索引：【位面】
索引：【內層位面】／【准元素位面】／【負准元素位面】
簡介
| 灰燼准元素位面The Quasi-Elemental Plane of Ash | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 【所屬 位面】 | 准元素位面The Quasielemental Plane／負准元素位面The Negative Quasielemental Plane |
| 【類 型】 | 內層位面／准元素位面 |
| 【位面 之主】 | 葛扎銳Gazra |
| 【下轄 地區】 | 核心灰燼面Core Ash：往焰城堡Citadel of Former Flame 煤渣泉Cinder Wells：與岩漿面的交界處 |
| 【簡 介】 | 「灰飛，煙滅。」——貝恩·血蹄，於半人馬煤爐 灰燼准元素位面The Quasi-Elemental Plane of Ash 處於負能量位面與火元素位面的交界，是多元宇宙最渣渣之處，基本就是一塊無邊無際的煤渣。 |
2ePS<The Inner Planes.p114>灰燼准元素位面The Quasi-Elemental Plane of Ash
譯者：誠招男友力MAX同SEX好友白菜團（QQ：1366790246，申請備註0或1），爵爺
嘿，是變冷了還是只有我在發寒？HEY, IS IT GETTING COLD OR IS THAT JUST ME?
——里戈伊·失木RIGOI TIMBERLOST，一位物質面探索者A PRIME EXPLORER
法師學派改變Wizard School Alteration
火Fire ∵
氣Air，水Water ◆
火燒完後剩下的就是灰燼了，對吧？我的朋友們，可遠不止這些。有一整個位面的灰燼，而我會告訴你關於它的一切。你可以叫我 奧爾·德里斯·M·戈洛格ol' Derris M'Gollog，我一生中走遍了大部分的 內層位面the Inner Planes，想盡一切辦法尋找財富。我得到的不夠讓我保持遙遙領先，但有足夠多的真正的秘密可以和你分享，如果你感興趣的話。
Ash's what's left over when the fire's done, right? Well, there's a might more to it than that, my friends. There's a whole plane of it, and I'm here to tell you all about it. You can call me ol' Derris M'Gollog, and I've been through most of the Inner Planes in my day, looking for a fortune any way I could find it. Never did get enough jink to get ahead, but I tumbled to enough of the true dark to share it with you, if you're interested.
[譯註：印記城黑話——Dark 任何秘密可稱為dark. "Here's the dark of it,"等於說 "I've got a secret and I'll share it with you."]
灰燼准元素位面The Quasielemental Plane of Ash 位於 火位面Fire 與 負能量面Negative Energy 的交界處。這是一個有著奇特對比的地區——一個在火元素的熔爐中誕生的令人難以置信的寒冷之地。（那些自命不凡的詩人根本比不上我。）
The Quasielemental Plane of Ash's located at the junction of Fire and Negative Energy. It's a region of right curious contrasts-a place of incredible cold born in the crucible of Elemental Fire. (Them fancy poets got nothing on me.)
在灰燼准元素位面的心臟地帶，有一大塊如同一團乾粉壓製成的灰白色薄片。它很厚，但還沒有厚到普通巴佬挖不出路來。在它周圍則變薄了，變成了由漂浮顆粒形成的薄霧，就像活躍火山周圍的雲一樣。然而，無論它以什麼形態存在，灰燼元素都能從任何處在其中的東西的吸走熱量。
At its heart, the quasiplane of Ash's an immense block of gray-white flakes pressed together like a big ol'mess of dry powder. It's thick, but not so's that the average berk can't dig his way through it. Here and there it thins out, becoming a haze of floating particles like the clouds that rain down around rumbling volcanoes. No matter what form it takes, though, elemental Ash draws the heat right out of everything within it.
向著火位面的方向行進，此地的徹骨寒冷逐漸被吞噬一切的火焰取代。在這兩個位面的交界處，訪客會一頭撞進 凍焰之海the Sea of Frozen Flames——一個不產生熱量但仍然像熱煤一樣迅速燒光血肉的地方。儘管如此，如果他能在嚴酷的環境中生存下來，你會見到一片廣闊無垠的水晶火焰，美麗至極，值得一游。
Traveling in the direction of elemental Fire, the chilling cold of the place gradually gives way to all-consuming flames. At the junction of these two planes, a body runs right into the Sea of Frozen Flames -- a place that produces no heat but still burns away flesh as quickly as hot coals. Still, if he can survive the harsh environs, a basher'll find this expanse of erystalline fire as beautiful as anything and well worth a visit.
而在另一個方向，在灰燼位面和負能量面交界的邊界，訪客進入了一個被一些人稱為 空虛寒冬the Empty Winter 的地方。這是一片極度寒冷的區域，偶爾會有漫天飛舞的雪花。空虛寒冬不僅會吸乾身體的熱量，還會像 吸血鬼之吻vampire's kiss 一樣確確實實地吸走生命力，儘管速度沒有那麼快。
In the other direction, at the border between Ash and Negative Energy itself, a body enters a place known to some as the Empty Winter. This here's a region of extreme cold marked by occasional diffuse clouds of drifting flakes. Not only does the Empty Winter drain body's heat, it also bleeds away vitality as surely, though not a as swiftly, as a vampire's kiss.
當某人向 煙側位面the paraplanes of Smoke 和 岩漿側位面the paraplanes of Magma 移動時，他將發現了被稱為 餘燼之地the Embers 和 煤渣泉the Cinder Wells 的區域。前者是一團滾燙、刺痛的灰燼，還沒有散去熱量。後者同時有寒冷的火山灰斑塊和熾熱的岩漿河。極寒與酷熱在兩地無休止鬥爭。環境惡劣？簡直是地獄。
As body moves toward the paraplanes of Smoke and Magma, he finds the a regions known as the Embers and the Cinder Wells. The former's a swirling cloud of hot, stinging ashes that have not yet given up their heat. Frigid patches of volcanic ash and rivers of glowing magma mark the latter. Both're places where arctic cold endlessly battles blistering heat. Harsh? Hells, yes.
