I really wish I could've figured it out before posting, but with Early Access they may not even be implemented yet.
I can definitely tell you what they don't do based on what I tested:
- Don't make Thralls passive or keep them corralled.
- Don't hide the Surge symbol on the map.
- Don't make Surge Harvests cheaper.
- Don't keep away wild animals.
- Don't prevent the Maelstrom.
- Don't prevent thralls from 'having their souls sucked away' by the Maelstrom.
They do burn Decaying Eldarium at a 1 per ~15seconds rate, though. So I hope whatever it is is good.