Arafa Duzek

Written by Pookas Kreations

The Arafa looks like a small fae with spider-like features. They are shapeshifters, so can appear as an average fairy, spider, or hybrid. The race was created by the Goddess Arachne and gaesed to be good, cheerful, and helpful. To always help those in need, and accept only a token payment to those that can't afford anything else. To those that can though, it needs to be a fair price.

Basic Information

Anatomy

They have two large and 4 small eyes, silky hair, 4 long thin arms, and 4 legs (the lower two sets are covered in chitin. Their skin is translucent skin with patches of chitin, spiderweb patterned wings, and spider silk clothes, and an elongated skull. They prefer to live in colonies with others of their kind, as well as spiders and spider-like fae of all types.

Genetics and Reproduction

Arafa are compatible with most humanoid races, fae, as well as other spider-like creatures. Although, many prefer fae and elves over humans and similar races. They can store the genetic material from various partners for use when needed to fertilize their egg sacks. Once that material is secured, they often leave. Their egg sacks vary in size, they can hold anything from 20 to 100 eggs. Some rare females can choose when their young hatch and space them over years.

Growth Rate & Stages

Their young are born as spiders, but quickly learn to shift to fae form in childhood and by adulthood into other humanoids, and hybrid forms. Of course, not all Arafa are skilled enough to master all these forms. Only the best are able to perfect the details of certain forms.

The majority of the young are born female, with few males. The males that are born are called Arama to most are considered a separate race/ethnicity because of their very different appearance, size, and skills. Arama are the guardians and warriors for the Arafa.

Ecology and Habitats

The Arafa can live in any habitat but prefer forested mountainous areas.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Arafa have a very specialized diet, they are psychic vampires. They don't forcibly take what they need, instead, they find happy, energetic parties, concerts, or even a partner and bask in the emotions. Nothing is taken but shared.

Additional Information

Social Structure

They have large families called clans run by a queen. It could almost be considered a hive. Interestingly enough, the Arafa doesn't need much living space as they each have their own hidey-hole (anchored extradimensional space).

Domestication

Oddly, many Arafa are employed by people that consider them as just servants, but they considered it an honor to use their skills. In some places, they are commonly seen while in others you seen none. If they are misused, they will just leave.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Arafa are supreme craftsmen, mostly spinners, tailors, and anything having to do with cloth, silk specifically. Arafa are very skilled spinners, tailors, and crafters. They can use their silk to make almost anything. Any of their silk products are sought out far and wide. Depending on the location, the name may be different. It can be called fae, web, or iron silk. It is as strong as Mithral, lighter, and more flexible. Any cloth item can be made from it. They specialize in cloth armor, parachutes, and airbags for balloons, even windows, tapestries, and building walls.

Facial characteristics

Arafa have a long head with a swept-back forehead. They have 6 eyes ranged in pairs over each other stacked above each other ranging up their forehead. Most have long flowing hair that covers all but the lower set of eyes, they can also be closed when not in use.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Any, but prefer forests and mountains.

Average Intelligence

Genius intellect.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

An Arafa's eyes are very powerful, but sensitive as well, they have Supravision (a combination of infravision, ultravision, lowlight vision, and darkvision). Their eyes are so powerful that they can see through most of the spectrum of light, they can control which type they see at a specific time and have a specific protective lens over their various eyes so they aren't blinded by the sun when looking at certain spectrums.

With their multifaceted eyes, they have very good spatial skills. This helps them with martial abilities, as well as them being very dexterous. They have a version of Danger Sense, it uses a combination of their heightened vision and hearing to allow them to intuit danger. This intuition alerts them to danger from traps, ambushes, etc giving them a +4 insight bonus on Reflex saves to avoid these and a +4 insight bonus to AC and Perception skill checks. 

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

As fae, and other sylvan races.

Gender Ideals

Females are the rulers and workers, males are guardians and warriors.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Arafa speak Sylvan and can talk to any spider in their own language.

History

It is believed by most fae that the Arafa was created by the Goddess Arachne as her helpers, avatars, handmaidens, messengers, or clergy. Needless to say, they worship her or the Great Egg. No one, not even the Arafa knows why they were gaesed by the Goddess, most assume it was for a past wrong. With this curse, they can live short or long lives, depending on how useful they are. Their lives are tied to the ages.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

They have good relations with most good races, elves, and animalfolk. Arafa will fork for others as long as their terms are met.

Racial Abilities: 

• Hidey-hole
• Call Spider Swarm
• Summon Arafa/Arama
• Danger Sense
• Supravision
• Shapeshift
• Silk Spinner
• Reach

Lifespan

200+ years

Average Height

Variable

Average Weight

Variable

Average Physique

They are very strong, but you wouldn't be able to tell from their build as they are lithe and willowy. Only the males appear to have defined musculature.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

They have silver hair, translucent skin with patches of chitin around the joints, their lower two sets of legs are covered in silver/blue chitin. The skin color varies ranging from silver to violet and anything in between. Often with spots, patches, or strips. This, of course, depends on the current form. 

Geographic Distribution

• Skylands Continent
• Sylvania

Related Organizations

• Church of Akadi

Related Ethnicities

• Arama Duzek