灰燼准元素位面與 塵埃面Dust 和 真空面Vacuum 的相似區域接壤。由於灰燼和塵埃兩種准元素之間的相似性，它們的邊界相當脆弱，很難精確定義。這是一個充滿敵意的地方，既有灰燼的寒冷，又有塵埃的緩慢解離。這個交叉點是如此可怕和神秘以至於它被稱為 荒蕪之地the Wasting Place。
The quasiplane of Ash borders similar regions of Dust and Vacuum. The boundary with Dust's tenuous, difficult to precisely define because of the similarities between the two quasielements. It's a hostile place, combining both the frigid cold of Ash and the gradual disintegration of Dust. This junction's so terrible and mysterious that it's called only the Wasting Place.
在另一側的邊界，灰燼逐漸讓位給真空的完全虛無。不過，在此之前，位面行者會遇到一片像碎玻璃一樣的沙礫殘留物。這個不健康的地方被稱為 閃耀瀚海the Sparkling Vast。這裡的碎片在陽光下閃閃發光。雖然它很美，但這個缺少空氣的地方吸收了生物的熱量，對人們的身體有不利的影響。呆頭留在這裡的時間越長，就越難移動。最後，即使是那些對寒冷免疫的人，最終也會像 女士區The Lady's Ward 里的雕像一樣一動不動。
On the other border, the ash gradually gives way to the utter emptiness of Vacuum. Before it does, though, a planewalker comes upon a region of gritty residue much like splintered glass. This unhealthy place's known as the Sparkling Vast. The fragments here sparkle and gleam brilliantly when exposed to light. Beautiful as it is, though, this airless place absorbs the heat from living things and has a detrimental effect on folk's bodies. The longer a sod remains here, the harder it becomes to move. In the end, even those immune to the cold end up as motionless as a statue in The Lady's Ward.
◆物理條件PHYSICAL CONDITIONS◆
只有非常狡猾的老手才能在任何 負准位面the negative quasiplanes 中生存。每一個人都和教堂里的 巴特祖baatezu 一樣危險，且更卑劣。在某傢伙僥倖發現一種生存方法前，有很多方法可以讓他送命，除非他有一個像我這樣知識淵博的嚮導。
It takes a right cunning cutter to survive in any of the negative quasiplanes. Each one's as dangerous as a baatezu in church and twice as sneaky. A body can get himself killed any number of ways before he stumbles upon a means of survival, unless he's got a knowledgeable guide like me.
到達這裡GETTING HERE
實際上，沒有多少人會特意前往灰燼准元素位面（或者任何其它准位面，從實際來說）。某人更有可能是被意外傳送到這裡或是被復仇的敵人送過來。
Not too many folks'll actually go out of their way to reach the quasiplane of Ash (or any of the quasiplanes, for that matter). A body's more likely to find himself transported here accidentally or through the actions of a vengeful enemy.
除了 門城the City of Doors 外，只有幾扇傳送門可以進入這個領域。例如，在 混沌海Limbo 位面有一道奇怪的小門，連接著那個國度和灰燼准元素位面。它相當容易使用，足夠大，可以讓三到四個人同時通過。傳送門鑰匙僅僅需要在傳送門的石質框架上把火焰熄滅。
With the obvious exception of the City of Doors, only a few gates provide access to this realm. For example, there's a strange little gate in the plane of Limbo that links that realm with the quasiplane of Ash. It's fairly easy to use, being large enough for three or four folks to pass through at once. The key's simply the smothering of a flame against the side of the portal's stone frame.
然而，使用這個傳送門真正的難點是抵達它。它被稱為 流浪之路the Wandering Way，似乎永遠不會在同一個地方停留超過一兩天。除此之外，它沒有明顯的運動規律。第一天，它可能在 莎』克』羅爾城Shra'kt'lor，第二天，它可能在位面的另一端。也許有什麼辦法能固定住傳送門這樣它就不會像那樣四處遊蕩；問題是，似乎沒人知道該怎麼做。
The trick to using this gate, however, is reaching it. Known as the Wandering Way, it never seems to stay in the same place for more than a day or two. Beyond that, there's no apparent pattern to its movements. One day, it might be in the city of Shra'kt'lor, and the next it might be clear on the other side of the plane. There's probably a way to anchor the gate so that it won't wander about like that; problem is, no one seems to have any idea how to do it.
在 主物質位面the Prime Material Plane 一處偏遠的小角落裡，隱藏著一座環繞著一顆紅巨星、名為 阿薩斯世界Athas 的小世界。這個世界的祭司們信仰元素本身，希望有朝一日能成為氣、土、火、水的具現。他們大都比 無望者Bleaker 還更瘋癲，但都很強大。
Hidden away in a secluded corner of the Prime Material Plane's a little world named Athas that circles a bloated red star. The priests of this world worship the elements themselves, hoping to one day become embodiments of Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. Most of them're barmier than a Bleaker but right tough nonetheless.
在不久前，出現了一支小阿薩斯祭司派系，他們獻身於灰燼准元素。雖然他們的信仰吸引到的追隨者寥寥無幾，且現在已經無影無蹤，但這些聖人還是留下了一座聖物：托蓋倫的黑曜石之門the Obsidian Gate of Tor Gaylen。據說此物的得名於他們教派首領，但現在這點已無從考證。
Some time ago, a lesser sect of Athasian priests dedicated to the Quasielemental Plane of Ash emerged. Although their faith earned them few followers and they've now vanished without trace, these holy men left behind one relic: the Obsidian Gate of Tor Gaylen. Supposedly this thing's named for the head of their order, but no one can say for sure.
為了激活這道門徑，必須對其加熱直至它被切削雕琢過的石頭髮出紅光。當溫度足夠高時，在門的中心的黯淡灰色將變得明顯，而你就可以走進前往塵埃准位面。朋友，通過時要小心，別碰到門框。
In order to activate this portal, it must be heated until the stone it's cut from glows red-hot. When the temperature's high enough, a dim grayness becomes apparent at the center of the gate and a body can walk through into the quasiplane of Ash. Just be careful not to touch the side of the gateon your way through, friend.
雖然並不常見，但通向灰燼准位面的旋渦是存在的。大多數時候，這些旋渦會只會出現在兩種地方：休眠火山或死火山的中心，或是已被熊熊大火燒成白地的地方。後者可能是林火這樣自然火災的結果，或是像紅龍的吐息這樣的超自然力量直接引發。
Although not common, vortices to the quasiplane of Ash do exist. For the most part, these're found in only two places: in the heart of a dormant or extinct volcano, or where raging fire has razed everything. This might be the result of a natural conflagration like a forest fire, direct outcome of some supernatural force like the flaming breath of a red dragon.
