简介
| 气元素位面The Elemental Plane of Air | |
|---|---|
| 【位面 别称】 | 无边蔚蓝The Boundless Blue |
| 【所属 位面】 | 内层位面The Inner Planes |
| 【类 型】 | 内层位面／元素位面 |
| 【位面 之主】 | 阿卡迪Akadi |
| 【重要 角色】 | 胡萨姆·巴力·本·纳夫特·尤格因Husam al-Balil ben Nafhat al-Yugayyim（气神怪哈里发），嫦Chan（善良气元素公主），延-西-宾Yan-C-Bin（邪恶气元素大君），舒Shu（埃及神系大气之神） |
| 【简 介】 | “大风起兮云飞扬！”——贝恩·血蹄，于半人马冷柜 气元素位面The Elemental Plane of Air 是四大元素位面之一，也是多元宇宙日子最生气的地方。 |
2ePS<The Inner Planes.p020>气元素位面THE ELEMENTAL PLANE OF AIR：无边蔚蓝THE BOUNDLESS BLUETHE BOUNDLESS BLUE
欢迎来到我们的千息之家园。WELCOME TO OUR HOME OF A THOUSAND DEEP BREATHS.
——一位气神怪A DJINNI
法师学派改变Wizard School Alteration
火Fire，土Earth，水Water ＜
气Air ＋
（来自 印记城Sigil 的 冈特·霍恩Gaunt Hohn 提供了本章的信息。——编者）
(Gaunt Hohn, originally of Sigil, provided the information in this chapter.-the Editor)
大部分读者可能希望会是由 气神怪djinni 之类的家伙来讲讲 气元素位面the Elemental Plane of Air。（听说他们真搞定了一只货真价实的 火神怪effreeti 来爆料 火位面the plane of Fire——聪明的老鸟会死死盯着这个家伙免得他满口胡诌或耍诈。）问题是，我除了背上没长翅膀，我几乎和气元素位面的土著没什么两样了。要说 风公爵wind duke 或者气元素可能知道些我不知道的秘密？也不是没可能，但够呛。（倒不是说我知道所有内幕，但如果连我都不知道，那本地土著八成也不会写进这本书里——说白了，气元素那帮家伙可自视甚高了。）
Most readers were probably expecting a djinni or someone like that to tell them about the Elemental Plane of Air. (I heard they got an honest-to-gods effreeti to give the chant on the plane of Fire-a blood'll watch that basher for screed or a peel, if she's smart.) Thing is, I'm about as close to a native of the plane of Air as I could be without wings on my back. Now, a wind duke or an air elemental might be able to pass on some secret that I don't know, but it's doubtful. (Not that I know all the chant there is to know, but if I don't know it, a native probably wouldn't put it in this book-the dark is,the air elementals and their like are pretty elitist.)
[译注：印记城黑话——Blood 专家，智者或是任何领域的老鸟。一个角斗士冠军可以是一个 blood, 一个强大的巫师也可以是blood.称呼某人为blood是对其特别尊敬的一种表示.
Basher 某人，中性词。一般但不总是，暗指其是个暴徒或打手.
Screed 一个劲地骂骂咧咧或某人在这样做。如指人，则是指一个长篇大论都是胡言乱语的人或简单地指一个好争论的人。如"Don't listen to him, he's just a screed."
Peel 诈骗，欺骗或欺诈。经常用作动词。Peeling a tanar'ri通常是个坏主意。]
这个位面里总是挤满了觉着这里是 内层位面the Inner Planes 安全区的家伙。他们倒也没全错，但这并不意味着你可以不听我这样的老人言。所以听好了。在所有内层位面中，就数气元素位面访客最频繁。那些老学究们可以列出一打的理由解释为什么，但说到底关键就两条。
This plane's always full of bashers who come thinking Air's the safe one of the Inner Planes. They're probably right, but that don't mean a body shouldn't listen to someone who knows what's what-like me. So listen up. Of all the Inner Planes, none is more frequently visited than the Elemental Plane of Air. Graybeard is give a dozen reasons for this, but it really boils down to two important facts.
Graybeard
[译注：印记城黑话——灰胡子。智者或是学者。这个词指那些已然上了年纪但依然头脑清晰，知识丰富的老家伙，但也可以用于称呼任何博学之人，甚至是女人。 ]
首先，在所有内层位面中，就数 无边蔚蓝the Boundless Blue 最容易生存。毕竟在这儿，你根本不需要操心呼吸问题（这可比其它位面省心太多。）只要避开狂风、避免陷入永恒的坠落（本章稍候详述），或是惹毛了本地的家伙，即便是最蠢的位面行者也很难把自己折腾死。
First, none of the Inner Planes are as easy to survive as the Boundless Blue. After all, a body certainly doesn't have to worry about breathing here (somethirng that can be a real problem in most of the other Inner Planes). If she can avoid get swept up in a gale, taking the eternal plunge (as described later in this chapte), or getting on the wrong side of a local basher, even the most clueless planewalker will have to go out of her way to get killed here.
其次嘛，气位面这么受欢迎还有个更明显的原因——风景。即便是最诗意的灵魂，在面对那无边无际的蔚蓝天穹和懒洋洋漂浮的云海时，也难免词穷。如果有哪个可怜虫要是不会躺平享受几个小时的无边蔚蓝，准是脑子里缺根筋。
The second and perhaps more obvious reason for Air's popularity is the scenery. Even the most poetic souls have difficulty finding the words to describthe endless blue skies that stretch off forever and the seas of white clouds that drift lazily through them. Any sod who isn't moved to just lie back and watch the Boundless Blue for a few hours is lacking something inside.
[译注：印记城黑话——Sod 可怜虫，讨厌鬼。指一个不幸的或可怜的家伙。使用此词时，是对一个不幸的家伙表示同情或是对那些陷入自己制造的麻烦中的白痴的挖苦。]
◆物理条件PHYSICAL CONDITIONS◆
气元素位面是一片无尽的蔚蓝苍穹，澄澈纯净，远非凡间任何一片天空可比。此处空气纯粹至极，凡人视野（无论是标准视力还是红外视觉）都能比平时望出两倍之远。
The Elemental Plane of Air is an infinite vista of brilliant blue sky clearer and sweeter than any expanse of earthly air. It's so pristine that a body's vision (whether standard or infravision) extends twice as far as normal.
到达这里GETTING HERE
要去无边蔚蓝，可比去其它内层位面容易多了。这么多年想去的人实在太多，早就开辟出了无数条路线。
Getting to the Boundless Blue isn't as difficult as reaching some of the other Inner Planes. With so many folks interested in traveling here, a great many routes have been established over the years.
首先，众所周知气元素位面和 多元宇宙the multiverse 其余部分之间存在着诸多传送门。除了印记城里的那些，这些传送门通常位于偏远难寻之地。不过，偶尔连 主物质世界prime world 也会有个把传送门，直通气元素位面那些漂浮在空中的城市。
First off, a number of portals are known to exist between the Elemental Plane of Air and the rest of the multiverse. With the exception of those found in Sigil, these are often in remote and difficult-to-reach places, Sometimes, however, even a prime world'll have a portal to one of the cities that floats through this plane.
传闻在 世界树Yggdrasil 最高的枝梢上，藏着一道通往气元素位面的传送门。永恒不息的风自门中流淌，让这棵万树之王的翠绿枝叶永远欢欣摇曳。据说此门允许双向通行，堪称多元宇宙位面裂隙中最为友善的存在。
Chant is that a portal to Air can be found atop the highest branch of Yggdrasil, the World Ash. A steady wind ripples from the portal, keeping the green leaves of the greatest of all trees tossing happily to and fro. Supposedly, the portal allows two-way passage, placing it among the more friendly rips in the fabric of the multiverse.
在 奔放之野Arborea 无垠疆域的高天之上，矗立着 希腊神系the Greek pantheon 的巍峨巨柱和高塔。据说在这些建筑中，藏有两座——而非一座——通向气元素位面的传送门。每座传送门需以不同钥匙开启，且彼此相连，必须同时启动方能生效。自然，由于两道传送门相隔许多哩，要同时开启这两道门扉，需要精妙的配合（以及一点运气）。
High above the endless landscape of Arborea stand the great pillars and towers of the Greek pantheon. It's said that among these structures, a body can find not one but two portals to the Elemental Plane of Air. Each is opened with a different key, and the portals are linked so that both must be opened at the same time. Of course, since they're located many miles apart, it takes great coordination (and a bit of luck) to open both doorways at once.
天堂山Mount Celestia 也有几道通向无尽之蓝的传送门。在 绚丽天国the Glittering Heaven 约瓦Jovar 的中心坐落着巨型石砌金字塔。那些攀登者可以借此建筑进入天堂山的第七层，但这里还藏着另一个秘密。在金字塔的深处有一道通向气位面的传送门，它的存在被栖息于此的约瓦天使保密。嗯，反正他们试图保密。实际上，这道传送门的保密程度相当堪忧。尽管如此，它的确切位置、用什么钥匙可以打开、以及天使们为什么想保密，无人知晓。
Mount Celestia also hides several portals to the Boundless Blue. At the heart of Jovar, the Glittering Heaven, sits a massive stone ziggurat. While those who ascend this structure find themselves entering the seventh layer of the Mount, there is another secret here. Buried deep in the ziggurat is a portal to Air, its existence kept dark by the Jovian archons who dwell there. Well, somewhat dark, anyway. Actually, the portal's a poorly kept secret. Still, its exact location isn't known, and what key might open the doorway-and just why the archons wish to keep it to themselves-is anyone's guess.
