Kamarel and the Plane of Mirrors

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Duckluck's picture
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Factor
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Kamarel and the Plane of Mirrors

OK, so one of the main focuses of this adventure will be the Plane of Mirrors and its inhabitants, right? There's just one problem: I, and many other people who came to the setting after the collapse of 2E, don't know squat about the Plane of Mirrors beyond it's Manual of the Planes write up and all I know about Kamarel is a couple of sentences from the Encyclopedia.

Are there any old hands here that are willing to give us more info so we have a better idea of what we're dealing with? I, personally, would appreciate it greatly.

Iavas's picture
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factotums
Joined: 2006-07-12
Kamarel and the Plane of Mirrors

As far as I'm aware, the 'Plane of Mirrors', as it is currenly imagined with the hallways full of mirrors looking out and Nerra inhabitants within, was only introduced in the 3e Manual of the Planes and 3.4e Fiend Folio. However, it did have a predecessor of sorts, albeit not a transitive one, which is where the Kamarel went to hide. It was described differently, and the Kamarel were the spiritual forebears of the Rilmani and not quite so shiny as the Nerra. If nobody beats me to it, I'll describe them from the 'Tales from the Infinite Staircase' later, but now I gotta run.

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factotums
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Kamarel and the Plane of Mirrors

Okay, straight from the 'Tales from the Infinite Staircase' adventure involving Kamerels:

So, the Kamerel were the exemplars of pure neutrality before the Rilmani came on the scene. Unlike the future Rilmani, however, the Kamerel exemplified the dispassionate sort of neutrality that makes folk xenophobic removed hermits. Therefore, they were quite content to live their happy withdrawn little lives, ruling an empire whose power rivaled that of the Rilmani and ignoring any evidence that they were not the only creatures in existence. Since they lived near (although not directly on) the base of the Spire, their use of magic was limited to first level spells, but they learned to weave a sort of utilitarian mirror magic that was not subject to the magic-negating influence of their home. One particular Kamerel, Hallonac, believed that the race's detachment would lead to their downfall, so she created a way to spy on other races unobtrusively. She created a device that would copy any book that was ever written anywhere on the planes, as long as it was of ample length its author wished it to be read. She housed the ever increasing number of books in an infinite Mirrored Library. Naturally, the other Kamerel learned of this and slew Hallonac in disgust, but they did not dare to enter the Library, naming it 'Timaresh', the Collection of Hated Lore, preferring to simply set up guardians so that it would never be used again. Eventually, the Rilmani appeared and discovered the wonderous library. Attempting to gain access to better serve the balance, they were wholly ignored by the Kamerel and began to use force. A war began, and the Rilmani quickly gained the upper hand on the Kamerel, who were utterly unprepared for any relations with other races, including warlike ones. The Kamerel fled into the Mirror Plane of their own creation, abandoning the hated Libarary and their ancient home to the Rilmani conquerors. The Mirror Plane is a quasi-realm that existed only where a mirror or other reflective surface cast a reflection, and only when another being looked into that reflective surface to actually see the reflection. Thus, the Kamerel only existed when they were being even unwittingly observed. To the xenophobic race, this was horrifying, and unable to escape, they quickly went mad, although they did learn to hide themselves so that they would appear only as a brief flicker in the corner of a mirror gazer's eye.

"Tales From the Infinite Staircase, p108" wrote:
Kamerel look like short, white-skinned humans. They usually have long shocks of wild hair in which they weave greenery and flowers. Kamerel teeth are slightly pointed. They favor clothing in blue, green, or white and carry short-bladed weapons and light crossbows (much of the time, these items carry Outlands-based enchantments, but never more than +1_. For the most part, they can be onsidered normal humans, advancing in levels as fighters, thieves, or wizards. They speak their own language, but have learned (reluctantly) the common trade language of the planes. Kamerel name their sergeants "drivers." Usually, these individuals practice wizardry, but some train as warriors. Kamerel leaders, above the drivers in rank, are always wizards. Further, the leaders and drivers developed a special ability that allows them to memorize and prepare additional 1st level spells instead of spells of other levels (which are useless here).

Nen Itan is named as the overall leader of the Kamerel, but he is probably killed in the course of the adventure. It would be logical to assume that the Kamerel, being masters of mirror magic, created the Nerra because they were in need of shock troops but simultaneously hated the thought of direct involvement with other races. The Nerra's mirrorlike bodies might be thought of as a way for them to appear as one of the Kamerel by reflecting their masters' appearances. However, since Nerra only appeared in 3.5e and were never officially tied to the forgotten Kamerel, this is simply conjecture on my part.

Duckluck's picture
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Kamarel and the Plane of Mirrors

Wow, thanks, Iavas. That's all good to know. I look forward to seeing what else people can dredge up from 2E.

Hymneth's picture
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Kamarel and the Plane of Mirrors

'Iavas' wrote:
It would be logical to assume that the Kamerel, being masters of mirror magic, created the Nerra because they were in need of shock troops but simultaneously hated the thought of direct involvement with other races. The Nerra's mirrorlike bodies might be thought of as a way for them to appear as one of the Kamerel by reflecting their masters' appearances.

I really like the part about Kamerel making mirrored constructs so they only see themselves in them. It fits their "insular, mad xenophobe" vibe to a tee. Also, if we decide to, we could make this mirror shattering the event which creates the Nerra, or somehow related to their creation, thus officially welcoming them into Planescape cannon. . .

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Kamarel and the Plane of Mirrors

'Duckluck' wrote:
Wow, thanks, Iavas. That's all good to know. I look forward to seeing what else people can dredge up from 2E.

You're very welcome. I'm still not quite sure what this project is about, but I help any way that I can. Laughing out loud I'm afraid that there's really not that much more 'official' info about the Kamerel than what I've written, unless you care for the exact details of the Infinite Starcase adventure, which is the only source in which they appear, as far as I am aware.

Kobold Avenger's picture
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Kamarel and the Plane of Mirrors

I came up with some ideas for the Plane of Mirrors and stats for the Kamerel in this thread from a while back.

Southern_Oracle's picture
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Kamarel and the Plane of Mirrors

I'll go over this in detail when I have more time. But it's on my radar! I didn'
t miss you...

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