簡介
冰側元素位面The Paraelemental Plane of Ice | |
---|---|
【所屬 位面】 | 側元素位面The Paraelemental Plane |
【類 型】 | 內層位面/側元素位面 |
【位面 之主】 | 克里歐那克斯Cryonax |
【下轄 地區】 | 核心冰位面Core ICE:包含 血沼Bloodmire 和 阿科蘭特Arcolantha 硬霜之霧Fog of Unyielding Frost:與蒸汽面的交界處 |
【簡 介】 | 冰側元素位面The Paraelemental Plane of Ice 處於水元素位面與氣元素位面的交界,是多元宇宙最為寒冷的地方,在其最寒冷的區域,甚至連光、語言、思想、概念都能凍結。寒冷元素大君克里歐那克斯統治著這裡。 |
2ePS<The Inner Planes.p068>冰側元素位面The Paraelemental Plane of Ice
譯者:白菜團
機靈點,看在上帝的份上,保持移動——任何停下腳步的東西都會被凍結。Keep your wits about you, and for gods' sake, keep moving—Anything that stops might freeze that way.
——塔舍瓦·長堤Tarsheva Longreach
法師學派改變Wizard School Alteration
火Fire,土Earth <
冰側元素位面The Paraelemental Plane of Ice
你好,凡人。我將是你的敘述者——如果你願意,我將是你的可靠的嚮導。我的名字是 桑提馬林Sanctimarin,凍結的微風的主人Master of the Frozen Breeze。你們的賢者們會稱我為魔蝠,但我與共享這種榮譽的火或蒸汽生物完全不同。用這個名字來稱呼我光榮的族群,比任何事情都更能證明你是多麼需要我的幫助。
Hello, mortals. I shall be your narrator-your unfailing guide, if you will. My name is Sanctimarin, Master of the Frozen Breeze. Your sages would name me a mephit, but I am nothing like the creatures of fire or steam that share that distinction. Referring to my glorious race by that appellation proves more than anything else how badly you need my help.
讓我們從基礎開始。冰側元素位面The Paraelemental Plane of Ice 非常非常冷。
Let's start with the basics. The Paraelemental Plane of Ice is very, very, very cold.
明白了嗎?好。現在試著跟上。
Got that? Good. Now try to keep up.
冰側位面太冷了,任何帶到這裡的東西都會結冰。我知道在其他位面的寒冷地區,大多數液體會結冰,但這並不是我真正想說的。在這裡,肉凍結。血液凍結。石頭凍結。空氣凍結。言語詞彙凍結。思想凍結。甚至冰也凍結。
The paraplane of Ice is so cold that anything brought here freezes. I know that in cold regions of other planes most liquids freeze, but that's not really what I'm talking about. Here, flesh freezes. Blood freezes. Stone freezes. The air freezes. Spoken words freeze. Thoughts freeze. Even ice freezes.
冰是由空氣和水組成的。然而,與其他一些側元素不同的是,冰與構成其本質的物質幾乎沒有共同之處。它沒有水之父的流動性、靈活性和彈性,也沒有氣之母的速度、輕盈和高貴。
Ice is a meeting of Elemental Air and Water. Unlike some of the other paraelements, however, ice shares little with the materials that merge to form its essence. It has none of the fluidity, flexibility, and resilience of father Water, nor the speed, lightness, and loftiness of mother Air.
另一方面,側平面這一定義本身顯示了與它的兩個母元素位面的明確關係,以及與它共享邊界的其他領域。當你從我家鄉的中心朝一個向上的方向移動時,氣候經歷了一個漸進的變化。在歷經一段時間後,冰將破裂變成咆哮的暴風雪,形成與氣元素位面的邊界。在這裡,你可以沿著側平面的邊緣行走,周圍都是雪,空氣在上面擴散。這個地區被稱為 冰崖the Precipice,許多人認為它是冰位面的表面。事實上,因為側位面有重力,一些外地人錯誤地認為冰崖就是整個位面。很容易看出為什麼,真的,他們在廣闊的冰雪中跋涉,盯著被冰雪覆蓋的山脈,緊緊地裹在呼嘯的風裡,驚嘆於暗淡的、淡藍色的光線中永恆的黃昏。
On the other hand, the paraplane itself shows a definite relationship to its two parent Elemental Planes-as well as to the other realms with which it shares borders. As you move away from the heart of my home in an upward direction, the climate undergoes a gradual change. In time, the ice breaks up to become the howling blizzards that form the border with the Elemental Plane of Air. Here, it is possible to walk along the edge of the paraplane, with snow all around you and the plane of Air spreading out above. This region is called the Precipice, and many people think of it as the surface of Ice. In fact, because the paraplane has gravity, some foreigners mistakenly think the Precipice is the whole paraplane. It's easy to see why, really, They trudge along through the vast expanse of ice and snow, staring at the ice-covered mountains, wrapping up tightly against the howling winds, and marveling at the perpetual twilight of the dim, whitish-blue illumination.
然而,他們沒有意識到的是,側位面的大部分位於冰面之下,在基本上堅固的、冰凍之心裡。如果你從冰崖往下走,冰中的水分會慢慢地變得越來越多。這水冷得可怕,但還是比側位面的冰要暖和一點。最終,你會到達一個寒冷的地方,被稱為 凍結生命之海the Sea of Frozen Lives,一個由懸浮的冰塊組成的無表面的海洋。在這令人不寒而慄的沖刷之外是元素位面。(因為冰側位面似乎位於 無底之淵the Bottomless Deep【譯註:水位面的別稱】的頂部,有時它被稱為 浮動位面the Floating Plane、甚至是 顛簸位面the Bobbing Plane——不,來自 印記城Sigil 的讀者們,這並不意味著這裡有很多小偷。)
What they don't realize, though, is that the majority of the paraplane lies below the surface in the mostly solid, icy heart. If you move downward from the Precipice, the ice slowly becomes more and more watery. This water is horribly cold, but it's still slightly warmer than the paraplane's ice. Eventually, you'll reach a frigid place called the Sea of Frozen Lives, a surfaceless ocean of suspended ice chunks. Beyond this chilling wash is the Elemental Plane of Water. (Because of the way the paraplane of Ice seems to rest on top of the Bottomless Deep, it's sometimes called the Floating Plane or even the Bobbing Plane-and no, you readers from Sigil, that doesn't mean that there are a lot of thieves here.)