在 莫丘利亚Mercuria 白金圣武士the Draco Paladin 巴哈姆特Bahamut 的家园中，还存在另一道（某种意义上）的传送门。在这一层面，这位全龙族最伟大巨龙栖居在一座宏伟的宫殿中，其广阔物质佬难以想象。随他所欲，巴哈姆特可以命令宫殿的某个区域虚化消散，将其中的一切带入气元素位面。当这座浮空要塞漂入无尽之蓝后，便可随其主人心意遨游四方。即便他本尊不在其中，巴哈姆特仍可让这座建筑随意往返。
There's another portal (sort of) in Mercuria, home of Bahamut, the Draco Paladin. In this layer, the greatest of all dragons dwells in an immense palace, the scope of which few primes can imagine. When he wishes, Bahamut can command one section of his fortress to fade away, carrying all within it to the Elemental Plane of Air. Once adrift in the Boundless Blue, the floating citadel travels wherever its master wishes. Bahamut can order the structure to come and go at will, even if he's not aboard it.
当然，别忘了抵达气元素位面——其它元素位面亦是如此——还有一种重要方式：通过物质面的 旋窝vortex。通往气元素面的旋窝可不似通向其它内层位面的那么罕见。不过嘛，这些旋窝往往更难驾驭，它们总在风中飘忽不定，四处游移。所以即便某个机灵鬼侥幸找到了这么个便捷小通道，也得使出浑身解数才能追得上它。
'Course, a body can't forget that one important way to reach the plane of Air-as is the case with all Elemental Planes-is through a vortex from the Prime. Vortices that lead to Air aren't as uncommon as those leading to many of the other Inner Planes. They are, however, often more difficult to use, as they tend to drift about, blowing back and forth in the wind. So even after a spiv manages to find one of these handy little doorways, it can take all his skills to catch up to it.
通往气元素位面的旋窝通常出现在两类地点中最常见。那些悬浮于大气层高处的被称为 浮空旋窝floating vortices。一般而言，只有具备魔法飞行能力的生物才能抵达——比如强大的 飞行术fly、附魔的地毯或其他类似装置。依赖翅膀、气囊等寻常飞行方式的动物、怪物或其他存在，通常无法攀升至这些旋窝所在的高度。
Vortices to the Elemental Plane of Air are most commonly found in one of two places. Those that appear high in the atmosphere are called floating vortices. As a rule, they can be reached only by creatures that have some magical ability to fly-a powerful fly spell, an enchanted carpet, or some other such device. Animals, monsters, and others who depend on wings, gas bags, or similarly mundane methods of flight generally can't ascend to the height at which these vortices are found.
浮空旋窝 不仅高悬于天际，而且只会在万里无云的碧空中央显现。你绝不会在附近看到任何云团或山峰。更棘手的是，这些涡流本身几乎完全看不见，与周围本就难以辨认的空气融为一体（对于凡夫俗子来说，它们或多或少就是透明的）。所幸它们虽然会随风微微飘移，却始终恒定存在。据我推测，每个主物质世界可能存在着2到3个 浮空旋窝，但谁又能真正断言呢？
In addition to being very high in the air, floating vortices appear only at the center of great expanses of clear blue sky. A basher won't see a cloud mass or mountain peak anywhere in the vicinity. And since they're almost invisible, these vortices don't stand out very well from the air around them (which is, of course, more or less invisible to the average sod). It's a good thing that they're permanent-despite the fact that they tend to wander just a bit in the breeze. I'd guess that two or three floating vortices exist on any prime-material world, but who can safely say for sure?
另一种常见的连接物质面与气元素位面的旋窝常被称为 龙卷旋窝whirling vortex。其命名原因显而易见：它们存在于龙卷风或旋风的核心。有些人声称每个旋风中心都有这样的涡流，而他们或许是对的。但这一理论的症结在于：旋风移动速度极快且难以勘探，至今无人能确切证实或推翻这种说法。
The other common type of vortex linking the Prime with the plane of Air is generally referred to as a whirling vorter. The reason for this is obvious: They're found at the heart of a tornado or whirlwind. Some folks'll tell you that every twister has a vortex at its core, and they may be right. The problem with this theory, though, is that whirlwinds move so fast and are so difficult to explore that no one's ever been able to answer the question one way or the other.
仅仅是要接近一个 龙卷旋窝 本身都充满了危险。据老学究们估算，龙卷风的风俗可达每小时300哩——只有疯子或 泰坦titan 才敢档其去路。有人认为，那些在无尽之蓝中漂浮的垃圾残骸，多半都是被旋风旋窝卷入其中的。他们坚称，这些深渊巨口会席卷整个乡野，将它们行进路线上的万物尽数吞噬，直接拖进气元素位面。至于那些未被直接卷入的物体，则会被撕扯得粉碎。
Even getting to a whirling vortex is a problem. After all, graybeards have estimated that the winds of a tornado can reach 300 miles per hour-only a fool or a titan would get in their way. Some people believe that a lot of the junk that floats through the Boundless Blue got yanked in through whirling vortices. They contend that these great maws sweep across the countryside and suck everything they roll directly over into the plane of Air. And whatever they don't roll directly over just gets ripped to pieces.
龙卷旋窝 与普通旋窝截然不同。它们在气位面相对稳定，却往往在主物质位面间歇显现。最直接的证据就是这些通道形成的龙卷风：它们往往仅会存在几分钟就会消散，不是吗？
Whirling vortices aren't like most vortices. While they're more or less fixed in the plane of Air, they tend to wink in and out of existence on the Prime Material. For proof, just look at the tornadoes created by these channels-after all, they don't usually last for more than a few minutes, do they?
危险HAZARDS
与其它内层位面相比，气元素位面的安全程度堪比母亲的臂弯。这里既没有突然喷发的岩浆间歇泉，也没有伺机吞噬冒失鬼的烈焰洪流。事实上，位面旅者在无尽之蓝遭遇的大多数威胁，往往都是从其他位面“进口”的——但这绝不意味着本地就毫无危险可言。
Compared to the other Inner Planes, the Elemental Plane of Air is about as safe as a mother's arms. There aren't any geysers of magma or jets of flame waiting to incinerate an unsuspecting sod. In fact, most of the dangers a planewalker'll encounter in the Boundless Blue are likely to be imported from other realms. But this isn't to say that a body can't get himself lost by the hazards of the plane itself.
毫无疑问，气元素位面最大的威胁便是风。这个位面中几乎找不到一处不受持续微风影响的地方，不过这通常不会威胁你的生命和四肢完整。然而，时不时地，微风会增强为轻风，轻风演变成狂风，狂风最终化为风暴。一旦这种情况发生，旅者不仅会被吹离航线，所乘载具更可能在顷刻间被撕得粉碎。这类风暴往往来得快去得也快，但它们也可能持续很长时间——有时会移动，有时则停滞不前。
Without a doubt, the greatest hazard of the Elemental Plane of Air is the wind. Now, it's virtually impossible to find a place in this realm that isn't subject to a continual breeze, but that's not usually a threat to life and limb. From time to time, however, a breeze builds into a wind, a wind into a gale, and a gale into a tempest. When this happens, a body can get thrown off course and any conveyance he's using can be torn apart rather quickly. It doesn't take long for one of these storms to whip up, and they often dissipate just as fast. They can linger for a long time, however, sometimes moving along and sometimes staying in one place.
地下城主可以使用下表确定给定位置的风速。
The DM can use the following table to determine the wind velocity at a given location.
1D20 ROLL 强度Force 速度Velocity（哩／小时MPH） 调整值ADJ.
1-2 平静calm 低于2 +3
3-4 微风light breeze 3-7 +2
5-6 和风moderate breeze 8-18 +1
7-8 强风strong breeze 19-31 0
9-10 疾风light gale 32-39 -1
11-12 烈风moderate gale 40-47 -2
13 狂风strong gale 48-54 -3
14 轻风暴light storm 55-60 -4
15 中风暴moderate storm 61-66 -5
16 强风暴strong storm 67-72 -6
17 飓风hurricane 73-176 -7
18 旋风whirlwind 177-238 -8
19 气旋cyclone 239-299 -9
20 龙卷风tornado 300 -10
此表通过投掷1d20骰子决定对应风速。力量与速度列主要为地下城主提供参考依据。末列标明了可适用于豁免检定（针对生物或物品）、攻击掷骰、熟练度与能力检定等各类情境调整值——具体应用由DM根据实际情况裁定。目光如炬的老手们会发现，表格中的平静区域实际提供增益效果，DM可用此体现该位面宁和抚慰的特性。
This table indicates the die roll (on 1d20) to produce a given velocity of wind. The force and velocity columns are primarily intended to provide reference points for the DM. The last column indicates an adjustment that can be applied to saving throws (for beings or items), attack rolls, proficiency and ability checks, or anything else that the DM feels is in order based upon the situation. Sharp-eyed bloods'll notice that the calm areas of the table actually provide bonuses, which the DM can use to reflect the calm, soothing nature of the plane.
