Planar compasses were magical navigational tools that pointed in the direction of the nearest way to a particular plane,[1] allowing users to locate interplanar gates.[2]
Description[]
Despite their name, these devices did not resemble mundane compasses, but rather were iron spheres measuring 6 inches (0.15 meters) in diameter. They were designed to be easily separated into two halves, revealing a hollow cavity that measured 4 inches (0.1 meters) in diameter, and equally rejoined with ease.[1]
Another version existed: the planar compasses were made from orcanthium.[3]
Powers[]
After placing an object within the hollow cavity of a planar compass and rejoining its two halves, the instrument would proceed to spin around until eventually stopping, with a small arrow jutting out from one of its halves. This arrow pointed towards the direction of the nearest pathway to the plane from which the item originated, whether it be a gate, astral conduit, or elemental vortex. This effect remained active, the planar compass pointing unerringly, until either the device entered the planar destination or the object placed within it was removed.[1]
History[]
Around the late 14th century DR, a number of adventurers from Ravens Bluff came into possession of planar compasses.[2][4][5] One of the first was a group tasked by either Alcides Von Tighe or Simon Regulus with delivering a planar compass, secured within a magical lockbox, to the githzerai sage A'Rinthorm as a substance held within it would aid in the sage's studies.[2] Much later, another group had a compass offered to them in return for 5,000 gold pieces by Bob and Susan Nuhard, proprietors of the Gates of Hell Inn in the city of Dis.[4] And finally, a group of adventurers were loaned a planar compass by the ruvkova Kharn after providing him positive energy, promising it would help lead them to the Quasi-Elemental Plane of Vacuum.[5]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
- Elemental compass, a similar device that was limited to the Inner Planes.
Appearances[]
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Monte Cook (1996). The Planewalker's Handbook. Edited by Michele Carter. (TSR), pp. 138–139. ISBN 978-0786904600.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Paul Pederson (February 1999). Another Serious Matter. Living City (RPGA), pp. 5, 19.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 75. ISBN 0880383992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Edward Ennett (June 2000). Into the Depths. Living City (RPGA), p. 24.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cisco Lopez-Fresquet (November 2000). The Messengers. Living City (RPGA), pp. 3, 13.