Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse returns, updated for 5e, offering a rich multiverse setting with Sigil, the City of Doors, as its centerpiece. This box set includes a campaign book, setting guide, monster bestiary, and DM screen, perfect for exploring infinite worlds and philosophical conflicts. Dive into a realm where diversity and danger collide, with new mechanics and lore to enrich your D&D experience.
1.1 Overview of the Setting
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse introduces a vast, intricate setting centered around the City of Doors, Sigil, and the infinite planes; This 5e update revives the classic 1994 setting, offering a fresh take on multiverse exploration. The box set includes a campaign book, setting guide, bestiary, and DM screen, providing tools to navigate realms like the Outlands and the Abyss. Players delve into philosophical conflicts, faction politics, and planar mysteries, with new mechanics and lore that expand D&D’s cosmic scope. Sigil, a melting pot of cultures and dangers, serves as the gateway to endless adventures.
1.2 Significance of the Multiverse in D&D 5e
The multiverse in D&D 5e is a cornerstone of limitless storytelling, offering infinite worlds and planes to explore. Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse revitalizes this concept, providing a framework for interplanar travel and encounters. It expands gameplay by introducing unique environmental effects, planar entities, and philosophical conflicts. The multiverse enhances campaign depth, allowing players to engage with diverse cultures, Elder Evils, and existential themes. This setting bridges the gap between fantasy and cosmic horror, offering unparalleled creative freedom for both players and DMs.
The Basics of Planescape
Planescape is a D&D setting exploring the infinite multiverse, centered around Sigil, the City of Doors. It delves into planar travel, philosophy, and cosmic mysteries.
2.1 What is Planescape?
Planescape is a Dungeons & Dragons setting that explores the vast multiverse, focusing on philosophical conflicts and cosmic exploration. Centered around Sigil, the City of Doors, it connects infinite planes, offering a unique blend of adventure and intellectual depth. Players navigate diverse realities, encountering strange creatures and factions vying for power. This setting emphasizes storytelling, moral dilemmas, and the interconnectedness of all worlds, making it a rich canvas for creative campaigns and character development.
2.2 Key Concepts and Terminology
Planescape introduces unique concepts like the multiverse, a vast expanse of interconnected planes, and Sigil, the City of Doors, a hub linking these realities. Key terms include Outer Planes (domains of gods and ideologies) and Inner Planes (physical and elemental realms). The Great Wheel model organizes planes in a circular structure. Factions are philosophical groups shaping Sigil’s politics, while Elder Evils represent ancient, malevolent forces. Understanding these elements is crucial for navigating Planescape’s rich, intricate world.
Setting and Lore
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse explores the vast expanse of the multiverse, centered around Sigil, the City of Doors. This setting delves into diverse planes, ancient lore, and philosophical conflicts, with key locations like the Outlands and the Abyss. The multiverse is shaped by Elder Evils and factions, offering a rich tapestry for exploration and adventure, blending cosmic horror with high-stakes diplomacy and exploration.
3.1 The Structure of the Multiverse
The multiverse in Planescape is a vast, interconnected web of planes, divided into the Inner Planes and the Outer Planes. The Inner Planes represent the raw elements and energies of existence, while the Outer Planes embody various philosophical and moral alignments. At the heart of this structure lies Sigil, the City of Doors, a nexus connecting countless worlds. Portals, or “doors,” allow travel between planes, while the Outlands serve as a transitional realm. This framework creates endless possibilities for exploration, with each plane offering unique environments, challenges, and encounters shaped by their distinct natures and the influence of Elder Evils.
3.2 Sigil: The City of Doors
Sigil, the City of Doors, is a neutral hub connecting countless planes within the multiverse. This floating city is a sanctuary for beings from all walks of existence, offering refuge and opportunity. Portals, or “doors,” lead to various planes, making Sigil a crossroads of adventure. Governed by the enigmatic Lady of Pain, the city maintains a fragile balance of power among its diverse inhabitants. Factions vie for influence, while the city’s layout, with areas like Ragpicker’s Square, reflects its chaotic yet vibrant nature, embodying the multiverse’s infinite possibilities and conflicts.
