QUORI EMBEDDED SHARDS
Kalashtar psions and the Inspired lords of Riedra make
use of all the different types of psionic items found in
the Expanded Psioncs Handbook (see Eberron Shard Items,
below, for more information). But they have also found
a way to draw on the power of Siberys shards. An Inspired
or kalashtar character can undergo a painful process that
actually embeds a dragonshard in her body. Once the link
is formed, the shard acts as a lens for the power of the quori
spirit within the character, providing her with enhanced
physical or mental abilities.
A psionic creature can activate or deactivate an
embedded shard as a standard action; doing this requires a
command thought and does not provoke an attack of opportunity.
While a shard is active, the stone glows with a dim
radiance; some shards have more dramatic appearances.
Aura Mask: This shard holds an imprint of a complete
personality, designed by the creator of the item. While
active, an aura mask shard duplicates the misdirection spell;
anyone who uses a divination effect to analyze the bearer's
aura (detect evil, detect magic, discern auras, and the like) must succeed
on a DC 19 Will save or read the aura imprinted on
the shard instead of that of the bearer.
Moderate telepathy; ML 9th; Craft Universal Item,
aura alteration; Price 9,000 gp.
Crystalline Eye: The bearer may see by means of this
shard as if it were an additional eye. A crystalline eye shard is often
placed in the palm of the hand, allowing the bearer to peer
around corners or over barriers by extending only his hand
past the obstruction. A character doing this is considered
to have the equivalent of improved cover (+8 bonus to AC,
+4 bonus on Reflex saves; see Attacks from Land, page 93
of the Dungeon Master's Guide). In addition, a character viewing
his surroundings through a crystalline eye is not susceptible to
gaze attacks; this benefit can allow the bearer to interact with
medusas and similar creatures with reduced risk.
If a character has at least four crystalline eyes scattered
around his body and all four are exposed, he gains
the benefit of all-around vision. This ability provides a
+4 bonus on Search and Spot checks, and the character
cannot be flanked.
Faint clairsentience; ML 3rd; Craft Universal Item,
clairvoyant sense; Price 9,000 gp.
Ectoplasmic Armor: This shard provides the bearer
with a +2 armor bonus to AC. When it is active, the bearer's
body is surrounded by a ghostly image of a monstrous
quori form. The bonuses from multiple shards stack with
one another, to a maximum bonus of +10; however, with
every additional shard the ghostly image becomes increasingly
visible. The image produced by a single shard is
barely noticeable, but the image produced by five shards
in conjunction (granting a +10 AC bonus) looks like a
solid, real monster.
Because the armor is composed of stable astral ectoplasm,
the armor is treated as a material, physical object
without any special qualities other than the armor bonus
it provides to AC. Ectoplasmic armor has no armor check
penalty and does not reduce the wearer's speed.
Faint metacreativity; ML 3rd; Craft Universal Item,
ectoplasmic armor; Price 8,000 gp.
Ectoplasmic Fist: This shard must be implanted
on the hand, forearm, or foot, and only one ectoplasmic fist
shard can be implanted on any one limb. While active, the
shard surrounds the associated limb with a ghostly outline
of a quori limb. This effect allows the bearer to make
unarmed attacks without provoking attacks of opportunity
from armed opponents. In addition, his effective size is
increased by one category for the purpose of determining
the damage of his unarmed attacks.
Faint metacreativity; ML 5th; Craft Universal Item,
metaphysical claw; Price 4,000 gp.
Faceted Persona: A faceted persona shard is attuned to
one of the six character abilities—Strength, Dexterity, Constitution,
Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma. While active,
it provides a +2 enhancement bonus to this ability.
Moderate psychometabolism; ML 8th; Craft Universal
Item, animal affinity; Price 8,000 gp.
Multifaceted Persona: This shard provides a +2
enhancement bonus to a single ability score, just like a
faceted persona shard. However, the bearer can take a standard
action and spend 5 power points to shift the focus of the
shard, switching the bonus to a different ability.
Strong psychometabolism; ML 12th; Craft Universal
Item, animal affinity, psychofeedback; Price 12,000 gp.
Pathfinder: A pathfinder shard allows the bearer to use
know direction and location at will, as a psion.
Faint clairsentience; ML 1st; Craft Universal Item,
know direction and location; Price 2,500 gp.
Shadowsight: This shard provides its bearer with
darkvision.
Faint clairsentience; ML 3rd; Craft Universal Item,
psionic darkvision; Price 24,000 gp.
Talent: A talent shard is attuned to one of the following
skills: Balance, Concentration, Hide, Jump, Listen, Move
Silently, Sense Motive, Spot, or Tumble. While active, it
provides a +5 competence bonus on checks involving this
skill. Once the shard has been attuned, the skill cannot
be changed.
Faint telepathy; ML 5th; Craft Universal Item, creator
must have 5 ranks of the associated skill; Price 5,000 gp.
IMPLANTING QUORI SHARDS
A quori embedded shard is created using the Craft Universal
Item feat (see the Expanded Psionics Handbook). However, the powers
of the shard can only be activated by the life force of a kalashtar
or Inspired. Implanting a shard requires the Craft Universal
Item feat and 10 ranks in Heal. The process takes 1 hour,
and the subject permanently loses 1 hit point as part of the
bonding process.
A shard draws on the psychic energy of its bearer,
and as a result there is a limit to the number of shards
that a person can support. Shards do not use up a body
slot, but a character can only have one embedded shard for
every manifester level that he possesses. Once a shard is
implanted, it bonds to the muscle and bone of the subject
and cannot be removed.
