Misi

Misi lack length, width and height entirely, existing solely in dimensions four, five and six. Now and then one flickers into view as a shapeless rainbow shimmer for a moment or two. Such glimpses can happen anywhere, on a world's surface, in the void between worlds or out on the flame-sea, but they cluster near starships because they are drawn to the magic that drives them. Always roll 1d6 for the number in a pack, since their numbers can strongly affect any fight.

Misi cannot physically harm ordinary beings. Instead they meddle with any magic in use, especially the magic powering starships. They always act as one, making a single attack however many are present, either disrupting the ship's navigation or twisting a spell as it is cast. The spellcaster or starhelm pilot makes an Intelligence check; success repels the misi, while failure means they succeed, with results determined on a table.

No physical attack harms them, even with magic weapons. Only spells can, and only if a specific misi can be found to target. A character has a chance equal to three times Intelligence to spot one's shimmering body for one round, so Intelligence 10 gives 30% and Intelligence 18 gives 54%. Detect invisibility does not reveal them, but locate animals, locate object and ESP do.

Their homes are small family hollows tucked into those higher dimensions. Our three dimensions are as murky to them as theirs are to us, perceiving characters only as dim shadows, and take no interest in them unless magic is involved.

Misi feed on magical emanations, which is why starships attract them. A swarm that settles on a vessel darts around its decks, lines and steering gear, sometimes flaring briefly into visible light, and feed for 1d10 turns. Every round of feeding lowers the ship's starhelm rating by 1, yes, every round. Once the rating sinks under 1, the vessel falls from starhelm speed and sits stranded until the swarm has eaten its fill.