危險HAZARDS
當然，在探索內層位面時，有許多危險等待著位面行者。在這個特殊的准位面中，最大的麻煩是位面從活物身上吸取熱量。
Course, there's many a danger waiting to confront planewalkers as they explore the Inner Planes. In this particular quasiplane, the greatest problem's the way the plane siphons heat from living things.
溫度TEMPERATURE
鄰近的火位面早已耗盡了這個地方的熱量。就好似試圖重獲失去的溫暖一樣，灰燼位面會從位面中的一切吸取熱量——無論那是活物還是死物。
The neighboring plane of Fire has long since consumed the heat of this place. As if trying to regain the warmth that's been lost, the plane of Ash absorbs heat from everything within it, living or inanimate.
如果某人沒有對寒冷的魔法防護，他將每回合遭受2d6點傷害。任何活物，甚至是那些通常免疫寒冷的生物，都將受影響。來自火元素位面、煙側位面和岩漿側位面、以及那些習慣於極端高溫的生物，每回合將因此效果遭受1生命骰的傷害。普通的熱源——甚至是魔法熱源——都無法抵禦這種影響。
If a body ain't magically protected from the cold, he suffers 2d6 points of damage per turn. All living things, even those that're normally immune to cold, are affected. Creatures from the Elemental Plane of Fire, the paraplanes of Smoke and Magma, or otherwise accustomed to extreme heat suffer 1 HD of damage each round from this effect. Normal heat sources, even magical ones, won't do much to counter this effect.
呼吸和視覺BREATHING AND VISION
在很大程度上，灰燼准位面就是一團由灰白薄片堆疊的固體。甚至是在灰燼變得鬆散一些的地方，也不過是變成了厚厚的濃厚的粉末之雲，除了窒息別無它物，而且根本看不見光。沒有魔法的幫助，呼吸和視物在此都將變得不可能。
For the most part, the Quasielemental Plane of Ash's a solid mass of gray-white flakes. Even in places where the ash loosens up and the place becomes a thick, powdery cloud, it ain't fit for anything but choking on and there's no light at all to see by. Breathing and seeing just aren't possible here without magical help.
是的，它必須是魔法的，在這裡，敞開的自然火焰是無法被點燃的。沒有空氣，火焰就無法燃燒。魔法之光仍會被厚厚的灰燼之雲阻擋，能見度最多也只能到10碼左右。熱感視覺在此亦不生效。即時是遠離這片准位面的固體部分，餘熱也幾乎會被立即吞噬。
And it's got to be magie-natural open fames won't ignite. They can't survive without air any more than a living thing can. Magical light's still hampered by the thick clouds of ash, limiting visibility to about 10 yards at best. Infravision don't work here, either. Even if away from the solid parts of the quasiplane, residual heat's gobbled up almost instantly.
其他危險OTHER DANGERS
就好像是只有熱量耗散還不夠似的，灰燼面還為位面行者們帶來了幾個獨特的麻煩。
As if the heat-draining weren't enough, Ash holds a couple of unique problems for a planewalker.
巫師粉MAGE POWDER.
灰燼面的某些區域對魔法的使用非常敏感。當某位施法者（無論他是法師還是祭司）開始在這樣的地方施展法術時，灰燼將如吸取他身上的熱量一般、吸收魔法能量。幸運的是，這不會影響在進入巫師粉之前生效的魔法物品或法術。
Certain regions of the quasiplane of Ash're sensitive to the use of magic. When a spellcaster (either a wizard or a priest) starts tossing around spells in such places, the ash absorbs the magical energy just as it does body heat. Fortunately, this doesn't affect magical items or spells that were in effect prior to entering the mage powder.
巫師粉不僅可以阻止任何新法術的施展，還可以直接從施法者身上吸取能量，使他暫時無法使用任何其它法術。每當施法者想在巫師塵區域內施展一道法術時，必須進行對抗法術豁免檢定。如果豁免骰成功，則不會出現不良影響（除了法術本身將註定不生效外）。
Not only does the mage powder prevent any newly cast spell from taking effect, it can also absorb energies directly from the caster, making it impossible for him to use other spells for a time. Whenever a spell's cast in a region of mage powder the caster must make a saving throw vs. spell. If this roll's successful, there's no ill effect (other than the predestined failure of the spell, that is).
如果豁免骰失敗，施法者將不能使用魔法至少1小時。這種效果將持續豁免失敗每骰1小時。因此，如果DC為14，而法師骰出了10，則將有4點差值，並意味著失去魔法能力整整4小時。小心點，擲法者們！
If the roll fails, however, the caster's unable to work magic for at least an hour. This effect lasts 1 hour per point by which the saving throw was missed. Thus, if a 14 is needed and the wizard's die roll came up a 10, the difference of 4 points would indicate a loss of magical ability for 4 full hours. Watch out, spellslingers!
使用關於元素口袋的表，來確定該區域的大小。
To determine the size of such a place, use the table presented for elemental pockets.
負能量口袋NEGATIVE POCKETS.
在非常罕見的情況下，灰燼位面中的某位旅行者會進入到某個負能量口袋中。這些地方有多罕見就有多致命，因為任何進入者每輪將失去一個經驗值等級或生命骰。唯一能保護你免遭這種噩運的是像 防護負能量negative plane protection 這樣的法術。
Very rarely, a traveler in the quasiplane of Ash encounters a pocket of negative energy. These're as deadly as they are rare, for anyone who enters such a place loses one experience level or Hit Die each round. About the only thing that can protect a body from such a fate's a spell like negative plane protection.
污泥SLUDGE
在難得一見的情況下，一些皮革腦袋會將大量的水帶入這片原本乾燥的國度。當這種事情真的發生之時，水會與灰燼混合，形成一團極其惡劣、並且…額…粘稠的軟泥。多數時候，這團東西只是呆在那裡、看起來異常噁心。然而，當有溫血生物闖入其中時，一座致命的陷阱就出現了。
Once in a great while, some leatherhead'll bring a large quantity of water into this otherwise bone-dry realm. When that happens, the water mixes with the ash to form a mass of real vicious, er...viscous slime. For the most part, this goop just sits there and looks revolting. When a warm-blooded creature wanders into the stuff, however, a deadly trap's sprung.