這就涉及到了向上下運動的問題。現在,如果你開始向 負能量位面the plane of Negative Energy 進行漫長而費力的橫向旅行,冰的性質將經歷另一個轉變。在一個方向上,它慢慢地變成無窮無盡的鹹水冰雹,然後讓位於致命的 鹽准位面quasiplane of Salt。這種由咸晶體構成的永恆的狂暴風暴被大多數人稱為 釘刺風暴the Stinging Storm。
That takes care of up and down. Now, if you begin to make the long and draining journey laterally toward the plane of Negative Energy, the nature of the ice undergoes yet another transformation. In one direction, it slowly becomes an endless hail of acrid salt-water ice before giving way to the deadly quasiplane of Salt. This eternally raging tempest of salty crystals is known to most as the Stinging Storm.
向氣位面方向傾斜會把你帶到一個沒有冰雪的地方,但卻被寒冷和漆黑那可怕的手指緊緊抓住。這個地方被稱為「寒冷虛空the Frigid Void」,而在它之外是 真空准元素位面the quasiplane of Vacuum 的無窮無盡的空虛。
Listing toward the plane of Air brings you to a region that's free of ice and snow but gripped in the horrid fingers of absolute cold and total darkness. This place is known as the Frigid Void, and beyond it lies the unending emptiness of the quasiplane of Vacuum.
不喜歡這些選擇?如果你朝另一個方向旅行——朝正能量的方向——冰的性質又會改變。如果你朝著蒸汽准位面的方向前進,你就會遇到 硬霜之霧the Fog of Unyielding Frost,那是一個翻滾著超冷蒸汽的地方。這些霧氣是可以呼吸的,但如果你沒有某種禦寒措施,它們會把你的肺凍成固體。
Don't like those choices? If you travel in the other direction-toward the planeof Positive Energy-the nature of the ice changes yet again. Set your course for the quasiplane of Steam and you'll come upon the Fog of Unyielding Frost, a place of churning, super-cold vapors. These mists are breathable, but they'll freeze your lungs solid if you don't have some manner of protection from the cold.
朝閃電准位面的方向移動,你會發現冰在破裂,變成一片輕柔地飄著雪的區域,從表面上看,這幾乎是令人愉快的。然而,事實上,這些粉末狀的雪花含有一種危險的能量。雖然這種力量不會造成身體上的傷害,但它會對精神產生可怕的影響。在 閃光漂流the Shimmering Drifts 中,旅行者必須在每一回合的開始進行一次成功的對抗法術的豁免,否則他將失去智慧(就像他是 困惑術confusion 的受害者一樣)。
Move toward the quasiplane of Lightning and you'll find that the ice breaks up to become a field of softly blowing snow, which, on the surface, seems almost pleasant. In truth, however, these powdery flakes are infused with a dangerous energy. Although the force doesn't cause physical damage, it can have a terrible effect upon the mind. At the start of each turn spent among the Shimmering Drifts, a traveler must make a successful saving throw vs. spell or lose his wits (as if he were the victim of a confusionn spell).
◆物理條件PHYSICAL CONDITIONS◆
從本質上講,冰側元素位面是無底或無表面的巨大冰川。這是一個令人難以置信的寒冷和黑暗的地區。它在許多方面將土元素位面的過大壓力與在火元素位面中發現的惱人的極端溫度合在一起。由於側位面不斷地移動、彎曲和變形,各種各樣的裂縫、裂縫和裂口無處不在。穿越這些地區可能特別危險,因為絲毫的失誤可能會使雪冰崩塌。那些被迫用笨拙的大腳踩踏的人可能應該帶一根手杖、一雙釘鞋或其他一些東西,以使你具備更好的抓地力——至少,我會這樣做。
At its heart, the Paraelemental Plane of Ice is an immense glacier without base or surface. It is a regionof incredible cold and darkness. In many ways, it combines the excessive pressure of the plane of Earth with the torturous extremes of temperature found in the plane of Fire. Numerous cracks, fissures, andchasms abound here, for the paraplane constantly shifts, buckles, and reforms. Traveling through theseregions can be especially dangerous, for the slightest misstep can bring down an avalanche of snow and ice. Those of you forced to trod along on your big clumsy feet should probablybring a staff, spiked boots, or something else to give you a better grip-at least, that's what I would do.
到達這裡GETTING HERE
到達冰位面的最佳方法可能是先進入相鄰位面之一(空氣或水)。從那裡,你可以開始旅行直到從一個地區穿越到另一個地區。但是,還有其他選擇。
It may be that the best way to reach the paraplane of lce is to enter one of the adjacent planes (either Air or Water) first. From there, you can set about traveling until you cross from one region into another. But, there are other options.
傳送門是一個顯而易見的答案,但其中很少有傳送門會指向側位面或准位面。儘管如此,堅定的位面行者還是可以找到的。據說存在一個傳送門,該傳送門將 巴托地獄Baator 的第八層 卡尼亞Cania 與我那寒冷的家聯繫起來。事實上,我可以確認這是真的。其他人則聲稱在冰位面和 穆斯貝爾海姆Muspelheim(約瑟園的火熱的層)之間使用過傳送門,雖然為什麼傳送門將兩個不同的地方聯繫起來卻很難理解。此外,據推測,深淵的至少兩個冰凍層提供通往冰位面的入口。其中一層(我相信是第566層,許多人稱為 靈魂凍結Soulfreeze)被認為具有雙向入口,儘管激活它的關鍵是一個凡人的靈魂,在此過程中它會被摧毀。
Portals spring to mind as an obvious answer, but very few of them lead to the paraplanes or quasiplanes. Still, a determined planewalker can find one. It'ssaid that a portal exists that links Cania, the eighth layer of Baator, with my frigid home. In fact, I can confirm that this is so. Others claim to have used a gate between Ice and Muspelheim (a fiery layer of Ysgard), though why a portal would link two such different places is difficult to fathom. Further, at least two frozen layers of the Abyss supposedly offer portals leading to the paraplane of Ice. One of these layers-I believe it's the 566th, known to many as Soulfreeze - is thought to have a two-way portal, though the key to activate it is a mortal soul, which is destroyed in the process.
