Protoss
Description: In stark contrast to the adaptive
Terrans and feral Zerg are the stolid, conservative Protoss. With their
highly advanced technology and potent psionic abilities, the Protoss
have long considered themselves the most powerful species in the known
galaxy. Although they are not a prolific people, they have learned to
bolster the ranks of their military with robotic war machines and to
combine their intrinsic psionic ability with technology, thus producing
some of the most effective warriors ever known. If the Protoss have a
weakness, though, it is their refusal to accept change. The tenets of
their major religion, known as the Khala, form a rigid path and the
Protoss are loathe to deviate from it for fear of once again falling
into civil strife.
Although the Protoss were originally divided into several
warring tribes, they were united by a single scholar/philosopher known
as Khas, or "he who brings order". Having studied the archaic,
forbidden teachings of his ancestors, this mystic unearthed ancient,
monolithic artifacts known as the Khaydarin Crystals. The power
contained within these crystals -- along with his teachings -- are
apparently responsible for the strengthening of the primordial, psychic
link that all Protoss share. Khas also developed a strict religious,
philosophical, and social structure christened the Khala. Under the
Khala -- which translates roughly to Path of Ascension -- the Protoss
have abandoned the crude tribal factions that led them into generations
of vicious blood feuds and have instead created three castes: The
Khalai (artisans and inventors), The Templar, (warriors and explorers)
and The Judicator (administrators and leaders).
Terran dealings with the Protoss have been limited,
restricting our knowledge of their language, abilities and equipment.
What we do know is that they possess extremely advanced technology,
including warp-gate manipulation, energy shield generation and the
ability to power their buildings and units with a Psionic Matrix. It is
only recently that significant progress has been made in learning more
of their secretive society and science, and this has come at the cost
of hundreds of Terran lives.
Protoss Racial Traits
• +2 Strength, -2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution,
+2 Wisdom, -2
Charisma
• Medium: As Medium creatures, protoss have no special bonuses or
penalties due to their size.
• A Protoss’ base land speed is 40 feet.
• Immunity to sleep effects, and a +2 racial saving throw
bonus against enchantment effects.
• Superior Low-light vision: Protoss can see four times as far as a
human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of
low illumination.
• +2 natural armor bonus.
• Plasma Shields: Protoss can generate psionic shields. Any damage
dealt to a protoss goes to its shield points until they are depleted -
any excess damage then goes to its hit points. Protoss have shield
points equal to 1d12 + Charisma modifier per Hit Die. Shield
points regenerate (as per fast healing) at a rate equal to Protoss' Charisma
modifier (minimum 1/round).
• Telepathy 100 ft.
• Automatic Languages: Common, Protoss.
• Bonus Languages: Zerg, Xel'Naga.
• Favored Class: Psion or Zealot.
• Level adjustment +1.