3.3 The Outer Planes and Inner Planes
The Outer Planes embody moral and philosophical extremes, such as the Upper Planes of goodness and the Lower Planes of evil, while the Inner Planes represent elemental forces; The Outer Planes include realms like Baator, the Abyss, and Elysium, each aligned with specific ethical frameworks. The Inner Planes, including the Elemental Planes and the Far Realm, focus on raw elemental energy and existential threats. Together, they form the multiverse’s backbone, offering diverse settings for exploration and conflict, from celestial battles to primal elemental challenges, enriching the campaign’s depth and complexity.
Factions in Planescape
Planescape features diverse factions, each with unique ideologies and agendas, shaping the multiverse’s political and philosophical landscape. From The Believers of the Source to The Revolutionary League, these groups influence power dynamics and player choices, adding depth and intrigue to the setting.
4.1 Major Factions and Their Roles
In Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse, major factions shape the game’s intricate political and philosophical tapestry. The Believers of the Source emphasize individual potential, while the Revolutionary League advocates for systemic change. Other prominent factions, such as the Harmonium, focus on maintaining order and unity. These groups influence power dynamics, offering players diverse alliances and conflicts that enrich the narrative. Each faction’s agenda adds depth to the multiverse, making them central to the setting’s lore and gameplay experiences, driving the story forward with their unique perspectives and goals.
4.2 The Believers of the Source
The Believers of the Source are a prominent faction in Planescape, emphasizing the power of individual potential and the divine spark within every being. Rooted in philosophical debates, they believe in self-determination and the pursuit of one’s true nature. Operating in Sigil, they often engage in ideological conflicts with other factions, advocating for personal freedom and the rejection of external control. Their influence extends through charismatic leaders and subtle manipulations, making them key players in the multiverse’s political landscape. Their philosophy resonates with many, offering a unique perspective on identity and purpose in the vast expanse of the planes.
4.3 The Revolutionary League
The Revolutionary League is a covert interplanar organization dedicated to defending the multiverse from existential threats. They focus on uncovering and utilizing magical secrets and artifacts to combat elder evils. Operating in the shadows, the League seeks to disrupt malevolent forces while maintaining a low profile. Their methods often blur the line between heroism and morally questionable actions, making them both allies and adversaries to other factions. Their influence is subtle but profound, shaping events in Sigil and beyond to safeguard the balance of the planes and protect mortal realms from cosmic horrors.
Character Creation in Planescape
Character creation in Planescape offers diverse races, classes with multiverse twists, and backgrounds tied to the planes, enabling rich and unique builds for any adventurer.
5.1 Races and Planar Origins
Character creation in Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse introduces races deeply tied to the multiverse, such as Gith (both Githyanki and Githzerai), Tieflings, and Aasimar. These races offer unique traits reflecting their planar origins, like psionic abilities for Gith or infernal resistances for Tieflings. Players can also explore other planar beings, each with distinct backgrounds and abilities that shape their adventures. This diversity allows for rich role-playing opportunities, blending racial identity with the vast possibilities of the multiverse.
5.2 Classes and Multiverse-Specific Archetypes
In Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse, classic classes are enriched with multiverse-specific archetypes, such as the Chaositech for fighters or the Planar Trickster for rogues. Spellcasters gain access to planar magic, while psionic subclasses like the Psion reflect the multiverse’s mysteries. These archetypes offer unique abilities tied to the planes, such as manipulating portals or resisting planar effects. Players can craft characters that embody the multiverse’s infinite possibilities, blending class traditions with planar flavor for a truly immersive experience.