有時,夠濃的冰會打開一個漩渦,該漩渦將 主物質位面the Prime Material Plane 上的某個位置與冰側位面連接起來。在大多數情況下,這些都存在於冰川或北極地區。在很長一段時間內,這樣的渦旋會在特別兇猛的暴風雪的中心或冰冷的海底深處打開。
Occasionally, a great enough concentration of ice opens a vortex that connects a location on the Prime Material Plane with the paraplane of Ice. In most cases, these are found in glacial or arctic regions. Once in a very long while, such a vortex opens at the heart of particularly ferocious blizzard or deep beneath a frigid sea.
危險HAZARDS
在冰側元素位面上生存並不容易,特別是對於你們這些凡人。許許多多的危險,無論是有機的還是無機的,都可以在新來的人意識到什麼東西攻擊了他之前殺死他。
Survival in the paraplane of Ice is not easy, particularly for you mortals. Numerous hazards, both organic and inorganic, can slay a new comer before he knows what's hit him.
冰凍FREEZING
我的側位面老家非常冷。實際上冷得沒有其他方法可以表達它。到達這裡的旅行者最好做好準備應對這個問題,否則他們將不會活太久。無法抵抗寒冷或沒有魔法保護的人每輪受到1d6點傷害。 通過使用非魔法性的防寒措施,例如穿著經得起極端寒冷天氣的衣服,遮蓋所有裸露的皮膚,避開風或開闊水域,精明的人能將傷害降至每回合1d6點。
My home paraplane is amazingly cold. There's really no other way to put it. Travelers who come here had best be ready to deal with this, or they won't last long. Those without an immunity to cold or magical protection from the temperature suffer 1d6 points of damage per round. By using nonmagical protection from cold-such as wearing clothing made to withstand extremely cold weather, covering all exposed skin, and keeping out of winds or open watersmart folks can reduce their pain to a mere 1d6 points of damage per turn.
更糟糕的是,溫度不是維持不變的,因此某些地區的冰要比其他地區冷得多。實際上,某些地方太冷了,以至於沒有任何非魔法的保護作用可以避免由環境帶來的傷害,對於那些沒有防護裝備和防護服的人來說,傷害是正常情況的兩倍。
Worse yet, the temperature doesn't remain steady, so some areas of Ice are much colder than others. In fact, certain spots are so cold that no amount of nonmagical protection staves off damage from the environment, and that damage is twice normal for those without protective gear and clothing.
然後它變得更冷了。在側位面的深處,有些區域是如此寒冷,以至於能量甚至光都凍結了,視力無法生效,因為光線無法傳播到你的眼睛。正如我之前提到的,言語和思想也可能凍結,這意味著試圖清晰地說話或思考需要成功地對抗一個避免石化的豁免。深入側位面足夠遠的距離,最終甚至冰也凍結了。在這裡,即使是免疫寒冷的人每輪也遭受1d6點的傷害。此外,新的冰以每分鐘約一呎的速度形成,使得「地面」隨著冰的生長和生長而極其不穩定。
And it gets colder still. Deep within the paraplane, some areas are so cold that energy, even light, freezes. Vision becomes impossible, for light doesn't travel to meet your eyes. As I mentioned before, words and thoughts can also freeze, meaning that trying to speak or think clearly requires a successful saving throw vs. petrification. Go far enough into the paraplane and eventually even ice freezes. Here, even those immune to cold suffer 1d6 points of damage per round. Furthermore, new ice forms at the rate of about a foot per minute, making the "ground" extremely unstable as the ice grows and grows.
呼吸BREAHHING
在 冰崖the Precipice 上,空氣很充足,儘管很冷。在表平面之下,側位面是一塊堅固的冰塊,因此呼吸可能會成為問題。 解決此問題的唯一方法是使用魔法或屏住呼吸——至少,後者可以稱為是一種短期解決方案。
On the Precipice, the air is plentiful, if cold. Below the surface, the paraplane is a solid block of ice, so breathing can be a problem. The only ways to get around this are by using magic or by holding your breath-and the latter is a shortterm solution, to say the least.
當然,基本的氣元素集簇可以提供幫助。冰中的裂紋、縫隙和其他開口通常也具有稀薄的空氣。這會逐漸從冰中泄漏出來,並且有75%的機會變得足夠厚來維持想你這樣的生命。儘管如此,許多來自於側位面的生物——比如說,我的種族成員——並沒有諸如需要空氣之類的弱點。
Of course, elemental pockets of air can provide relief. Fissures, cracks, and other openings in the ice often have a thin atmosphere as well. This gradually leaks out of the ice itself and has a 75% chance of being thick enough to sustain life like yours. Still, many creatures native to the paraplane-like, say, members of my race-have no weakness such as a need for air.
視力VISIAN
除非你有某種特殊的視力,例如 熱感視覺戒指ring of infravision,否則你將無法在冰側元素位面看到太多東西。 就像 土元素位面the Elemental Plane of Earth 一樣,這個位面充斥著大量的固體物質。當然,如果攜帶光源,通常可以看到裂縫、洞穴等。但是,燈籠和火炬等物品只能在空氣濃到足以呼吸的地方使用。此外,雖然生火似乎是很平常的事,但是它帶來了兩個可能的問題。
Unless you have some manner of special eyesight, like a ring of infravision, you won't be able to see a lot in the paraplane of Ice. Like the Elemental Plane of Earth, the place is a vast mass of solid matter. Of course, you can see normally in fissures, caverns, and the like if you carry a source of light. However, items like lanterns and torches work only in spots where the atmosphere is thick enough to breathe. Further, while fire might seem an obvious boon, it presents two possible problems.
