planescape adventures in the multiverse pdf
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse ⸺ Overview
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse offers a vibrant return to this acclaimed setting, initially released in 1994, now available as a downloadable PDF.
What is Planescape?
Planescape is a unique Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting renowned for its philosophical depth and exploration of the multiverse. Unlike traditional fantasy realms, Planescape doesn’t center on a single world, but rather on the infinite planes of existence, connected by the city of Sigil. The setting challenges conventional notions of good and evil, alignment, and reality itself.
The 2023 re-release, Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse, brings this iconic setting to a new generation of players, offering a comprehensive collection including an adventure, setting guide, bestiary, and DM screen – often available as a PDF download. It’s a realm where belief shapes reality, and the possibilities are truly limitless, making it a standout experience within the D&D universe.
Historical Context: 1994 Origins
Planescape first emerged in 1994, a bold departure from typical Dungeons & Dragons settings. It wasn’t focused on traditional high fantasy tropes, but instead presented a multiverse brimming with philosophical questions and bizarre realities. This original material, including the iconic Planescape Campaign Setting boxed set, quickly gained a devoted following for its unique tone and challenging concepts.
The initial release was remarkably ahead of its time, anticipating the modern fascination with multiversal narratives. Now, with the 2023 re-release – often found as a convenient PDF – Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse revisits this groundbreaking work, introducing it to a new audience while honoring its legacy.
The 2023 Re-Release & Significance
The 2023 re-release of Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse, frequently available as a PDF download, marks a significant moment for Dungeons & Dragons. It brings a beloved, yet often overlooked, setting back into the spotlight for both veteran players and newcomers. This comprehensive collection includes an adventure, setting guide, bestiary, and DM screen, offering a complete planar experience.
Its significance lies in its unique approach to worldbuilding, emphasizing philosophical themes and moral ambiguity. The PDF format allows for easy access and portability, fostering a renewed interest in this critically acclaimed campaign. It demonstrates Wizards of the Coast’s commitment to revisiting classic material.

Core Components of the Set
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse, often found as a PDF, includes “Turn of the Wheel”, a setting book, bestiary, and a themed DM screen.
The Adventure Volume: “Turn of the Wheel”
“Turn of the Wheel”, the adventure included within Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse (often accessed as a PDF), serves as a compelling entry point into this fantastical setting. It’s described as a fun romp, designed to introduce players to the unique concepts and challenges of planar travel. The adventure focuses on a mysterious wheel and the potential disruption it represents to the established order of Sigil and the planes.
Players will navigate intricate scenarios and encounter memorable NPCs as they unravel the plot. While some reviews suggest the adventure feels somewhat rushed, it effectively showcases the core themes and atmosphere of Planescape. The PDF version allows for easy access and portability for Dungeon Masters preparing and running the campaign.
The Setting Book: A Guide to the Planes
“A Guide to the Planes”, a core component of Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse (available as a PDF download), is an expansive resource detailing the cosmology of the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse. This book serves as a gateway, focusing on Sigil, the City of Doors, and the thresholds to the various planes of existence.
It provides detailed descriptions of the Outer Planes, aligned with moral and philosophical principles, and the Inner Planes, representing elemental forces. The PDF format allows DMs to easily reference the intricate lore and unique characteristics of each plane, enriching their campaign world and offering endless possibilities for adventure.
The Bestiary: Creatures of the Multiverse
“Creatures of the Multiverse”, included within the Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse set and accessible via PDF, expands the monstrous roster for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. This bestiary isn’t simply a collection of stats; it’s a compendium of beings uniquely suited to the bizarre and wondrous planes.
Players and Dungeon Masters alike will encounter denizens from across the cosmology, ranging from the familiar to the utterly alien. The PDF format facilitates easy searching and implementation of these creatures into campaigns, adding depth and challenge to planar adventures. Expect encounters that defy conventional fantasy tropes!
The DM Screen: Planescape-Themed Design
The DM Screen, a crucial component of the Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse set, and available for viewing within the PDF, isn’t merely functional – it’s a visual gateway to the planes. Adorned with stunning artwork depicting Sigil and its inhabitants, it immerses the Dungeon Master in the setting.
Beyond aesthetics, the screen provides quick-reference rules pertinent to planar travel, spell effects, and creature abilities. This streamlines gameplay, allowing DMs to focus on storytelling. The PDF version allows for easy printing or digital use during sessions, enhancing the overall Planescape experience.