5.3 Backgrounds Tied to the Planes
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse introduces backgrounds deeply rooted in the multiverse, such as the Planar Survivor, Sigilian Mercenary, or the Inheritor of a Forgotten Legacy. These backgrounds provide unique skills and traits tied to specific planes, allowing characters to reflect their origins in the multiverse. For instance, a character from the Upper Planes might gain proficiency in Persuasion, while one from the Lower Planes could excel at Deception. These backgrounds enrich character creation, offering a direct connection to the infinite planes and their distinct cultures and conflicts.
Mechanics Specific to Planescape
Planescape introduces unique mechanics like planar travel, environmental effects, and interplanar magic, allowing players to navigate and interact with diverse planes and their distinctive properties seamlessly.
6.1 Planar Travel and Movement
Planar travel in Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse introduces unique mechanics for navigating the vast expanse of the multiverse. Players can move between planes using portals, spells, or magical items, with specific rules governing interplanar transitions. The system emphasizes the challenges of traversing different realities, such as navigating shifting landscapes, avoiding planar hazards, and dealing with environmental effects like the Far Realm’s madness-inducing aura. These mechanics ensure that each plane feels distinct, offering rich opportunities for exploration and strategic gameplay.
6.2 Planar Attributes and Environmental Effects
Each plane in Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse possesses unique attributes that shape gameplay, such as altered gravity, time dilation, or elemental imbalances. Environmental effects like the Abyss’s chaotic energy or the Far Realm’s reality-warping aura impose challenges, forcing players to adapt. These attributes influence ability scores, resistances, and movement, while also introducing narrative elements like moral dilemmas or psychological strain. DMs can leverage these effects to create immersive experiences, ensuring each plane feels distinct and memorable, enhancing both combat and roleplay opportunities in the multiverse.
The Adventure Module
The adventure module explores the multiverse, focusing on Sigil and the Cult of Glaugrax’s sinister plans. Players uncover secrets in a sunken ruin beneath Mulmaster’s bay, facing interplanar threats and moral dilemmas.
7.1 Overview of the Campaign
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse offers a campaign centered around unraveling the mysteries of the multiverse, with a focus on Sigil and its interconnected planes. Players delve into a sunken ruin beneath Mulmaster’s bay, uncovering the Cult of Glaugrax’s nefarious plans. The adventure explores interplanar threats, elder evils, and moral dilemmas, blending exploration, combat, and role-playing. The campaign emphasizes strategic decisions and philosophical conflicts, providing a dynamic narrative that challenges players to navigate the vast and unpredictable multiverse.
7.2 Key Locations and Encounters
The campaign features iconic locations like Sigil, the City of Doors, and the Outlands, where players navigate shifting landscapes and encounter strange beings. A sunken ruin beneath Mulmaster’s bay holds secrets of the Cult of Glaugrax, while the Abyss and Baator offer glimpses into chaotic and lawful evils. Encounters include interplanar organizations, elder evils, and philosophical debates, blending exploration, combat, and role-playing. These diverse settings provide a rich tapestry for adventure, challenging players to adapt to the unpredictable nature of the multiverse.
The Monster Bestiary
The bestiary introduces new and returning planar creatures, including abyssal horrors and baatorian legions, alongside elder evils that embody existential threats. Mortes Planar Parade adds diverse monstrous encounters, enriching the multiverse’s dangers and mysteries.
8.1 New and Returning Planar Creatures
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse introduces a diverse array of new and returning creatures, each embodying the unique essence of the planes. From the terrifying Mortes Planar Parade to classic entities like the Astral Dreadnought and Bebilith, the bestiary offers fresh takes on iconic foes. These creatures are designed to challenge players with their distinct abilities and lore, drawing inspiration from the infinite planes. The book also features creatures tied to elder evils, adding depth to the multiverse’s most sinister threats. Each entry is crafted to inspire awe and dread, enhancing the Planescape experience.