首先,火將融化冰雪。(如果這點都需要我告訴你,請你好好待在家裡。)這在側位面的冰面下,可能會引起麻煩。即使僅僅是一支火炬也可能造成冰崩——或至少使火炬手被冰冷的水浸濕,而這些冰冷的水將幾乎立即凍結。
First of all, fire melts ice and snow. (If you need me to tell you that, stay home.) Under the surface of the paraplane, this can invite trouble. Even a torch can create an icefall-or at least douse the bearer with frigid water that refreezes almost instantly.
其次,在側位面的最冷部分,火會凍結。發生這種情況時,火焰有50%的機會變成一團凍住的類似冰的火焰,而有50%的機會成為冷火——一種燃燒著的黑色火焰,散發出強大的冷氣而不是熱量,只提供極少的或根本不提供光。
Secondly, in the coldest portions of the paraplane, fire freezes. When this happens, there is a 50% chance that the flame becomes a solid chunk of cold, icelike fire, and a 50% chance that it becomes coldfire-a black-burning flame that radiates powerful cold instead of heat and provides little or no light.
有傳言說在冰封之城 特里金城Teliggin 製造的特殊鏡片可以使配戴者在側位面時看到聲音,因為寒冷會使聲音移動得更慢。
Rumors speak of special lenses made in the frozen city of Teliggin that allow their wearers to see sounds while in the paraplane, since the cold makes noise itself move more slowly.
壓力PRESSURE
就像土元素位面一樣,冰側元素位面不斷地試圖填充空隙(不論空隙處是否有其他東西)。因此,在土元素一章中針對該主題提出的規則也適用於此。簡而言之,那些埋在冰面之下的固態冰中的人每回合受到1d2點的傷害。雖然冰位面的天然開放區域肯定比土元素位面多,但即使人工建造的通道也會在1d6天內密封。
Just like the plane of Earth, the paraplane of Ice constantly tries to fill in voids (whether there's something else in them or not). Thus, the rules presented on that subject in the chapter on Earth apply here as well. Briefly, those entombed within the solid ice below the surface suffer 1d2 points of damage per turn. Constructed passages seal within 1d6 days, although Ice certainly has more natural open areas than does the plane of Earth.
其他危險OTHER DANGERS
冰側元素的最大危險是寒冷和空氣不足。如果你能夠解決這些問題,則通常萬事大吉。不過,你應該為以下潛在的麻煩做好計劃。
The greatest dangers of the paraplane of Ice are the cold andthe lack of air. If you can deal with those problems, you're generally doing all right. Still, you should plan for the following potential troubles.
雪崩AVALANCHES.
當你穿過平面上的許多裂縫和裂縫中或靠近冰面處不穩定的冰凍冰崖時,必須格外小心。任何突然的大聲噪音,例如爆炸或釋放了 閃電束lightning bolt,都可能導致危險的冰雪暴雨從牆壁和天花板或高處的山峰上掉下。任何陷入此類崩塌的人都必須進行一個對抗噴吐武器的豁免,否則將受到4d6點傷害。成功的豁免將使傷害減半。
You've got to be careful when moving through the many fissures and cracks that lace the paraplane, or nearthe precarious frozen cliffs on the surface. Any sudden and loud noise, like an explosion or the casting of a lightning bolt, can cause a dangerous shower of ice and snow to fall from the walls and ceiling or from the peaks high above. Anyone caught in such a collapse must make a saving throw vs. breath weapon or suffer 4d6 points of damage. A successful saving throw cuts the damage in half.
污水池SINKHOLES.
有時,一塊冰會融化,直到變成泥濘的泥潭。 在未經訓練的人看來,它就像周圍的其餘冰塊一樣。 但是任何步入泥潭的人都會掉入地下。這些污水池很難逃脫,因為它們的邊緣是濕冰因此非常滑。穿著冬裝的受害者很可能會淹死(由於他們裝備的重量將他們向下拉)或凍住(如果他們脫下衣服以維持漂浮)。
From time to time, an area of ice thaws slightly until it becomes a mire of slush. To the untrained eye, it looks just like the rest of the ice all around it. But anyone who steps into the mire plunges beneath the surface. These sinkholes can be very difficult to escape from, for their edges are nothing but wet ice and, thus, terribly slippery. Victims wearing heavy winter clothes are likely to drown (as the weight of their gear pulls them under) or freeze (if they shed some clothing to stay afloat).
真寒TRUE COLD.
側位面的「真寒」是一個水或肉都可以凍結的區域。物質、能量、言語、思想甚至是「善良」或「附近」之類的概念都可以凍結成固體,呈現出奇怪的冰晶形態;當事物、思想或不論任何東西被凍結時,它不具有任何力量或意義。
A "true cold" area of the paraplane is a region in which more than just water or flesh can freeze. A substance, energy, word, thought, or even a concept like "goodness" or "nearness" can freeze solid, takingon the form of a strange ice crystal. While frozen, the item, thought, or whatever it is has no power or meaning.
一些 圈外佬outsiders 喜歡在冰位面的真寒區域搜尋冰凍的想法,然後將它們帶回去。一旦從側位面的寒冷溫度中取出,戰利品通常會在專門準備的容器中融化。然後,它們可能會以某種方式被用來為魔法物品或秘密計劃提供力量,或者只是為了牟利而出售。我聽說 印記城Sigil 的 大市集Great Bazaar 提供了買家可能想要的任何東西,但我敢打賭,即使是一些最疲憊的異界生物也會驚訝地找到蒸餾的「混亂」、瓶裝的「悲傷」或液態的「左」出售。
Some outsiders enjoy scouring the true cold areas of ice for frozen ideas, which they take back with them. Once removed from the frigid temperatures of the paraplane, the prizes thaw, usually within a specially prepared container. Then, they might be used somehow to power a magical item or an esoteric scheme, or simply sold for profit. I've heard that Sigil's Great Bazaar offers anything a buyer might want, but I'll wager that even some of the most jaded planars are surprised to find distilled "chaos," bottled "sadness," or liquid "left" for sale.
