The Kashrishi, known to some by ancient names like Kashrishis, are a rare and enigmatic species native to unique crystalline asteroid fields, Mana-rich nebulae, or remote, psychically active jungle worlds in the Outer Sphere. These quiet beings possess stout, durable frames and distinctive crystalline horns, which are conduits for their inherent psychic abilities. Their unique evolution, perhaps a natural adaptation to extreme cosmic environments or the result of ancient, benevolent (or accidental) psychic experimentation by a forgotten civilization, makes them natural empaths, capable of discerning a creature's emotional state and impulses through proximity. This near-oracular behavior occasionally leads to misunderstandings with humanoids who think a Kashrishi is reading their thoughts or otherwise magically influencing the conversation, though people more familiar with Kashrishi come to value their unique insights and intuitive diplomacy.
Kashrishi have an atypical level of control over their physical forms, thanks to their psychic powers, and can "evolve" new features over the course of a single generation. Typically, these features are intentionally cultivated to help deal with a particular environmental obstacle, such as adapting to a change in atmospheric pressure, or if an invasive species affects available bioluminescent food supplies near their settlements. Whether a testament to the resilience of void-faring life or a strange legacy of a lost civilization, Kashrishi are a living bridge between the cosmic energies of the galaxy and the tangible realities of its inhabitants.
If you want to play a character who is a quiet, natural empath, capable of subtle psychic influence and physical adaptation, and who navigates the galaxy with intuitive diplomacy, you should play a Kashrishi. Others are likely to misunderstand your empathetic abilities, be drawn to your calming presence, or be surprised by your capacity for rapid adaptation.
Core Identity: Empathy, Conscious Evolution, and Psychic Resilience Kashrishi are fundamentally driven by a deep understanding of emotional landscapes and a commitment to conscious, self-directed evolution. They believe that true strength comes from empathy and the ability to adapt both physically and mentally to the challenges of the cosmos. Their crystalline horns serve as both antennae for psychic energy and conduits for subtle physical transformation. They value introspection, peaceful resolution, and the cultivation of their inherent psychic gifts. For a Kashrishi, every Yom is an emotional resonance to be understood, every Dei a new physical or psychic adaptation to be mastered. They seek balance not through rigid adherence to dogma, but through a flexible, empathetic response to the galaxy's ever-shifting energies.
Physical Description
Kashrishi are stout, bipedal humanoids with thick hides ranging from deep browns and grays to vibrant blues and purples. Their most distinctive feature is a pair of crystalline horns that emerge from their foreheads, often glowing with a soft, internal light that shifts in accordance with their emotional state. Their hands and feet are typically broad, with three digits that end in blunt claws, well-suited for gripping uneven surfaces. Their eyes are large and often multifaceted, allowing for excellent low-light vision and a nuanced perception of their surroundings.
Societies Across the Spheres
Kashrishi communities are typically small, tightly knit enclaves, often found in remote, resource-rich asteroid fields, psychically resonant nebulae, or hidden biospheres. They prioritize communal well-being and the collective advancement of their empathetic and adaptive abilities. Their social structures are often matriarchal or elder-led, guided by the most experienced empaths.
Outer Sphere (Crystalline Enclaves & Psychic Harbors): Many Kashrishi communities reside in meticulously carved crystalline asteroid bases or within tranquil, Mana-rich nebulae in the Outer Sphere. They act as psychic harbors, offering refuge to those overwhelmed by the galaxy's chaos and cultivating unique, psychically resonant flora. They are wary of outsiders but offer aid to those in genuine need, using their empathetic abilities to discern true intentions. They might occasionally interact with Kwalen who venerate Mana-wells, or offer guidance to Florin seeking ecological harmony.
Inner Sphere (Hidden Consultants & Emotional Balancers): In the dense ecumenopolises of the Inner Sphere, Kashrishi are rare but sometimes find niches as hidden consultants or emotional balancers. They might discreetly advise corporations on personnel emotional stability, help mediate complex diplomatic disputes for the Commission, or assist Lashunta psychics in understanding unusual mental phenomena. Their ability to sense subtle emotional shifts is invaluable in these high-pressure environments, though they remain reclusive to avoid sensory overload.
