In the Starfall Galaxy, where ancient asteroid fields drift through the void and the very bedrock of planets pulses with primordial energy, some individuals are born with an intrinsic connection to the essence of cosmic stone and metal. These are the Oreads, whose lineage is influenced by powerful Geodan ancestors, Crystal-Scaled Aether-Dragons, or the ancient, unyielding forces of planetary cores. Oreads tend to be stoic, steadfast, and dependable, but they contain depths and inner strength not seen on the surface.
Oreads can be slow to reveal their true selves, or perhaps more accurately, have enough depth and mystery inherent to their beings that they can reveal new and unexpected facets of themselves every day. They usually feel that they personify certain aspects of cosmic earth, stone, or other sediments or minerals, such as a void-asteroid's tenacious resilience against cosmic erosion, the generosity and nourishment of a fertile terraformed world, or the versatile utility of rare alloys and Mana-infused crystals.
Oreads born with a special connection to a specific subset of elemental cosmic earth, such as crystal, dust, or molten rock, might have an oread lineage. A lineage can be inherited along a family bloodline, or it can manifest spontaneously in oread children. They can be caused by where an oread's ancestors lived—frequently seen in Dustsoul Oreads, many of whom are born in a barren asteroid field or to a family that has mined for generations. Lineages can also be the result of specific cosmic heritages. Gemsoul Oreads often have a Crystal-Scaled Aether-Dragon in their lineage, and Miresoul Oreads descend from the more sodden creatures of elemental cosmic earth, perhaps from worlds with vast subterranean oceans.
YOU MIGHT...
Relate your personal identity with cosmic earth and believe stones, metals, or mountains represent core aspects of your personality.
Value moments of peace and quiet seclusion where you can be alone with nature, perhaps deep within a planet's crust or a silent asteroid.
Take great pride in your elemental lineage, especially if you believe you are related to the powerful Geodan elders or ancient Crystal-Scaled Aether-Dragons.
OTHERS PROBABLY...
Look to you as an authority on earth Mana-magic, geology, or the elemental cosmic planes.
Think you are wise and cautious, moving into action only after you have considered a problem from all angles.
Assume you are stoic and quietly strong, keeping your thoughts and feelings to yourself.
Physical Description
Oreads have the same diversity in height, body type, and physical characteristics as any other member of their mortal ancestries, alongside a handful of other traits that distinguish them as cosmic elemental scions. Their skin is often gray or brown, but can also resemble metals and precious stones, with copper and iron veining or crystals that grow out of their skin. Instead of hair, Oreads often have crystals or rocks that grow from their heads; regardless, most Oreads sculpt, decorate, or otherwise maintain the appearance of their hair, whatever form it takes. Almost all Oreads have shimmering gemstone eyes, beautiful and multifaceted, reflecting the light of distant stars.
Oreads typically wear sturdy clothing that can withstand physical labor and exposure to the elements, such as reinforced fabrics and metallic plating. Many choose clothing that exposes their unique characteristics, tailored to showcase any crystals embedded in their rocky skin.
Society
Born and raised within the societies of their mortal families, oread children are often (though not universally) described as shy and quiet, growing up to be patient, observant, and clever. They gravitate toward careers that allow them to work in peaceful contemplation with their thoughts, present opportunities to work with their hands, or ideally, both. Many Oreads become miners or crafters who work with cosmic earth, such as stonemasons, metalworkers, or gem cutters, often specializing in Dei components or rare Mana-infused crystals.
Oreads also tend to enjoy opportunities to uphold structures or systems, and many find their vigilance and patience well-suited for careers as guards, wardens, or administrators within the Commission. Oreads born in rural communities find fulfillment working and living on the land in a peaceful, self-sufficient harmony with nature, often on terraformed worlds or within vast bio-domes.
Beliefs
Oreads are known for being steadfast and reliable, often placing high value on personal honor and keeping their word. Many are fiercely protective of their friends but less concerned for the safety of those outside their circle. The most common alignments among Oreads are true neutral and lawful neutral, with the rest typically falling into other neutral alignments like neutral good or neutral evil.
