and a deep-

er darkness spell casts shadowy illumination

out to a 15-foot radius.

Although more rare, there are poisonous

planes where the material that the plane is

composed of is toxic. In this case the plane’s

environment constantly secretes a potent

contact poison. This is always noticeable as a

fine film or ooze that covers everything upon

the plane. Creatures coming in contact with

the poison must succeed at a Fortitude save

(DC 13) or take 1 point of Constitution dam-

age as initial damage. Another Fortitude save

(DC 13) is required on minute later or the

unfortunate takes and 1d4 points of

Constitution damage as secondary damage.

N OXIOUS

A noxious plane is pervaded by a smell

found to be unpleasant. The smell can be

anything, from sulfur vents to decaying bod-

ies to the wastes of another plane. The vari-

ous types of noxious planes are detailed

below.

Unpleasant: This plane smells bad, but

beyond this has no effect on game play.

Offensive: Upon first entering the plane a

creature must succeed at a Fortitude save

(DC 15) or be sickened (–2 penalty on all

attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving

throws, skill checks, and ability checks)

throughout its stay. Creatures with a particu-

larly keen sense of smell, such as those with

the scent ability, receive a -4 penalty to the

Fortitude save. Creatures that succeed at their

save are unaffected.

Foul: Upon first entering the plane, a

creature must succeed at a Fortitude save

(DC 20) or be nauseated (unable to attack,

cast spells, concentrate on spells, or do any-

thing else requiring attention; the only action

is a single move action per turn) for the dura-

tion of its stay. Even creatures that succeed at

the Fortitude save are sickened throughout

their stay. Creatures with a particularly keen

sense of smell, such as those with the scent

ability, receive a -4 penalty to the Fortitude

save.

S ILENT

Complete silence prevails on the entire

plane; all sound is stopped. Conversation is

impossible, spells with verbal components

cannot be cast, magic items with spell trig-

gers or command words cannot be activated

and those that emit sound do not function; no

noise whatsoever issues from, enters, or pass-

es through the plane.

Obviously, Listen checks are impossible

on such a plane.

T HIN A TMOSPHERE

Though breathable, the air is very thin on

such a plane making it difficult for living

creatures to draw breath.

A creature may walk (or swim or fly if

those are its normal modes of movement) for

1 hour without a problem. For every addi-

tional consecutive hour of normal movement

thereafter a creature must succeed at a

Constitution check (DC 10 + 1 for every

additional hour) or become fatigued (see

below). Taking an hour to rest after every

hour of walking negates the need for a

Constitution check.

If the fatigued creature continues normal

movement, it must continue to make

Constitution checks with subsequent failure

rendering the creature exhausted (see below).

If an exhausted creature continues to

move, it continues to make Constitution

checks with its next failure resulting in it

becoming unconscious (see below) from the

exertion.

P OISONOUS

The very air of a poisonous plane is toxic

to living creatures. Any living creature on

such a plane must succeed at a Fortitude save

(DC 15) every round they breathe or take 1

point of Constitution damage.

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A Dozen Planar Traits

T RANQUIL

Although extremely rare, a tranquil plane

is one where the plane actively seeks to sup-

press emotions. Such planes are usually

beautiful in the extreme, often featuring

bucolic landscapes with blue skies and white,

fluffy clouds.

A tranquil plane exerts a constant calm

emotion effect as cast by a 20th level caster.

Anyone wishing to avoid or counter this

effect must succeed at a Will save (DC 20)

every round while they are on this plane.

Note that after failing the check, most crea-

tures find they lack the desire to resist the

plane’s tranquility.

The plane buffers any extreme emotions;

it stops angry creatures from fighting or joy-

ous ones from reveling. The plane automati-

cally suppresses (but does not dispel) any

morale bonuses granted by spells such as

bless, good hope, and rage, as well as negat-

ing a bard’s ability to inspire courage or a

barbarian’s rage ability. It also suppresses

any fear effects and removes the confused

condition from all targets . On this plane, a

suppressed spell or effect has no effect. If a

creature leaves the tranquil plane, any

remaining spell or effect takes hold of the

creature again, provided that its duration has

not expired in the meantime.

Creatures under the tranquility effect of

the plane cannot take violent actions

(although they can defend themselves) or do

anything destructive. Any aggressive action

against or damage dealt to a tranquil creature

usually causes it to attempt another save.

Note that creatures defending themselves

while in a tranquil state will do so as effec-

tively, and efficiently, as possible all while

remaining perfectly calm.

Creatures immune to mind-affecting

effects are immune to the tranquility effect of

such a plane.

Fatigued : A fatigued creature can neither

run nor charge and takes a –2 penalty to

Strength and Dexterity. Doing anything that

would normally cause fatigue causes the

fatigued creature to become exhausted. It

takes 16 hours of complete rest to rid a crea-

ture of fatigue on a thin atmosphere plane.

Exhausted: An exhausted creature moves

at half speed and takes a –6 penalty to

Strength and Dexterity. It takes 2 hours of

complete rest to rid a creature of exhaustion

on a thin atmosphere plane; the creature is

still fatigued.

Unconscious : Knocked out and helpless.

A creature unconscious due to fatigue

remains so for 1 hour on a thin atmosphere

plane, at which time it awakens and is

exhausted.

Engaging in strenuous activity, such as

combat, lifting heavy objects, running, etc.

speeds up the fatiguing process tremendous-

ly and requires a Constitution check at the

end of every round after the first.

Example: Jim the fighter gets into combat

with group of skeletons on a thin atmosphere

plane. Starting with the first round of combat,

Jim must make a Constitution check every

round after the first. He makes the first two

checks at DC 10 and DC 11, but is unlucky

the third time and fails the DC 12 check. Jim

is now fatigued and suffers the appropriate

penalties. Unfortunately, there are still skele-

tons remaining and so Jim has to fight on.

He succeeds at the next three checks (DC

13, 14, and 15), but fails the next one at DC

16 and is now exhausted. Desperately, Jim

launches one final attack and manages to slay

the last skeleton. But he must still succeed at

his next Constitution check (DC 17) or he

will pass out from the exertion. Fortunately,

Jim makes it and drops to the ground, still

exhausted. Just as he is about to grab some

rest, he spots yet more skeletons coming for

him.

At the DM’s option, creatures that spend

enough time on the plane (usually one

month) have their bodies adapt to the thin

atmosphere conditions and no longer suffer

these penalties.

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