Frontier (Mana-Well Seekers & Rift-Calmers): The most adventurous Kashrishi venture into the uncharted Frontier, drawn by the raw, unpredictable energies of the Rift and newly discovered Mana-wells. Here, they might serve as "Rift-Calmers," attempting to soothe volatile Mana surges or understand the emotional echoes of chaotic Rift-Entities. Their innate psychic abilities make them exceptionally suited for exploring these dangerous zones, seeking to bring balance to the Maelstrom.
Beliefs
Kashrishi typically lean towards neutral or lawful alignments, valuing balance, introspection, and the collective good. They revere cosmic entities or primordial forces that embody empathy, psychic resonance, and gradual evolution. Some pay homage to Cosmic Echo (a collective psychic consciousness or a primordial Mana-entity) as a guiding principle, believing it represents the interconnectedness of all sentient life. Others might honor The Great Adaptor (a force or ancient entity representing conscious evolution and resilience), seeking to embody its lessons of continuous self-improvement and harmonious integration with the cosmos.
Connection to the Rift and Psychic Adaptation
The Kashrishi's inherent psychic abilities and their capacity for conscious physical evolution are deeply intertwined with the cosmic energies of the Starfall Galaxy, particularly the Rift. Their crystalline horns, acting as conduits, enable them to subtly channel and adapt to Mana Currents and even the chaotic energies of the Maelstrom. Their empathy, amplified by their connection to these energies, allows them to perceive the emotional "wake" left by Rift-phenomena or sentient Rift-Entities.
The Rift-Storm Cataclysm may have been a period of intense, accelerated evolution for some Kashrishi, forcing them to rapidly adapt their forms and psychic defenses to survive the cosmic upheaval. Their continuous self-evolution is a direct response to the ever-changing nature of the galaxy, allowing them to thrive where others might perish. Their Mana-Core Reconstitution (or similar abilities) reflects their profound connection to vital cosmic energies, enabling them to recover from even grievous harm.
Kashrishi Mechanics
Kashrishi are a Humanoid, Kashrishi ancestry.
Hit Points: 8
Size: Small
Speed: 25 feet
Attribute Boosts: Constitution, Wisdom, and one Free Ability Boost.
Languages: Common, Aether-Speech. You gain additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it's positive). Choose from Aquan, Celestial, Draconic, Sylvan, Terran, and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region).
Senses: Low-Light Vision (You can see in dim light as though it were bright light and you ignore the concealed condition due to dim light.)
Empathic Sense: Kashrishis are able to get a vague sense of the current emotional state of others within 15 feet of them. This manifests as a general feeling of happiness, anger, or fear, without any specific details. For those with whom Kashrishis have an emotional connection, physical touch can heighten this sense to greater degrees of detail and understanding, increasing with the strength of their bond. This also functions as an imprecise sense alerting you to the presence, but not the precise location, of non-mindless creatures within the area. You gain a +2 circumstance bonus on Perception checks to Sense Motive against non-mindless creatures within the area of your empathic sense.
Glowing Horn: Your crystalline horn reacts to psychic energy by softly glowing. The horn emanates dim light in a 10-foot emanation until the start of your next turn whenever you use an occult action you gained from an ancestry feat, cast an innate occult spell, or Cast a Spell that has the mental trait.
Kashrishi Heritages
At 1st level, choose one of the following Kashrishi heritages, reflecting the unique evolutionary qualities they’ve adapted for their chosen environments.
Arboreal Grip Kashrishi (Athamasi adaptation): You have a set of small secondary arms or specialized gripping tendrils adapted for climbing and hanging from bio-luminescent trees, asteroid vines, or space station pipes. You can't hold or retrieve objects with these limbs, but you can Climb or Grab an Edge even if one or both of your primary hands are full. You aren't flat-footed while Climbing.
