For a race reintroduced in Spelljammer for 5e that should be really cool, they don't have much explanation on them lore-wise. That is unless you look at 2e which apparently has A LOT written about plasmoids. However, I'm unsure if this is canon in 5e. So here are my questions regarding the lore of plasmoids in D&D 5e:
(NOTE: Yes I'm aware you can just make up head-canons & so can the DM of the campaign you join, but I am asking these questions in regards to official D&D 5e lore mainly in the Forgotten Realms setting.)
•Who or what created the plasmoids?
•When did plasmoids show up in the Forgotten Realms?
•Where in Faerûn are plasmoids commonly seen?
•If there are purely plasmoid settlements, what is their culture like?
•What alignments do plasmoids lean into?
•According to Spelljammer, since plasmoids often adopt a similar shape in the presence of other folk, what traits do plasmoids give themselves with other races? What traits do they give themselves if they are with other plasmoids?
•How do plasmoids reproduce? How do/Can they reproduce with other races?
•What is the specific lifespan of a plasmoid? Spelljammer only mentions the lifespan of all races generally under this sub-heading.
•Spelljammer says plasmoids consume food via osmosis. What does that mean exactly & what does it look like in action?
•Can plasmoids get drunk?
•Does plasmoid ooze stain fabric?
•What other languages besides common do plasmoids commonly speak?
•How do plasmoids see & have darkvision if all the official art of them have no eyes?
•How can they hold their breath for an hour if they have no lungs? Shouldn't they be able to breathe infinitely if that's the case?
•And finally, why weren't we given more extensive lore on these guys?
Answer with your thoughts. And if in the unlikely scenario an official writer for the modern Forgotten Realms is reading this, can you please explain them?
For a race reintroduced in Spelljammer for 5e that should be really cool, they don't have much explanation on them lore-wise. That is unless you look at 2e which apparently has A LOT written about plasmoids. However, I'm unsure if this is canon in 5e.
WotC has said that their definition of what is and isn’t considered “canon” is, well, a little iffy. Anything they’ve said in 2e is just as official as what they say in 5e, and many of these questions would likely have the same answer regardless of the edition anyways.
•What alignments do plasmoids lean into?
They’ve been trying to move away from race-based alignment in recent releases, so don’t worry about it. Your plasmoid can be whatever it wants.
•How can they hold their breath for an hour if they have no lungs? Shouldn't they be able to breathe infinitely if that's the case?
Maybe they need time to recharge on oxygen every once in a while? I dunno though.
•And finally, why weren't we given more extensive lore on these guys?
Page count requirements.
I hoped this helped, at least a little. Your best bet is definitely looking back at the old 2e material — it’s every bit as valid as the 2022 stuff, I promise.
For a race reintroduced in Spelljammer for 5e that should be really cool, they don't have much explanation on them lore-wise. That is unless you look at 2e which apparently has A LOT written about plasmoids. However, I'm unsure if this is canon in 5e.
WotC has said that their definition of what is and isn’t considered “canon” is, well, a little iffy. Anything they’ve said in 2e is just as official as what they say in 5e, and many of these questions would likely have the same answer regardless of the edition anyways.
•What alignments do plasmoids lean into?
They’ve been trying to move away from race-based alignment in recent releases, so don’t worry about it. Your plasmoid can be whatever it wants.
•How can they hold their breath for an hour if they have no lungs? Shouldn't they be able to breathe infinitely if that's the case?
Maybe they need time to recharge on oxygen every once in a while? I dunno though.
•And finally, why weren't we given more extensive lore on these guys?
Page count requirements.
I hoped this helped, at least a little. Your best bet is definitely looking back at the old 2e material — it’s every bit as valid as the 2022 stuff, I promise.
Thank you so much!
Looking at the 2e stuff, it's not too far off from 5e Spelljammer's description (with the exception of being very descriptive compared to 5e)
There are only a few things that clash, but otherwise, it's fairly consistent:
•2e states that plasmoids can alter their color & texture at will. 5e states that they can change their color via absorbing dyes. And texture changing is a bit up in the air since the only real mention of it is with them stiffening their bodies to wear clothes.