移動相關MOVING ABOUT
在 冰崖the Precipice 上,旅行者可以在冰冷的山峰上使用登山技能。在位面深處,環境就如同土元素位面的鏡像。大部分冰塊具有軟岩的稠度,並具有與第34頁所述相同的困難。
On the Precipice, travelers may employ their mountain-climbing skills on the icy peaks. Within the depths of the plane, conditions mirror those of the plane of Earth. The majority of the ice has the consistency of soft rock and presents the same difficulty as described on page 34.
◆居民INHABITANTS◆
沒有任何一個側位面或准位面像元素位面那樣「人」口稠密。話雖這麼說,但認為它們完全荒涼也是錯誤的。
None of the paraplanes or quasiplanes is as well populated as the Elemental Planes are. This having been said, however, it would be wrong to think of them as utterly desolate.
側元素PARAELEMENTALS
各種各樣冰側元素漫遊於這個側位面。在大多數情況下,這些生物就像行走的冰雕。許多冰側元素都服從 邪惡冰元素親王the Prince of Evil Ice Creatures 克里歐那克斯Cryonax 的意願,儘管大多是出於恐懼而非尊敬。其他人則通過藏在冰面的冰冷的洞穴中或側位面的冰凍之心來抵抗暴君的統治。
Many varieties of ice paraelemental wander the paraplane. For the most part, these creatures resemble walking ice sculptures. Many of them obey the will of Cryonax, the Prince of Evil Ice Creatures, though most do so out of fear instead of respect. Others resist the tyrant's domination by hiding in small conclaves in icy caverns on the surface or deep within the frozen heart of the paraplane.
儘管冰側元素的諸王國與我的同胞相處融洽,但它們通常對其他生物並不十分友好。實際上,我們在一起生活在共同的城市和領域中,其中一些城市存在的時間比大多數主物質世界都長。
Kingdoms of ice paraelementals usually aren't very friendly to other beings, though they get along well with my people. In fact, we dwell together in jointcities and realms, some of which have existed for longer than most prime-material worlds.
動物ANIMALS
毫無疑問,到冰位面的訪客會遇到許多不同的動物——類似於主物質界的動物和怪物,但完全由手頭上的任何能用的物質組成(在這種情況下,是冰)。 但是,許多「普通的」北極野獸,例如北極熊和企鵝,也和我們生存在同一天空下。
Visitors to Ice will no doubt encounter a number of different animentals-creatures resembling prime-material animals and monsters, but formed entirely of whatever substance is at hand(in this case, ice). But many "ordinary" arctic beasts such as polar bears and penguins also share my home.
另外也不要驚訝於大量的昆蟲沿著側位面的冰面爬行或在冰層中鑽洞。其中一種蠕蟲,即 冰霜蟎frostmite,吞下它能找到的任何熱量——通常是旅行者、但有時甚或是定居此處的霜巨人和雪人的肉。
Don't be surprised, either, by the large number of insects that crawl along the surface of the paraplane or burrow through the ice. One such bug, the frostmite, feeds upon whatever heat it can find-often in the flesh of travelers, or even in that of the frost giants and yeti that live here permanently.
怪物MONSTERS
許多白龍在冰側位面安家。其中最強大的 阿拉巴尼亞Albrathanilar 似乎正準備與 克里歐那克斯Cryonax 開戰。沒有人能預料到這種戰鬥的結果,但是即使龍設法擊敗了現任 元素大君archomental,冰側元素似乎也不太可能接受她作為他們的新領袖。另外,阿拉巴尼亞還是一個狡猾而強大的巫師,她用咒語來吸引和召喚越來越多的盟友,為必定會發生重大衝突做好準備。然而,現階段,克里歐那克斯和阿拉巴尼亞互相使用間諜和破壞分子,而目前這只能被稱為「冷戰」。(我為這雙關語道歉; Sanctimarin堅持要保留。-編輯)
A number of white dragons make their home in the paraplane of Ice. The greatest of these, Albrathanilar, appears to be positioning herself for a battle against Cryonax. No one can predict the outcome of such a fray, but even if the dragon does manage to defeat the reigning archomental, it seems unlikely that the paraelementals of Ice will accept her as their new leader. Still, Albrathanilar, who is also a cunning and powerful wizard, uses her spells to charm and conjure forth more and more allies in preparation for what surely will be aconflict of major proportions. For now, however, Cryonax and Albrathanilar usespies and saboteurs against each other in what can only be called a "cold war." (My apologies for the bad pun; Sanctimarin insisted that it remain. -the Editor)
其它動物,例如冬狼、霜蜥蜴、冰蟹、冰原魔蟲、雪猿和冰蟾,在這個寒冷的地方壯成長,僅僅避開了最寒冷的地區。大多數野獸都喜歡冰崖,不過其中一些棲息在冰面下的裂谷和裂縫中。為了證實並行性的思想,據報導,有些人看到冰塊在尋冰的獵物中穿行。 其他人則聲稱,類似於火蜥蜴的巨大冰凍蠕蟲會在冰層上鑽出隧道,儘管這似乎不太可能。
Other creatures-like winter wolves, frost salamanders, ice crabs, remorhaz, yeti, and ice toads thrive in this chill realm, avoiding only the coldest of areas. Most of these beasts prefer the Precipice, though some dwell in the rifts and crevices below the surface. To give credence to the idea of parallelism, some folks have reportedly seen ice bulettes plying their way through the ice seeking prey. Others claim that huge frozen worms resembling the fiery thoqqua make tunnels through the ice, though this seems unlikely.