气元素位面的天气变化远比主物质面更难以预测。一场风暴可能仅持续数分钟，也可能咆哮肆虐数周、数月甚至数年之久。（当它来临时）风速变化通常极其迅猛。按照规则，风速转变往往在1回合之内完成。这意味着，某片区域可能仅仅在10分钟就从微风轻拂骤变为狂风怒号或飓风肆虐。地下城主可使用下表判定特定风况的持续时间。
Weather conditions in the Elemental Plane of Air are far less predictable than patterns on the Prime Material. As such, a storm may last for only minutes, or it may continue to howl for weeks, months, or even years. Changes in wind speed (when they do come) generally occur very rapidly. As a rule, the shift in velocities takes place over the course of a single turn. Thus, a given place can jump from a light breeze to a full force gale or hurricane in only ten minutes. The DM can use the following table to determine the duration of a given wind condition.
1D20 ROLL 当前条件的持续时间DURATION OF CURRENT CONDITIONS
1-2 1d6 轮rounds
3-4 1d6 回合turns
5-6 1d6 小时hours
9-10 1d6 周weeks
11-12 1d6 双周fortnights
13-14 1d6 月months
15-16 1d6 年years
17-18 1d6 年代decades
19-20 1d6 世纪centuries
气旋风暴MAELSTROMS
气旋风暴Maelstroms 虽与前述的狂风、风暴同源，却需特别阐明。其本质是气流的螺旋暴涡，很可能是因气元素位面与 真空准元素位面the Quasielemental Plane of Vacuum 之间的微小裂隙而生。在主物质位居民眼中，它宛若一柱试图吞噬自身尾端的巨型环形龙卷风。
Maelstroms are related to the winds, gales, and storms described above, but they deserve special mention. A maelstrom is a whirling vortex of air, possibly created when a small crack opens between the Elemental Plane of Air and the Quasielemental Plane of Vacuum. Most primes describe a maelstrom as looking like a great circular tornado that has turned on itself and is trying to devour its own tail.
任何生物或物体一旦被卷入气旋风暴边缘，都必须通过对抗麻痹豁免检定，否则将被吸入涡流核心。被困在旋窝中的倒霉鬼每轮都会持续受到伤害，除非成功逃脱（通过弯折铁条/举起闸门检定）或被涡流外的人营救。由于剧烈的空气湍流和旋窝内其他物体的碰撞，被困者无法施法或进行类似行动。
Anything or anyone that drifts into the fringe of a maelstrom must make a successful saving throw vs. paralyzation or be drawn in. A berk caught in a maelstrom suffers damage each round until he either escapes (by means of a bend bars/lift gates roll) or is rescued by those outside the vortex. Folks trapped in a maelstrom are unable to cast spells or attempt similar actions due to the churning of air and collisions with other items trapped in the vortex.
地下城主使用下表来判定气旋的规模以及每轮造成的伤害。
The DM can use the following table to determine the size of a maelstrom, as well as the damage that it inflicts each round.
1D10 ROLL 直径DIAMETER 每轮伤害DAMAGE PER ROUND
1 1d10×10 码yards 1d10
2-3 1d10×100 码yards 2d10
4-5 1d10×1000 码yards 4d10
6-7 1d10×1 哩mile 8d10
8-9 1d10×10 哩mile 16d10
10 1d10×100 哩mile 32d10
传说在气元素位面的正中心，存在着一个直径数千哩的 巨气旋风暴Great Maelstrom。当然，由于这个位面本身是无限的，所以很难说有个中心。因此，如果这个泰坦级气旋风暴真的存在——那么它可能出现在任何地方。而如果有可怜虫真碰见了这东西，很难毫发无损地逃脱出来。
Chant has it that there's a single Great Maelstrom, thousands of miles across, at the exact center of the Elemental Plane of Air. 'Course, since the plane is infinite, it can hardly be said to have a center. Thus, if such a titanic maelstrom really does exist, it could be located almost anywhere. Odds are that any poor sod who finds this thing will be hardpressed to get away with his skin intact.
移动相关MOVING ABOUT
一旦进入气元素位面，你面对的首要难题便是如何移动。拥有飞行能力者尚可随心所欲地振翼翱翔，但对那些缺乏空行手段的旅者而言，事情就变得棘手了。
Once a body's made it to the plane of Air, he's got to figure out how to get from one place to another. If he can fly, that's not such a problem-he can just pick a direction and start flapping. But for those who don't have any way of moving about in the air, things can be a little harder.
气元素位面不存在重力。然而，这并不意味着生物能单纯随风飘浮。当旅者抵达这个位面时，他通常做的第一件事便是说服自己某个方向是“下方”。他无法抑制这个本能。因此，若无处攀附，或是未能重新定义“下方”的方向（当然，后者只是个权宜之计……），他将开始向那个方向坠落。若连上下方位都无法掌控，灾祸便接踵而至（详见后文）。如果某人无法控制自己对上下的印象，这会招致灾难（见后）。
There's no gravity in the Elemental Plane of Air. That doesn't mean, however, that a body can just float about in midair, carried on the winds. When a traveler arrives in the plane, the first thing he usually does is convince himself that a certain direction is "down." He can't help it. Thus, he'll start to fall in that direction if he doesn't have something to grab onto or can't think of another direction as down (though the latter solution's really just a temporary one, of course...). If a body can't control his impressions of up and down, this can spell disaster (see below).
那该如何应对呢？旅者必须通过一次成功的感知检定才能重新定义下方的方向。（本位面的土著和类似家伙无需进行此项检定。对它们而言，上下不过是可随时抛弃并重新定义的概念，甚至每轮都能随意切换。） DM应根据该生物对气元素位面的熟悉程度来调整检定修正值。
So how's it done? Well, in order to convince himself that a new direction is down, a body must roll a successful Wisdom check. (Natives to the plane-or those similar-need not make this roll. To them, up and down are disposable concepts that can be abandoned and redefined from round to round.) The DM should apply a modifier to the roll, based on the individual's familiarity with the plane of Air.
对气位面熟悉程度FAMILIARITY WITH AIR* 调整值MODIFIER
一无所知None at all -6
没有直接经验No firsthand experience -4
有研究，但无经验Research, but no experience -2
有简短的一手经验Brief firsthand experience 0
有一些一手经验Some firsthand experience +2
丰富的一手经验Extensive firsthand experience +4
几乎就是个土著Practically a native +6
- 或是另一个有类似物理规则的内层位面or another Inner Plane with similar physical laws.
当某人开始向某个方向坠落时，他将保持这个状态直至装上某物、或是（通过第二次感知检定）改变了重力方向。老鸟们称之为“永恒坠落”，因为这个位面并不存在实体地面，所以理论上这种坠落可能永无止境。任何人的坠落速度均为每轮1000呎。如果其撞击到了某个物品，则将遭受每坠落10呎10点伤害，直至最大值的20d6点。当然，虽然极端危险，但机敏的家伙能冒险利用这一点——只要能避免碰撞，这无疑是种高效的位面移动方式。
Once a body begins to fall in a certain direction, he keeps going until he either hits something or changes his mind about which way is down (with another Wisdom check). Bloods call this "taking the eternal plunge," because a person could theoretically fall forever, as there is no ground for him to strike. Anyone taking the plunge falls at a rate of 1,000 feet per round. If he hits another object, he suffers 1d6 points of damage for every 10 feet he fell, to a maximum of 20d6 points. This is extremely dangerous, of course, but a clever cutter can use it to his advantage-as long as he doesn't hit anything, it's a pretty snappy way to get around.
[译注：印记城黑话——Cutter 家伙，伙计。 对于其他人的一种普通称呼，不限男女，由于这种称呼带有一些亲切的意味，所以比称呼别人berk要好得多。]
当某个坠落的倒霉鬼靠近目标时，他必须考虑下着陆问题。若能提前预判，这不算个难题——他只需要在着陆前1分钟左右改变对下方的认知，抵消当前的速度，然后像羽毛一样轻盈地着陆。
When a falling sod begins to near his destination, he needs to consider the problem of landing. If he's got a little warning, this isn't a problem-he just changes his opinion of down a minute or so before landing, bleeds off his current speed, and touches down as lightly as a feather.
举例来说，假设某家伙以1000呎每轮的速度坠落。在其接近目标时，他选择认定当前的下方是上方、而当前的上方是下方。在第1轮中，这个行动将产生制动效应，因为物体的原运动方向的重力牵引被反向抵消了。当然，如果这个家伙转化方向的动作稍晚了一些，他仍可能会以可观的速度撞击地面，因为完全停止需要一整轮的时间。反之，如果过早尝试停止，则会在离地悬停一会儿，然后开始朝远离其目标的方向坠落。
For example, suppose that a being is falling at a rate of 1,000 feet per round. As he nears his target, he decides that what was down is up and what was up is now down. For the first round, this acts as a breaking force, because his speed in the original direction is being countered by the pull of gravity. 'Course, if the sod makes his change a little too late, he can still hit the ground at a fair speed, since it requires a full round to come to a stop. Conversely, if he tries to stop too early, he'll come to a halt above the ground, hang there for a second, and then start to fall away from his destination.
