Asteray

Asteray

(Creature)

Type

Fey

CR

12

Environment

Any vacuum

Alignment

LG	NG	CG
LN	N	CN
LE	NE	CE

Source: Alien Archive, pg(s). 18

Asterays are a species of mischievous, dangerous vacuum-dwelling fey.

Appearance

Asterays have a vaguely humanoid upper body and a diaphanous tail for a lower body, which absorbs cosmic radiation and allows them to travel in the vacuum. Their elegant bodies consist of little more than lightweight, flexible bones and sinew. Their faces are featureless except for a long, thin mouth and green or blue eyes capable of expressing varied emotions. A typical asteray is about 7-1/2 feet from its head to the end of its tail, and weighs 75 pounds.

Ecology

Asterays originate in magic-rich solar systems where the void overlaps with the First World. Adapted to life in outer space, they have sensitive vision and can use various natural spells, including the ability to fire electricity. For aeons they were confined to these systems, until mortals developed their first starships.

Asterays can subsist themselves on cosmic dust and radiation, but are ravenous for organic food. When food is scarce, they hibernate in deep corners of space, waiting for an asteroid or abandoned ship to come which they can then scour for food. Asterays can hitchhike on the wake of starships, no matter the speed, and usually use this ability to scavenge what the crew discards. While they are not malicious enough to actively hunt humanoids, they see nothing wrong with eating what the crew of a disabled ship ejects, including the corpses of the fallen.

Society

Asterays communicate between each other with electronic signals similar to the kind used by starships, and they have learnt to mimic these signals to lure ships or hide navigational hazards.

Most inhabited star systems are home to at least one asteray colony, in spots with easy access to major space lanes. Asterays build nests and hoard treasures in asteroids pocked with caves. Wrecked ships float nearby; these are used to lure scavengers, or cloaked by the asterays' sensor signals.

Asterays understand that other creatures need food, water and air, but due to their alien mindset, they consider their hunger and amusement a higher priority, leading to their perception as greedy and cruel. Those who can amuse them or compel their empathy can gain asterays as powerful allies.