Sigil, the City of Doors
Sigil, the central hub detailed in the Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PDF, is a unique city existing outside of conventional planar boundaries.
Understanding the Lady of Pain
The Lady of Pain is a mysterious and immensely powerful being intrinsically linked to Sigil, the City of Doors, and central to the Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PDF’s lore. She is the supreme authority within Sigil, maintaining order through a network of dabus – enigmatic, floating creatures who enforce her will.
Her true nature remains largely unknown; she is not a goddess in the traditional sense, but rather a force of cosmic law. The Lady of Pain inflicts a unique form of punishment upon those who defy her or attempt to leave Sigil without her permission: flaying, where the offender’s skin is removed, layer by layer.
Despite the horrific nature of this punishment, it is not necessarily fatal, and those flayed often retain their consciousness. The Planescape setting emphasizes that the Lady’s motives are beyond mortal comprehension, making her a compelling and terrifying figure.
The Factions of Sigil
Sigil, as detailed in the Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PDF, is dominated by powerful philosophical organizations known as factions. These groups vie for influence within the city, each believing they hold the key to understanding the multiverse. The factions aren’t necessarily good or evil, but rather represent distinct worldviews.
Notable factions include the Harmonium, seeking universal order, and the Chaos, embracing freedom and change. The Athar (the Lost) believe the gods are imposters, while the Transmuters focus on self-improvement.
Players can align with a faction, gaining benefits and responsibilities, profoundly impacting their adventures. Understanding these factions is crucial for navigating Sigil’s complex political landscape and unlocking the secrets within the Planescape setting.
Navigating the Portals
Sigil, the City of Doors, is defined by its portals – magical doorways leading to any plane of existence. The Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PDF details the intricacies of planar travel, emphasizing that portals aren’t simply destinations, but complex mechanisms.
Keys, often symbolic objects or phrases, are required to activate specific portals. The Lady of Pain governs these portals, and disrupting their function can draw her attention.
Successfully navigating Sigil’s portals requires knowledge of planar coordinates, faction influence, and a healthy dose of caution. The PDF provides rules for planar travel, including potential dangers like planar instability and encounters with extraplanar entities.

The Planes Themselves
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse’s PDF comprehensively details the diverse planes, from the aligned Outer Planes to the elemental Inner Planes and beyond.
The Outer Planes: Alignments and Domains
The Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PDF meticulously outlines the Outer Planes, realms intrinsically linked to the moral and ethical alignments of Dungeons & Dragons. These aren’t simply locations; they are the embodiments of Lawful Good, Neutral Good, Chaotic Good, Lawful Neutral, True Neutral, Chaotic Neutral, Lawful Evil, Neutral Evil, and Chaotic Evil.
Each alignment manifests as a distinct plane, such as the serene beauty of Elysium (Lawful Good) or the infernal horrors of the Nine Hells (Lawful Evil). The PDF provides detailed descriptions of each plane’s inhabitants, landscapes, and unique challenges. Understanding these domains is crucial, as planar travel isn’t merely geographical; it’s a journey into the heart of philosophical and moral concepts. The document clarifies how a character’s alignment might be affected by prolonged exposure to a particular plane.
The Inner Planes: Elemental Realms
The Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PDF delves into the Inner Planes, the fundamental building blocks of reality – Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. Unlike the Outer Planes tied to morality, these realms represent pure elemental forces, existing as vast, often hostile environments. The PDF details each plane’s unique properties, from the swirling vortexes of the Plane of Air to the crushing pressures of the Plane of Water.
These aren’t just elemental landscapes; they’re inhabited by creatures born of the elements themselves – djinn, efreeti, and more. The document outlines the dangers of navigating these planes, emphasizing the need for specialized equipment and knowledge. It also explores the Paraelemental Planes, representing combinations of the core elements, adding further complexity to planar travel.
The Astral Plane & Ethereal Plane
The Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PDF extensively covers the Astral and Ethereal Planes, often used as conduits between other realms. The Astral Plane, a silvery void dotted with the shells of deceased gods, allows for near-instantaneous travel but is fraught with psychic dangers and githyanki pirates. The PDF details astral projection rules and the unique challenges of navigating this plane.
Conversely, the Ethereal Plane exists alongside the Material Plane, a ghostly echo where creatures can phase in and out of reality. It’s a realm of shadows and whispers, often used for secret travel or as a refuge. The document clarifies the rules for etherealness and the creatures that call this plane home, offering DMs tools for incorporating these planes into their campaigns.