尽管听上去复杂，但对于内层位面旅者而言，这很快就能成为本能。经验丰富的位面行者可以轻松完成这类操作而嫌少失手。不过，实际着陆阶段仍然存在风险，新手飞行员需要进行一次敏捷检定以避免坠机。这里有个不错的经验法则：只有当某人连续两次成功着陆后，才可免除后续的敏捷检定要求。一旦此要求被达成，DM即可默认该角色能相对安全地“降落”到目标位置。不过整套操作始终令人神经紧绷，因此多数人更倾向于使用法术、魔法物品（飞毯flying carpets 就非常受欢迎）或坐骑。
As tricky as this sounds, it quickly becomes second nature to inner-planar travelers.An experienced plane-walker can do this sort of thing without much chance of mishap. The actual landing can be ticklish, however, and novice flyers are required to make a Dexterity check to avoid a crash landing. Here's a good rule of thumb: A body is required to make a Dexterity check to land safely only until he manages to do it successfully twice in a row. Once this happens, the DM can assume that the basher can "fall" where he wants to fairly safely. The whole thing's pretty unnerving, though, so most folks simply use a spell, a magical item (flying carpets are very popular), or a mount.
真正的顶级老鸟知道，这只要彻底说服自己“根本不存在下方方向”就能办到。这需要在该位面具有丰富的移动经验（由DM裁断），并通过一个承受-6惩罚的感知检定。据说某些家伙已经开发出了系统的训练方法，本质上这是一项基于感知属性的非武器熟练，占一个熟练槽，掌握后便能自由地悬浮于位面中，随心降落并安全停止。但即便如此，其灵活性与便捷性仍然远不及一道出色趁手的 飞行术fly。
The real top-shelf bloods know that a body can just convince himself that there's no down at all. This requires extensive experience in moving around in the plane (DM's discretion) and a Wisdom check made at a -6 penalty. Chant is, some folks've developed a means of training bashers to do this, in effect creating a one-slot nonweapon proficiency based on Wisdom that lets a basher float in the plane, fall where he wants, and stop safely. But even with all that, it's still not nearly as maneuverable or as easy as a nice, handy fly spell.
◆居民INHABITANTS◆
气元素位面栖息着多元宇宙最令人惊叹的生物。虽然其中多数是该位面的土著，但也有不少外来者迁徙至此。毕竟，这个国度不仅美不胜收，而且相对安全。位面行者甚至可能遇到物质佬元素法师和祭司。
The Elemental Plane of Air is home to some of the multiverse's most wondrous creatures. While the majority of them are natives of the plane, others have simply moved in and made themselves at home. The realm is, after all, beautiful to behold and relatively safe. A planewalker might even run into prime elementalist wizards and priests.
元素ELEMENTALS
气元素或许是无边蔚蓝中最著名的住民。大部分人在使用“元素”这个术语时，指代的不仅包括被正式称作该名称的生物，也包括魔蝠mephits、基质元素fundamentals、元素大君archomentals、气旋体vortices、气行者air walker、空气之灵spirits of the air、风暴体tempests、沙尘魔skriaxits、以及 气离子体air plasms。这个位面上的一些元素生物，如 气灵侍者aerial servants、隐形追猎者invisible stalker 和 风妖精sylphs，在主物质面同样广为人知。而像是 米斯图云怪mihstu 和 西斯兰风怪sislan，几乎只在气元素位面现身。
The air elementals are perhaps the best-known denizens of the Boundless Blue. Most folks use the term "elemental" to include not only the creatures properly called by that name, but also mephits, fundamentals, archomentals, vortices, air walkers, spirits of the air, tempests, skriaxits, and air plasms. Some of the plane's elemental creatures, like aerial servants, invisible stalkers, and sylphs, are known even on the Prime Material. Others, like the mihstu and the sislan, are almost never encountered anywhere but the plane of Air.
动物ANIMALS
数千纪来，几乎所有品种的鸟类都找到了进入气元素位面的方法。其中一些是被旋窝卷入，但大部分则是因其他生物迷恋它们的颜色、叫声或捕猎技巧，而被带进了无边蔚蓝。其它飞行动物，像是蝙蝠和昆虫，在这个位面也相当常见。
Over the millennia, almost every manner of bird has found its way to the Elemental Plane of Air. Some of them were drawn into the place through vortices, but most were brought to the Boundless Blue by other beings who fancied their colors, songs, or hunting prowess. Other flying animals, like bats and insects, are also common enough in the plane.
另外，有大量巨型鸟类（和类鸟生物）在此驾驭着永恒之风。其中包括 鹏鸟rocs、巨鹰giant hawks、巨猫头鹰giant owls、巨蝙蝠giant bats、翼龙pteranodons 等等。它们中大部分是被带到这里充作非飞行种族的坐骑。
What's more, a number of large birds (and birdlike creatures) ride the eternal winds. These include rocs, giant hawks, giant owls, giant bats, pteranodons, and the like. Most of them have been brought here to serve as mounts for nonflying folk.
怪物MONSTERS
像 飞马pegasi、鹫马hippogriffs 和 狮鹫这样的生物通常翱翔于浮空岛之间。在某些情况下，这些雄壮的野兽是被带到气位面充作坐骑的。然而很多时候，它们是为寻找一片可以自由翱翔、摆脱重力束缚的国度迁徙而来。
Creatures like pegasi, hippogriffs, and griffons can be found winging their way from floating island to floating island. In some cases, these majestic beasts have been brought to Air to serve as mounts. Just as often, however, they came here of their own accord, seeking a realm where they could fly free and escape the bonds of gravity.
有少数从无边蔚蓝最深处归来的位面行者声称，他们遭遇了一只足有50呎长、生有两对翅膀、极其雄壮的 男首斯芬克斯androsphinx，他说出的每个单词都能让周遭的一切遭受精神撕裂的痛苦。这只野兽的特征与上古传说记载的生物完全吻合，传言说，在他的翼羽底面刻有每道已被创造的法师法术的秘密。
A few planewalkers have returned from the deepest recesses of the Boundless Blue, claiming to have encountered a mighty, double-winged, 50-foot-long androsphinx whose every word dealt mind-splitting pain to all around it. This beast matches the description of a legendary creature of old that, chant has it, has the secrets of every wizard spell ever created etched on the underside of its wing feathers.
气神怪DIINN
毫无疑问，在气元素位面中最常遭遇的非元素种族便是 气神怪djinn。物质佬和位面佬都畏惧这些在这个位面修建了大量据点的雄壮魔法生物。在所有这类居所中，最宏伟的便是 冰钢城堡the Citadel of Ice and Steel（在本章稍候详述）。
Without a doubt, the most commonly encountered nonelemental race in the plane of Air is the wondrous djinn. These magnificent, magical creatures, regarded with awe and fear by prime and planar alike, have built numerous strongholds here. The greatest of all such dwellings is the Citadel of Ice and Steel (described later in this chapter).
大部分气神怪都生活在相对独立的自由领中，这些地方被 哈里发caliphs、谢赫sheiks、治安官sheriffs 和 马利克maliks 统治着。一片典型的领地通常修建在直径为1000~12000（1d12×1000）码的土元素碎片上。建筑群巍峨典雅，常以玻璃或精雕细琢的曲面石材构建。每片自由领居住者6~60名（6d10）气神怪，以及大量 小神怪jann（等于气神怪数量的约三分之一）。大量的低智力元素圣物充当着仆从、士兵和劳工，处理日常事务。通常，气神怪会训练鸟类和其它有翼生物来充当信使，使各领地得以保持联系（尽管来往并不频繁）。
Most djinn live in fairly independent freeholds ruled by caliphs, sheiks, sheriffs, and maliks. A typical estate is usually built on a fragment of elemental Earth ranging in size from 1,000 to 12,000 (1d12 x 1,000) yards in diameter. The buildings rise in elegant majesty, often spun from glass or fine, curving stones. From six to sixty (6d10) djinn fill out the population of the freehold, along with a number of jann (equal to about one-third the djinn population). A large staff of less intelligent elemental creatures acts as servants, soldiers, and laborers, tending to the routine of daily affairs. Often, djinn train birds and other winged creatures to serve as messengers, allowing the freeholds to remain in contact (albeit infrequent).
气神怪在无边蔚蓝中与 云巨人cloud giants 和 风暴巨人storm giants 进行着战争，并且与元素们也关系不睦（大部分人归咎于气神怪们的高傲天性）。然而，气神怪最重要的冲突还是与 火元素位面the Elemental Plane of Fire 火神怪efreet 的战斗。火神怪军团（通常由被征召的 火蜥蜴salamanders、元素和其它生物组成）通过 贾巴尔·图拉布火山Jabal Turab（一座活火山，充当了联通两座位面的旋窝）对气神怪哈里发们发起了攻击。
The djinn war against the cloud and storm giants found in the Boundless Blue, and they don't get on with the elementals well either (most folks point to djinni arrogance as the cause). Mostly, however, the djinn battle the efreet of the Elemental Plane of Fire. Legions of efreet (often supplemented by conscripted salamanders, elementals, and other creatures) launch attacks upon the djinn caliphate through Jabal Turab, a smoldering volcano that serves as a vortex connecting the two planes.