Religious Oreads find that lives of silence, contemplation, or seclusion suit them well, and most dedicate themselves to the worship of cosmic earth and nature deities, such as a Cosmic Architect who shaped the planets, or one of the Elemental Lords of Cosmic Earth. The nature-focused philosophy of the Green Faith (if adapted for Starfall) also appeals to many Oreads, especially those who become druids of the stone order. An Oread's contemplative nature also aligns well with the teachings of those who value self-perfection and inner discipline.
Popular Edicts: Uphold your word, protect the foundations of society, find strength in stillness.
Popular Anathema: Break an oath, undermine stable structures, act impulsively without thought.
Oread Mechanics
Oread Heritage
An earth elemental ancestor, a Crystal-Scaled Aether-Dragon, or a powerful Geodan elder has influenced your bloodline, and your features highlight this elemental cosmic connection. You might have a crystalline or metallic sheen to your skin or hair, rough and stony flesh, or glittering gemstone eyes. You gain the oread trait, in addition to the characteristics from your ancestry. You also gain low-light vision, or you gain darkvision if your ancestry already has low-light vision. You can choose from oread feats and feats from your ancestry whenever you gain an ancestry feat.
Oread Lineages
Oreads can select any of the following lineages at 1st level.
Dustsoul (Feat 1)
Lineage, Oread
Your earth elemental ancestor's influence manifests in you as dust and dirt, like the soil of a terraformed field or the fine regolith of a hot desert moon. You gain resistance 1 to physical damage from environmental effects (such as sandstorms or dust clouds).
Gemsoul (Feat 1)
Lineage, Oread
The earth inside you asserts itself as crystallized gemstones or metals, like a cluster of quartz or veins of iron and gold. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Perception checks to find hidden objects made of metal or stone.
Miresoul (Feat 1)
Lineage, Oread
You have a connection to the muddier denizens of elemental cosmic earth from its border with elemental cosmic water, and your elemental lineage manifests as clay or mud, reflecting that bond. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Acrobatics checks to Balance on slippery surfaces.
Oread Ancestry Feats (1st Level)
The following feats are available to oread characters.
Cosmic Elemental Eyes (Feat 1)
Ardande, Ifrit, Oread, Sylph, Undine, Low-Light Vision
You can see in the darkness as easily as a cosmic elemental. You gain low-light vision. If your ancestry already has low-light vision, you gain darkvision instead.
Cosmic Elemental Lore (Feat 1)
Ardande, Ifrit, Oread, Sylph, Undine
You've devoted yourself to researching the secrets of the elemental cosmic planes and their influence. You become trained in Occultism and Cosmic Lore. If you would automatically become trained in one of those skills (from your background or class, for example), you instead become trained in a skill of your choice.
You also gain the Additional Lore general feat for Cosmic Elemental Lore.
Elemental Trade (Feat 1)
Oread
You have a strong connection with cosmic stone and metal. You become trained in Crafting. If you would automatically become trained in Crafting (from your background or class, for example), you instead become trained in a skill of your choice. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Crafting checks when working with stone or metal.
Elemental Weapon Familiarity (Feat 1)
Ardande, Ifrit, Oread, Sylph, Undine
You've trained with weapons used by your elemental ancestors. You are trained with the geo-hammer (a simple weapon that deals 1d6 bludgeoning damage, has the shove and versatile P traits, and is in the hammer group) and the crystal shard launcher (a martial weapon that deals 1d6 piercing damage, has the reload 1 and scatter 5 traits, and is in the firearm group). For the purpose of determining your proficiency, these are simple weapons. Whenever you gain a class feature that grants you expert or greater proficiency in certain weapons, you also gain that proficiency in these weapons.
Silent Stone (Feat 1)
Oread
You've lived in the shadow of ancient cosmic mountains or asteroid fields, and the patience of those ancient formations expresses itself in your stillness. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Stealth checks to Hide or Sneak while in rocky or metallic environments.
Steady on Stone (Feat 1)
Oread
Your connection to the earth makes natural uneven surfaces less of a hindrance for you. You ignore difficult terrain caused by rubble, uneven ground, or rocky surfaces.