Gameplay Mechanics & Considerations
The Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PDF introduces unique rules for planar travel, instability, and challenges tailored for a 5e D&D experience.
Portals and Planar Travel Rules
The Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PDF deeply explores the intricacies of planar travel, central to the setting’s identity. Sigil, the City of Doors, functions as a nexus, with portals leading to countless planes of existence. The rules detail how characters can locate, activate, and navigate these portals, often requiring specific keys or understanding of planar lore.
Planar travel isn’t simply teleportation; it involves risks like planar instability and encounters with powerful entities. The PDF clarifies the effects of different alignments on travel, and introduces mechanics for dealing with the unpredictable nature of the planes. Furthermore, it outlines how to create custom portals and the challenges associated with maintaining their stability, offering DMs tools for dynamic campaign building.
Dealing with Planar Instability
The Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PDF dedicates significant attention to planar instability, a frequent hazard for travelers. The planes aren’t static; their boundaries can shift, and their laws can fluctuate, leading to unpredictable consequences. The rules detail how to determine the level of instability in a given area, and the effects it has on creatures and the environment.
Instability manifests as warped landscapes, altered magic, and the intrusion of elements from other planes. The PDF provides DMs with tables and guidelines for generating these effects, ensuring each planar journey feels unique and dangerous. Characters might face temporary alignment shifts, or encounter creatures displaced from their native planes, adding layers of complexity to encounters.
Unique Challenges for D&D 5e
The Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PDF presents distinct challenges adapting the setting to D&D 5e rules. Traditional combat and spellcasting can feel limited when facing beings of immense power or navigating planes with altered physics. The material emphasizes roleplaying and creative problem-solving over direct confrontation.
Alignment, central to Planescape, requires nuanced interpretation within 5e’s system. The PDF offers guidance on portraying complex motivations and the consequences of planar influences on character beliefs. Furthermore, planar travel introduces logistical hurdles – maintaining supplies, navigating portals, and avoiding the attention of powerful entities – demanding careful planning from players.

“Turn of the Wheel” Adventure Details
“Turn of the Wheel”, included in the Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PDF, is a fun romp offering a compelling entry point into the setting’s wonders.

Synopsis of the Adventure Plot

“Turn of the Wheel”, the adventure contained within the Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PDF, centers around a mysterious, cyclical event threatening Sigil, the City of Doors. The adventurers are drawn into a plot involving the Lady of Pain and the delicate balance maintaining the city’s existence.
They must investigate strange occurrences, unravel a conspiracy, and ultimately attempt to prevent a catastrophic shift in Sigil’s fundamental nature. The plot involves planar travel, encounters with unique creatures, and interactions with the city’s powerful factions. The characters’ choices directly impact the fate of Sigil and potentially the wider multiverse, making for a dynamic and engaging campaign experience. It’s a perfect introduction to the Planescape setting.
Key NPCs in “Turn of the Wheel”
“Turn of the Wheel” features a cast of memorable Non-Player Characters crucial to the adventure’s unfolding. Kesto Ky’Arn, a tiefling merchant, provides initial leads and assistance, though his motives remain ambiguous. Rak Tulkhesh, a powerful modron, offers cryptic guidance, bound by its rigid logic.
Players will also encounter representatives from Sigil’s factions, like the Harmonium and the Sign of One, each with their own agendas. The enigmatic Lady of Pain herself makes subtle appearances, influencing events from the shadows. These NPCs offer quests, information, and challenges, shaping the adventurers’ journey through Sigil and the planes.
Adventure Locations & Encounters
“Turn of the Wheel” primarily unfolds within Sigil, the City of Doors, showcasing iconic locations like the Market Ward and the Lower Ward. Players navigate treacherous streets and encounter bizarre denizens, facing challenges tied to the city’s unique planar nature. Encounters range from negotiating with faction representatives to battling creatures drawn from across the multiverse.
The adventure extends to the Outlands and a brief foray into the Plane of Fire, presenting diverse environments and escalating threats. Expect puzzles involving portals, social encounters with powerful entities, and combat against fiends and modrons, testing the party’s skills and resolve.