[譯註：印記城黑話—Leatherhead 皮革腦袋。引申為一個笨蛋，一個愚鈍的或沒腦子的傢伙。這個詞是用來稱呼某人為白痴的。也可作形容詞。如在 "a leatherheaded sod".]
液化的灰燼仍會吸收周圍環境的熱量，但它不會僅僅你身上吸取生命，而是會立即硬化為石頭。這個可憐鬼將如浸入快干的灰泥般被掩埋。
The liquefied ash still absorbs heat from the area around it, but instead of just sucking the life out of a body, it instantly hardens into stone. A sod becomes entombed just as if he'd been dipped into quick-drying plaster.
[譯註：印記城黑話—Sod 可憐蟲，討厭鬼。指一個不幸的或可憐的傢伙。使用此詞時，是對一個不幸的傢伙表示同情或是對那些陷入自己製造的麻煩中的白痴的挖苦。]
逃離這樣一座監獄的最好方法是求助朋友——如果你有朋友的話。只需幾根鎬子或其它根據，就可以很輕易地將被困住的可憐蟲從干污泥挖出來。然而，試圖自己脫困則困難得多，需要進行彎杆/舉門骰。如果失敗，你就可以和你的位面蹦達生涯吻別了，巴佬。
The best way to escape such a prison's with the help of friends, if a body's got some. A few picks or other tools free a trapped sod from the dried sludge fairly easily. Trying to break out yourself is much harder, however, requiring a bend bars/lift gates roll. Fail, and you can kiss your plane-hoppin' rear goodbye, berk.
[譯註：印記城黑話—Berk 巴佬。一個笨蛋，尤指那些因為搞不清狀況而把自己捲入大麻煩的傢伙。]
要確定污泥物區域的大小，請使用為元素口袋提供的表格。表格上所表明的尺寸應減少50%。
To determine the size of a sludge deposit, use the table provided for elemental pockets. The dimensions indicated on that table should be cut by 50%.
移動相關MOVING ABOUT
從灰燼准位面的一個地方到另一個地方並不像在土位面那麼困難，但相差無幾。因此，土位面的旅行指南在此也適用。因為灰燼沒有石頭那麼厚，所以旅行者總是能如周圍沒有比堆積的土壤更密的東西那樣移動。灰燼在某傢伙周圍坍塌的概率也是兩倍，因為它沒有土那樣緊密。
Getting from place to place in the quasiplane of Ash ain't quite as difficult as traveling in the plane of Earth, but it's real close. As such, the guidelines for travel in Earth can be used here. Because ash isn't as thick as stone, however, travelers're always able to move as if they were surrounded by nothing denser than packed soil. The ash's also twice as likely to collapse in around a cutter's head since it isn't as tightly packed as earth.
[譯註：印記城黑話—Cutter 傢伙，夥計。 對於其他人的一種普通稱呼，不限男女，由於這種稱呼帶有一些親切的意味，所以比稱呼別人berk要好得多。]
這片位面有重力，所以某人也需要邁開步自己走路。如果某位老鳥發現了一片灰燼形成了雲團而非固體的開放區域，他可沒法像那些更開放的位面一樣從一個地方直接掉進另一個地方。
There's gravity in this plane, so a body's got to do his own walking around as well. If a blood finds an open area where the ash forms clouds instead of solid matter, he can't fall from place to place like he might in the more open planes.
[譯註：印記城黑話—Blood 專家，智者或是任何領域的老鳥。一個角鬥士冠軍可以是一個 blood, 一個強大的巫師也可以是blood.稱呼某人為blood是對其特別尊敬的一種表示 .]<br /.
居民INHABITANTS
極少有生物能在灰燼准位面的恐怖散熱效應中倖存下來。下面介紹了那些能夠在這片充滿敵意的國度中存活甚至繁衍茂盛的生物。
Very few critters can survive the heat draining effects of the quasiplane of Ash. Those creatures that're able to exist and even thrive in this hostile realm're presented below.
准元素QUASIELEMENTALS
在這片位面存在的少量種族中，只有 灰燼魔蝠ash mephits 和灰燼准元素被發現數量龐大。
Of the handful of races known to exist in this plane, only ash mephits and quasielementals're found in any large numbers.
雖然魔蝠們棲息在分散的社區中，但它們的准元素兄弟建立了一個龐大的地方。它們圍繞著一座被稱為 往焰城堡the Citadel of Former Flame 的大型防禦工事，指揮著軍隊對抗入侵者。准元素們的終極目標似乎是摧毀火元素位面。畢竟，在火元素的遺蹟中，你只能找到灰燼元素。要我看，這似乎是個雄心勃勃的計劃，但我還是支持它們（畢竟我對整個火位面也沒啥用處）。
While the mephits live in scattered communities, their quasielemental brothers have built a substantial empire. Based around a large fortification known as the Citadel of Former Flame, they direct their forces against intruders. The ultimate goal of the quasielementals seems to be the destruction of the Elemental Plane of Fire. After all, in the wake of Fire, you'll find only Ash. Seems a might ambitious, but more power to them, I say (never had much use for a whole plane of fire, myself).
動物和怪物ANIMALS AND MONSTERS
在這個位面上發現了少量的 元素動物animentals，通常是極地生物的灰白色複製品。還有一些奇怪的小動物被稱作 描獸descriat，它的皮毛像海狸、嘴像鴨子，而且更神奇的是，它們體溫熱得像火爐（不過它們的肉很好吃）。旅者們也可能會看見一群在水中游泳的 烏利魚ulish——它們不那麼美味，但至少無害。煙塵蛇Sootsnakes 是我能想的唯一另一種基本溫和無害的生物。精明的老鳥會注意它們的腳步，因為這些蛇通常會在各種元素口袋中築巢。
There's a few animentals found in this plane, generally ashen duplicates of polar creatures. There's also a curious little critter called a descriat with fur like a beaver and a bill like a duck-and what's more, it's hot as a furnace (they make for good eating, though). A traveler might also come upon a school of ulish swimming through the ash-they're not as tasty, but at least they're harmless. Sootsnakes're the only other sort of mostly harmless critter I can think of. Canny bloods'll watch where they walk, as the snakes often lair in elemental pockets of various types.
