Pixelmind (3.5e Race)

Author: Eiji-kun (talk) Date Created: 2-8-14 Status: Complete Editing: Clarity edits only please

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Pixelmind

Long ago, Law and Chaos fought over the multiverse. Inevitable vs slaadi, modron vs fey, and many other factions which existed back then. One such incursion of the fey into Mechanus (or some say the modrons into the Feywild) led to heavy losses on both sides and ultimately the mixing of planar energies. What was born was all manner of unstable abominations, most which perished immediately while others became terrible beasts. Out of the primal turmoil was born a few stable entities, one which was the simple pixel. It could be defined as the fairy of modron-kind, a tiny creature with the most simple mindset of YES and NO, pure binary thought and action. While "lawful", the existence of these pseudo-modrons similar to, but smaller than monodrones, was anathema and they were rejected. The Feywild would have nothing to do with the logical pixels either. And so the pixels scattered to the far corners of the proto-world.

But while a single pixel is barely intelligent, many pixels proved able to make more complex decisions. These swarms of pixels were able to make larger and more complex choices until they hit a sort of critical mass and collapse. The collapse is often short lived and the pixels scatter once more, but in rare cases they stick and become stable, a rolling geometric star of mathematical energy and chaotic fey energy and formlessness. Thus were born the pixelmind.

Personality

A complex series of "bits" strung together in a coherent shape, they are the spawn one of the few stable results of the clash between law and chaos. Prone to sporadic action, they nevertheless remain logical and analytical in their randomly chosen activities. They live a lonely existence, but not an unhappy one, for they are filled with curiosity for the world they can now experience in increasing richness. As a pixelmind grows in HD, it grows in pixels and ultimately power to analyze and wonder, and to interact with the world in greater and greater ways. And so many pixelminds seek out ways to grow in strength, an act which leads them to adventuring. Due to their strange appearance, many have to find ways to fit in with the civilized world. Some choose by hiding, others by charm, and others through force. They are not constricted to a simple code to follow, and may find their own path.

Physical Description

A pixelmind is made of thousands of pixels bunched up in a tight space, and ultimately looking like a globe speckled with countless static from the black and white pixels, mixed in with various rainbow pixels whose colors ultimately negate each other. Its natural form is a sphere about 1 foot diameter, though it is capable of taking any shape with at least one point of symmetry. Because of this pixelminds trying to "fit in" may take on a humanoid form, which is symmetrical on the left and right. At the very least they usually form two arms which move in unison in order to pick up and wield items. It has partial control over its surface, altering its overall color and brightness and forming patterns, such as eyes or a face, in order to help engage in conversation. These patterns often seem blocky, because they are made after pixels after all. Experienced pixelminds can produce vibrant realistic faces, while new ones make simple low resolution block drawings.

Relations

Pixelminds don't remember the ancient wars per se, but they do have a feeling of not belonging to the outer planes of law and chaos, and yet also feel a longing to return to them. The fey and the modrons want nothing to do with them, and so they wander.

They usually find a group they are comfortable interacting with and make friends, then travel out subtle and quiet to explore and investigate other lands, only to return to tell their friends new stories from afar. Some have actually begun to think them as some manner of storytelling spirit, a moniker they usually are happy to keep.

Alignment

Pixelminds are usually neutral on the good-evil scale, but vary on law and chaos. Most seem to fit true neutral, as it gives them the most opportunity to test out new things.

Lands

Pixelminds are a species without a land to call their own. They can be found in the most unusual of places anywhere.

Religion

Pixelminds have little need or concept of religion, but it is a thing worth exploring. Most don't have the faith for it.

Language

Pixelminds speak Common, Modron, and Sylven. They technically also speak Binary, but with exception of speaking to their nigh-mindless pixel kin, it is a worthless language and takes a very long time to say anything of value.

Names

Pixelmind names seem to sound like the hiss of static and can be very hard to differentiate. As a result, most just adopt nicknames.

