In the Multiverse many strange things can happen: a
Dustman may found joy and love, a Hardhead might ease up
persecuting Indeps or a tanar'ri might give sweeties to
children. Few, however, ponder ask what might happen when a
fiend falls in love with a celestial. One possible outcome
when a non-evil succubus falls for a holy deva is the birth
of an arthurea, a rare breed of planeborne
creature.
Arthurea always spring from the union of a renegade
succubus with a deva; they usually inherit the kind and
compassionate nature of the deva (hence their good
alignment) and the mischievousness and wildness of their
fiendish blood (hence their chaotic alignment). Arthurea are
unique in appearance; half of their hair is silver and the
other half is black, the same goes with their wings. Even
though they are considered celestials by most, other aasimon
generally view them with suspicion, and archons are known to
actively dislike them, probably due to their legendary
disapproval or anything that can be traced back to the
tanar'ri. Of all the celestial races, only eladrin and
asuras really see eye-to-eye with arthurea.
Combat:
Arthurea generally dislike fighting for they fear that
they might loose control of themselves while in the midst of
battle-lust. If pressed, however ,they fight with daggers;
about 30% of them carry daggers with no less than a +2
enchantment. Unlike other aasimon, arthurea have the ability
to cast both priest and wizard elemental spells. In regards
to the maximum levels and number of spells they can cast,
they are treated as 10th-level casters, with regards to the
damage and duration of the spell however, they are treated
as 20th-level casters. When an arthurea is born they are
blessed with the ability to cast one of the four elemental
spells, (Earth, Fire, Air or Water), and it is only in this
area they may use their magic.
"From the high peak of
Arcadia,
Where the orb reflects light and darkness,
A couple bask under its radience,
One reflects the darkness of
The other reflects the purity of innocence,
From the centre of wavering
The seed planted has blossmed into matuarity, Come forth
creature of light and darkness,
Come forth World
Behold the creature of goodness, the Arthurea."
-- From the Birth of
Arthurea, an ancient Upper Planar
lyric
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Arthurea also posses powers similar to that of other
aasimon, such powers include: ability to assume other forms
once per day, (gain special attacks but maintaining own hp,
HD, intelligence..etc), cure disease (3/day), cure
serious wounds (7/day), heal (3/day), the
following abilities are usable once per day: detect
lie, detect good, remove curse and continual
light. Arthurea can also use the reversed form of their
abilities where this is possible.
[NB: DMs with access to the Dark Sun accessory
book "Earth, Air, Fire, Water" may use the new spells
found there to add flavour to the arthurea.]
Habitat/Society:
The arthurea live out with other aasimon on the Upper
Planes but as mentioned above other celestials view these
rare creatures with a modicum of suspicion due to the
fraction of evil blood coursing through their veins. It is
apparently this evil blood which causes the arthureas'
legendary tempers, fits of randomness, and general weird
behaviour. Deep down the creatures believe in goodness but
they are sometimes rather eccentric about promoting it. For
example, an arthurea detect that a cutter is telling a lie,
the might pick up a holy book and whack the poor sod's head
with it, screaming "Thou shall not lie!" This suits the
Xaositects and the Sensates (the latter faction has the most
arthurean members, although you can count them on one hand)
just fine, but the Harmonium aren't too happy about them.
The arthureas are extremely passionate creatures and are
renowned for their dalliances with mortal and planeborne
being alike. This is their succuban heritage showing
through, greybeards reckon.
Ecology:
It's estimated there are only some one hundred
arthurea in existence, so the race generally does not have a
part to play in the ecology. Individual arthurea, however,
tend to be real movers and shakers; they aren't content to
sit back and watch events. Generally, arthurea are fairly
gregarious beings, and love hanging out with other bashers,
though at times they feel the pain of their fiendish
heritage and often prefer to be alone with their own
thoughts.
[Special Effects in
Ravenloft: Effects in Ravenloft: If an
Arthurea should ever finds him/herself in Ravenloft their
celestial heritage will physically disrupt the fabric of the
land and over time cause many natives to die. Their fiendish
heritage allows them to cross any borders in Ravenloft, even
closed ones; Darklords cannot keep an arthurea imprisoned
when it wishes to roam. However, exercising this power calls
for a Powers Checks, starting at stage one and ending with
stage six (see Ravenloft materials for more info). Nothing
physically happen to them until stage six, when their souls
rip into two, creating a good and evil version of the
arthurea. A battle to death almost certainly would
ensue.]
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