在灰燼准位面中發現的最危險的生物是前面提到的准元素。大部分其它生物，甚至是那些耐寒怪物，都無法在這裡生存。當然，總有例外，但它們總是很危險，就像 炭渣怪rasts。
The most dangerous creatures found in the quasiplane of Ash're the aforementioned quasielementals. Most other creatures, even hardy monsters, simply can't survive here. 'Course, there're always exceptions to this, and they always turn out to be dangerous, like the rasts.
如果要列舉嗜血怪物，那拉斯特怪肯定名列其中。它們總是在狩獵，這些兇猛的生物會組成致命團體，憑藉它們的麻痹凝視撕裂它們捕捉到的任何東西。不過，這裡有個小竅門：炭渣怪非常害怕響聲。人們可以利用這一點來嚇跑它們、或是在面對它們是用大笑分散其注意力幾秒鐘。
Rasts're a bunch of bloodthirsty monsters if there ever were any. Always on the hunt, these vicious creatures work together in deadly packs, tearing apart whatever they can catch with their paralyzing stare. Here's a tip, though Rasts're real afraid of loud noises. A body can use that to his advantage to scare them off or distract them for a few valuable seconds while he gives them the laugh.
同樣的，在灰燼准位面有一種名曰 索爾石怪漫遊者xorn wanders 罕見種族。這些生物與土元素位面的近親很類似，但因為某些原因，它們不受灰燼面散熱效果的影響。灰燼索爾石怪Ash xorns 比它們的同類稍微明亮一些，但沒有那麼強大（每個生命骰-1）。有傳言稱，這些生物實際上已經發展出了施展魔法的能力，但沒有人知道這是真的事實，還是只是胡言亂語。
Also, an unusual race of xorn wanders the quasiplane of Ash. These creatures're much the same as their cousins in the Elemental Plane of Earth, but for some reason, they're not subject to the heat draining effects of Ash. Ash xorns're somewhat brighter than their kin but usually less powerful (-1 on each HD). Rumors persist that some of these creatures've actually developed the ability to work magic, but no one knows if this's true chant or just screed.
[譯註：印記城黑話—Chant, the 表示新聞，本地閒話，事實，情形或者其他任何有關當前局勢的事情.
"What's the chant?"是打探最新消息常用的一句話。如一定要翻譯到主物質位面地球上來，那麼就是」What’s Up?」]
許多不死生物也潛伏在灰燼准位面。這些恐怖存在似乎讓這個地方充滿了負能量，而且它們完全不受周圍吸熱飛燼的影響。好的，你可能不需要我來警告不要離這些腐爛的怪物太近了。
Many undead creatures lurk around the quasiplane of Ash as well. These horrors seem to find the negative energy that saturates this place comforting, and they don't suffer in the least from the heat-draining flakes swirling around. Well, you probably don't need me to warn you off getting too near these rotting monstrosities.
其它種族0THER RACES
儘管有大量報告稱，散落的廢墟揭示了在灰燼面曾經存在過失落的種族，但除了准元素文明外，現在已經沒有其它主要文明。從 奧斯世界the world of Oerth 一座廢棄城堡中發現的記錄暗示，在很久以前，有個矮人社群可能曾試圖在這裡建立殖民地。他們是否成功已成了個謎，因為還沒人在這個位面曾發現過這些的任何蹤跡。
Though plenty of reports speak of scattered ruins indicating the one-time presence of lost races, there're no major civilizations now apart from that of the quasielementals. Records recovered from an abandoned citadel on the world of Oerth hint that a community of dwarves may've tried to establish a colony here long ago. Whether or not they succeeded remains a mystery, since no one's yet found any trace of these folks in the plane.
雖然並不能算活著，但在灰燼准位面中另一個最接近社會概念的是一大群由食屍鬼和妖鬼組成的游牧大軍，它們被稱為 掠肉者the Flesh Renders。這些生物數以百計，可能曾由 巫妖王Lich King 維克那Vecna（見後）控制。因為這些不死生物經常長時間未進食，所以當食物出現時，它們將尤其兇猛。
They ain't alive, but the closest thing to another society in the quasiplane of Ash's a large, nomadic army of ghouls and ghasts known as the Flesh Renders. These creatures number in the hundreds and may've once been commanded by the Lich King Vecna (see below). Because these undead often go for very long periods of time without eating, they're particularly savage when food presents itself.
主要勢力MAJER PLAYERS
沒有（至少，現在沒有）真正的神力在灰燼准位面中棲息。但有個別傢伙已經變得舉足輕重，而應在此處被提及，其中包括一位半神，他已因不明原因離開了這個位面。
No true powers live in the quasiplane of Ash (at least, not anymore). But a few bashers've become important enough to be mentioned here,including one demigod who left the plane behind for unknown reasons.
哈德基尼HADJENN.
哈德基尼Hadjenn（位面佬／男性元素裔／戰士9／絕對中立）告訴我他是世上唯一的灰燼元素裔。他不知道自己的祖先是誰或是什麼，但他誓言要找出答案。奧爾·哈德基尼Ol' Hadjenn 現在在准位面上旅行，探尋他那未知的祖先。一路上，他收集了相當多的魔法武器和物品，使他成為了一位最強大的對手。
Hadjenn (Pl/♂ genasi/F9/N) tells me he's the only known ash genasi in existence. He has no idea who or what his elemental sire was, but he's sworn to find out. Ol' Hadjenn now travels the quasiplane in search of his unknown ancestor. Along the way, he's gathered a fair collection of magical weapons and items that make him a most formida ble opponent.
[譯註：此君名諱與 djinni（氣神怪）以及 Hajj（阿拉伯語朝覲）疑似碰瓷。]
哈德基尼唯一的真朋友是一頭名為 沙克里拉格Shackrilag 的白龍。這頭怪物能在這個准位面倖存下來，要歸功於哈德基尼送給她的一條魔法項鍊。
Hadjenn's only real friend's a white dragon named Shackrilag. This monster survives in the quasiplane thanks to a magical necklace given to her by Hadjenn.
