Tonal/ Atonal
by Jamie BatySemiquaver
IM 49
Large Outsider (Exalted, Extraplanar)
Hit Dice: 15d8+45 (112 hp)
Initiative: +8 (+4 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative)
Speed: 640 ft. (128 squares)
Armour Class: 19 (-1 size, +4 Dex, +6 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 15
Base Attack/Grapple: +15/+19
Attack: Sonic blast (See Below)
Full Attack: Sonic blast (See Below)
Space/Reach: 10 ft. /5 ft.
Special Attacks: Mind power, sonic blast
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60ft., outsider traits, potent magic, spell resistance 30, tonal immunities
Saves: Fort +14, Ref +15, Will +12
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 19, Con 16, Int 16, Wis 13, Cha 20
Skills: Concentration +10, Diplomacy +23, Gather Information +17, Knowledge (arcana) +21, Knowledge (the planes) +21, Listen +21, Perform (Sing)+26, Search +21, Sense Motive +19, Spellcraft +21, Spot +21, Survival +10
Feats: Alertness, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Skill Focus (Perform (Sing))
Environment: Outer Planes
Organisation: 8, 16 or 32
Challenge Rating: 12
Treasure: See Below
Alignment: Always lawful good (Tonal) or Chaotic Evil (Atonal)
Advancement: ---
Level Adjustment: ---
Tonals have physical forms very similar to bubbles of light. These forms vary in size and colour according to each tonal's status. The colour varies during communication, but the size is constant. The diameter of a semiquaver tonal is 15ft. Semiquavers are dark coloured, ranging from deep blue to brown or black.
Tonals were created by Thalia, a famous immortal of Energy. Her work in developing the Prime Plane predates mortal magic use. Tonals were originally utterly Chaotic, but were made Lawful by one of Thalia's aides, an immortal with the common name of Guidarezzo. The creatures seem to enjoy their relatively new alignment, which has significantly improved their ability to communicate.
Though most tonals are now Lawful, many older Chaotic tonals still wander the Outer and Astral Planes. These can be dangerous; they are often evil, and are usually cacophonous. They are commonly called atonals, to distinguish them from their civilised counterparts.
Most Immortals know of and avoid conflict with the Lawful tonals. However, the old wild and often evil atonals are considered fair game.
Most tonals are social creatures, found in groups of various sizes. Except for breves, all tonals congregate in even numbers. They communicate by changing colours, a language understandable to others only with magical aid. Tonals sing to each other frequently, producing harmonic sounds that do not inflict damage. This music is a favourite entertainment during festive occasions.
Tonals have no relation to the non-living sounds common to the Prime Plane, some of which bear similar names.
All tonals share a common Home Plane in the Outer Planes. In addition to the usual protections, this plane is watched by Thalia herself, and is considered unassailable by most Immortals.
A tonal's form collapses when its hit points reach zero. Its flimsy outer skin may be gathered and compressed to form a small object similar to a sling stone. This may then be used as a weapon, for it explodes on impact and releases one final blast of a strength and size equal to the original tonal's.
Semiquavers are the smallest and least powerful of the tonals.
Combat
Tonals are usually quite sociable creatures and will only attack in self defence. Atonals are aggressive and dangerous to the unwary. Both types can only attack with Mind Power and sonic blasts.
Mind Power (Sp): As a swift round action, a Semiquaver tonal may create a variety of spell-like effects at the expenditure of Power Points. It possesses 250 Power Points. Power Points regenerate with rest at the rate of 1 PP per minute of rest. Semiquavers are associated with the Sphere of Energy. The following are typical uses for the Power Points:
• A Semiquaver tonal can cast any mortal spell at 25th level, but that costs it double the spell level in PP (for example, a fire ball would cost it 6 PP). They are limited to spells and effects that have the [Sonic] descriptor.
• A Semiquaver tonal may cast the immortal spells power attack (2 PP per 1d6, up to 15d6), probe (5 PP) and probe-shield (5 PP).
Sonic Blast (Sp): As a standard action, a semiquaver tonal may unleash a sonic blast. Every creature within 15ft of the semiquaver tonal must make a Fort save vs DC 28 (Con based, +8 racial bonus) or suffer 2 points of sonic damage and be deafened for 1 round.
Potent Magic (Ex): Unlike mortal creatures, a tonal can affect an immortal with its magical attacks.
Tonal Immunities (Ex): All tonals are immune to silence effects. Tonals have 100% immunity to all damage from non-magical sources. Tonals are immune to all ability damage and drains.