其它種族OTHER RACES
通常而言,冰風精抗拒克里歐那克斯的法律。在大多數情況下,他們只是通過居住在偏遠地區而無視他的命令來做到這一點。他們偶爾也會幫助這位嚴寒的元素大君的敵人。冰側位面也是大量霜巨人以及同樣數量的冰巨魔和霜巨魔的棲息地。所有這三個種族都非常不喜歡彼此。因此,巨魔與巨魔、或巨魔與巨人之間的爭鬥永無止境。在稱為 伊薩里奧Ytharior 的地區進行的一次此類戰鬥創造了一個冰凍的鮮血和武器之湖,這個湖留存到了今天。就像那些來到 血沼the Bloodmire 的人所描述的那樣,這是一個有著極致的恐怖和驚悚的美的地方。許多戰鬥人員在參戰前就被凍住了,現在,他們成為了一個古怪的永恆的芭蕾舞團的一員,在冰冷的血湖中跳舞。
The immoths generally resist the rule of Cryonax. For the most part, they do this simply by living in isolated areas and ignoring his mandates. Occasionally, they have been known to aid the enemies of the frigid archomental. The paraplane of Ice is also home to large communities of frost giants and an equally great number of ice and frost trolls. All three of these races dislike each other intensely. Thus, feuds between troll and troll or troll and giant are never-ending. One such battle, fought in a region called Ytharior, created a frozen lake of blood and weapons that remains to this day. Those who have come upon the Bloodmire, as it is referred to, describe it as a place of utter horror and grisly beauty. Many of the combatants froze before they fell in battle, and now they are part of a strange, eternal ballet, dancing within the lake of frozen blood.
主要勢力MAJER PLAYERS
冰側位面上沒有真正的神力存在,儘管一個即將到來的傢伙——克里歐那克斯Cryonax——幻想自己是。他是一隻被皮毛覆蓋的類人生物,高約15呎,結實而有力,據說看起來像是雪人或類似生物。他最不尋常的特徵是兩條長長的觸手,長在你認為會看到手臂的地方。
No true powers reside in the paraplane of Ice, though one up and coming basher-Cryonax-fancies himself such. He's a fur-covered humanoid about 15 feet tall, powerfully built and said to resemble a yeti or similar creature. His most unusual features are two long tentacles that sprout where you might expect to see arms.
[印記城黑話:Body—就是"someone"在位面間的說法;Basher——某人,中性詞。一般但不總是,暗指其是個暴徒或打手.]
毫不奇怪,克里歐那克斯自認為神。他是有史以來唯一一個晉升為完全狀態的元素大君的側元素存在。(據我所知,這一事實受到那些說其他生物也做過同樣事情的人,以及那些認為克里歐那克斯並非如此的人的質疑。簡直太古怪了。)
It's little wonder that Cryonax considers himself a deity. He's the only paraelemental entity ever to have risen through the ranks to become a full-fledged archomental.(This fact is contested, I understand, by those who say that other beings have done the same, and by those who argue that Cryonax is no archomental at all.)
可能正是這種背景,以及克里歐那克斯聲稱自己是 上古元素之神the Elder Elemental God 之子這一事實,使他成為了今天這樣強大的存在,雖然有些人可能會認為他是低等生物,不如其他元素大君,但他們最好不要在他能聽到的地方這麼說。
It may be this background, and the fact that Cryonax claims to be a son of the Elder Elemental God, that has made him into the powerful force he is today, While some might dismiss him as a lesser creature, not the equal of the other Elemental Princes, they'd be wise not to do it where he could hear them.
克里歐那克斯有計劃——大計劃。他的願望是將整個冰側位面置於他的統治之下。由於沒有足以抵抗他的力量出現,最終他可能會實現這個崇高的目標。而這一成功只是一個起點。克里歐那克斯計劃提高冰元素的力量,直到我的故鄉成為真正的元素位面為止。他是否打算讓冰替換現有的四個元素位面其中之一,或者只是作為第五元素加入它們,仍然不得而知。
Cryonax has plans-big plans. It's his desire to bring the whole of the paraplane of Ice under his rule. As no force strong enough to oppose him has surfaced, he eventually may accomplish this lofty goal. That success, however, will only be the starting point. Cryonax plans to then raise the power of Ice until my home becomes a true Elemental Plane. Whether he intends for Ice to replace one of the four existing planes or simply join them as a fifth element is unclear.
如果克里歐那克斯成功,內層位面the Inner Planes 會發生什麼?沒有人能說得出。大多數人認為他的目標是不可能的。他們認為,多元宇宙the multiverse 的性質是固定的,不能被破壞。另一方面,其他人則認為該元素大君可能會凍結一個或多個元素位面,從而擴大冰在水和氣位面中的邊界,甚至將土與火位面也凍結起來。面對這種不可思議的混亂的可能性,我們最好相信那些堅持認為它不會發生的人。
What will happen to the Inner Planes if Cryonax is successful? No one can say. Most people don't think that his goal is possible. The nature of the multiverse is fixed and can't be disrupted, they argue. On the other hand, others claim that the archomental could potentially freeze one or more of the Elemental Planes, expanding the boundaries of Ice throughout Water and Air, and even freezing Earth and Fire. Faced with the possibility of such incredible chaos, it's probably best for us to believe the folks who insist that it can't happen.
但這不是他的最終目標。最終,克里歐那克斯發誓要看到自己的力量超過其他元素大君的那天。他相信,當這種情況發生時,冰將成為一個真正的元素,所有其他的東西將被認為是較次要的物質形式。最後,他希望看到整個多元宇宙被凍結在他的領導之下。克里歐那克斯可真是位相當大的夢想家。
But even this isn't his ultimate goal. In the end, Cryonax has vowed to see his own power increase beyond that of the other archomentals. When this happens, he believes, ice will become the one true element and all other things will be considered lesser forms of matter. Eventually, he wishes to see the entire multiverse frozen and under his command. No small dreamer, this Cryonax.
沉睡者THE SLEEPING ONES
一些人,特別是寇濤魚人,描述了一個古老而備受尊敬的種族,早在其他任何物種誕生之前就在位面間漫遊。實際上,有人甚至推測這些生物導致了多元宇宙本身的存在。最終,由於一個沒人能猜到的原因,這些被遺忘的種族決定終止與宇宙的接觸。根據寇濤魚人(和其他種族)的故事,他們將自己封印在冰側位面的深處。
It is said by some, particularly the kuo-toa, that an ancient and venerable race roamed the planes long before any other species were born. Indeed, a few even speculate that these creatures caused the multiverse itself to come into existence. Eventually, for a reason that none can guess at, this forgotten race decided to end their contact with the cosmos. According to the stories of the kuo-toa (and other races), they sealed themselves in the depths of the paraplane of Ice.
