Fraal

Psionics Summary

Sometimes known simply as the visitors, the psionic fraal are highly evolved and sophisticated humanoids from somewhere else. Some sages speculate that these visitors come from either another plane of existence or perhaps from another world within the Prime Material Plane. Of seemingly fragile build, the fraal rely on devices of unusual workmanship and power to protect themselves. These devices are not magical; in fad, the fraal know almost nothing of magic.

The fraal are thin humanioids, averaging about five feet in height. They can be distinguished by their large eyes, their pale, almost luminous skin, their swept-back ears, and their round heads. Most fraal encountered so far have been bald, although some individuals have been encountered who have wisps of silver, white, or pale-yellow hair. A most disconcerting element is that all fraal display a wizened countenance, much like the eldest of wizards.

The frail are natural telepathic and can telepathically communicate with creatures of low intelligence or better. Wether they have a verbal language of their own is uncertain, though they have never been seen to converse verbally among themselves. They have been known to speak Common to those not of their kind, though they speak it slowly and with some difficulty. Their words display a quiet demeanor and they are not given to excitement or violent emotion.

Combat: The fraal avoid confrontation whenever possible, negotiating when able and fleeing when communication fails. Indeed, fraal seem more interested in observing violence than taking part in it themselves. Witnesses agree that fraal have been drawn to violence and spectacular conflict. Their behavior is almost childlike as they watch physical combat with wonder and an almost clinical detachment. If fraal should find combat unavoidable, they rely upon their psionic talents, which they call mindwalking, to defend themselves. Even more rarely, fraal use alien devices of great power to dissuade attackers.

The fraal are highly intelligent, using their psionic talents and their unusual devices to best advantage. Fraal almost always operate in groups of seven or more. These small companies prove very effective at eluding and countering enemy threats; most attribute the fraal cohesion to their extensive use of telepathy.

In psionic combat, the fraal incapacitate and neutralize opponents rather than making lethal attacks. However, they don't seem adverse to prying into others' thoughts, dominating minds, or even erasing memories when necessary.

No more than one fraal in three will have a device that can deliver a ranged attack. Two different types of fraal ranged devices have been seen: firerods and firestaves. These devices and others that the fraal employ do not radiate any magical signature. The fraal seem reluctant to use their fire devices unless absolutely necessary. Most learned sages suspect that this involves a religious taboo against fire, but no one knows for sure. Communication with the fraal has revealed little, as they babble on about a morality of “limited resource development” and “conversationism” whenever the subject is broached.

Habitat/Society: Fraal are not native to the Prime Material plane - at least, not this one. The accepted theory is that the fraal are planewalkers who have somehow lost the ability to traverse the planes and have become stranded. Others claim that the fraal are denizens of another crystal sphere who have crashed their spelljamming ship here. One element is common to all accounts of the fraal and their origin: the fraal have sucessfully conveyed that they have arrived on the Prime Material plane accidentally, and do not possess a means to travel home. A ranger claiming to have a fraal encounter reported that they revealed that the “Dark Master” that gave their floating world life has fallen asleep and must be awakened. While such reports make many believe that the fraal are evil, this doesn't seem to be the case. Estimates place fraal population at less than a 1,000. Only recently has the existence of fraal children been confirmed. Even more recently it has been learned that the fraal, long-lived though they may be, are not immortal.

For every five fraal encountered, there will be a team leader of 4 HD with 80+3d12 PSPs. This leader is usually referred to as simply “captain”, but bears no obvious marks or symbols of rank or precedence. If more than 50 fraal are encountered, four captains (4 HD, as above) and one great captain (6 HD, 90+4d10 PSPs) will be present.

To date, no major fraal cities or communities have been found. Fraal are nearly always encountered in small groups, wandering from one place to the next. These groups display intense curiosity about the natural world; they seem unfamiliar with even the most common forms of local fauna and flora. The diversity of humanoid races also seems shocking to these visitors - fraal discussions of “radical genetic diversity” have been witnessed by many of those who have encountered them. Finally, the fraal seem completely amazed by well-known monsters and even the smallest displays of magic. To date, no fraal magician or priest has been encountered.