大哈里发Great Caliph 胡萨姆·巴力·本·纳夫特·尤格因Husam al-Balil ben Nafhat al-Yugayyim，云之主宰和微风之子Master of the Clouds and Son of the Breezes，统治着所有的气神怪，但他极少离开冰钢城堡。传言说气神怪们在整个内层位面寻觅着一件拥有命令他们任何同类——甚至是他们的统治者——威能的魔法印封。他们担心其落入坏人之手。
Great Caliph Husam al-Balil ben Nafhat al-Yugayyim, Master of the Clouds and Son of the Breezes, rules over all djinn, but he rarely leaves the Citadel of Ice and Steel. Chant has it that the djinn search throughout the Inner Planes for a magical seal said to have the power to command any of their kind-even their ruler. They fear it falling into the wrong hands.
[译注：应该指的是神器 贾方·萨马勒的印封Seal of Jafar al-Samal，这件天命之地的高等神器可以控制所有神怪。]
林栖种族SYLVAN RACES
当人们联想到林栖种族时，脑海中浮现的往往是精灵在森林中穿梭、照料多元宇宙树丛的纤细身影。尽管这种刻板印象大体属实，但在蔚蓝天穹之下确实活跃着许多 优雅族裔the fair folk。这里最常见的妖精种族多是飞行者，比如 微蛉精atomies、皮克精pixies 与 仙灵sprites。不过，部分漂浮的空中山脉也覆盖着茂密森林，偶尔也能发现其他精灵种族在林间栖居。他们全都都尊敬 众气神怪大哈里发the Grand Caliph of All Djinn 的宫廷，许多妖精都以不同方式为其效力。
When most sods think of the sylvan races, they see images of slender elves moving through forests and tending the groves of the multiverse. Despite this largely accurate stereotype, the fair folk are well represented beneath the azure vault. Mostly, the faerie races found here are flyers like atomies, pixies, and sprites. Some of the floating mountains of Air are well forested, however, and other elven races can sometimes be found dwelling among the trees. All respect the court of the Grand Caliph of All Djinn, and many of the faerie serve him in one way or another.
传言说这些石岛中至少有一座密布着 卓尔drow 或其近亲种族开凿的隧道。但即使有人曾在气位面发现过卓尔城市，恐怕也已在透露其位置前不知所踪。
Chant is that one or more of these stone islands is laced with tunnels hewn by the drow or a sister race. But if anyone has ever found a drow city in the plane of Air, he got himself lost before he could reveal its location.
其它种族OTHER RACES
还有些许其它智慧种族栖息在气位面。其中包括类人飞行种族（如 飞羽族aarakocra 和 翼龙人pteramen）和更罕见的生物（如 羽蛇couatl、眼魔beholders 和 尼西鬼火nyth）。云巨人和风暴巨人的孤立殖民地也可在这里找到。在大多数情况下，他们喜欢独处，明智的访客往往会尊重他们的隐居意愿。
A few other intelligent races live in the plane of Air as well. These include humanoid flyers like the aarakocra and pteramen, as well as more unusual creatures like couatl, beholders, and nyth. Isolated colonies of cloud and storm giants can also be found here. For the most part, they like their privacy, and anyone who hopes to put a few more years behind him abides by their wishes.
神力POWERS
除了上述的低级生物外，还有几位非常强大的存在在气元素位面安了家。其中一些（如 气元素女王Queen of the Air Elementals、至伟至强者the Great and Mighty 阿卡迪Akadi）诞生于这个位面。其祂的（如 舒Shu）是来自其它位面但选择定居于此的神明。
In addition to the lesser creatures described above, several very powerful beings make their home in the Elemental Plane of Air. Some, like the Great and Mighty Akadi, Queen of the Air Elementals, hail from the plane. Others, like Shu, are gods native to other planes who have chosen to make their homes here.
阿卡迪AKADI，气元素女王QUEEN OF THE AIR ELEMENTALS.
阿卡迪Akadi 远比所有拥有自由意志的气元素都强大的存在。在万物的谱系中，她与其祂强大神力不相上下。近几十年来，新晋的 延-西-宾Yan-C-Bin 一直在挑战她的威能。
Akadi is by far the most mighty of all the free-willed air elementals. In the scope of things, she rates right up there with the rest of the greater powers. In recent decades, the upstart Yan-C-Bin, an archomental, has challenged her power.
阿卡迪栖居于一道被称作 大漏斗the Great Funnel 的旋风内，其规模足以吞噬整颗行星。这股令人震撼的伟力随着她的意志在位面中漂移，据说席卷整个位面的气流皆由此涡旋外溢而生。受阿卡迪接见者可安然穿越飓风屏障，而未受邀请的访客若贸然觐见元素女王，则可能面临粉身碎骨之险。
Akadi dwells within a great whirlwind-called, predictably enough, the Great Funnel-that is large enough to swallow whole planets. This impressive force drifts about, moving where she wills it, and all the winds that sweep the plane are said to spiral outward from it. Those whom Akadi wishes to see can pass through the tornado-force winds without harm. Those who would visit the Elemental Queen uninvited risk being torn apart.
阿卡迪既非善良亦非邪恶。作为气之女主宰，她对不影响其神国的事务鲜有关注。尽管她对多元宇宙秉持着中心主义，但阿卡迪素以暴烈的脾性与变幻莫测的性情著称。
Akadi is neither good nor evil. She is the mistress of air and has little or no interest in things that don't affect her realm. Despite her centralist outlook on the multiverse, however, Akadi is noted for her stormy temper and changeable disposition.
多年以来，气之女王the Queen of Air 已聚集了一打女性战士，皆为 气元素裔air genasi。这些女人组成了她的 湛蓝卫队Azure Guard（详述见后），任何与之冲突者都将面临彻底湮灭于虚空的风险。
Over the years, the Queen of Air has gathered around her a dozen female warriors, all air genasi. These women comprise her Azure Guard (described below), and a body who crosses them is liable to get himself lost in a big way.
嫦CHAN.
就像她的宿敌 延-西-宾Yan-C-Bin，嫦Chan 是由一团由柔和流转的气流构成的无形实体。善良气元素生物公主The Princess of Good Air Creatures 掌控着和风与柔音，不过她在必要时亦可化作凛风乃至狂暴的龙卷。她对延-西-宾的持续监视常迫使其收敛行径，唯恐招致她的干预。而嫦也需要审慎行事，因为延-西-宾反过来同样可能会横加干涉。这场无声的威胁之战已持续多年，且很可能将长久地延续下去。
{sp|sp = Like Yan-C-Bin, her evil foe, Chan is an invisible entity of softly churning air. The Princess of Good Air Creatures is the master of calm breezes and gentle sounds, though she can rage like a harsh wind or even a violent tornado when she must. Her steady surveillance of Yan-C-Bin often forces him to curb his activities for fear of her intervention. Chan must also have a care in regard to what she does, for Yan-C-Bin could just as easily stick his nose into her business. This war of quiet threats has gone on for years, and will most likely continue for many more.}}
嫦时常驻留在她那由纯净琉璃构筑的浮空堡垒 无相冥思宫the Palace of Unseen Contemplation 中。其余时间，她巡游于 气元素位面the Elemental Plane of Air，监视延-西-宾的动向并播撒善行的种子。
Chan spends some of her time in the Palace of Unseen Contemplation, her floating stronghold made of purest glass. Otherwise, she wanders the Elemental Plane of Air, watching Yan-C-Bin and attempting to further the cause of good.
虽然并非真神，但作为一位 元素大君archomental，嫦统领着一支由忠诚的元素、风精sylphs、妖精族 和各种有翼生物组成的庞大部署。她的统治不靠言语、而凭威望，她的仆从们行事，皆凭自己所知的她的心意，而非遵循具体的命令。嫦通常被呼作 静默者the Silent One，在她的宫殿中，她可以是位亲切的女主人，但绝不会向你透露这个位面的失落隐秘。
Although not an actual power, as an archomental Chan boasts a large contingent of loyal elementals, sylphs, faerie folk, and winged creatures of all types. She rules more by reputation than by word, her servants doing what they know she would want them to do rather than obeying actual orders. Often called the Silent One, Chan can be a gracious host within her palace, but she's not one to give a body the lost secrets of the plane.
舒SHU.
作为 泰芙努特Tefnut 的兄弟和丈夫，拥护者the Upholder 舒Shu 是 埃及神系the Egyptian pantheon 的一位中等神力。受其父神 拉Ra 之命，他肩负着分隔 盖布Geb（大地）和 努特Nut（天空）这对爱人的职责。迄今为止，他的恪守职责令人赞叹。
Brother and husband to Tefnut, Shu the Upholder is an intermediate power of the Egyptian pantheon. He has been charged by Ra, his father, with keeping the would-be lovers Geb (the ground) and Nut (the sky) apart. His efforts so far have been quite admirable.