Oread Ancestry Feats (5th Level)
Fortify Shield (Feat 5)
Oread
Prerequisites: Shield Block
You reinforce your shield with a rocky outgrowth of metal and stone. When you use the Shield Block reaction, your shield's Hardness increases by 2 against the triggering attack.
Elemental Weapon Flourish (Feat 5)
Ardande, Ifrit, Oread, Sylph, Undine
Prerequisites: Elemental Weapon Familiarity
Whenever you critically hit using a geo-hammer, crystal shard launcher, or another elemental weapon in which you are trained, you apply the weapon's critical specialization effect.
Cosmic Resolve (Feat 5)
Ardande, Ifrit, Oread, Sylph, Undine
Once, elementals ruled vast kingdoms, and a remnant of that confidence and power is reflected in your strong will. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Will saves against mental effects.
Treacherous Earth (Feat 5)
Oread
You have the power to shatter the earth into a shape of your devising. As a 2-action activity, you can cause a 10-foot square of ground within 30 feet to become difficult terrain until the end of your next turn. You can use this once per encounter.
Oread Ancestry Feats (9th Level)
Earthsense (Feat 9)
Oread
Your connection to earth and stone allows you to feel the slightest displacement that disturbs them, down to the shift of a pebble or the tremor of a distant asteroid. You gain imprecise tremorsense 30 feet.
Miraculous Repair (Feat 9)
Arcane, Ardande, Concentrate, Ifrit, Oread, Sylph, Transmutation, Undine
Elemental scions can't grant magical wishes, but some echo of power lingers within you. As a 2-action activity, you can touch an adjacent object or construct. That object or construct regains 3d6 Hit Points. You can use this once per day.
Shaitan Magic (Feat 9)
Oread
The magic of shaitans (or powerful cosmic earth elementals) runs through your blood. You gain stone shape and passwall as 2nd-rank innate primal spells. You can cast each of these spells once per day.
Oread Ancestry Feats (13th Level)
Elemental Weapon Expertise (Feat 13)
Ardande, Ifrit, Oread, Sylph, Undine
Prerequisites: Elemental Weapon Familiarity
Whenever you gain a class feature that grants you expert or greater proficiency in certain weapons, you also gain that proficiency in geo-hammers, crystal shard launchers, and all elemental weapons in which you are trained.
Metal-Veined Strikes (Feat 13)
Oread
Metallic veins grow throughout your body, giving your unarmed attacks a metallic sheen. Your unarmed Strikes gain the forceful trait and deal 1 additional damage.
One with Earth (Feat 13)
Oread
You've learned to harness your connection to the earth to travel through it. As a 2-action activity, you can Burrow through solid earth or stone at your land Speed. This lasts for 1 minute. You can use this once per day.
Planar Sidestep (Feat 13)
Arcane, Ardande, Concentrate, Conjuration, Ifrit, Oread, Sylph, Undine
You shift your body briefly between elemental planes, reducing the damage from your foe's attack. As a reaction when you are the target of a Strike, you can gain resistance 5 to all damage from that Strike. You can use this once per encounter.
Shaitan Skin (Feat 13)
Oread
When in danger, you can harden the stone in your skin into armor, much like a shaitan (or powerful cosmic earth elemental). As a 1-action activity, you gain a +2 status bonus to AC for 1 minute. You can use this once per day.
Summon Earth Elemental (Feat 13)
Oread
You have a connection to the Inner Sphere, allowing you to summon an elemental ally. You gain summon elemental as a 5th-rank innate primal spell, but it can only be used to summon an earth elemental. You can cast this spell once per day.
Oread Ancestry Feats (17th Level)
Stone Form (Feat 17)
Oread
You can transform your body into a pure primal manifestation of earth, an elemental. As a 3-action activity, you can transform into a Large earth elemental form. This functions as the elemental form spell, but only for an earth elemental, and the duration is 1 minute. You can use this once per day.
Here are a few adventure hooks tailored to appeal specifically to an Oread player character, leveraging their intrinsic connection to cosmic stone and metal, their stoic nature, and their drive for order and stability within the Starfall Galaxy.