8.2 The Role of Elder Evils
Elder Evils are ancient, malevolent forces that threaten the multiverse, serving as apex antagonists in Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse. These beings embody existential horrors, manipulating events from the shadows to spread chaos. A covert interplanar organization dedicated to stopping them uses magical secrets and artifacts to counter their influence. Each Elder Evil, like Acererak or Zariel, represents a unique cosmic threat, offering DMs rich narrative hooks and high-stakes challenges. Their presence ties together the planes, creating a unifying menace that players must confront to preserve balance in the multiverse.
The DM Screen and Accessories
The DM screen includes essential charts for planar travel and environmental effects, while maps of Sigil and the Outlands enhance world-building. Durable design with vibrant artwork.
9.1 Tools for Running a Planescape Campaign
The DM screen and accessories provide essential tools for managing a Planescape campaign, including charts for planar travel and environmental effects. The box set includes a map of Sigil and the Outlands, offering visual aids to navigate the multiverse. Additionally, the bestiary and setting book contain detailed encounters and lore, helping DMs craft immersive adventures. These resources are designed to enhance storytelling and gameplay, ensuring a seamless experience in the vast and intricate multiverse of Planescape.
9.2 Maps and Handouts
The box set includes detailed maps of Sigil, the City of Doors, and the Outlands, providing visual guides to navigate key locations. Handouts like character backgrounds and faction summaries enhance player immersion. Digital versions of these maps and handouts are available, making it easier for DMs to integrate them into virtual tabletops. These resources help players and DMs alike explore the multiverse, ensuring a rich and engaging campaign experience. The maps and handouts are designed to complement the setting and adventure books, offering practical tools for both preparation and play.
Reception and Community Impact
Players and DMs are enthusiastic about Planescape’s return, praising its creative take on the multiverse. The community is thriving, with fans creating homebrew content and sharing experiences online.
10.1 Player and DM Feedback
Players and DMs have expressed excitement for Planescape’s return, praising its creative take on the multiverse and the rich narrative possibilities. Many appreciate the updated mechanics and lore, while some note the complexity of planar travel as a challenge. DMs particularly enjoy the depth of Sigil and the Outer Planes, though a few find balancing encounters across diverse settings tricky. Overall, the community embraces the setting’s unique flavor, with fans eagerly sharing homebrew content and campaign ideas inspired by the multiverse’s infinite possibilities.
10.2 Community Creations and Homebrew Content
The release of Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse has sparked a wave of creativity within the D&D community. Fans are crafting custom adventures, homebrew races, and unique planar mechanics inspired by the setting. Many have shared their creations online, including detailed Sigil city guides and encounters with iconic planar creatures. Some enthusiasts have even developed new Elder Evils and faction-specific content, blending official lore with their own imaginative twists. This vibrant community engagement highlights the enduring appeal of Planescape’s infinite possibilities.
Converting Planescape from 2E to 5E
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse seamlessly transitions the beloved 2E setting to 5E, offering a refreshed campaign book, setting guide, and bestiary in a convenient box set.
11.1 Updating Classic Adventures
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse breathes new life into iconic 2E campaigns, adapting them for 5E mechanics. The box set includes refreshed storylines, updated NPCs, and balanced encounters, ensuring timeless adventures resonate with modern players. Classic locations like Sigil and the Outlands are revisited with enhanced descriptions and art. Players can explore reimagined planar conflicts, while DMs gain tools to seamlessly integrate retro content into contemporary campaigns. This update preserves the essence of the original while embracing 5E’s dynamic gameplay, offering a nostalgic yet fresh experience for both veterans and newcomers.
11.2 Balancing Planar Mechanics for 5e
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse refines planar mechanics for 5E, ensuring seamless integration with modern rules. The box set introduces streamlined planar travel, balanced environmental effects, and updated planar magic systems. DMs can leverage new tools to manage interplanar adventures, while players explore diverse plane-touched character options. The mechanics are designed to maintain game balance while capturing the unique flavor of the multiverse, offering a fresh yet faithful adaptation of Planescape’s iconic concepts for 5E. This ensures a dynamic and immersive experience for both new and veteran players alike.
