D&D: Five of the Best Planescape Characters
Planescape is a much beloved D&D setting for a wide variety of reasons. There’s the deep lore. The weirdness. And of course, the NPCs.
When Planescape came out in the 2nd Edition times, players were absolutely blown away by just how weird and wild of a setting it was. The doors opened to Sigil (except of course, to the gods), and the enigmatic Lady of Pain. Sigil was a city unlike any other in D&D. Full of angels and devils working alongside each other. Powerful demigods ran taverns. And throughout the whole thing were a variety of factions that all played against each other.
In other words, the character of Planescape really set it apart. And the setting has some absolutely memorable characters, here are five of our favorites.
The Lady of Pain
Look, the Lady of Pain is one of the most striking figures in D&D. And it’s because she brooks no worship, allows no gods, and otherwise doesn’t really care about what you’re doing unless you happen to attract her attention. And then you end up in a maze. Or shattered by her power. Few people have dreamed of rebellion, and they have all paid the price for it.
With perhaps one notable exception elsewhere on this list.
Morte
Morte is a flying skull with an immense sense of humor. Some say Morte was pulled from a Pillar of Skulls on the plane of Baator, others say he has been in the Nameless One’s orbit since time immemorial. At any rate, Morte is on the cover of the Planescape Monster Manual for a reason: his rapier wit and his penchant for getting into more trouble than is worth.
Shemeshka the Marauder
Shemeshka is an Arcanoloth, one of two infamous foxlike fiends who have made a name for themselves in Sigil. Most hold that Shemeshka was exiled there after angering an Ultroloth or the like. I like to think she killed a man, but that’s just the romantic in me.
Whatever the reason, Shemeshka is in Sigil and has been for many years. She’s a free agent, of sorts, and she maintains this freedom by wielding information like a Fighter wields a blade. She knows secrets of all sorts and holds influence over many on the councils of Sigil, though she is careful never to let her true power show.
Fell
Fell is a Dabus, a being either created by or that lives to serve the Lady of Pain. However, Fell turned his back on her. And unlike most everyone else who has betrayed the Lady of Pain, Fell has never been hurt by her. He’s actually just fine. But because he’s a renegade, most everyone else doesn’t want to associate with him, lest they risk the Lady’s wrath.
Those who do, however, find him to be quite amiable.
A’Kin the Friendly Fiend
A’kin is the other most notable Arcanoloth living in Sigil. And his notoriety comes from being a true rarity in Sigil: a genuinely nice guy. So much so that his reputation for being “the friendly fiend” has spread far beyond his humble magic item shop. He prefers to chat with customers, seeming to enjoy connecting with them on a very deep level.
And if, on occasion, he knows something you’ve never told a soul, it’s probably just because you brought it up the last time you spoke to him. He is hands down one of the more interesting characters in Sigil.
Who do you love from the City of Doors?
