Plane of Life (3.5e Sourcebook)/Introduction

The Plane of Positive Energy: I'm sure you've all heard of it, but how many have been there? Or sent a character there? This project is intended to flesh out the most maligned of inner planes, the plane of life. But first, forget what you already know about it. I will be putting here everything I am keeping, so ignore other sources.

The Basics
The basic traits of the plane are as follows (quoted directly from the SRD):

Positive Energy Plane:
 * Subjective directional gravity.
 * Major positive-dominant. Some regions of the plane have the minor positive-dominant trait instead, but these areas of safety are in constant motion.
 * Enhanced magic. Spells and spell-like abilities that use positive energy, including cure spells, are maximized (as if the Maximize Spell metamagic feat had been used on them, but the spells don’t require higher-level slots). Spells and spell-like abilities that are already maximized are unaffected by this benefit. Class abilities that use positive energy, such as turning and destroying undead, gain a +10 bonus on the roll to determine Hit Dice affected. (Undead are almost impossible to find on this plane, however.)
 * Impeded magic. Spells and spell-like abilities that use negative energy (including inflict spells) are impeded.

Subjective Directional Gravity: The strength of gravity on a plane with this trait is the same as on the Material Plane, but each individual chooses the direction of gravity’s pull. Such a plane has no gravity for unattended objects and non-sentient creatures. This sort of environment can be very disorienting to the newcomer, but is common on “weightless” planes.

Characters on a plane with subjective directional gravity can move normally along a solid surface by imagining “down” near their feet. If suspended in midair, a character “flies” by merely choosing a “down” direction and “falling” that way. Under such a procedure, an individual “falls” 150 feet in the first round and 300 feet in each succeeding round. Movement is straight-line only. In order to stop, one has to slow one’s movement by changing the designated “down” direction (again, moving 150 feet in the new direction in the first round and 300 feet per round thereafter).

It takes a DC 16 Wisdom check to set a new direction of gravity as a free action; this check can be made once per round. Any character who fails this Wisdom check in successive rounds receives a +6 bonus on subsequent checks until he or she succeeds.

Positive-Dominant: An abundance of life characterizes planes with this trait. The two kinds of positive-dominant traits are minor positive-dominant and major positive-dominant. A minor positive-dominant plane is a riotous explosion of life in all its forms. Colors are brighter, fires are hotter, noises are louder, and sensations are more intense as a result of the positive energy swirling through the plane. All individuals in a positive-dominant plane gain fast healing 2 as an extraordinary ability.

Major positive-dominant planes go even further. A creature on a major positive-dominant plane must make a DC 15 Fortitude save to avoid being blinded for 10 rounds by the brilliance of the surroundings. Simply being on the plane grants fast healing 5 as an extraordinary ability. In addition, those at full hit points gain 5 additional temporary hit points per round. These temporary hit points fade 1d20 rounds after the creature leaves the major positive-dominant plane. However, a creature must make a DC 20 Fortitude save each round that its temporary hit points exceed its normal hit point total. Failing the saving throw results in the creature exploding in a riot of energy, killing it.

The Changes
However, these basic traits leave out some important details. The positive energy of the plane has the reverse effect on those harmed by positive energy, dealing 2 or 5 damage per round. In addition, the plane lacks air. The sheer amount of positive energy provides air pressure, but most creatures cannot breathe this energy.

The plane of positive energy is infinitely large, but not in all directions. One of the plane's dimensions (which I will define as up and down, despite gravity being relative) is only 3 miles in size. If you reach the top or bottom of this dimension, it wraps around to the other end.

The City
The "capital" of the plane of positive energy is a metropolis called Lumière (population 1.375 million people, 50% lucerna, 15% half-lucerna, 35% others). Lumière is a constantly growing city protected by greater positive planar anchors. Due to the unique gravity of the plane, buildings are built in whichever direction is most convenient rather than trying to match the nearby area. You will often find birds flying about, with letters in beak.

The primary industries of Lumière are farming, both of trees (including some vitawood) and grain, the searching for and retrieval of auracrystals, and healing. Scattered about the huge city are various small farms to supply the needs of the plane. Healing, while not a very respected profession in Lumière (as most natives can do it themselves), is readily accessible to anyone (10% discount on any healing spells, scrolls, wands or potions). For most people in the healing field, it is a secondary job for some extra income, rather than their primary job.

Lumière possesses quite a large market. By no means is it the largest among the planes, but it is large and has merchants from most of the planes. While you get better rates on things that can be produced on the plane (5% discount on wood, vitawood, auracrystal and grain products), you can buy almost anything there (gold piece limit of 80k gp). Due to the unique architecture and constant growth of the city, those who wish to live within it can do so at a reasonable price (a 25ft^3, one room house costs about 950 gp, 1500 gp if you want to be near a market).

Lumière is run by one man, known as the capo of Lumière. He holds the position until he decides to give it up to another, and has total authority. This position is currently filled by Passade Claragradus III (lucerna fighter 19), who has held the position for 137 years. The Passade line has controlled the city for 598 years. Under his line's fair hand, the city has flourished. He currently has one daughter named Durata Claragradus (lucerna mender 10).