Digital Availability & Formats
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse is readily available as a PDF download, alongside integration with Fantasy Grounds and access via Steam.
PDF Download Options
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse’s PDF version provides convenient access to the entire campaign collection. Players can acquire this digital format through various online retailers, including the official Dungeons & Dragons website and popular virtual tabletop platforms. The PDF includes the adventure volume, “Turn of the Wheel,” the comprehensive setting book detailing the planes, a bestiary filled with unique creatures, and the DM screen adorned with Planescape-themed artwork.
Downloading the PDF allows for offline access and easy portability. It’s compatible with most PDF readers and supports features like bookmarking and annotation, enhancing the gameplay experience. Many users find the PDF format ideal for quick reference during sessions and for preparing campaign materials. Ensure you are downloading from a reputable source to guarantee a legitimate and high-quality file.
Fantasy Grounds Integration
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse boasts seamless integration with Fantasy Grounds Unity, a popular virtual tabletop (VTT) platform. This integration dramatically enhances the digital gameplay experience, automating many of the game’s mechanics. Players benefit from automated character sheets, dice rolling, and combat tracking, streamlining sessions and reducing DM workload.
The Fantasy Grounds module includes all the content from the PDF, including maps, tokens, and character portraits, pre-configured for easy use. This eliminates the need for manual setup, allowing groups to jump directly into the adventure. Purchasing the module unlocks the content within Fantasy Grounds, providing a dynamic and immersive way to explore Sigil and the planes.
Steam Version Access
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse is also accessible through the Steam platform, offering another avenue for digital play. This version provides a user-friendly interface and leverages Steam’s features for easy access and management of the campaign content. Players can purchase and download the adventure directly through Steam, benefiting from automatic updates and cloud saves.
The Steam version mirrors the functionality found in Fantasy Grounds, providing a fully integrated digital experience. It includes all the maps, tokens, and artwork from the PDF, optimized for Steam’s environment. This allows for collaborative gameplay with friends, enhancing the immersive exploration of Sigil and the planes.

Community Reception & Reviews
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse receives praise for its vibrant return, though some find it patchy and rushed, desiring more comprehensive content.
Strengths of the Planescape Re-Release
The re-release’s greatest strength lies in successfully recapturing the unique and bizarre atmosphere of the original Planescape campaign setting. Players and critics alike celebrate the return to Sigil, the City of Doors, and the exploration of the multiverse’s infinite possibilities.
The inclusion of a complete adventure, “Turn of the Wheel,” provides an immediate entry point for players, while the setting book offers a wealth of lore and inspiration. The quality of the artwork and the overall presentation are also frequently lauded, enhancing the immersive experience.
Furthermore, the availability of the set in multiple formats – including PDF, Fantasy Grounds, and Steam – significantly broadens its accessibility to a wider audience of Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasts. The PDF version allows for easy portability and digital annotation.
Criticisms & Areas for Improvement
Despite its strengths, the Planescape re-release isn’t without its shortcomings; Some critics note that the content feels somewhat rushed, lacking the depth and detail present in the original 1994 materials. The vastness of the multiverse is hinted at, but not fully explored within this single set.
Others suggest that “Turn of the Wheel” adventure, while enjoyable, may not fully showcase the philosophical and mind-bending potential of Planescape. The PDF version, while convenient, can sometimes suffer from formatting issues depending on the viewing software.
A desire for more expanded rules regarding planar travel and interactions is also expressed, alongside calls for a more comprehensive bestiary of multiverse creatures.
Overall Fan Sentiment (as of 01/26/2026)
As of today, fan reception to Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse is overwhelmingly positive, despite noted areas for improvement. Long-time fans appreciate the return to this unique setting, praising its vibrant world-building and philosophical themes. The PDF accessibility has been a major boon, allowing for easy access and play.
Newcomers are captivated by the sheer strangeness and creativity of the planes, finding it a refreshing departure from traditional fantasy. While some desire more content, the core set is seen as a solid foundation for planar adventures.
Overall, the re-release is considered a successful revival of a beloved classic.


























































