Hydro-Adapted Kashrishi (Lethoci adaptation): You come from an Kashrishi family adapted to aquatic environments, liquid-filled derelicts, or methane seas. You gain a +2 circumstance bonus to Athletics checks to Swim. If you critically fail an Athletics check to Swim, you get a failure instead.
Latent Potential Kashrishi (Nascent adaptation): While most Kashrishis are fully adapted to their environment by the time they reach adulthood, some retain unrealized potential well into adulthood before unlocking it. You gain a 1st-level Kashrishi ancestry feat for which you meet the prerequisites, if any.
Subterranean Crystal Kashrishi (Trogloshi adaptation): You're adapted to the sunless regions of deep asteroid caverns, dense bio-engineered jungles, or shadow-touched Rift-zones, with soft flesh lacking pigment and unusually clear crystalline horns. You gain the Crystal Luminescence ancestry feat.
Battle-Horn Kashrishi (Xyloshi adaptation): You have prominent neck muscles that allow you to use your facial horn as a tool or weapon, often infused with Mana. You gain a horn unarmed attack that deals 1d6 piercing damage. Your horn is in the brawling group, and has the finesse and unarmed traits.
Kashrishi Ancestry Feats
You can select Kashrishi ancestry feats from the following options.
1st Level Feats
Cosmic Consensus (Community Knowledge) (Common, Concentrate, Divination, Kashrishi, Occult) Feat 1: You commune with the psychic echoes of your ancestors and community, channeling their shared experiences and collective wisdom into yourself. As a 1-action activity, you can gain a +2 circumstance bonus to your next Recall Knowledge check made before the end of your next turn.
Crystal Luminescence (Common, Concentrate, Kashrishi, Light) Feat 1: Your crystalline horn glows with bioluminescent color, casting bright light in a 20-foot emanation (and dim light for the next 20 feet). You can activate or deactivate this light as a single action.
Psychic Filters (Emotional Partitions) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 1: You have created strong mental partitions in your mind to filter out negative emotional influences from the overwhelming psychic noise of the galaxy. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to saves against emotion effects.
Mana Sustenance (Mental Sustenance) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 1: You can sustain yourself with the power of your mind and the ambient Mana, reducing your reliance on conventional food. You only need to consume food or water once per week.
Awakened Psionics (Open Mind) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 1: You have inherent psychic abilities that allow you to tap into the power of your mind. You gain one cantrip from the occult or psychic spell list. You can Cast this Spell as an innate spell at will. A cantrip is heightened to a spell level equal to half your level rounded up.
Piercing Horn (Puncturing Horn) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 1: While many Kashrishis never use their horns for more than cracking open hard-shelled alien fruits or amplifying their psychic powers, you've practiced using yours offensively. Your horn unarmed attack gains the deadly d8 trait.
Grav-Climber (Scuttle Up) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 1: Prerequisites Arboreal Grip Kashrishi heritage or Battle-Horn Kashrishi heritage. Your environment requires you to climb cave walls, asteroid surfaces, or grav-plates with great regularity. You gain a +2 circumstance bonus to Athletics checks to Climb.
Adamant Hide (Tough Skin) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 1: Prerequisites Hydro-Adapted Kashrishi heritage or Battle-Horn Kashrishi heritage. Your skin is as hard as light plating. Your skin is medium armor in the plate armor group that grants a +4 item bonus to AC, and has a Dex cap of +1, a check penalty of –2, a Speed penalty of –5 feet, a Strength value of 16, and the comfort trait. You can never wear other armor or remove your exoskeleton. You can etch armor runes onto your exoskeleton as normal.
5th Level Feats
Psychic Soothe (Empathic Calm) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 5: Once per day, you can cast either calm emotions or sanctuary as an innate occult spell, heightened to half your level rounded up, using your empathic abilities to soothe or deter.