現在,有些人會告訴你,所謂的「沉睡者Sleeping Ones」(如果曾經存在的話)早已不復存在。但是,其他人則堅持認為,他們只是在等待再次需要他們那不可思議的力量的時機。這種說法通常來自那些聲稱自己真的看到了冰層中冰凍的巨大生物。你瞧,顯而易見,那些沉睡者將激發起一種驚天動地的敬畏之情,而他們令人凍結的墓地景象應該將(在字面意義上)撕裂一個弱智傻瓜的脆弱。但是,如果這些生物的確像某些人所說的那樣大(好幾哩長),那有可能是很多旅行者從遠處看到了它們,卻將它們誤認為形狀奇特的山峰。
Now, some people will tell you that the so-called Sleeping Ones-if they ever did exist-are long gone. Others, however, insist that they're simply awaiting a time when their incredible powers are needed again. Those who claim to have actually seen the monumental creatures frozen within the ice usually make this argument. But then again, such explorers are difficult to believe. You see, the Sleeping Ones apparently inspire a sort of brain-shattering awe, and the sight of their numbing graveyard is supposed to rip a weakminded fool of his sensibilities-literally. Still, if these beings are truly as big as some claim (many, many miles long), it could be that plenty of travelers have seen them from a distance but mistook them for oddly shaped mountain peaks.
◆地點THE SITES◆
冰側位面通常是凡人所能看到的最荒涼、最淒涼的地方。誠然,它有許多缺點和缺陷,但在沒眼力的人看來,過一會兒它們就開始變得相似了。然而,有一個地方是每一個拜訪冰位面的人都應該看看的:阿科蘭特Arcolantha。
The paraplane of Ice is generally as bleak and dismal a placeas a mortal could ever see. True, it has numerous faults and chasms, but to the undiscerning eye, they all start to look alike after a while. However, there's one spot that every visitor to Ice should see: Arcolantha.
阿科蘭特ARCELANTHA
遠在側位面的冰面下,有一個直徑幾哩的氣元素集簇。這個球形空間的內壁已經拋光,冰像玻璃一樣光滑。球體的中心是一個發光的球,它將均勻的白光灑在所有物體上。
Far beneath the surface of the paraplane lies a pocket of elemental Air several miles in diameter. The walls of this round chamber have been polished until the ice is as smooth as glass. At the center of the sphere is a glowing orb that spreads an even, white light over everything.
這已令阿科蘭特成為一個令人印象深刻的景點,但是此處有的遠不止這些。冷凍在密室冰冷的牆壁上的是無數從多元宇宙中收集而來的動物。儘管這些野獸都被固體冰凍住了,但它們並未真正死亡。如果將其從冰里取出並融化,它就能復活。因此,很難說阿科蘭特到底是博物館還是動物園。
If that's all there were to it, Arcolantha would still be an impressive place to visit. But there's much more. Frozen inside the icy walls of the chamber are countless animals gathered from across the multiverse. Although these beasts are frozen solid, they're not truly dead. If one is removed from the ice and thawed, it returns to life. Thus, it's hard to say whether Arcolantha is more a museum or a zoo.
鑿冰莊園THE CHISELED ESTATE
鑿冰莊園The Chiseled Estate 是 克里歐那克斯Cryonax 的冰冷堡壘。這座巨大的建築冰凍的平原表面上方高出一哩以上,並且向下延伸至少四倍的距離,直至側位面的冰凍之心處。克里歐那克斯的巢穴坐落在閃爍的水晶宮最深的房間中。有傳言說,他奴役了一群致命的巫師和祭司,據說其中許多人是水或冰元素裔,他們不停地勞作來生產新的冷基怪物,以擴充主人的軍隊。許多年來,變成了棕褐色的綠巨人、雪做的像繩索一樣的生物,甚至還有完全由冰製成的、有剃刀翅膀的巨大鳥類的傳說故事,都從鑿冰莊園中流傳出來。
The Chiseled Estate is the icy fortress of Cryonax. This colossal structure rises well over a mile above the surface of the frozen plain, and it extends down into the cold heart of the paraplane at least four times that far. Nestled within the deepest chamber of thie shimmering crystalline palace, Cryonax broods. Rumor has it that he has enslaved a coven of mortal wizards and priests-supposedly, many of them water or ice genasi-who labor endlessly to produce new cold-based monsters to add to their master's armies. Stories of frost-covered umber hulks, snowy roperlike beings, and even giant, razor-winged birds made entirely of ice have comeout of the Chiseled Estate for years.
城堡比側位面上的大多數區域都要冷,這會對不免疫寒冷的訪客造成額外1d6點的傷害。對於那些愚蠢到沒有任何特別保護,甚至沒有保暖衣服的人,該地每輪還會額外對他們造成1d6點的傷害。
The fortress is colder than most regions of the paraplane, inflicting an additional 1d6 points of damage perround to visitors who aren't immune to cold. The site inflicts still another 1d6 points of damage per round to those foolish enough to travel there with no special protection whatsoever, not even warm clothing.
終極寒冬之山MOUNTAIN OF ULTIMATE WINTER
這個經常被提及的地方坐落在冰崖之上,周圍是許多其他的冰山。冷風吹拂著這個白色怪物的鋸齒狀山峰,上面閃爍著冰晶。儘管大多數外地人都說,鑿冰莊園是側位面上最冷的地方,但他們錯了。這一榮譽屬於 終極寒冬之山the Mountain of Ultimate Winter,這表明它實際上是多元宇宙中最冷的地方。
This oft-mentioned location sits upon the Precipice, amid a number of other icy mountains. Cold winds whip around the jagged peaks of this white monstrosity, which sparkles with icy crystals. Although most outlanders say that the Chiseled Estate is the coldest spot in the paraplane, they're wrong. That distinction belongs to the Mountain of Ultimate Winter, which suggests that it's actually the coldest place in the multiverse.
