A Falmadaraatha, or Fal, is a huge slug-like creature from the Spelljammer campaign setting.[1]
Overview[]
The Falmadaraatha are huge, slug-like creatures that burrow through small planetoids that contain no sentient life and make their lairs within. These gentle, brilliant, inoffensive giants are among several races that share the accolade of “scholars of wildspace”.[1]
Description[]
The Fal have large, soft, pulpy bodies that range in color from light tan at birth to jet black near the end of their lives. At the fore end of their bodies are a pair of small sensory antennae, bulbous eyes, a massive mouth filled with sharp teeth ideal for burrowing, and a smaller mouth above that, that is used for verbal communication. The Fal speak their own tongue, the common trade tongue, as well as most humanoid languages found throughout the Known Spheres.[1]
Personality[]
The Fal are solitary beings, though there is a 1-in-20 chance that there are up to 3 of these massive beings residing within a single asteroid, spending their time discussing philosophy, metaphysics, or the state of the multiverse. As a rule, Fal are peaceful, honest, hospitable geniuses.
Despite their preference for solitude, the Fal enjoy polite company, provided it doesn't visit too often (to a Fal more than once a year is “often”). Anyone may visit, though the Fal are wary around chaotic evil and lawful good beings. The Fal consider these two alignments far too extreme in their philosophies.
The Fal have a well-deserved reputation as some of the most knowledgeable sages in the multiverse. They are willing to answer questions in exchange for a gift worth more than 100 gp; anything from a bottle of fine wine to a book or a painting. Unlike the sages of other races, the Fal do not limit themselves to one or two areas of specialization. This, they say, denies themselves the opportunity to learn all the multiverse has to offer. This means that there is a 1-in-3 chance that a Fal can answer any question immediately; alternatively, it may answer the question within 10 days or within 10 months. Rarely it may take up to 10 years to answer a given question, but if it can be, the Fal will answer it.[1]
Combat[]
Although the Fal find combat offensive, considering it the final refuge of the incompetent, they are perfectly capable of defending themselves with a ferocious bite. If a Fal manages to catch a human-sized or smaller opponent with its mouth, it does not swallow; instead it attempts to persuade its foe to surrender in a peaceful manner. Should their opponent agree to surrender, then renege on its word, the Fal will attack with no mercy. To a Fal a promise is sacred.
All Fal are telekinetic: they can lift 1,000 pounds in this way and, if they act quick enough, may neutralize an opponent by simply lifting and holding them 30-feet off the floor until they stop fighting. A successful hit on a Fal breaks its concentration, and the victim will fall - hard.[1]
Society[]
Usually located within a hollow asteroid, a Fal's lair (known as a tcha) is surprisingly comfortable. Most Fal decorate their tcha with detailed maps of planets and regions of space, massive bookshelves, and little trinkets that grateful visitors have exchanged for answers to their questions. A Fal usually cultivates two types of plants within their tcha: a phosphorescent fungus used for illumination, and hardy greens that make up the bulk of a Fal's diet. Many Fal also enjoy fine wine and keep a well-stocked “cellar”. The most commonly found items within a tcha are books – lots of books, old and new, in different languages.
The Fal venerate three gods above all others: Deneir, Thoth, and Oghma.
The Fal live at least 2,000 years. To them, a year is like a day, so they take things slowly. Many visitors assume the Fal are stupid, since the giant slug-like beings speak so slowly. The Fal in turn believe hasty words bring bad results. The Fal often associate with the Gonn for discourse and the Arcane for research material and books. The Fal are suspicious of Aperusa, but they delight in tinker gnomes.
The Fal are hermaphroditic; each Fal is responsible for producing a “pupil” at some point, educating it, and then sending it on its way. No one has ever seen a Fal pupil, however. It is possible that the Fal do not take questions when they are training a pupil.[1]
Notable Fal[]
- One Six Nine specialized in knowledge concerning the Spelljammer and made its tcha on top of a megafauna within Herdspace.[2][3][4]
Appendix[]
External Links[]
- Fal article at the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from 2nd edition AD&D.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 John Terra, MC9 Monstrous Compendium Spelljammer Appendix II, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Fal entry
- ↑ Roger E. Moore, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Maelstrom's Eye, 1992, (TSR Inc.), page 49 (first mention)
- ↑ Roger E. Moore, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Maelstrom's Eye, 1992, (TSR Inc.), pages 213-215 (first appearance)
- ↑ Roger E. Moore, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Maelstrom's Eye, 1992, (TSR Inc.), pages 273-278