他在 气元素位面the Elemental Plane of Air 一座名曰 沙漠之风Desert Wind 的宫殿中安了家。在这片温暖而涡旋的微风区域，毗邻气元素位面与 烟侧位面the paraplane of Smoke 的交界处。金色碎屑如被旱风扬起的沙尘在气流中浮沉流转，阳光如矛刺穿疆域，凡光辉所及之处暖意愈盛。这微风、金尘与光柱，皆为舒的信徒所化——他们生前皆属善良阵营，微风信徒原属混乱，光柱信徒原属守序，而那浮动的金尘则为中立。
He makes his home in the Elemental Plane of Air, in a place known as Desert Wind. This area of warm, swirling breezes lies near the border between Air and the paraplane of Smoke. Golden flecks drift to and fro in the wind like desert sands being kicked up by a looming sirocco. Shafts of sunlight lance through the realm, warming those they fall upon even further. The breezes, golden motes, and radiant beams are all aspects of Shu's petitioners. All were of good alignment, but the first were chaotic in life, the last lawful, and the golden sparkles neutral.
那些履及舒之神国边缘之人，只有蒙受这位神祇赐福才能进入。若他愿意接见来者，则前路将会畅通无阻；若其不愿，则微风将变得滚烫，浮尘将炽若暗燃的余烬，阳光的倾泻炽热到足以熔解甲胄。
Those who reach the edge of Shu's domain can enter it only with the deity's blessing. If he desires visitors, the way is open and inviting. If he does not, the breezes become scalding, the motes sting like smoldering embers, and the beams of sunlight burn hot enough to melt armor.
延-西-宾YAN-C-BIN.
延-西-宾Yan-C-Bin，邪恶气元素主宰the Master of Evil Air，是天然隐形的。唯有空气中的轻微扰动，能标识这位 元素大君archomental 的经过。他栖息于一座与 阿卡迪Akadi 的宫殿类似的殿堂中，但他的大部分时间都在位面中游荡（乃至其它位面，尤其是 主物质面the Prime Material）。在任何位面或国度天空翱翔的万千生灵，皆知延-西-宾之名，并畏惧着他。这位强权者并不屯聚大军，仅会按需召集小股邪恶气元素生物（及类似存在）。
YAN-C-BiN. Yan-C-Bin, the Master of Evil Air, is naturally invisible. Only a slight disturbance in the air marks the passing of this archomental. He lives in a palace of solid air similar to Akadi's, but spends much of his time wandering the plane (not to mention several others, particularly the Prime Material). All creatures that soar the skies of any plane or realm know of Yan-C-Bin and fear him. The power doesn't amass troops, but merely gathers together small groups of evil air elementals (and similar creatures) as needed.
他最大的敌人是 嫦Chan，不过祂们的冲突并非公开的实体战争，而是无声的震慑与暗中争取信徒的较量。事实上，两者从未真正谋面。双方都不看重积聚军队，但据说终有一日，这两位漫游的存在将会相遇，而届时唯有一方能存活。
His greatest foe is Chan, though their conflict is not an open, physical war but one of silent intimidation and covert chant-gathering. Truth is, the two have never even met. Neither puts much stock in amassing armies, but it's said that someday these wandering beings will meet, and that only one will survive the day.
代理人PROXIES
造访气元素位面的旅者须知，此地的神力大多喜好幽居。因此，他们的代行者会竭力确保无人惊扰其主。
Visitors to the Elemental Plane of Air should be aware that the powers here tend to like their privacy. Thus, the proxies do their best to make sure no one disturbs their masters.
湛蓝卫队THE AZURE GUARD.
湛蓝卫队The Azure Guard 由十二名战士组成（位面佬／女性气元素裔／20＋战士／绝对中立），每位均接受过专为气元素位面作战的特殊训练。卫队全员皆为女性，对 阿卡迪Akadi 绝对忠诚。她们身披深蓝色的魔法铠甲，“湛蓝”之名便由此而来。据传，阿卡迪以风之本源锻造此甲，故其轻若无物，却能赋予穿戴者0的防护等级。卫队中每位战士的武艺据说都已达到了20级以上，远超其同族的战斗造诣。阿卡迪更赐予了她们云巨人的力量。
The Azure Guard is a collection of twelve warriors (Pl/♀ air genasi/F20+/N), each specially trained for battle in the Elemental Plane of Air. All members of the Guard are female and utterly devoted to Akadi. They wear magical armor, the deep blue color of which gives them their name. Chant is that Akadi forges the stuff from the wind itself, which explains its lack of encumbrance and how it provides its wearer with an Armor Class of O. Each warrior of the Guard is said to have reached at least 20th level, far surpassing any of their kind in martial training. Akadi's power grants them each the strength of cloud giants.
在任何时刻，湛蓝卫队总有6-8位成员驻守于阿卡迪的旋风中。卫士的其它成员则前往各处，为这位 风之女王the Wind Queen 处理各类事务。
At any given time, six to eight members of the Azure Guard remain in Akadi's whirlwind. The rest of the Guard moves elsewhere, seeing to the business of the Wind Queen.
克赫鲁提KHEREHUTY.
舒Shu 的事务往往由杰出的奥法师 克赫鲁提Kherehuty（代理人／男性人类／巫师１４／和谐会Harmonium／守序善良）掌管。凡有要事需与舒交涉者，最好先与克赫鲁提商谈——他几乎处理主人所有俗世往来。
The affairs of Shu are tended to by Kherehuty (Px/♂human/M14/Harmonium/LG), a talented magician. Those who have business with Shu would be well advised to speak to Kherehuty, who handles virtually all of his master's worldly dealings.
克赫鲁提以其暴躁脾性与细致入微著称。后一特质最鲜明地体现在他分毫不差的日程安排上：舒的每日事务的每个环节皆经他反复核查，以确保绝对精确。然而，很难说舒本尊是否在意这些。或许只有克赫鲁提自己才清楚这份差事做得有多完美。
Kherehuty is known for both his temper and his attention to detail. This latter trait is best reflected in the perfect schedule that he keeps. Every element of Shu's daily schedule is checked and double-checked to make sure that absolute precision is maintained. However, it's hard to say whether Shu takes much interest in this. It may be that only Kherehuty notices how well he does his job.
当日程出现混乱、或 沙漠之风Desert Wind 的日常生活其他方面遭受干扰时，克赫鲁提的脾气便会失控。此时，所有人都该怜悯那个肇事的倒霉蛋——因为他必将为此付出代价。
When the schedules become fouled or other aspects of life in Desert Wind are disrupted, Kherehuty's temper gets the better of him. At these times, all should pity the poor sod who caused the error, because he'll have to answer for the matter.
◆地点THE SITES◆
无边蔚蓝的访客，多半会想探访位面中诸多引人入胜的地点，即便只为亲眼目睹这般壮景。下文所述场所中，有些是庇护之地，有些则危机四伏——若无充分理由，切莫轻易靠近。
A visitor to the Boundless Blue will probably want to pass near the many fascinating locales of the plane, if only to see such splendor for himself. Some of the following sites are places of sanctuary, while others are dangerous and should be avoided by anyone without a good reason for going there.
极光宫BOREALIS
极光宫Borealis 是一座宏伟的球形建筑，环绕着连接 辐射准元素位面the Quasielemental Plane of Radiance 的旋涡而建。从这座光耀宫殿（其本体直径达数百码）的核心向外延伸出近百座尖塔。这些尖塔高达千码以上，使整座极光宫犹如一只多刺的海胆或蒲公英种子。所有尖塔色彩皆不相同，囊括了光谱中的所有颜色。
Borealis is a magnificent spherical structure built around a vortex that links it with the Quasielemental Plane of Radiance. Extending from the core of this glowing palace (which is itself several hundred yards across) are nearly a hundred spires. These reach heights of over 1,000 yards and make the whole of Borealis look like a spiny sea urchin or dandelion seed. No two spires are identical in color, and the whole of the spectrum is represented.
宫殿看似由彩色玻璃构成，但传闻称其板材实为凝固的光。无人知晓建造这种神秘材料使用了何种魔法。同时，也从未有人能在此地留下哪怕一道裂痕——显然它绝非普通玻璃。
The palace appears to be made of stained glass, but the chant is that the panels are actually solid light. No one knows exactly what magic might have been employed in the creation of this mysterious stuff. At the same time, no one's ever been able to put so much as a crack in the place, so there's clearly more to it than just glass.
从远处望去，极光宫以一片闪烁的光辉点亮天空。光影流动变幻，造就的景象比任何烟花或焰火表演都更为壮丽。当人逐渐靠近，此地的辉煌愈发震撼人心。
From a distance, Borealis lights up the sky with a blaze of shimmering colors. These ripple and scintillate, producing a spectacle more wondrous than any display of fireworks or pyrotechnics. As a body draws closer, the glory of the place becomes even more impressive.
极光宫的居民并非气元素位面原生种族。他们是被主物质面居民称为 尼西鬼火nyth 的种族——一种与致命 鬼火will o' wisp 相似的发光生物。通常这些闪烁的生物是独行的猎手，在领地内游荡寻找活物猎物。然而在此处，在气元素位面与辐射位面交汇之地，大量尼西鬼火聚集于此。
The inhabitants of Borealis are not natives of the Elemental Plane of Air. They're a race known to primes as nyth, radiant creatures similar to the deadly will o' wisp. Normally, these scintillating beings are solitary hunters that roam their domain looking for living prey. Here, however, at this point where the plane of Air meets that of Radiance, a largeb number of nyth have gathered.
传说有其他存在居于极光宫的核心区域，尼西鬼火不过是守卫罢了。此事真伪难辨，但即便是在此地探索许久的位面旅者，也未曾见过除尼西鬼火之外的其他守护者。
It is said that others dwell at the heart of Borealis, that the nyth are little more than guardians. This may or may not be true, but even planewalkers who've banged around the place for a while have seen no sign of any keepers other than the nyth.