來到此山的非本地生物必須在1d4輪中成功的進行一次對抗法術是豁免檢定,否則將被完全冰凍住。對寒冷免疫的非本地生物(如冰蟾或冬狼)在這裡每輪受到1d6點傷害。
Nonnatives who come to the Mountain must make a successful saving throw vs. spell or freeze utterly solid in 1d4 rounds. Nonnative creatures that are immune to cold (such as ice toads or winter wolves) suffer 1d6 points of damage per round while here.
作為一片 真寒true cold 地區,終極寒冬之山將一切事物,從文字到概念,全部凍結了起來。這些東西變成了的小水晶,價格從100到5000枚金幣不等,具體取決於物品和買家。這座山也是冰風精和側元素的家園,它們喜歡捕捉探險家並把他們儲存起來——當然是冰凍的固體——藏在愚蠢的洞穴里。(這些藏品遠不如阿科蘭特的古樸和優雅。)
An area of true cold, the Mountain of Ultimate Winter freezes everything from words to concepts. These things become tiny crystals worth anywhere from 100 to 5,000 gold pieces, depending on the item and the buyer. The Mountainis also home to immoths and paraelementals, who like to capture explorers and store them-frozen solid, of course-in the Caves of Folly. (The collection isn't nearly as pristine oras elegant as that in Arcolantha.)
◆位面行者在冰位面PLANEWALKERS IN ICE◆
我的編輯告訴我,你們這些讀者也許想知道一點你們這類人在我的位面上來來往往的事。側位面的高空,在凜冽的寒風和冰冷的風暴中,一座被一個神奇的泡泡環繞的城市在萬里無雲的天空中漂浮著。蒂拉·米努特城Tiera Minuut,一個由現在被遺忘的風之女神的祭司們建造的地方,不知怎麼地從氣位面滑到了冰位面。沒有人真正知道這是怎麼發生的,但很明顯它確實發生了。
My editor tells me that you readers may wish to know alittle of the comings and going of your kind in my plane. Floating high above the paraplane, among the chilling winds and icy tempests, a city surrounded by a magical bubble floats and bobs about the cloudless sky. Tiera Minuut, a place constructed by priests of a now-forgotten wind goddess, somehow slipped from the plane of Air to theparaplane of Ice. No one really knows how this happened, but it's obvious that it did.
蒂拉·米努特城被聰明的旅行者作為側位面間的休息站。按凡人的標準衡量,在玻璃狀的防護罩內的這座城市是寒冷的,但並不危險。像我這樣的人覺得這個地方並不舒適,不希望停留在過於溫暖的氣候中。
Tiera Minuut is used as a rest stop by intelligent travelers who come to the paraplane. Within its glassy shield, the city is cold by mortal standards, but not dangerously So. Those like myself find the place uncomfortable and prefer not to stay in its overly warm climate.
一個由九名男女組成的委員會統治著這座城市,為所有來這裡躲避寒冷的人打開了一扇門。蒂拉·米努特城作為一個交易站,甚至提供了通往多元宇宙其他部分的傳送門。那些找工作的人可以到城市的商人那裡試試,他們尋找勇敢的靈魂來發掘被凍結的思想或概念,甚至是被稱為 永恆之冰eternal ice 的有價值的材料。
A council of nine men and women rules the city, and it offers an open door to all who come seeking shelter from the cold. Tiera Minuut serves as a trading post and even offers access to a few portals leading to other parts of the multiverse. Those looking for work can find it with the city's merchants, who seek out brave souls to search the paraplane for frozen ideas or concepts, or even for the valuable material known as eternal ice.
相信我,永恆之冰可不容易找。它的外觀和反應都和普通的冰一樣,除了一點:它從不融化。足夠幸運的圈外佬在發現了一塊後通常會把它帶回去,作為一種有趣的珍品。但永恆之冰也有一個真正的用途:它從不融化,但總是冷的,所以哪怕在最熱的氣候下,也可以安全地儲存食物或冷飲料。
Believe me, eternal ice isn't easy to find. It looks and reacts like normal ice in every way but one: It never melts. Outsiders lucky enough to discover a chunk usually take it back with them as an intriguing curiosity, but eternal ice also serves a real purpose. Never melting but always cold, it can safely store food or chill drinks even in the hottest clime.
法術之鑰與其它必需品SPELL KEYS AND OTHER NECESSITIES
在寒冷的天氣里,厚羊毛、緊皮衣和毛皮等衣服能起到一定的防護作用,但只有傻瓜才會把自己的生命交給這些粗糙的措施。你們這些凡人在冒險到的故鄉側位面前應該搞到抵抗寒冷的魔法防護。如果你能找到我,並帶來足夠的報酬,我自己可能會為你提供這項服務。其次,單單一隻 溫暖戒指ring of warmth 就可以讓一位非本地居民維持很長一段時間。
Cold-weather clothing such as thick wool, tight leather wraps, and furs and skins offer some protection against the environment, but only a fool trusts his life to such crude measures. You mortals should obtain magical protection from cold before venturing to my home paraplane. I myself might be able to offer you that service, should you find me and bring enough payment along with you. Then again, a simple ring of warmth can sustain a nonnative for a long time.
通過各種法術之鑰,一位法師可以克服元素火與元素土學派的魔法限制。這些鑰匙的形狀幾乎都是由精緻的玻璃或水晶切割而成的物件。然而,這些鑰匙都必須是為使用者本人和要施展的對應法術而設計的,所以沒有兩把法術之鑰是相同的。
It's possible for a wizard to overcome the magical restrictions for the schools of Elemental Fire and Earth through the use of various spell keys. Almost universally, they take the shape of physical objects cut from fine glass or crystal. These must be designed for the individual using them as well as for the spell to be cast, however, so no two spell keys are ever alike.