維克那VECNA.
曾棲息於 灰燼准位面the Quasielemental Plane of Ash 的存在中，獨眼獨臂的 巫妖之神Lich God 維克那Vecna 幾乎是沒有爭議的最強者。這個古老生物原是物質世界 奧斯Oerth 的土著，一生都在尋求越來越強大的力量。然而，與此同時，他也在變得越來越邪惡。甚至事實上，他已經攫取了足夠的力量和追隨者，使自己擢升為了一位半神力。
The most powerful being ever to have lived in the Quasielemental Plane of Ash's almost certainly the one eyed, one-handed Lich God Vecna. Originally a native of the prime world Oerth, this ancient creature spent the whole of his existence searching for greater and greater power. At the same time, however, he became more and more evil. Even tually, he acquired sufficient power and enough followers to become a demipower himself.
在許多年前，維克那遷徙到了灰燼准位面（確切的時間無人知曉）。在抵達這裡後，他將一群 末日衛士團Doomguard 的傢伙趕出了他們的要塞，在被稱為 卡維提烏斯堡Cavitius 的巨大骷髏形城堡中安頓了下來。在他的新神國中四處都是追隨者和被囚禁的敵人，不過，又有誰能區分這兩者呢？在卡維提烏斯堡中，維克那繼續研習著黑暗魔法，其最終目標是推翻奧斯世界的其祂神力。最終，他計劃成為所有邪惡亡靈的守護神。這確實是一項艱巨的任務，但如果你低估了維克那的決心，那就大錯特錯。
Vecna migrated to the quasiplane of Ash many years ago (exactly how many, no one knows). Once here, he drove a bunch of Doomguard bashers out of their fortress and set himself up in the great, skull-shaped citadel known as Cavitius. He populated his new realm with followers and imprisoned enemies, though who could tell the two apart? Within Cavitius, Vecna continued to research dark magic with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the other powers of Oerth. In time, he planned to become the patron power of all evil undead. A tall order, true, but a body'd be wrong to underestimate Vecna's determination.
不久前，維克那和所有追隨者都消失了。他們離開了卡維提烏斯堡淒涼的領土，不過有傳言說這個地方仍充滿邪惡的精魂。考慮到維克那在此進行的黑暗實驗，這個猜測似乎也多半為真。
Not long ago, Vecna and all of his followers vanished. They left behind the dismal territory of Cavitius, although chant's that this place's still full of evil spirits. Considering the dark experiments Vecna's known to have conducted here, this seems like a right safe bet.
地點THE SITES
在灰燼准位面上，只有少許真正重要的地方。這兩個地方都已淪為廢墟，這也符合這個國度的特性。
Only a few places of any real importance stand in the quasiplane of Ash. It fits the nature of this realm that two of these places're in ruins.
卡維提烏斯堡CAVITIUS
如果傳言可信的話，這片廣闊的地方現在可能比 維克那Vecna 和他那些潛伏在影幕中的爪牙還在時更加的邪惡和不祥。整個地方看起來就像是顆巨大的頭骨，它的歷史比維克那還古老——那可是相當的久遠了。有人說，它比最初在此居住的末日衛士團還古老，是由被認為消亡已久的老鳥種族修建的，使用的方法連 死亡者Dustmen 都不能理解。甚至有人說，在 卡維提烏斯堡Cavitius 甚至有維克那都不敢去的地方，但要我說，我覺得這是胡說八道。
This vast place might even be more evil and ominous now than it was when Vecna and his minions lurked within its shadowywalls, if rumors're to be believed. The whole place looks like a giant skull, and it's as old as, well, it's older than Vecna-and that's old. Some tell tales that it's older than the Doomguard that originally lived here, built by some long lost race of bloods who worshiped death in a way that even the Dustmen could never understand. There's even said to be places within Cavitius that Vecna was afraid to go, but that sounds like nothing but screed, if I ever heard any.
[譯註：印記城黑話—Dustmen 印記城中的一個派系．他們基本信仰是每個人都是死的．也稱為死亡者．]
考慮到其歷史，只有傻子才會進入這個地方、首先，裡面肯定潛伏著 幽魂ghosts、幽靈spectres 以及其它無形的生物。然而，傳言說非常強大的精魂已經在此地掌權。它比其它幽魂強大得多，據說已經設法直接利用 負能量位面the Negative Energy Plane 的力量。這個生物是否與維克那有聯繫，甚至是否知道那個可怕的巫妖已經變成了，都尤未可知。
Only a fool would enter this place, given its history. For one thing, there're bound to be ghosts, spectres, and other incorporeal creatures lurking within. Chant is, though, that some very powerful spirit has come to power in this place. Far more powerful than other ghosts, it supposedly has somehow managed to tap directly into the power of the Negative Energy Plane. Whether this creature has ties to Vecna, or even knows what has become of that dread lich, is unknown.
也許它與 艾瑟瑞克Acererak 有聯繫，那是另一位來自 奧斯星球Oerth 的巫妖，據說正在尋求與負能量位面建立重要連接。要我說，聽起來奧斯世界好像巫妖多如狗。我才不去那地方！
Maybe it's got ties to Acererak, another old lich from Oerth who's said to be looking for a major connection with the Negative Energy Plane. You ask me, it sounds like that Oerth world's full of liches. You won't catch me there!
往焰城堡THE CITADEL OF FORMER FLAME
這座建築是以灰燼雕刻而成的，然後以魔法融合一起。城堡不斷地緩慢地改變著形狀，服從於位面本身的某些突發奇想、或也許位面本身不可見、不可感受的力量，在這裡升起一座塔、在那裡移動一堵牆。有一件事是肯定的，這個地方永遠不會兩次看起來一樣。它是灰燼准元素帝國的首都，也是 倒戈之帝the Shifting Emperor 葛扎銳Gazra 的城堡。雖然葛扎銳還沒強大到足以宣稱 元素大君archomental 的地位，但他的力量正在增長。終有一日，誰知道他會變得多麼強大？毫無疑問，反正不是像我這樣的傢伙。
This structure has been carved from the very ash of the plane and then magically fused together. The citadel constantly alters its form very slowly, raising a tower here, moving a wall there, obeying some whim or perhaps unseen, unfelt forces in the plane itself. One thing's for sure-the place never looks the same way twice. It's the capital of the ash quasielemental empire and the home of Gazra, the Shifting Emperor. While Gazra's not yet powerful enough to claim archomental status, his might is growing. In time, who knows how powerful he'll become? Not a basher like me, that's for sure.
