SpectraSource Alien Archive 3 pg. 102
Spectra, a race of outsiders native to the newly discovered hyperspace plane of the Drift, are unique in the Great Beyond as a relatively recent addition to the multiverse, rising in prominence over the last 300 years alongside the proliferation of Drift technology. Concerned primarily with the protection and promulgation of the nascent plane, and of advanced technology in general, spectra are beings of paradox and dichotomy. Some metaphysicians believe that, just as the Drift grows by pulling in pieces of the multiverse each time a starship uses it to travel, so too are spectra created—amalgamations of raw, sometimes opposing energies born from the stolen pieces of other planes. Yet spectra are also undeniably of the Drift itself. They have inherent resistance to magic and can slip in and out of the Drift via innate esoteric—though purely technological—means. Some theorists posit that, like the beacons that enable travel through the Drift, spectra somehow exist simultaneously in multiple planes, manifesting in only one at any given time. Spectra rarely speak using their own voices, which are a mix of low-fidelity synthesized tones. They prefer to use their machine telepathy to temporarily harness nearby communication technology, speaking using a starship’s intercom or causing text to appear on a vidscreen, for instance.
Iridias are one of the few spectra encountered outside the Drift, most often on the Material Plane. Averaging 6 feet tall with opalescent skin and a coil of glistening rainbow light for hair, iridias serve as messengers and ambassadors to species of all planes, evangelizing the benefits of advanced technology and enforcing the tripartite will of Triune. Iridias have been known to visit remote worlds in the Vast where Triune’s original signal containing the secrets of Drift travel were lost or suppressed, bringing with them instructions and a second chance to join the galactic community. They are also keen to see mortal technology continue to grow and advance—an interest that can put them at odds with societies that choose to limit technology’s influence, as well as others wary of sudden unfettered progress, such as the tekhoinos aeons.
Aspecnas, powerful spectra paragons with fan-like tails and faces that resemble blooming flowers, rarely interact directly with the Material Plane. These formidable outsiders instead concern themselves with maintaining the precarious balance of power among extraplanar forces in the Drift, opposing any who would attempt to establish strongholds with the intent of laying their own claim to a substantial expanse of Triune’s realm. Aspecnas have on occasion appeared to correct the course of mortals who have become lost in the ever-shifting plane, and even intervened to protect weaker mortals from the predation of malevolent Drift-marooned outsiders. These rare but memorable acts have earned aspecnas the nickname “Drift angels” among those who regularly travel through the plane.Aliens in the "Spectra" FamilySource Alien Archive 4 pg. 114Wyspiria CR 11 XP 12,800
N Medium outsider (extraplanar, spectra)
Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +20
DefenseHP 155
EAC 23; KAC 24
Fort +10; Ref +10; Will +16
Defensive Abilities void adaptation; DR 5/chaotic, evil, good, or law; Immunities electricity; Resistances cold 5, sonic 5; SR 21
OffenseSpeed 10 ft., fly 60 ft. (Ex, perfect)
Melee tentacle +18 (connect [DC 20])
Ranged shockray +20 (2d8+11 E)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 11th ranged +20)
1/day—holographic image (4th level, DC 23), resilient sphere (DC 22), teleport (self only)
3/day—haste, explosive blast (DC 21), slow (DC 21)
At will—detect tech, implant data, rechargeStatisticsSTR +0; DEX +5; CON +3; INT +8; WIS +3; CHA +3
Skills Acrobatics +20 (+28 to fly), Computers +25, Engineering +25, Mysticism +25, Sense Motive +20
Languages machine telepathy 100 ft., truespeech
Other Abilities borrow time, slip drive, spaceflight (Mysticism)EcologyEnvironment any (the Drift)
Organization solitary, sequence (2, 3, 5, or 8), or delegation (1 wyspiria plus 2 iridias)Special AbilitiesBorrow Time (Su) As a reaction, a wyspiria can pull potential energy away from their future self and into the present, taking a standard action during another creature’s turn as though the wyspiria had readied an action. After using borrow time, the wyspiria is staggered until the end of their next turn.
Connect (Ex) A wyspiria that hits with their tentacle attack can automatically connect themself to the target, plugging one of their cord-like appendages into the target. Once connected, the wyspiria feeds the target a stream of fabricated sensory data, allowing the wyspiria to transfer information and false perceptions. Each round at the start of their turn, the target must succeed at a Will save to remain aware of their real surroundings. On a failure, they are staggered until the start of their next turn. The wyspiria can take a move action at the beginning of their turn each round to maintain all of their connections; otherwise all their connections end. The appendages have 15 feet of reach, and attached targets’ movement is restricted to within 15 feet of the wyspiria. The appendage can be detached with a successful Strength check (DC 15) as a standard action, or with a successful attack against the appendage (same AC as the wyspiria). Targets can also attempt a Strength check to break free any time the wyspiria moves; this requires no action. On a failure, the target moves with the wyspiria. A wyspiria can maintain up to ten connections at one time.
Shockray (Ex) A wyspiria’s shockray is a ranged attack with a range increment of 60 feet.DescriptionSpectra are a race of outsiders native to the hyperspace plane of the Drift, concerned with technological growth and advancement, the protection of the Drift, and the spread of Drift technology across the galaxy. Encounters with the relatively new group of outsiders have occurred with greater frequency over the 300 years since they joined the Great Beyond. In recent decades, two new types of spectra have begun to appear: wyspirias and sondrias. It’s unknown whether these spectra existed in the Drift all along, simply unobserved by mortals, or if Triune newly created them to further some fresh purpose.
Wyspirias, often compared to iridias as emissaries of the Drift, are dispatched across the galaxy, possibly on missions from Triune themself, or perhaps on behalf of the mysterious hierarchy of spectra. They stand 7 feet tall with chassis of multicolored glass, and a multitude of coiled, rootlike tentacles cascading from their waists. As a result of the resemblance they bear to floating trees, they are sometimes called trees of knowledge. Wyspirias use their tendrils to plug themselves into people and machines alike—a direct connection that allows them to quickly transfer huge quantities of data between connected people and devices. Whereas iridias come to the Prime Material Plane offering gifts of knowledge and technology to mortals, many believe wyspirias do the opposite, collecting libraries of secrets and information about the galaxy for the unseen purposes of spectra. Rarely, wyspirias are said to appear during the peace talks of warring civilizations, connecting the opposing delegates and enabling them to understand each other directly. Many believe these spectra intervene only when they deem the risk of losing technology or information from a conflict too great.
Sondrias are a new variety of spectra primarily encountered inside the Drift. They are small and sharply featured, with six arms, razor talons, and round, flat, owlish faces. Sometimes called Drift pixies, their presence is always accompanied by a grainy, low-pitched hum or buzzing noise. Sondrias use their own voices more often than other types of spectra, and sequences of sondrias have a habit of speaking at the same time in overlapping sentences that are difficult to pick apart. Like the larger and more formidable aspecnas, sondrias patrol the Drift to help lost travelers and rescue marooned escape pods or starships whose Drift engines malfunction, latching onto the vessels and using their slip drives to boost them back to the Material Plane. It’s rumored sequences of sondria can also offer Triune’s blessing to those killed during Drift travel or in service of the All Code’s agenda—by reincarnating them as androids.Extra ContentThe following extra content was found for this creature:
- Spectra (Creature Subtype) Graft Template
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