D&D: So THAT’S What the Infinite Staircase is! ‘Quests from the Infinite Staircase’ Preview
The titular Infinite Staircase in Quests from the Infinite Staircase is presided over by one of D&D’s newest high CR monsters.
Quests from the Infinite Staircase will be out sometime soon, and with it will come six old D&D adventures, ready to be delved once more. It’s an exciting time. But what exactly is the Infinite Staircase? And who watches over it?
The Infinite Staircase is yet another sort of multidimensional hub. And, did you know, the Infinite Staircase is mentioned in the 2014 Dungeon Master’s Guide, on page 58 and 59, where it tells you:
The Infinite Staircase is an extradimensional spiral staircase that connects the planes. An entrance to the Infinite Staircase usually appears as a nondescript door. Beyond the portal lies a small landing with an equally nondescript stairway leading up and down. The Infinite Staircase changes appearance as it climbs and descends, going from simple stairs of wood or stone to a chaotic jumble of stairs hanging in radiant space, where no two steps share the same gravitational orientation. It is said that one can find one’s heart’s desire on the Infinite Staircase through diligent searching of each landing.
But rest assure, the upcoming book expands on that, and redefines the look and feel of the Infinite Staircase.
So What is the Infinite Staircase?
In Quests from the Infinite Staircase, the titular location is the connecting hub that ties together the various adventures in the anthology. Described as a staircase that “ushers travelers to the destinations of their dreams,” this staircase winds throughout a surreal demiplane, ascending to every world and every plane of existence.
It is locked in a perpetual twilight, with distant doors twinkling like stars. It is also dotted with doors closer to you. These doors connect to locations throughout the multiverse. One might lead to the Shadowfell, another might go to the Plane of Ice. It all depends.
However, the Infinite Staircase is plagued by a creeping malady known as the Iron Shadow. The Iron Shadow is a magical malaise that exists as a rootless, rolling cloud of gloom exhaled by the Shadowfell which saps the spark of innovation and creativity from all it touches.
But, perhaps most importantly of all, the Infinite Staircase is home to a cosmic entity, Nafas, the Breath of the Multiverse.
Nafas, the Noble Genie at the Heart of the Infinite Staircase
As the story goes, “once there was everything, and once there was nothing but air.” And out of that, came a breath, a sigh heaved by every world that coalescedin to Nafas, the Breath of the Multiverse. Nafas is a noble genie that weighs in at CR 23, and has a stat block that really hammers home the cosmic potential.
As the protector of the Infinite Staircase, Nafas is bound to it. Which means he cannot die permanently, but will always be somewhere on the Staircase unless someone can be convinced to take his place. Nafas is also a great example of what high CR creatures will look like in the coming 5.5E. In addition to his Wish ability, Nafas has a sizable pool of hit points, weighing in at an average of 350, with a powerful sword thatc an deal lightning or thunder damage on every hit.
He can create a cylinder of swirling cosmic dust, which allows him to deal force damage and restrain creatures who fail their saves, trapping them within.
Not that you’re likely to fight him. But it’s cool to see what he looks like.
See Nafas for yourself in Quests from the Infinite Staircase, available July 16th!
