Spectra, Iridia

Iridia CR 8

XP 4,800
N Medium outsider (extraplanar, spectra)
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +16

DEFENSE

HP 115
EAC 20; KAC 21
Fort +7; Ref +7; Will +13
Defensive Abilities void adaptation; DR 5/chaotic, evil, good, or lawful;
Immunities electricity; Resistances cold 5, sonic 5; SR 19

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (Ex, perfect)
Melee slam +16 (1d12+8 B)
Ranged dusk ray +18 (1d10+8 C & E)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 8th; ranged +18)

1/day—holographic image (3rd level), teleport (self only)
3/day—caustic conversion, implant data, make whole, recharge
At will—detect tech, disguise self

STATISTICS

Str +0; Dex +4; Con +2; Int +6; Wis +2; Cha +2
Skills Acrobatics +16 (+24 to fly), Computers +21, Diplomacy +16, Engineering +21, Mysticism +21, Sense Motive +16
Languages machine telepathy 100 ft., truespeech
Other Abilities slip drive, spaceflight (Mysticism)

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Dusk Ray (Ex)

An iridia’s dusk ray is a ranged attack with a range increment of 60 feet and the line weapon special property.

ECOLOGY

Environment any (hyperspace)
Organization solitary or sequence (2, 3, 5, or 8)

Spectra, a race of outsiders native to the newly discovered hyperspace plane, 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 hyperspace 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 hyperspace 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 hyperspace itself. They have inherent resistance to magic and can slip in and out of hyperspace via innate esoteric—though purely technological—means. Some theorists posit that, like the beacons that enable travel through hyperspace, 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.

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, opposing any who would attempt to establish strongholds. 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 hyperspace-marooned outsiders. These rare but memorable acts have earned aspecnas the nickname “Drift angels” among those who regularly travel through the plane.

The iridias have long offered advanced technologies to the species of the Material Plane. The machine telepathy cluster is among the most common, as it allows the user to interface with technology—and spectra—telepathically. This both facilitates communication with the strange outsiders and grants creatures an increased ability to create technological marvels of their own.