HGd10PHB - Sophae (Mind)

Sophae (Mind)
Sophae are a rare, enigmatic group of Fey tied to the Mind Spectrum of Life. They have limited physical capabilities and are minute in size. However what they lack in physical ability, they more than make up for in mental power.

Description
Sophae are minute winged Fey of wildly varying coloration based largely on their own imagination. Often mistaken for flying insects, Sophae can move about with little attention paid to them. They have one to two pair of iridescent wings that are an extension of their mental powers rather than a physical appendage. These wings take whatever shape the Sophae wishes when they manifest, but are fully functional for flying.

Five times in their lifetime, a Sophae can transform into a Medium-sized version of themselves. Typically this is done to mate, but in rare instances, it has been used for other reasons. This transformation lasts for one week unless the Sophae becomes pregnant with a non-Sophae offspring. In which case, they will return to their minute size one week after their child is weaned. If the offspring is a Sophae, then the regular week applies and the Sophae will give birth in minute form.

All Sophae have a powerful connection to the Mind Spectrum and use some powers intuitively from birth.

A young Sophae is called a Thoughtling. They are milliscopic in size, but grow to adult form and mental maturity within six months to a year. Because Sophae are so physically frail, they tend to have very short lifespans compared to the larger Fey breeds and other kinds.

Average Lifespan: 20 years.

Society
Sophae tend to seclude themselves from the rest of the world, knowing that there are many who would use them for their intellectual capacity to nefarious ends. However, some will seek out powerful rulers or world shapers to provide advice and assistance as they may. A lone Sophae who is gifted with a Sophis child will often look for a powerful benefactor to protect herself and her son in exchange for her assistance and whatever benefits the Sophis might provide after his birth.

Male Sophae are called Sophis and are extremely rare. Their minds are so powerful that they have trouble interacting socially with the present. Sophis are secluded away by the Sophae or other benefactors and allowed to produce whatever calculated material the Sophis deems important including social/economic/political forecasts, mathematical or engineering plans, solutions to world problems, or other epic products. A Sophis is generally only born once a century and produce only one major solution or product for the public. Some scholars who study Sohpae believe this is because the Sophis always calculate that any further products from their mind would endanger the world by advancing it too rapidly.

Sophae communes are places of learning where advanced knowledge of the Universe is discovered and kept locked away from the rest of society until it is ready. Here, a chosen few students of the larger world may be brought and taught, carefully directed towards things that will help their society and the world to be a better place.

Sophae are seen as leaders among the broader Fey community so it is not uncommon to have, unseen by non-Fey, a Sophae flitting about other Fey communities providing whatever support they deem important. If a Sophae chooses a non-Fey to work with, they might provide telepathic power in diplomatic situations and a powerful, hidden mystical defense should hostile parties attack.

Character Creation
 Key Characteristic:  Intellect

 Base Characteristics:  -3 CON; +5 INT; +3 PRC; -5 STR; +4 WIS

 Skill Bonuses: 

Sophae gain 1 free BP in the following:  Traits & Foibles:  The following are granted to Sylph without using Trait Slots:
 * Fly
 * Mind Spectrum
 * Sense of Duty to Fey - all Fey feel a sense of family and duty to help other Fey. This sense of duty tends to cause them to hesitate or make different choices than others might make if they know a fellow Fey, especially another Sylph is in trouble.  Attempts to take actions contrary to this Sense of Duty suffer a -5 to their roll.  Attempts to harm another Fey suffer a -10. (-2)
 * Mathemagician
 * Opposing Spectrum - Body (6): Sophae take double effects from all magical Body attacks and cannot learn the Body spectrum.
 * Resistant to Mind (3)
 * Spectrum Affinity - Mind (1)

As Heroes
Sophae (never Sophis) may attach themselves to a party of heroes if they determine that one or more of them are a person of import. They will seek to guide and protect such a person, sometimes even to the detriment of the rest of the party. Sophae provide control over the battlefield using their telepathy, telekinesis, and other mental powers. That they are practically invisible because of their size makes them that much more formidable. Sophae are most often Neuromancers, but some may act as bards, sages, dungeoneers, and other intellect-intensive roles.

Navigation

 * Hero's Guild Players Handbook Home
 * Chapter 1 - Creature Kinds
 * Chapter 2 - Primary Characteristics
 * Chapter 3 - Skills
 * Chapter 4 - Traits and Foibles
 * Chapter 5 - Physical Combat Skills 
 * Chapter 6 - Mystical Skills
 * Chapter 7 - Equipment
 * Chapter 8 - Crafting
 * Chapter 9 - Knowledge Social and Movement Skills
 * Chapter 10 - Optional Classes
 * Chapter 11 - Rules of Engagement