•2e says they can form limbs to use legs, arms, tails, heads, etc; which implies that they can have more than 2 of said things. It also states they can use these additional limbs for attacks. Meanwhile 5e states they can only give themselves a head, 2 arms maximum, 2 legs maximum, & makeshift hands & feet. However, they can create a pseudopod as a bonus action. It's kinda like an additional limb, but it can't attack or carry more than 10 lbs (which kinda sucks but makes sense gameplay-wise)
•2e states they are immune to poison, resistant to acid unless in large quantities, cold damage slows them down unless it's extreme, heat can cause great damage & stiffen them, piercing damage doesn't do much, slashing damage is a bit more effective, & bludgeoning is most useful. Meanwhile, 5e only provides resistance on acid & poison damage. Nothing else (which is for the best gameplay-wise)
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For a race reintroduced in Spelljammer for 5e that should be really cool, they don't have much explanation on them lore-wise. That is unless you look at 2e which apparently has A LOT written about plasmoids. However, I'm unsure if this is canon in 5e. So here are my questions regarding the lore of plasmoids in D&D 5e:
(NOTE: Yes I'm aware you can just make up head-canons & so can the DM of the campaign you join, but I am asking these questions in regards to official D&D 5e lore mainly in the Forgotten Realms setting.)
•Who or what created the plasmoids?
•When did plasmoids show up in the Forgotten Realms?
•Where in Faerûn are plasmoids commonly seen?
•If there are purely plasmoid settlements, what is their culture like?
•What alignments do plasmoids lean into?
•According to Spelljammer, since plasmoids often adopt a similar shape in the presence of other folk, what traits do plasmoids give themselves with other races? What traits do they give themselves if they are with other plasmoids?
•How do plasmoids reproduce? How do/Can they reproduce with other races?
•What is the specific lifespan of a plasmoid? Spelljammer only mentions the lifespan of all races generally under this sub-heading.
•Spelljammer says plasmoids consume food via osmosis. What does that mean exactly & what does it look like in action?
•Can plasmoids get drunk?
•Does plasmoid ooze stain fabric?
•What other languages besides common do plasmoids commonly speak?
•How do plasmoids see & have darkvision if all the official art of them have no eyes?
•How can they hold their breath for an hour if they have no lungs? Shouldn't they be able to breathe infinitely if that's the case?
•And finally, why weren't we given more extensive lore on these guys?
Answer with your thoughts. And if in the unlikely scenario an official writer for the modern Forgotten Realms is reading this, can you please explain them?
And thanks for reading my questions :)
WotC has said that their definition of what is and isn’t considered “canon” is, well, a little iffy. Anything they’ve said in 2e is just as official as what they say in 5e, and many of these questions would likely have the same answer regardless of the edition anyways.
They’ve been trying to move away from race-based alignment in recent releases, so don’t worry about it. Your plasmoid can be whatever it wants.
Maybe they need time to recharge on oxygen every once in a while? I dunno though.
Page count requirements.
I hoped this helped, at least a little. Your best bet is definitely looking back at the old 2e material — it’s every bit as valid as the 2022 stuff, I promise.
Terra Lubridia archive:
The Bloody Barnacle | The Gut | The Athene Crusader | The Jewel of Atlantis
Thank you so much!
Looking at the 2e stuff, it's not too far off from 5e Spelljammer's description (with the exception of being very descriptive compared to 5e)
There are only a few things that clash, but otherwise, it's fairly consistent:
•2e states that plasmoids can alter their color & texture at will. 5e states that they can change their color via absorbing dyes. And texture changing is a bit up in the air since the only real mention of it is with them stiffening their bodies to wear clothes.
•2e says they can form limbs to use legs, arms, tails, heads, etc; which implies that they can have more than 2 of said things. It also states they can use these additional limbs for attacks. Meanwhile 5e states they can only give themselves a head, 2 arms maximum, 2 legs maximum, & makeshift hands & feet. However, they can create a pseudopod as a bonus action. It's kinda like an additional limb, but it can't attack or carry more than 10 lbs (which kinda sucks but makes sense gameplay-wise)
•2e states they are immune to poison, resistant to acid unless in large quantities, cold damage slows them down unless it's extreme, heat can cause great damage & stiffen them, piercing damage doesn't do much, slashing damage is a bit more effective, & bludgeoning is most useful. Meanwhile, 5e only provides resistance on acid & poison damage. Nothing else (which is for the best gameplay-wise)