Yggdrasil and Astral Plane Rules for 5e

There are no special planar rules for Yggdrasil written down anywhere. Which is a pain if you’re into that sort of thing. It’s “technically” on the Astral Plane for the purposes of summoning – but the tree has seasons, and there are taverns where people can get drunk, which is not possible on the Astral. My fix was a combination of the rules from the 5e DMG and the Planescape Guide to the Astral (removing the effects of timelessness), with a lil' something extra.

These rules result in the weakening of martial classes. That works fine for my players because we have no martial classes, but if you want to keep your martial classes relevant, consider bribing them with extra magic items. Or just don't use them. It's your game.

 

Planar Rules for Yggdrasil (Astral Plane)

While on Yggdrasil, your movement speed is equal to 3 x your Intelligence score.

Your STR score is equal to your INT score, and your DEX score is equal to your WIS score. Wizards are suddenly smart and strong!

Unlike the Astral Plane, time does pass on the World Ash. You can age, and poisons work as normal. But like the Astral Plane, "space" as a concept exists only in the mind while on Yggdrasil. It isn't real here. So extradimensional spaces cannot be created (Rope Trick/Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion etc), and Bags of Holding become temporarily inert.

When casting a Conjuration or Illusion spell, the caster must succeed on a DC 8 ability check using their spellcasting ability. On a failure, the spell fails. Illusion spells that fail cause a wild magic surge, as a stray thought caught on the wind usurps the intended effect. Conjuration magic is diminished on this plane. Conjuration spells are weaker, functioning one level lower than normal, and conjuration spells higher than 4th level can't be cast. However, creatures can be summoned from any Outer Plane, as well as the Prime Material.

Saving throws against mind altering magics are made with a -1 penalty, and spell duration is 50% longer. Spells cast on the Astral Plane have their range increased by 50%.

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