|
|
A Guide to the Ethereal Plane is a manual for DMs who run Planescape campaigns and for those wanting planar detours or extra dimensions for their Prime Material campaign. Weird worlds, hazardous conditions, and dangerous inhabitants abound within this enjoyable volume.
First up is an explanation of the misty Ethereal Plane and its parts: its conditions, its geography, what the Border and the Deep Ethereal are, and how the Prime Material and Elemental Planes interact with the Ethereal. Included are the special dangers of the Deep, such as ether cyclones and vortex fronts, and how to manipulate the material substance of the ether.
A magic section includes special spell effects and new spells and magic items; the perils of illusions and of having them warp or even come to life make for some interesting reading. Demiplanes and their design are covered at length (including currently known demiplanes, such as the Demiplane of Dread, a.k.a. Ravenloft). Dream adventuring has a special chapter of its own (dreams having a certain dangerous solidity on the Ethereal).
In the monster section, the author presents quite a mix of creatures: Prime Material critters with ethereal sight and combat; new Ethereal inhabitants, including two species suitable for PC characters; and old Ethereal inhabitants from a broad selection of TSR past products (many no longer available). Finally, several locations on the plane are described, some at sufficient length for the DM to create mini-adventures concerning them.
An excellent book for DMs whose campaigns ever venture away from solid ground.
--Sharon Daugherty
|