造访极光宫者既不会被欢迎，也不会被驱离。只要他们停留在尖塔顶端，不试图进入宫殿核心，尼西鬼火便不会理会他们。但若有丝毫逾越，来客便会发现自己被发光守卫包围并攻击。当此地的守护者与之敌对时，惹事者绝无生机。
Visitors to Borealis are neither welcomed nor turned away. As long as they keep to the tops of the spires and do not attempt to make their way into the heart of the palace, the nyth leave them alone. At the first transgression, however, a sod finds himself surrounded and attacked by the glowing guardians. Troublemakers don't live long when the defenders of this place turn against them.
冰钢城堡THE CITADEL OF ICE AND STEEL
位面旅者们常对巨灵们那令人惊叹的浮空城赞不绝口，这些奇观在整个多元宇宙中都被传颂。而其中最为宏伟的，当属 冰钢城堡the Citadel of Ice and Steel。所有气神怪的大哈里发the Grand Caliph of all Djinn 便居住于此，辅佐他的还有6×6人的顾问团。
Planewalkers often marvel at the fabulous floating cities of the djinn, which are spoken of with wonder throughout the multiverse. By far the greatest of these is the Citadel of Ice and Steel. It's here that the Grand Caliph of all Djinn lives, along with his council of six times six advisors.
这座城堡是一个由狂风雕琢而成的巨大椭圆形结构，直径绵延数哩，永恒地在气元素位面中疾驰。持续的运动让呼啸的气流永驻于城堡的每个角落。由于建筑本身处于永恒的坠落状态，除了哈里发本人的意志外，任何力量都无法在此施加重力。唯有飞行生物能在城堡中移动，这不仅因为猛烈的气流，也因各处楼层间并无阶梯相连。非本地居民（即，非飞行者）在此必有向导随行。
The Citadel is an immense, wind-sculpted oval several miles across, forever hurtling through the plane of Air. The constant motion fills the entire Citadel with a permanent rush of air. Since the structure is perpetually falling, no gravity can be imposed upon it by any will other than that of the Caliph. Only flying creatures can move through the Citadel, due to the rushing winds and the fact that the place has no stairs connecting the various levels. An escort always accompanies nonnatives (in other words, nonflyers).
冰钢城堡之名，源于构筑它的两种奇特物质。其一名为 永恒之冰eternal ice 或 不化之冰unmelting ice，这是一种从 冰侧位面the paraplane of Ice 开采、专为建造此城堡而运抵此处的透明物质。此外，从 矿物准位面the quasiplane of Mineral 采集的、色泽变幻的神异钢材，被塑造成遍布这座冰岩巨蛋各处的优雅拱门与精巧扶壁。
The Citadel of Ice and Steel draws its name from the wondrous substances from which it is crafted. One such material-known as eternal or unmelting ice-is a transparent substance mined in the paraplane of Ice and transported here specifically for the construction of the Citadel. What's more, fabulous, multihued steel plied from the quasiplane of Mineral makes for graceful archways and elegant buttresses throughout the egg of glacial rock.
城堡内部，众多喷泉滋养着纵横交错的精巧运河网络，它们在这奇异建筑中汩汩流淌，无时无刻不奏响着乐音。异想天开的艺术画廊散布四处，每一座都专用于展示某一位气神怪工匠的作品。展品从传统绘画与雕塑，到更为奇特的火焰塑形与色彩交响，不一而足。
Within the Citadel, numerous fountains feed a delicate lattice of canals that crisscross the strange structure, bubbling musically at all times. Galleries of fantastic art are scattered about, each dedicated to the work of a single djinni artisan. The pieces on display range from traditional paintings and statuary to more exotic flame-sculptures and chromatic-symphonies.
较小的岩石球体与冰块碎块环绕着城堡运行，其中安置着来访的各类气神怪贵族，或哈里发本尊的宫廷。覆盖这些缓慢旋转球体的花园中，耸立着座座高塔。
Smaller spheres of rock and chunks of ice orbit the Citadel, housing various visiting djinni nobles or the Caliph's own court. Towers rise up from the gardens that cover these slowly rotating globes.
冰钢城堡深处，隐藏着神秘的 无形学院Invisible College，这是一群精通术法的气神怪，他们运用诡计与幻象来协助保卫城堡——乃至整个哈里发国——对抗敌人。传闻这些成员掌握着多元宇宙他处未知的魔法，但若有开明之士能设法潜入他们的行列，或许能窥得其秘。然而需谨记，像无形学院这般隐秘的组织，其警惕心非同寻常——没有人会比一个惯于欺诈者更提防诡计。
Secreted away in the Citadel of Ice and Steel is the mysterious Invisible College, a group of sorcerous djinn who use deception and illusion to help defend the Citadel-and the entire caliphate-against its enemies. Chant has it that these bloods possess magic unknown to the rest of the multiverse, but an enlightened soul might learn the dark of it should he somehow infiltrate their ranks. Be warned, however, that a secretive group like the Invisible College's fairly suspicious. No one's on the watch for a trick like a trickster.
有传闻说，所有宝石龙的红宝石之王the ruby king of all gem dragons 萨迪沃Sardior 拥有一座飞行的城堡，会前来冰钢城堡参加奢华的宴会。同一传闻也提到，大哈里发并不乐见那座城堡的到访，因为红宝石之王总是占用他的大量时间、索取他大量的财宝。尽管如此，萨迪沃作为盟友太过重要，不宜树之为敌。
Rumors speak of a flying castle owned by Sardior, the ruby king of all gem dragons, which comes to the Citadel for lavish banquets. These same rumors mention the Grand Caliph's displeasure at the approach of the castle, for the ruby king demands much of his time and treasure. Nonetheless, Sardior's too important an ally to make an enemy.
关于城堡的另一则传言称，它显然不止会坠落——还能以其他方式移动。事实上，据说曾有人在完全不同的位面目睹过它的踪影。然而，其中真相无人知晓。
One other bit of chant about the Citadel says that it can apparently do more than plummet-it can move about in other ways as well. The structure's said to have been spotted in entirely different planes, in fact. No one knows the dark of it, though.
台风宫TAIFUN，风暴殿宇THE PALACE OF TEMPESTS
台风宫Taifun 是一座建在巨大悬浮山之上的宏伟石宫，坐落于 气位面Air 与 闪电面Lightning 的交界附近。在这里，空气不断鞭笞着旅人，而这座堡垒如同战士最深的梦魇般赫然矗立。环绕它的造船厂更让台风宫的景观震撼人心——从高耸的石墙向四面八方延伸出蛛网般的码头，数十艘飞艇系泊其中。
Taifun is an immense palace of stone built upon a great floating mountain near the border of Air and Lightning. Here, where the air lashes constantly at travelers, this citadel looms like a warrior's worst nightmare. The shipyards that surround it make the sight of Taifun even more impressive. Spreading out in every direction from the towering stone walls is a spiderweb of docks, and tied to these are dozens of airships.
这支空中舰队与它们所环绕的堡垒，皆由一位名为 哈阿里斯Haaliith（位面佬／气元素裔／战士18／混乱中立）的强悍角色统治。多数人称他为“风之公爵wind duke”，他确实名副其实。但事实上，他非元素生物一方的父系祖先显然是一位 风暴巨人storm giant，这使他成为拥有非凡力量与智慧的存在。
Both the aerial armada and the fortress about which they gather are ruled by a tremendous basher named Haaliith (Pl/ air genasi/F18/CN). Most folks refer to Haalifith as a "wind duke," and he's certainly that. But the fact that his nonelemental parent was obviously a storm giant makes him a creature of exceptional power and intelligence.
哈阿里斯以台风宫为据点，派遣其飞艇舰队四处巡弋——每艘飞艇皆悬垂于巨大的升空气囊之下。传闻称哈阿里斯自命为唯一真正的风之公爵，并已着手消灭所有其他气元素裔。起初多数人认为他略显疯癫，但近年来他已被公认为极其危险的狠角色。
From the shelter of Taifun, Haalifith sends out his fleet of airships, each of which is suspended beneath a great bag of lifting gases. Chant is that Haalifith has decided that he is the only true wind duke and has set about the task of destroying all other air genasi. At first, most bashers considered him a bit barmy, but in recent years he has been recognized as an extremely dangerous blood.
水龙卷THE WATERSPOUT
距 冰钢城堡the Citadel of Ice 不远处，有一处被称为 水龙卷the Waterspout 的奇观。这结构在多元宇宙中独一无二——至少据目前所知——并成为博学者与智者间诸多争论的主题。
Not far from the Citadel of Ice and Steel is a magnificent place known as the Waterspout. This structure is unique in the multiverse, at least so far as anyone knows, and is a subject of many debates among the lanned and the learned alike.
水龙卷实为一对旋窝，二者皆通往水元素位面。一股巨量水流自其中一个涡洞喷涌而出，轰鸣着穿过500码的间隔空间，随后没入另一个涡洞。水雾的涟漪从两个涡洞中翻涌而出，使得水龙卷宛若悬挂在两团翻滚的云层之间。
The Waterspout is a pair of vortices, both of which open into the Elemental Plane of Water. A great torrent of water cascades out of one, thunders through 500 yards of intervening space, and then disappears into the other. Ripples of mist roll out from both vortices, so the Waterspout appears to hang between two billowing clouds.