Adventure Hooks for Oread Player Characters
1. The Shifting Asteroid Mine of the Void-Worms
Hook: A vital Geodan asteroid mining colony, known for extracting rare Dei components and Mana-infused crystals, has reported increasingly severe structural instabilities. The asteroid itself is subtly shifting, causing cave-ins and disrupting mining operations. Initial investigations point not to geological activity, but to a parasitic infestation of Void-Worms – creatures that consume not just rock, but the very structural integrity of celestial bodies, leaving behind fragile, void-ridden husks. The Oread PC, with their innate connection to stone and metal, feels a deep, unsettling resonance with the dying asteroid – a sense of its "bones" being gnawed away. A desperate Geodan elder, or an Aphorite who detects a profound disruption in the asteroid's structural integrity, seeks the PC's unique insight and resilience. The mission: venture deep into the unstable asteroid, identify the Void-Worm infestation, and find a way to either eradicate them or stabilize the asteroid's core before the entire colony collapses into the void.
Oread Appeal: This hook directly challenges the Oread's connection to cosmic stone and their desire for stability. The dying asteroid would be a personal affront, compelling them to act. Their resistance to physical damage, their ability to navigate rocky terrain, and their potential to manipulate stone would be invaluable. It offers a chance to protect a community and a vital resource.
2. The Crystal Heart of the Rift-Anomaly
Hook: A newly discovered Rift-zone is behaving in an unprecedented way: instead of chaotic energy, it's coalescing around a massive, pulsating Mana-crystal, creating a perfectly geometric, yet dangerously unstable, "Crystal Heart" that is slowly drawing in and crystallizing all matter around it. This phenomenon is not only destroying nearby stellar dust clouds but also subtly affecting the minds of those who approach, filling them with an overwhelming, obsessive desire for perfection and order, or driving them to madness if they resist. The Oread PC, especially if they have a Gemsoul lineage, feels an intense, almost magnetic pull towards this crystal – a reflection of their own inner structure and desire for order, but amplified to a dangerous degree. A Prismeni who senses the unnatural order within the Rift, or a Cerebral Nexus who detects a new, unsettling form of crystallized thought, seeks the PC's help. The mission: brave the crystallizing Rift-zone, understand the nature of the Crystal Heart and the Rift-Entity influencing it, and find a way to either stabilize its growth, contain its destructive perfection, or perhaps even harness its power for a beneficial purpose.
Oread Appeal: This hook directly challenges the Oread's love for order and their connection to crystals and precious stones. The "perfect" but destructive nature of the Crystal Heart would be both alluring and terrifying. It offers a chance to explore a unique and dangerous environment where their resilience and understanding of geological forces are paramount.
3. The Lost Forge-World of the Ancient Architects
Hook: Legends speak of a "Forge-World" – a planet entirely dedicated to ancient, pre-Rift manufacturing, possibly built by the Vaelen or a collective of powerful Aphorites. This world is said to contain blueprints for incredibly advanced Dei components and self-repairing starship technology, but it has been lost for millennia, rumored to be protected by automated defenses and complex, self-sustaining systems. Recent, fragmented data-logs discovered in a derelict Kasatha worldship hint at its location, but also warn of its "unyielding guardians" – ancient, unliving constructs that enforce its original, long-forgotten purpose. The Oread PC, with their affinity for craftsmanship, metalwork, and order, feels a profound connection to this lost world – a sense of ancestral pride and a desire to uncover its secrets. A Spark Droid fascinated by ancient technology, or a Dracosmyr seeking to understand the legacy of ancient civilizations, seeks the PC's help. The mission: locate the Forge-World, bypass its unyielding defenses, and retrieve the blueprints, a task that will test the Oread's patience, resilience, and their ability to understand and interact with ancient, unyielding systems.
Oread Appeal: This hook appeals to the Oread's love for craftsmanship, their stoicism, and their desire to uphold structures and systems. The lost Forge-World represents a pinnacle of ancient engineering and order. It offers opportunities for puzzle-solving, navigating dangerous environments, and potentially reactivating or repurposing ancient technology, all while facing unyielding, logical guardians.
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