Adaptive Horn (Fighting Horn) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 5: Prerequisites Piercing Horn or Battle-Horn Kashrishi heritage. You can modify the size and shape of your horn over time using your mental powers. Your horn unarmed attack gains the versatile P or versatile B trait (your choice).
Master Grav-Climber (Skilled Climber) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 5: Prerequisites Arboreal Grip Kashrishi heritage or Battle-Horn Kashrishi heritage. You can navigate vertical surfaces with ease. Your climb Speed increases by 10 feet.
Psychic Breakthrough (Unlock Secret) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 5: Prerequisites Awakened Psionics. You delve deeper into your psychic potential. Your cantrip gained from Awakened Psionics is heightened to a spell rank equal to your level, instead of half your level rounded up.
Mana Wellspring (Well of Potential) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 5: Prerequisites at least one innate spell from an Kashrishi heritage or ancestry feat that shares a tradition with at least one of your focus spells. Your mind is a deep well of psychic potential. You gain 1 Focus Point.
9th Level Feats
Psionic Fortress (Fortified Mind) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 9: Your mind is unusually resilient and resistant to influence from chaotic Mana or hostile entities. You gain a +2 status bonus to saves against mental effects.
Psionic Repulsion (Telekinetic Slip) (Common, Evocation, Kashrishi, Occult) Feat 9: A thin shell of telekinetic energy pushes from your skin, widening your enemy's grasp enough for you to slip free. When you are grabbed or restrained, you can use a reaction to attempt an Athletics check to Escape with a +2 circumstance bonus.
Cosmic Insight (Transcendent Realization) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 9: Prerequisites Psychic Breakthrough. You've unleashed even more of your mind's limitless potential, gaining insights into the cosmic order. Once per day, as an action, you can gain a +2 status bonus to all Recall Knowledge checks for 1 minute.
13th Level Feats
Mana-Core Reconstitution (Kashrishi Revivification) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 13: The well of psychic energy held within your mind can exceed the limitations of your physical body. Once per day, when you are reduced to 0 Hit Points, you can immediately regain Hit Points equal to your level, instead of being knocked out.
Form-Sculpting (Reimagine) (Common, Kashrishi) Feat 13: Prerequisites Cosmic Insight. You can cast dreaming potential (a spell allowing you to temporarily reshape your body or physical attributes) as an innate occult spell once per day, heightened to 5th rank.
17th Level Feats
Rift-Warp (Bend Space) (Uncommon, Kashrishi, Uncommon) Feat 17: Prerequisites Cosmic Insight. Not even space itself is a match for the unleashed power of your mind. Once per day, you can cast dimension door as a 6th-rank innate occult spell.
Mana Purification (Cleansing Light) (Common, Concentrate, Kashrishi, Light, Necromancy, Occult) Feat 17: A burst of light from your horn, infused with purified Mana, cleanses your allies of ailments and sends your foes reeling. As a 2-action activity, you can emit a burst of light in a 20-foot emanation. Allies in the area are affected by remove disease or neutralize poison (your choice), and enemies take 8d6 positive energy damage (basic Fortitude save).
Here are a few adventure hooks designed to appeal to a Kashrishi Player Character, leveraging their unique empathetic abilities, crystalline horns, and connection to cosmic energies within the Starfall Galaxy:
Adventure Hooks for Kashrishi Player Characters
The Cacophony of the Crystalline Heart:
Hook: A newly discovered, vast crystalline asteroid field in the Outer Sphere, believed to be a primordial Kashrishi nursery-world, has begun to emit an overwhelming, discordant psychic "scream." This isn't a simple signal; it's a raw, unfiltered surge of fear, anger, and despair, threatening to overwhelm any empathic being within range. A Florin botanist, whose bio-luminescent plants are wilting from the psychic strain, or a Triosam "Corrector," sensing a profound cosmic imbalance, seeks the Kashrishi PC. They believe the PC's Empathic Sense and Psychic Filters are the only way to safely approach the "Crystalline Heart," understand the source of its anguish (perhaps a trapped Rift-Entity or a dying ancient Kashrishi consciousness), and bring it peace.
