Faces of the Inner Planes [Monster Thursday]

Oh, the planes. I'd sing a sonnet to you if I could sing... or even knew what a sonnet was. -Stephen

We are exploring the Inner Planes this week with some new elementals to get added into your game. Not only are there 7 new stat blocks (and you could technically create 6 more based on the information provided) but there is a lot of information about getting around the Inner Planes! 

Information is provided on how to hire a guide, and how much they cost. The benefits of using a guide and how long it takes to travel around a plane. After that, rules are provided for exploring the Plane of Air and how you can travel by just falling and plummeting to your death. Plane of Air is a bit dangerous to the uninitiated, but I'm confident that players can somehow survive the sudden stop. 

If you are curious about any of the specifics about these planes, make sure to freshen up with our articles on the Planes! By the end of the year, the rest of the Inner Planes (Para- & Quasi-Elemental) will be on the website as well.

Air, Earth, Fire, Water, & Elemental Chaos 

Plane of Earth Guide (CR 1) Our first monster is actually a generic elemental. Any elemental can be a guide, but this small stat block is supposed to represent some of the smaller elementals in the plane. Guides can be anyone, and they all gain the Aura of Elemental Protection trait once they become a guide for the party. This helps the party survive the extremes of the plane.

This creature also comes with some guidelines on how much guides cost as well as how long it takes to travel across a plane.

Elemental Planewalker (CR 3) Some individuals get it into their heads to see the entirety of the planes. These individuals are known as planewalkers. An elemental planewalker is an individual who is awestruck by the elements and spends most of their time in the Inner Planes. They might visit the Outer Planes to say they've been there, but they prefer the Inner Planes. They wield the fearsome might of elements and can help a party find nearby portals.

Air Fundamental (CR 1/4) The most minor of all the elementals in the Inner Planes, these little guys resemble bats with no heads or limbs. Just a body with a pair of wings that flaps around coated in their element. I've provided information on how to make a fundamental for earth, fire, and water. Also, they enjoy congregating into massive swarms...

Swarm of Fire Fundamentals (CR 2) A swarm of fundamentals. These creatures can be quite destructive to the Material Plane, and I don't mean just the fire fundamentals. Swarms of fundamentals can attack creatures, cause problems to the ecosystem and... oh yea, burn the entire forest to the ground. They are a nasty pest to have. 

Reef Giant (CR 10) A giant that swims through the ocean, these individuals seek treasures under the waves in the form of sunken ships and farming for pearls. They are quite nice and are happy to trade with individuals, though if you get on their bad side - it's game over man. They can call on their powers over water to form whirlpools and hurl massive rocks at your ship. 

Wind Walker Elemental (CR 4) An elemental under the employ of the Djinn. These creatures can craft the clouds into unique shapes and are often bribed to leave desert communities alone if they ever escape into the Material Plane. Due to their control over the winds, they can create a horrifying noise that blasts their opponent's eardrums. I wouldn't want to get them angry with me. 

Zaaman Rul (CR 18) Our last creature is a powerful archomental, or a prince of the elements. Zaaman Rul is the bastard son of Imix and is the Prince of Good Fire. He has an army of good-aligned elementals and is trying to rid the Plane of Fire of Imix's influence and evil fire. He's not doing great and has recently suffered a major defeat. Maybe he needs some spunky adventurers to even the playing field. 

And that's it for this week, I hope you enjoy the read and maybe learn a bit more about the Inner Planes. If you have any requests or ideas for the next Monster Thursday, would love to hear them!