然而，尽管景象令人神往，其存在本身却引出了诸多疑问。或许最核心的谜题便是：水流为何要从一个涡洞流向另一个？水元素位面无重力，因而也无压力，本不应有液体被强行推入无尽蔚蓝；而气元素位面同样无重力，水流也不该仅仅是从一个涡洞“坠落”至另一个。
As fascinating a sight as this is, however, its very existence poses a number of questions. Perhaps the greatest is simply this: Why does the water move from one vortex to another? The plane of Water has no gravity, and thus no pressure, so the liquid shouldn't be forced into the Boundless Blue. But the plane of Air has no gravity either, so the water shouldn't just fall from one vortex to the other.
这两个旋窝如此邻近、并以某种方式紧密相连的事实，本身也是一大谜团。一些睿智的长者声称，水龙卷不过是一种惊人的自然现象；另一些人则坚称它必然是某种人工造物——尽管他们无法就其起源给出任何解释。
The fact that the vortices exist in such close proximity and seem to be tied together in some fashion is also a mystery. Some graybeards claim that the Waterspout is nothing more than an amazing natural phenomenon. Others insist that it must be a construct of some sort, though they don't offer any explanations for the thing's origin.
水龙卷的真相或许永难揭晓，但这并未阻止一些家伙试图利用它。一位名叫 婆罗摩·普利文Brahmas Pulivuin（位面佬／气元素裔／战士９，巫师９/守序中立）的精灵与元素混血战士－法师，正在围绕水龙卷建造一系列巨型水车。他希望能以此产生能量，并将其储存在一个名为 逆球inverted sphere 的魔法能量积蓄装置中。婆罗摩雇佣了本地人与外来者参与建设，甚至包括少数能在水龙卷内部安全活动的水元素生物。
The truth about the Waterspout may never be known, but that hasn't stopped berks from trying to exploit it. A warrior-wizard of elven and elemental descent named Brahmas Pulivuin (Pl/ air genasi/F9,M9/LN) is in the midst of building a series of giant water-wheels that wrap all the way around the Waterspout. He hopes to use them to generate power, which he plans to store in a magical energy accumulator called the inverted sphere. Brahmas employs natives and nonnatives alike in the construction, even including a few water elementals that can dwell safely within the spout itself.
据说该项目耗资巨大，但至今无人窥见婆罗摩财富的尽头。事实上，没人知道这位爷的资金来源，甚至其终极目标。有人认为这整个工程包藏祸心，另一些人则视其为纯粹的自利之举。尽管似乎并没有谁真正担忧到试图阻止他，婆罗摩还是雇用了不少守卫来保护和监视这项工程。水神怪与气神怪一如既往地来来往往，将水龙卷用作两大位面间的通道——这已持续了无数纪元——而婆罗摩及其仆从尊重他们，并不阻碍其通行。有传闻称施工队曾遭受数次敌对攻击，但问题似乎并不严重——至少，按婆罗摩的说法是这样。
The cost of the project's said to be enormous, but no one's seen a hint to the end of Brahmas' jink yet. Fact is, no one knows the source of the cutter's money or even his ultimate goal. Some folks see the whole undertaking as sinister, while others dismiss it as merely self-serving. Despite the fact that no one really seems concerned enough to try to stop him, Brahmas has hired a good number of minders to protect and watch over the operation. Marids and djinn come and go, using the Waterspout as a transport between their two planes as they have for countless eons, but Brahmas and his servants respect them and don't hinder their passage. Chant has it that the construction crew has suffered from a few hostile attacks, but the problem doesn't seem to be a serious one-at least, not according to Brahmas.
◆位面行者在气PLANEWALKERS IN WATER◆
在气元素位面旅行时，旅者能找到许多安全避风港。事实上，因为这些城镇对恶劣气候的抵御是如此的好，以至于某人可能在不同镇子待上很久，却从未意识到自己身处于元素位面。他只会以为自己身处某个主物质面的城市（当然，在他走到城镇边界之前）。可话说回来，这又有什么意义呢？前往无边蔚蓝的位面行者本该体验永恒坠落和其它独特风光。打算在此驻留的人，越早学会通过坠落移动越好。
A visitor to the plane of Air can count on a large number of safe havens. Fact is, a body can spend time in plenty of different burgs and never even know he's in an Elemental Plane-that's how well shielded the towns are against the climate. He'd just think he's in a primematerial city (until he reached the edge, of course). But, in the end, what's the point of that? Planewalkers coming to the Boundless Blue ought to experience the eternal plunge and other unique aspects of the plane. A body who plans to spend some time here should learn how to get around by falling as soon as possible.
气元素位面常被视为内层位面的商贸中心，毕竟相对而言，这里的环境颇为温和。（传闻内层位面居民也会前往以太位面的秘密贸易城镇，但知晓其方位者寥寥。）气元素位面的商贾始终警惕着护卫与看守的需求，尤其在进行贸易往来时。他们尤其渴求那些精通飞行坐骑或浮空法术的好手。当然，若有人两样都不会，气元素位面正是学习之地。
The Elemental Plane of Air's often thought of as the center for commerce in the Inner Planes, since the environment is so benign-relatively speaking. (Chant is that innerplanars also go to secret trading burgs in the Ethereal Plane, but few know their locations.) The merchants of Air constantly keep an eye peeled for escorts and minders, especially when they're coming or going. In particular demand are bloods who know how to ride a flying mount or cast a spell of flight. 'Course, for those who don't know either, the plane of Air's the place to learn.
虽然风神怪总是高贵而孤傲，却常寻觅愿意协助他们对抗火神怪的勇士。他们尤为赏识（并奖励）那些愿意潜入 黄铜之城the City of Brass 刺探敌情的老鸟。
The djinn, as noble and aloof as they can be, often seek bashers willing to help them in their war against the efreet. They particularly appreciate (and reward) cutters willing to go to the City of Brass to spy on their enemies.
当然，并非所有位面行者都为谋职而来气元素位面；许多人只为休闲、娱乐或探求知识。据说 西斯兰风怪Sislan 制作的长笛与号角能奏出凡人难以承受的绝美乐章。泽菲尔霍姆Zephyrhome 的云巨人保存着记载多元宇宙所有种族的详尽谱录，并且每个种族都附有一个秘密。他们愿分享这些知识，但代价是索取对方的一段记忆——这是一种古怪而沉重的代价。不止一位鉴赏家专程来到无边蔚蓝寻找这个位面中的隐形葡萄园，在那里，短命的藤蔓结出的透明葡萄，其酿出的美酒足以令绝大多数精灵佳酿黯然失色。
Naturally, not all planewalkers come to Air looking for employment; many desire only leisure, entertainment, or information. Sislan are said to produce flutes and horns that make music so lovely a mortal can't bear to hear it. The cloud giants of Zephyrhome maintain complex but thorough catalogs of all races in the multiverse and a secret about each. They'll share this knowledge, but only in exchange for a bit of a sod's memory-a strange and hefty price to pay. More than one connoisseur has come to the Boundless Blue to search for the plane's invisible vineyards, where ephemeral vines bear transparent grapes that produce wine that puts even most elven vintages to shame.
法术之钥与其它必需品SPELL KEYS AND OTHER NECESSITIES
法师有可能找到办法规避该位面的部分魔法限制，尤其是涉及 元素火Elemental Fire 与 元素水Elemental Water 的法术。多数情况下，气元素位面的法术密钥以特殊的言语成分形式存在。熟知无边蔚蓝奥秘的法师会通过吸气而非呼气的方式吟诵咒语，以此克服位面的某些自然特性。
It's possible for a wizard to find his way around some of the plane's magical restrictions, especially those involving spells from the schools of Elemental Fire and Water. In most cases, spell keys for the plane of Air take the form of unusual verbal components. Wizards who know the dark of the Boundless Blue speak their spells while inhaling instead of exhaling, thus overcoming some of the natural properties of the plane.
克缇尔城Ktll（一座由早已适应了在风中生活的主物质和跨位面难民组成的城市）的 浮空术士the Floating Sorcerers 发明了一种带翼鞍具，只要付出可观的代价（至少500金币），你就能买到一套。这套被称为 滑翔翼glidewing 的装置，能让无翼之人如鸟儿般乘着微风，前提是他掌握了使用它的技能（空中骑乘airborne riding 熟练）。
For a considerable price (at least 500 gold pieces), a basher can buy a winged harness that was invented by the Floating Sorcerers of Ktll-a city of displaced primes and planars who've long since adapted to living on the winds. This contraption, known as a glidewing, lets a nonwinged person ride the breezes like a soaring bird, as long as he's got the skill to use it (the airborne riding proficiency).
尽管位面中的球海能为多数人提供饮用水，但机敏的旅者总会额外携带一两只水囊以备储存。在抵达下一处绿洲之前，无尽的气元素荒漠可能意味着连续多日下坠的漫长旅途。
Although the orb seas of the plane provide most folks with drinking water, a canny body'll bring along an extra skin or two to store it in. The endless desert of Air can stretch for many days' fall between oases.