Racial Traits

• -4 Strength, +2 Dexterity, -2 Constitution, +2 Intelligence: Small and loosely held together by entangled pixels, they are not very strong or durable. However their small size makes them nimble, and their entire body acts as a giant brain.
• Fey: In spite of their mechanical appearance and often un-fey like behavior, they are ultimately spirits produced by the "natural" turmoil of ancient war. 
• Tiny: As a Tiny creature, a pixelmind gains a +2 size bonus to Armor Class, a +2 size bonus on attack rolls, a –8 size penalty on special attack (bull rushes, grapples, overruns, and trips) checks, and a +8 size bonus on Hide checks, but it uses smaller weapons than humans use, and its lifting and carrying limits are one-half of those of a Medium character. Furthermore, as a tiny creature, a pixelmind has a default space of 2 and 1/2 feet and 0 feet of reach.
• Pixelmind base land speed is 20 feet.  
• Low-Light Vision: A pixelmind can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. She retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions. 
• Hover (Ex): Pixelminds don't have legs, but they're too dense to "fly" normally. Instead they hover anywhere up to 5 feet off the ground, moving at their listed land speed. As a result, they never worry about difficult terrain or ground hazards that don't reach up to 5 feet high, and they never take falling damage or can fall prone. On the other hand, they do need a solid surface to "stand" on, their repulsion isn't strong enough to project them further into the air. 
• Monstrous Form (Ex): Pixelminds are definitively not human shaped, through they do possess the usual body slots. Because their form shifts often and isn't always, or even ever, in human form they cannot wear armor. Magic items they "wear" meld with their center core, hidden in its static body. If and when it forms any limbs (typically a pair of arms) the magic item is visible and set in the appropriate body slot. 
• Morph Reach (Ex): Although the pixelmind is tiny, it can still attack out to a range of 5 feet as its body shifts and changes rapidly. Using a reach weapon makes this 10 feet as normal. It does not threaten out in this reach however, its threatened reach remains 0 ft. 
• Pseudo-Construct Traits (Ex): Pixelminds retain a few aspects of their modron kin and the constructs they resemble. The pixelmind is effectively amorphous and immune to critical hits and sneak attacks. It is immune to disease and poison, though it acts like a living creature otherwise. It also may count as a construct when beneficial for the purpose of pre-requisites or item usage. 
• Rejected by Chaos and Law (Ex): Old grudges die hard, and the pixelminds still find no shelter within chaos or law. They count as the least beneficial alignment (chaotic or lawful) whenever possible, regardless of their actual alignment. 
• Static Feedback (Su): The pixelmind can cause its pixels to erupt into a bright surge of staticy light and loud feedback noise in defense. All creatures within a 30 ft radius burst centered on the pixelmind must make a Will save or be blinded and deafened for 1 round plus +1 round per 4 HD. A successful save reduces it to dazzling and a -4 on Listen checks for the duration. After using this ability it cannot do so again for 1 minute. 
• Symmetrical Fighting (Ex): Although they are no fighters, pixelminds do perform well with multiple weapons. They reduce the penalties for Two-Weapon Fighting by 2, to a minimum of 0. 
• Skills: Pixelminds gain a +2 racial bonus on Listen, Search, Sense Motive, and Spot checks. They are always observant to their surroundings.
• Automatic Languages: Common, Binary, Modron, and Sylven.
• Bonus Languages: Any (except secret languages).
• Favored Class: Psion
• Level Adjustment: +2
• Effective Character Level: 3

Vital Statistics

Table: Pixelmind Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
3 years	+1d3	+1d4	+1d6

Table: Pixelmind Aging Effects

Middle Age1	Old2	Venerable3	Maximum Age
37 years	67 years	97 years	+Unlimited years
At middle age, −1 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At old age, −2 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At venerable age, −3 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

Table: Pixelmind Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	1' 0"	+1d6	3 lbs lb.	× (1d3) lb.
Female	1' 0"	+1d3	3 lbs lb.	× (1d3) lb.

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