葛扎銳除了自己的准元素親族外，還在城堡周圍部署了不死生物守衛。食屍鬼、怨靈wraiths 和幽靈暗中監視著這個永恆變化的可怕地方。我，我不喜歡鬼，所以我不會再靠近城堡了。
Gazra uses undead guardians around the citadel in addition to his own quasielemental kin. Ghouls, wraiths, and spectres've been spied around this terrible ever-changing place. Me, I don't care for spooks, and I won't go near the citadel again.
往焰城堡the Citadel of Former Flame 的來訪者發現它不僅沒有熱量，而且沒有光線。在這座建築中，沒有任何照明方式（無論是魔法的還是自然的）。據說，准元素可以在城堡內正常視物，但沒有人知道他們是怎麼做到的。其他傳言堅稱，任何目睹了這個地方內部的人都將立即被逼瘋。
Visitors to the Citadel of Former Flame find that it's not only devoid of heat, but also of light. No manner of illumination, either magical or mundane, functions within this structure. It's said that the quasielementals can see normally within the Citadel, but no one knows how they do it. Other rumors insist that anyone who does manage to see the inside of this place would be instantly driven barmy.
傾圮堡THE CRUMBLING CITADEL
就像他們在所有 負准位面the negative quasiplanes 中的那樣，末日衛士團在灰燼准位面里維持著一座要塞。某人可能會問：為什麼會有人想定居在 負能量位面the Negative Energy Plane 附近？這的確是個好問題。通常來說，內層位面The Inner Planes 並不那麼令人愉快，而這些黑暗的位面則可能是其中最糟的。好吧，如果人們只喜歡居住在好地方，那麼他們都會住在 極樂境Elysium，對吧？或者是物質世界的一些溫帶地區，在那裡夏季涼爽、冬季溫和。但事情並非如此。
The Doomguard maintain a stronghold in the quasiplane of Ash, just as they doon all the negative quasiplanes. Why would anyone want to live near the Negative Energy Plane, a body might ask-and a good question it is, really. The Inner Planes, in general, aren't really all that pleasant to spend any time in, and these dark planes're probably among the worst of the lot. Well, if folks liked living only in the nice places, they'd all live in Elysium, right? Or some prime world in temperate lands with cool breezes in the summer and mild winters. But it don't work like that.
末日衛士團認為，這些位面——灰燼面Ash、塵埃面Dust、鹽位面Salt 和 真空面Salt——都反映了他們整個信仰體系的基礎，即衰變和瓦解。如果有人想要證明萬事萬物都是自然秩序的一部分，他只需要到這些位面上尋找證據。難怪有這麼多傢伙願意承受這些位面的折磨——每一個位面都在以自己的方式向 惡化者the Sinkers 正面他們是對的。
The Doomguard think that these planes-Ash, Dust, Salt, and Vacuum-represent what they base their whole belief system on, namely, decay and decomposition. If anyone ever wanted to prove that all things decay as a part of the natural order, they'd only need to visit these planes for proof. It's no wonder that so many of the bashers're will ing to withstand the tribulations of these planes-each one, in its own way, shows the Sinkers that they're right.
現在，你已經聽說過 印記城Sigil 里的那場大戰，對吧？所以我不用把故事從頭完整說一遍，只需要告訴你關於末日衛士團的那點。似乎他們的總部、軍械庫the Armory，都在戰鬥中被完全摧毀了。在那場大事故前，就有大量惡化者被流放到此。而在 痛苦女士the Lady of Pain 宣布所有派係為非法後，更是有更多人採取迂迴路線來到了這裡。在戰鬥中，惡化者已經因傷亡而受損，女士的法令更是給予了其真正的創傷。派系成員們一片譁然，對自己的未來一片迷茫，在四個准元素堡壘中，消息正在快速而激烈地傳播。這裡的大部分末日衛士團成員都是認為萬物崩解地太快的派系分組成員，他們在採取行動減緩衰變的速度，這樣 多元宇宙the multiverse 就不會提前瓦解。德芙蘭得Devland（位面佬／男性半精靈／戰士14／末日衛士團／守序中立），這位 避世的灰燼末日領主the reclusive Doomlord of Ash 和這座城堡名義上的主同意此觀點。
Now, you've heard about the big war in Sigil, right? So I don't need to tell you the whole story, just the bit about the Doomguard. Seems their head quarters, the Armory, was totally destroyed during the fighting. Lots of Sinkers abandoned the place before the big crash. Even more took a round about route and came here later, after the Lady of Pain out lawed all the factions. The Sinkers were already hurting with their losses during the fighting, and the Lady's decree really hit them where it hurt. Faction members're in an uproar, unsure of their future, and the messages between the four quasielemental fortresses are flying fast and furious. Most of the Doomguard here are of the faction subgroup that believes everything's falling apart too fast, and they take steps to slow the rate of decay so that the multiverse doesn't fall apart ahead of time. Devland (Pl/♂ half-elf/F14/Doomguard/LN), the reclusive Doomlord of Ash and nominal master of the citadel, agrees with this point of view.
不管怎麼樣，最初末日衛士團是呆在 卡維提烏斯堡Cavitius，但大巫妖 維克那Vecna 將他們趕走了。正如人們想得那樣，這並不會讓惡化者高興起來。然而，一堆可憐蟲又能對像維克那這樣的神力做什麼呢？剛開始，他們只是生氣；最後，他們修築了 傾圮堡the Crumbling Citadel。
Anyway, originally the Doomguard in Ash lived in Citadel Cavitius, but the arch-lich Vecna drove 'em out. As a body might imagine, this didn't make the Sinkers too happy. Nevertheless, what can a bunch of sods do against a power like Vecna? First, they just sulked;eventually, they built the Crumbling Citadel.
