How to get back to the material plane (no wizard)?

[Lamoni]

Last session, our party got in over their heads. I am unsure if we went somewhere that was prepared for a later time in the adventure (after we leveled up some more) of if it was just a trap that we couldn't avoid.

Anyway, we are a party of 3 level 12 PC's. A Paladin, Cleric, and a Rogue. We "stumbled" upon a scene where there was a huge portal or gate where demons were streaming in. There was no way we could win the fight and if we ran we would have just led them to the crowd of commoners outside. Instead of killing us, the bad guys just surrounded us, grabbed us and threw us through the portal. We don't know what plane we are on, but when my Paladin detected evil he became temporarily blind (so we are obviously not on a good plane).

That leads me to my question. What ways are there for us to get back to the material plane? I was reading the spell, Plane shift, but was confused by the entry on the spell focus.

Focus: A small, forked metal rod. The size and metal type dictates to which plane of existence or alternate dimension the spell sends the affected creatures.

So can we choose what plane it sends us to? Or is that up to the DM? Is there a way we can know (in character) what size and type of metal rod we need? Also, the cleric didn't have the spell prepared - otherwise we would have tried using it to escape (I thought it was going to be a TPK).

Are there any other spells or methods available to a 12th level party with no arcane caster? We still might wander around on this plane for a bit to see if we can find any information, but the Paladin really doesn't like hanging around evil unless he is in the process of killing them. (and that would be suicide here).

 

[Rackhir]

Last session, our party got in over their heads. I am unsure if we went somewhere that was prepared for a later time in the adventure (after we leveled up some more) of if it was just a trap that we couldn't avoid.

Anyway, we are a party of 3 level 12 PC's. A Paladin, Cleric, and a Rogue. We "stumbled" upon a scene where there was a huge portal or gate where demons were streaming in. There was no way we could win the fight and if we ran we would have just led them to the crowd of commoners outside. Instead of killing us, the bad guys just surrounded us, grabbed us and threw us through the portal. We don't know what plane we are on, but when my Paladin detected evil he became temporarily blind (so we are obviously not on a good plane).

That leads me to my question. What ways are there for us to get back to the material plane? I was reading the spell, Plane shift, but was confused by the entry on the spell focus.
So can we choose what plane it sends us to? Or is that up to the DM? Is there a way we can know (in character) what size and type of metal rod we need? Also, the cleric didn't have the spell prepared - otherwise we would have tried using it to escape (I thought it was going to be a TPK).

Are there any other spells or methods available to a 12th level party with no arcane caster? We still might wander around on this plane for a bit to see if we can find any information, but the Paladin really doesn't like hanging around evil unless he is in the process of killing them. (and that would be suicide here).

Well since it sounds like the start of the adventure, there is probably a gate back to home. Once you find it. Could any of what happened fit into any long term plot threads? "Find the Path" could conceivably show you the way to the portal out of there. Probably you have something that could be turned into the rod/tuning fork necessary. Summon monster could also possibly get you a friendly ally who can tell you what to do or where to go. Geas and such could also coerce a native into helping you.

 

[Toric An'Cu]

Well with out a arcane spell caster in the party you are in trouble. Try cutting a deal, with someone, lol, not to say you would want to but its an idea.

Your cleric could try to Find the Path (The closest way off this plane.) No telling where you would end up, unless you could ask it to find the lcoest way back to the material plane. OR a Locate Object of course this will only work if you are with in 880 feet of the object. Maybe this could help you locate the medal rod you want to get to do your plan shift. OR your cleric you do a Divination to find out the info you need like the medal rod or a way out.

 

[Lamoni]

Thanks, I never thought of find the path. Yes, it is the start of an adventure, but our party has played since level one and it is building off of previous adventures. Also, divination is another good recommendation.

About the Plane Shift spell. Assuming we can find a metal rod to use as a focus for the plane shift spell, would the result just be random? Or based on what we could find? Either way, if that is the case, it makes that option much less attractive because we could end up in any other plane and probably not much closer to home. Basically, without a wizard we can't get home by ourselves, right?

 

[Toric An'Cu]

Well I would say you could modify the metal to what you need it to be if you were able to make me a decent Knowledge The Planes check or a High enough Knowledge Arcane check.

 

[jarlaxlecq]

Hitchhike

 

[Dakkareth]

The Manual of the Planes offers information of this kind.

The layers of Hell and the Abyss are interconnected by portals of various kinds. From the uppermost layer you can reach the beastlands. But more useful are the various colour pools, which link planes to the astral. If you find one you can get to the astral and to the prime from there. So if you search long enough you're - eventually - going to find a way back.

 

[jgsugden]

REgarding Plane Shift: I assume a spellcraft roll would tell you what you need to know about the fork ... of course, finding what you're looking for may be difficult.

 

[Saeviomagy]

REgarding Plane Shift: I assume a spellcraft roll would tell you what you need to know about the fork ... of course, finding what you're looking for may be difficult.

It depends on how much the DM wants to screw you.

If he's nice, then you already have the fork for your home plane (given that there is no monetary value listed for the forks, and that a material component pouch is supposed to contain every freebie item you need for spellcasting).

If he's not, then it will require something that you don't have.

In scenario B, chances are that even if you did have the material, the planeshift would fail anyway...

 

[Ottergame]

REgarding Plane Shift: I assume a spellcraft roll would tell you what you need to know about the fork ... of course, finding what you're looking for may be difficult.

I'd go with Knowledge: Planes for that.