Digital Availability and PDF Version
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse is available as a PDF, accessible on platforms like Amazon and other online retailers. The digital edition includes a comprehensive layout and interactive features.
12.1 Where to Find the PDF
The PDF of Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse is available on platforms like Amazon, D&D Beyond, and the official Wizards of the Coast website. It can also be purchased through local game stores and online retailers. The digital edition includes a fully bookmarked and searchable format, making it easy to navigate. Additionally, the PDF is optimized for mobile devices, allowing players and DMs to access content on the go. Links to purchase can be found on the official D&D website or through authorized digital distributors.
12.2 Features of the Digital Edition
The digital edition of Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse offers a fully bookmarked and searchable PDF, enhancing navigation. It includes hyperlinks for easy access to rules, maps, and references. The digital version is optimized for mobile devices, allowing seamless use on tablets and smartphones. Additionally, it features high-resolution maps and handouts, perfect for virtual tabletop play. The text is searchable, making it convenient to find specific content quickly. This edition ensures a smooth and immersive experience for both players and DMs, whether offline or online.
Tips for New Players and DMs
New players should start with familiar races and classes, then explore planar mechanics. DMs, focus on Sigil’s diverse factions and embrace the setting’s philosophical depth to enrich stories.
13.1 Getting Started with Planescape
For new players, begin by exploring the setting guide to understand the multiverse and Sigil’s unique culture. Choose races and classes familiar from other settings, then gradually incorporate planar elements. DMs should prepare by studying Sigil’s layout and key factions, using the DM screen for quick rules references. Start with low-stakes adventures in Sigil to acclimate players to the setting’s themes. Encourage creative problem-solving and embrace the setting’s philosophical depth to create memorable experiences.
13.2 Navigating the Multiverse as a New DM
As a new DM, focus on mastering Sigil, the City of Doors, as your campaign’s hub. Use the setting guide to introduce key factions and their motivations, creating hooks for player engagement. Start with low-stakes adventures in Sigil before venturing into the planes. Emphasize the uniqueness of each plane’s environment and inhabitants to create immersive experiences. Utilize the DM screen for quick rules and setting details. Be flexible—players may explore unexpected paths, so prepare to improvise and adapt. The monster bestiary and campaign book provide invaluable resources for encounters and story hooks.
The Future of Planescape in 5e
Planescape’s revival in 5e hints at upcoming releases and expansions, with fans eagerly anticipating more content, adventures, and mechanics exploring the infinite multiverse.
14.1 Upcoming Releases and Expansions
Wizards of the Coast is expected to expand the Planescape setting with new releases, including additional adventures, plane-specific sourcebooks, and mechanics. Fans anticipate deeper dives into Sigil, the Outer Planes, and unexplored regions of the multiverse. Upcoming content may introduce new factions, elder evils, and player options, building on the foundation laid by Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse. Digital tools and accessories, such as updated maps and handouts, are also likely to enhance the playing experience for both DMs and players.
14.2 Community Hopes and Expectations
Players and DMs eagerly anticipate further exploration of the multiverse, hoping for expanded lore on underutilized planes and deeper dives into Sigil’s factions. Many expect new character options, such as planar feats or subclasses, to enhance customization. The community also looks forward to additional tools for DMs, including encounter builders and plane-specific mechanics. Fans are excited for more Elder Evils content and potential crossovers with other settings like Spelljammer. The return of Planescape has reignited creative passion, inspiring homebrew and community-driven projects that celebrate the setting’s infinite possibilities and philosophical depth.
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse marks a triumphant return of this beloved setting to 5e, offering a rich tapestry of infinite worlds, philosophical debates, and unparalleled storytelling. With its detailed box set, including a campaign, setting guide, bestiary, and DM screen, it empowers players and DMs to explore the vast multiverse. The revival has sparked immense excitement, blending nostalgia with fresh ideas. As the community embraces this iconic setting, Planescape continues to inspire creativity and adventure, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of D&D lore and infinite possibilities.