Much like explorers and cartographers, the fraal measure and record their findings as they wander over all types of terrain. As the fraal presence becomes more widely known, the visitors are still occasionally attacked and slain by those who believe them to be lesser tanar'ri or some other form of evil creature.

Little is known about fraal culture. They display an obvious distaste for physical labor, and a deep respect for developments and accomplishments of the mind. They also appear to be a deeply religious people, given to frequent meditation and communal worship. What powers the fraal venerate are unknown.

Ecology: The fraal are vegetarians, consuming a great variety of plants and processed agricultural products. They are known to be especially suspicious of new foods and new life forms, but after careful inspection they have proved themselves willing to try just about anything. A fraal appears to have a lifespan of about four or five centuries.

Magical research and sagecraft have little to say about this mysterious new race of beings, although sightings have been growing more common over the last few decades. Indeed, only a few years ago the existence of the fraal was discounted as the product of imagination, rumor, or even illusionary sorcery. Tody, conflict rages among the learned, who argue about the exact origin of these travelers.

Other Fraal

The fraal, among themselves, have a number of specialists. These include biokineticists (healers), ESPions (advisor-spies), mystics (reputed to see the past and future), and very rarely, a biowarrior (a psionic soldier).

Fraal Devices

Roll 1d10 for each fraal encountered. On a roll of 1, the fraal has a firestaff. On a roll of 2 or 3, the fraal has a firerod. Each firerod has 1d20 charges; each firestaff has 1d10 charges. Each fraal with one of these devices has 1d6-3 firecubes.

In addition to their fire devices, one in ten fraal - and all leaders - possess bracelets and anklets that behave exactly like bracers of defense AC 2. These objects, which the fraal call "inducer bands," do not detect as magical.

Among the wondrous fraal devices are the following:

Gauntlet: This smooth, shining, elbow-length glove of unusual metal, called a "gauntlet" by the fraal, is normally worn on the secondary hand and forearm. A fraal will extend the arm bearing the gauntlet, drumming the fingers of that hand on the palm. Occasionally, the fingers of the primary hand are drummed upon the upper part of the forearm as well; this activity is often accompanied by small flashing lights and humming tones from the gauntlet. Sages theorize it is a detection, analyzing, or possibly recording device of some type. It can definitely detect the possession and use of psionic power within a 100- yard range. At least half of any fraal group will have "gauntlets."

Firerod Scabbard: A belt-scabbard for a firerod from which only the user can draw the rod. The user can draw and use the rod as quickly as if holding the rod unscabbarded. A fraal leader might have a firerod scabbard (20% chance).

Telescoping Rod: This rod, made of an unusually strong metal, extends from 3 feet to 15 feet in length. The fraal attach odd-shaped devices to one end of the rod. The device is then extended around a corner or over a wall. A group of fraal is 25% likely to have 1d4-2 rods. The nonmagical rod attachments provide clairvoyance (as a crystal ball sensor) and sometimes clairaudience (9-in-10), infravision (8-in-10), detect invisibility (5-in-10), detect psionics (5-in-10), and truesight (1-in-10), all at 6th-level ability. The DM can roll 1d10 for each type of attachment for each rod to see if it is present, or choose a mix to fit the encounter.

Portable Dome: This backpack-sized unit, when activated, expands into a 15-foot hemisphere, with a door, a small antechamber with another door, bedrolls, rations, and a device that purifies water. The chance of a group of fraal having one is 1-in-10.

Black Sun Sphere: This device is often found in a central position in a fraal camp, much as an altar might be. It is a glossy black and cool to the touch, though close examination reveals a small raging sun inside. The device emits a faint hum. Such a sphere and its holder is small enough to fit in a backpack and be carried by one person. The chance of a group having this device is 2-in-10. Rumor says that similar devices exist that do not hum and have no small sun, although none of these is known to have passed from fraal hands.

Fraal Weapons

Inducer Bracelets: Confer AC 2

* Recharging requires 1 round and a firecube, which is expended in the process. Recharging can always be accomplished by a character with proficiency in the device. Those without such proficiency (but with some instruction or observation of the process) must make a successful Wisdom check at half their ability score. In this case, a roll of 20 renders the device nonfunctional.