[譯註：印記城黑話——Sod 可憐蟲，討厭鬼。指一個不幸的或可憐的傢伙。使用此詞時，是對一個不幸的傢伙表示同情或是對那些陷入自己製造的麻煩中的白痴的挖苦。]
目前這裡就是一堆活。我的意思是，這裡的活需要持續不斷的干。這個地方總是在破損和傾圮——你可能會因此覺得它是在 塵埃位面the plane of Dust 上建造的。沒有人確切知道這個地方會持續崩潰，除非是最初的建築師和建造者有意為之（這也的確是一種可能性）。當然，雖然末日衛士團喜歡萬物分崩離析，但如果他們不對此採取措施，他們很快就會失去可以稱之為住所的地方。因此他們在不斷地重建部分區域、並加固其它地方。實際上他們似乎很享受這個過程。
Now here's a piece of work. And I mean, constant work. The place's constantly breaking apart and falling down-a body'd think it was built in the plane of Dust. Nobody knows exactly why the place continually crumbles, unless of course the original architects and builders meant for it to be that way (which is a possibility). 'Course, while the Doomguard like things to fall apart, if they didn't do something about it they wouldn't have a place to call kip right quick. So, they constantly rebuild sections and fortify others. They actually seem to enjoy to it,really.
傾圮堡建築面積廣闊，容納了約400個傢伙。末日衛士團與此地的准元素甚至是不死生物保持著平等的關係。你可以發現這些不死生物，正與那些明顯是穿過傳送門、來到這加入這座垮塌中的廢墟的派系兄弟 籠城人Cager 呆在一起。在這隻有炭渣怪和灰燼索爾石怪是不受歡迎的——只是因為它們不能很好地與其他人相處。
The Crumbling Citadel's a vast structure that holds about four hundred souls. The Doomguard maintain a fair relationship with the paraelementals and even the undead here, and a body'll find them along with the obvious Cager types who've come through a portal to join their faction brothers amid the crumbling ruins. Only the rasts and the ash xorn aren't welcome-they just don't mix well with others.
有一支進駐紮在傾圮堡中的末日衛士團的小團體，名為 篩選者the Sifters。這些傢伙不知疲倦地在灰燼中搜尋著有用或有價值的微小顆粒。瞧，這些傢伙認為這個位面的灰燼是某種已被大火焚盡的東西的殘骸。他們覺得火位面在緩慢地焚盡所有存在，並像它正在做的那樣將一切吞噬。然後，留下來的就是灰燼位面。篩選者在尋找任何未被完全焚盡和破壞的東西。
There's a small group of Doomguard based solely within the Crumbling Citadel called the Sifters. These bashers search tirelessly through the ash for tiny bits of useful or valuable materials. See, these bashers believe that the ash of the plane is what remains of things already destroyed by fire. They think that the plane of Fire is slowly burning away all of existence, consuming it as it does. The plane of Ash, then, is what's left over. The Sifters look for anything not entirely consumed and destroyed.
令人驚訝的是，篩選者實際上已經找到了一些有價值的玩意。偶爾，在灰燼中會出現一些有價值的金屬或寶石。此外，他們已經精熟於分辨不同材料燃燒生成的不同種類的灰燼和爐渣。這不僅有助於收集各種法術之鑰必需的東西，而且對製造其它東西——比如，其它任何地方都沒有的魔法藥水——也提供了極大便利。
Surprisingly, the Sifters actually find things of value. Occasionally a bit of valuable metal or gemstone turns up among the ash. Furthermore, they've become adept at distinguishing the different sorts of ash and cinder formed by the burning of different materials. Not only is this useful for collecting the needed requirements for various spell keys, but it can be right handy for creating other things too-magical potions unlike any found anywhere else, for example.
傳言說，有一些更熱情的篩選者，在發現有機灰燼時，就會讓生活復活，這樣他們就可以看見它們成經歷過什麼。
Chant has it that some of the more enthusiastic Sifters, when they find organic ash, have the creature resurrected so that they can see what it once was.
位面行者在灰燼PLANEWALKERS IN ASH
即便你不是個末日衛士團，也有個別玩意值得讓你來這個位面一趟——當然，只是一小會。許多（特別是內層位面的那些）要員會付上一大筆錢來打聽葛扎銳的近況。同樣的，考慮到此地的歷史及其最臭名昭著的那任主人，也有大量上層位面生物寧願安靜地關注著卡維提烏斯堡。這些傢伙付的錢也很高。
Even if a body's not a Doomguard, there're still a few reasons to pay this plane a visit, if only for a short while. Plenty of high-ups (particularly in the Inner Planes) pay top jink to hear the latest chant regarding Gazra and his doings. Similarly, a number of upper-planar beings like to keep a quiet eye on Cavitius, considering the history of the place and its most infamous master. These cutters pay real well.
我真沒法告訴哪位位面行者在這有什麼好地方可以作為歇腳處，不過傾圮堡里的末日衛士團並不像人們想像的那樣敵視來訪者。請遠離往焰城堡——住在那裡的傢伙對入侵者可並不友好。
I can't really lann a planewalker to a good place to call kip here, although the Doomguard in the Crumbling Citadel aren't as hostile to visitors as a body might think. Steer clear of the Citadel of Former Flame-the folk that live there don't take kindly to intruders.
[譯註：印記城黑話—Lann 告知或通知。見well lanned.]
[譯註：印記城黑話—Kip 歇腳處。任何你可以把腳伸直並過上一夜的地方。特指巢區里或其它地方便宜的旅舍。而to call kip就是把某處弄成某人的家，至少能呆一段時間。
法術之鑰與其它必需品SPELL KEYS AND OTHER NECESSITIES
灰燼面中的法術之鑰採取的形式是各種物質燃燒後產生的灰燼。舉例來說，如果某人在正常的材料成分中加入向日葵的灰燼，他就能在這裡施展 火球術fireball。然而，像 火牆術wall of fire 這樣的長效火法術仍不會生效。因為沒有空氣來維持它們，甚至是法術之鑰也無法解決這個問題。
Spell keys in Ash take the form of cinders collected from the burning of various things. For example, a body might be able to cast a fireball spell here (even though magic of this type doesn't work here normally) if he added the ash of a sunflower to the normal components. Long-term fire spells like wall of fire still don't work, though. There's no air to sustain 'em, and even a spell key can't solve that problem.