Cosmology Part II

[Gwathlas]

There are more reasons than simply that for bringing out a new planes-mechanic. Like for example less harsh environment effect rules that don't instantly destroy your party or doesn't allow them to enter these places at all.

And to make people buy more books.

 

[see]

Death slaadi actually make sense in this model, of course. They're the slaadi that got too close to the Abyss and were corrupted.

 

[William Ronald]

Death slaadi actually make sense in this model, of course. They're the slaadi that got too close to the Abyss and were corrupted.

This could also explain the Elemental Princes of Evil -- they could have been elemental leaders who came to close to the Abyss -- or just became corrupt on their own accord.

 

[ferratus]

I just realized this evening that the Temple of Elemental Evil now makes perfect sense in 4e.

Since the new cosmology has the Abyss as being a corruption burned into the Elemental Maelstrom, the cults described in the Temple of Elemental evil also mirror this cosmology. You have Zuggutmoy the Demon Queen of Fungi as the principle of decay, surrounded by 4 clashing armies of cults dedicated to a particular element.

Heck, even the connection to Tharizdun in "Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil" makes perfect sense, given that Tharizdun is the origin of the Abyss.

I wonder if the new cosmology came out of a designer trying to make sense of the randomness, and liked the result so much he suggested it to other designers?

 

[Intrope]

Death slaadi actually make sense in this model, of course. They're the slaadi that got too close to the Abyss and were corrupted.

Which is even consistent with how they're described in 3.5. (As Grays that for some reason turn into killing machines...)

For that matter, the current crop of Slaads are Red, Blue, Green, Grey, Death: Fire, Air, Water, Earth, Abyss? Works for me.

 

[Ripzerai]

It helps explain why the obyriths fought against the Wind Dukes of Aaqa, too. In 3e it wasn't quite clear why clear why creatures from the Abyss were fighting beings from the Elemental Plane of Air, but if they're neighbors it makes more sense.

It also helps explain how Sun Sing, a being from the Quasielemental Plane of Vacuum, has infected the Abyss with its "vacuum portals."

It does take away from the Blood War, which was an endless source of plot hooks.

 

[Hussar]

But, Ripzerai, the Blood War has been beaten to death. There's TONS of material covering the Blood War for those who like it. Why simply rehash material from older editions?

I'm really getting a sense that this edition is meant for new players, much more than 3e. 3e was meant to bring back those who had stopped playing - the whole "Back to the Dungeon" march and all that went with it. And it worked beautifully. But, we've pretty much gotten back everyone we can.

This seems like an excellent way to bring in new blood.

 

[Lackhand]

I'm not even convinced that it spells the end for the blood war. I think it rather justifies that otherwise cosmic farce: The reasoning *behind* the war is clear.

As for where it takes place? Well, the armies of the Devil are locked in the Nine Hells, so they're forced to act through intermediaries and conscripts and HEY I'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE.

Which is kind of cool.

And when you want crashing armies of fiendish might, just relax the rules.

They seek each other out, now; the fight doesn't have to occur on the planes bridging the abyss and the nine hells, because each side really does seek the total eradication of the other.

This is ignoring the fact that the Blood War proper, as a Planescape creation, should perhaps stay in Planescape -- with the Great Wheel as it was.

 

[resistor]

This is ignoring the fact that the Blood War proper, as a Planescape creation, should perhaps stay in Planescape -- with the Great Wheel as it was.

For what it's worth, the Blood War is my favorite part of Planescape, and I've carried over the concept (if not necessarily the specifics) into more than one homebrew setting.

 

[Lackhand]

Oh, me too -- but it smacks of complaining that there aren't enough Warforged in Forgotten Realms to say that the Blood War is broken when taken out of context

Or, more accurately, not enough Changeling in the Forgotten Realms. They fit, it's pretty natural, and while it doesn't work *exactly* the way it was initially presented...
... I think that I like it *more*.

Especially if (kshhh! broken metaphor!), as I suspect, the Prime is the best connection between the Hells and the Abyss.

Then most of the fighting can occur on the top layers of the respective planes, with important strategic operations on the Prime. The Blood Cold War, sorta. But you could play it the other way, too; just have a connection of some sort between the two fiendish planes. Blood War + Plane of Battle tying together the two. It doesn't need much fleshing out; it's a place that exists solely to let the two duke it out, and is home to the yugoloths.

I've never liked Yugoloths, or Slaadi. Forgive me, please!