This article originates from the Dragon magazine #235.

The unique nature of the planes can affect its inhabitants. Sometimes different populations exhibit the same planetouched abilities. The following options are available to all PCs in addition to those listed for each race. Regardless of whether a player selects any of the options below, all planar PCs have the common, innate ability to perceive portals at will. This ability costs no CPs.

Alignment Affinity (5):
The PC is instantly aware of any beings within 20’ who pessess the same alignment as himself. For example, a paladin knows when a lawful good aasimar has just stepped behind him but does not learn the alignment of the lawful neutral good deva crossing in front of him unless he employs some other means of divination.

Magical Perception (10):
Regardless of whether the PC is a spellcaster, he understands how the unique nature of his home plane affects magic. This includes which schools of magic are affected, how it is affected, and why (“You’re on Mechanus berk - wild magic is useless here and against the law.”). This ability does not provide other magical insight, such as spell keys.

Planar recognition (5):
Upon sight, the PC instantly recognizes any beings who originate from his home plane as a fellow native. Only true natives of the PC’s plane can be discerned. This ability does not grant the ability to recognize those who migrated to the PC’s home plane from another plane. The PC does not gain any other information about the beings he encounters.

Planar resistance (5):
The PC receives a +3 bonus to all saves vs. any naturally occuring phenomena on his home plane (plane of birth).

CHARACTER KITS

Theoretically, any kit currently existing in any campaign setting may be taken by a PLANESCAPE PC. Players should keep in mind that some PC kits have been specifically designed for play solely on a specific campaign world (such as the Athasian advanced being or the Mystaran inheritor). It is understandable therfore that their presence on the planes might be difficult to justify. Players should seek their DMs approval before using any kits. The PWH lists seven new kits exclusively designed for the Planescape campaign: Planewalker warrior, Planewalker Wizard, Planewalker Priest, Planewalker Rogue, Abyssal Warrior, Floating Sorcerer, and Hinterland Bandit.

NONWEAPON PROFICIENCIES

At this stage of PC development players spend points on nonweapon proficiencies and traits. Standard non-weapon proficiencies by point cost are listed in S&P and S&M. PLANESCAPE warriors, rogues, priests and wizards receive the same number of CPs as the standard AD&D classes given in S&P.

                Eight uniquely PLANESCAPE nonweapon proficiencies have been published to date. Their CP costs, initial rating, and reference source appear in the table below.

WEAPON PROFICIENCY AND MASTERY

All classes must consult chapter 7 of S&P for more information on acquiring weapon proficiencies and other weapon skills. Planar warriors, rogues, priests, and wizards follow the same weapons rules as their Prime world counterparts.

MAGIC AND NEW SCHOOLS OF MAGIC

Wizards spending a significant amount of time in the planes soon discover that nearly every spell and school of magic in existence can be found in the planes. New spells for wizards and priests can be found in nearly every PLANESAPE reference released so far. Some forms of magic found on specific prime worlds simply do not or cannot exist in the planes. Spellcasting PCs from the BIRTHRIGHT campaign will not be able to cast any realm spells on the planes (or on any other prime material world for that matter) as they are effectively cut off from their domains and ley lines. There is no magic in existence that will connect a PC with his ley lines once they are seperated by the planes. There is also no way to create ley lines in the planes. Blooded PCs, however, may enact any of their innate abilities without difficulty wherever they are (unless prohibited by the plane’s magical properties). Similarly, afflicted PCs from the RED STEEL campaign can use their cursed abilities as they wish, however, individuals affected by the Red Curse will soon suffer the excruciating loss of their legacies if they stay away from the crimson lands of the Savage Coast for too long. DMs have the final say on whether magic and spells unique to some prime campaign settings will be allowed in their Planescape campaign.

PSIONICS