Provis

The Dimension of Dreams is an odd and erratic realm, housing various eldritch outsiders and esoteric dragons, but there are also people who walk these ever-shifting lands. Most mortals are not aware that provis even exist, assuming all the people in the background of their dreams are simple thought-constructs (a misconception further enforced by the provis’ habit of pretending to be part of mortal dreams as a means of survival). The erratic dreamscape prevents easy communication between groups of provis, leaving the record of their racial history inconsistent at best.

Physical Description: Provis are a tall and lanky race, standing about a foot taller than most humans, with lithe limbs that lead others to underestimate their physical strength. When it comes to hair and eye color, provis are unnaturally diverse. One might have green eyes and orange hair while another might have blond hair and red eyes with no regard to the traits held by their parents. The skin color of a provis can be that of any human ethnicity, though it often appears to have a slightly gray tint.

Because of their connection to the Dimension of Dreams, their physical forms can easily become warped by the taint of the Great Old Ones that have seeped into the dreams of mortals. If a provis is in the dreamscape touched by a Great Old One or in a region that has cultists of such beings, his natural form alters slightly. For example: Bokrug’s influence causes a provis’ hair to warp into tentacles, Cthulhu’s causes his skin to take on a rubbery texture, and Hastur’s causes his body to be yellow all over.

Society: The ever-changing nature of the Dimension of Dreams means that provis culture is very isolated, in fact, each small group has its own culture. In general, they are tribalistic with a large focus on acting and deception. They see these as crucial tools to avoid unwanted attention when slipping into the dreams of mortals.

Relations: Because of the isolated nature of the provis, most cultures have not even thought about the possibility that some of the “people” in their dreams are real beings. Provis do have relations with monsters of the Dimension of Dreams, though. Moonbeasts are feared by nearly all provis because of their tendency to take provis as slaves and nightmare creatures are treated as living natural disasters. Strangely many provis tribes have formed unique bonds with nearby zoog tribes, in spite of the provis’ tendency to dislike the nasty creatures’ depravity. The two societies often rely on each other for resources in the treacherous landscape.

These partnerships usually only last as long as the provis tribe can keep its numbers well above those of the partnered zoog tribe.

Provis who do come in contact with mortals who have supernaturally entered the Dimension of Dreams tend to act between two extremes. Some provis try to please mortals so they can better convince such travelers to rescue them from their insane native realm, while provis who worship the abominations of Leng or the Great Old Ones may attempt to sacrifice or torture the visiting mortals in the name of their lords.

Alignment and Religion: Provis can be of any alignment and tend to worship Great Old Ones, like Bokrug and Hastur, or powerful beings from the realm of Leng. Leng-worshiping provis often perform dark rituals in attempts to prevent being kidnapped by Denizens of Leng, though there is no sign of such practices actually providing any protection. Worship of dream and nightmare dragons has become more popular in recent years.

Adventurers: Provis who escape from the Dimension of Dreams do not know how to lead an ordinary life and generally become nomadic adventurers. Fortunately with their shapeshifting abilities, provis do not find it difficult to deceive an adventuring group into accepting them. A provis does tell the party of his shapechanging nature eventually, but he will nearly always use oneiromancy to discover if his companions can be trusted not to react too severely to the revelation.

Racial Traits

• Ability Score Modifiers: +2 Strength, +2 Charisma, -2 Wisdom: Originating from a realm where strength of presence translates to physical strength and where anything could be true — and deadly — leads provis to be strong in body and personality, but prone to accept everything as true until proven to not be a threat.
• Type: Provis are outsiders with the native subtype.
• Size: Provis are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
• Speed: Provis have a base land speed of 30 feet.
• Languages: Provis begin play speaking Common and Aklo. Provis with high Intelligence scores can choose any languages they want (except secret languages, such as Druidic).

Special Abilities

Dream Attuned

Provis gain a +2 racial bonus on saves against dream-related abilities and spells, such as nightmare. In addition, a provis gains a +4 racial bonus on Charisma checks to determine his initial condition when his lucid body enters a dream.

Change Shape (Su)

A provis can assume the appearance of a specific, single Medium humanoid and always takes this specific form when using this ability. The provis gains a +10 racial bonus on Disguise checks to appear as that type of humanoid. This ability otherwise functions as alter self, except the provis does not adjust his ability scores. A provis can select a new humanoid form by spending 1 week preparing himself for the change, but can then no longer assume his previous humanoid form.

Interpret Dreams

Provis may use the prognostication skill unlock in the form of oneiromancy without needing to be capable of casting psychic spells. While in the Dimension of Dreams, provis do not need to be asleep to use the skill unlock. Provis can use prognostication on any individuals present in the dreamscape, as well as on the primary dreamer whose slumbering soul summons the dreamscape. If the provis has levels in a psychic casting class or has the Psychic Sensitivity feat, he gains a racial bonus on the prognostication check equal to half his level (minimum +1).

Minor Impossibility (Su)

Once per day as a standard action, a provis on a plane other than the Dimension of Dreams can make an impossible action as if he was dreaming. This functions as trying to perform an impossible feat (see Dimension of Dreams), except he can only attempt impossible feats with a DC of 10. For every four levels he has, the potential DC that can be attempted increases by one. Items created through this remain for a number of hours equal to his Charisma modifier.

No Face

A provis gains a +2 racial bonus on all Bluff and Perform (act) checks.

Favored Class Bonuses

• Fighter: Gain a +1 bonus on CMB when making a Dirty Trick or Steal combat maneuver.
• Kineticist: Add 1/3 point of damage to aether element blasts that deal damage.
• Medium: Gain a +1/2 bonus on Bluff and Disguise skill checks to pretend to be the type of individual associated with your current legendary spirit (such as pretending to be a member of a cult while channeling a Hierophant).
• Mesmerist: When casting mesmerist illusion spells, add 1/2 to the effective caster level of the spell, but only to determine the spell’s duration.
• Occultist: Increase the occultist’s total number of points of mental focus by 1/2 point.
• Psychic: When casting spells from the bonus spells list of the Dream Discipline or a spell with the word “dream” in its name, add 1/3 to the caster level of the spell.
• Ranger: Increase the bonus from having the Dimension of Dreams as a favored terrain by +1/5.
• Rogue: Gain a +1 bonus on Stealth skill checks to hide while gaining concealment from being in a crowd.
• Spiritualist: Your phantom gains a +1/2 bonus on Bluff and Disguise skill checks.
• Summoner: Add +1/4 to the eidolon’s evolution pool.