Kashrishi Appeal: This hook directly challenges the Kashrishi's empathic nature and their drive for balance. The PC would be motivated to soothe the psychic turmoil, using their Empathic Resonance to calm the affected area and Mana-Crystal Kashrishi heritage to channel the chaotic energies without being overwhelmed. Cosmic Insight could help them understand the ancient source of the psychic distress.
The Fading Echo of the Great Adaptor:
Hook: A remote Frontier colony, established near a volatile Rift-Burg, is experiencing strange, accelerated environmental shifts – rapid flora growth, sudden geological upheavals, and unpredictable weather patterns. These changes seem to be driven by a subtle, yet powerful, Rift-phenomenon that is also causing the colonists (a mix of Humans and Ysoki) to exhibit rapid, uncontrolled physical mutations. A Spark-Kin scholar, intrigued by the uncontrolled evolution, or a Shisk archivist, noting parallels to ancient prophecies, believes this is a distorted manifestation of "The Great Adaptor." They require the Kashrishi PC, with its understanding of Conscious Evolution and Rift-Calming abilities, to study the phenomenon, guide its chaotic energy, and perhaps help the colonists adapt safely or prevent their complete transformation.
Kashrishi Appeal: This hook appeals to the Kashrishi's core belief in conscious evolution and their role as "Rift-Calmers." The PC would be driven to understand and bring balance to the uncontrolled adaptation. Fluid-Form Kashrishi heritage would be highly relevant, allowing them to adapt to the changing environment, while Mana Purification could potentially cleanse the chaotic energies affecting the colonists.
The Corporate Empath's Dilemma:
Hook: A powerful Mega-Corporation in the Inner Sphere has developed a new "emotional dampening" technology, marketed as a solution for workplace stress and inter-species conflict. However, the Kashrishi PC, perhaps working discreetly as an "emotional balancer" or consultant (Inner Sphere society), senses a profound emotional void emanating from the technology's users – a chilling absence of genuine feeling. A disillusioned Android who helped develop the tech, or a Lashunta who fears its psychic implications, seeks the PC's help. The mission: infiltrate the corporation, expose the true, potentially harmful, effects of the technology, and find a way to dismantle it without causing widespread panic or a psychic backlash.
Kashrishi Appeal: This hook challenges the Kashrishi's deep understanding of emotional landscapes and their commitment to empathy. The PC would be motivated to protect emotional well-being and subvert manipulative technology. Empathic Shielding would be crucial for resisting the dampening effects, and Psychic Influence could be used to subtly sway key corporate figures or gather information.
The Ancient Horn's Call:
Hook: The Kashrishi PC's crystalline horns begin to resonate with an unusual frequency, leading them to a long-lost, ancient Vaelen research station hidden within a Mana-rich nebula. The station houses a vast archive of psychic experiments and a powerful, but unstable, "proto-horn" artifact – a massive crystalline structure that mirrors the Kashrishi's own physiology. This artifact serves as a conduit to a forgotten Rift Phenomenon or a trapped fragment of the Aether Synapse, and its instability threatens to unleash a destructive psychic wave. A Kwalen who venerates Mana-wells, or an Automaton seeking to understand ancient AI, offers to help the PC navigate the station's defenses. The Kashrishi must attune to the proto-horn, stabilize its energy, and perhaps unlock a deeper understanding of their own origins and the true potential of their psychic abilities.
Kashrishi Appeal: This hook offers a chance to understand the very origins of their unique biology and their connection to ancient knowledge. The PC would be driven by curiosity and the potential to gain deeper insight into their own existence. Mana-Sense Oculon (if they have it, as it's a Kashrishi heritage now) or Psychic Sustenance would be crucial for understanding the artifact's energy signatures, and Rift-Warp could provide a means of escape if the situation becomes too dangerous.
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