This is part 2 of a 3-part review of the Planescape boxed set – read them all here.
Morte’s Planar Parade
Morete’s Planar Parade is an epic fantasy bestiary for Dungeons & Dragons, written by Dan Dillon, Ben Petrisor, and F. Wesley Schneider and published by Wizards of the Coast.
By Aaron T. Huss
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Morte’s Planar Parade is a bestiary for Planescape filled with some rather unusual entries (alongside many non-unusual ones, but still unique on their own). You could call it a collection of the bizarre, although not all the entries are that way. There are many familiar creatures and humanoids, but versions meant to embrace the multiverse and outer plane aspects of Planescape. The book also includes ways to incorporate the influences of the outer planes into your games, but more on that in a bit.
The bestiary of Morte’s Planar Parade focuses heavily on uncommon beings that stretch the imagination of epic fantasy. There is a large number of celestials, aberrations, and fiends plus a collection of constructs rounded out with a handful of different dragon types and humanoids (agents of the different factions that ply the streets of Sigil). However, to me the first three on that list are excellent representations of the outer planes while the constructs serve a proper purpose within the lands that focus on that mechanical science. To me this is important as it focuses on the higher level adventures and the concept that not everyone needs to be an adversary. These high-level beings could be important NPCs or sponsors whose assistance, advice, wisdom, or favor you need to get through this chaotic setting. Of course, not all of them as you probably can’t trust many of them, but their just so cool looking to not admire their design!
Rounding out the book (and actually placed before the bestiary) is GM guidance that can be used to incorporate adversaries from other sources, especially the core books. There are three guides here – the first is a series of mechanics that provides ways to alter stats based on a creature’s planar alignment. This is a great way to make the mundane into something different and unexpected. The second guide is a series of encounter tables when traversing The Outlands. This is an easy way to incorporate all those adversaries the players are familiar with without having to guess on which ones fit best. This includes elementals, giants, fey, humanoids, plants, undead, and a lot more. The third and final guide is a short one after the bestiary that provides a random roll table for quickly generating planar encounters.
You can’t buy the Planescape boxed set without getting this book, but Morte’s Planar Parade is definitely the perfect guide for running memorable games throughout Sigil and The Outlands!
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